A Right Royal Mix-up – Uncut!

I'm sorry... I'm so sorry… There's really no excuse for my horrendous delay in posting this chapter, but I'm gonna try anyway. Okay, so I've been ill in bed for a week, took a Maths exam only qualified for by the top 600 students in Britain, have my art GCSE in a week and am frantically preparing for it, visited the army college in Nottinghamshire (an 8 hour round drive…) and have FINALLY updated Tears of Flame… Alright, I concede, I'm just so sorry!

Anyhoo, this is a special chapter for all my uncut readers, who I thought just weren't getting their money's worth. It's dedicated to everblue3, my favouritest reviewer, who was responsible for the delay in posting my last chapter as I had to wait for dear old bluey to review before I could post the next chapter… That's really put the pressure on you now, everblue3. If you don't review, I could stop this story in mid flow…. *Whahahahaha* Don't worry, even I am not quite that evil. This story will be completed (eventually). I'm planning 30m chapters in total, possibly with an epilogue, so I'm only halfway done with Lily and James's suffering *cackles evilly once again* But enough of my rambling. I'm sure that, now I've actually posted it, you're all eager to read my next chappie… so here goes…

Disclaimer – If in doubt, it ain't mine.

Chapter 16

            The party lasted quite late. When it was over, Lily went upstairs alone. James had disappeared right after the midnight supper, and she hadn't seen Ariadne in some time.

            It was just as well, Lily thought wearily as she closed the door of her suite. She wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, even her best friend.

            She kicked off her shoes and walked out onto the balcony, enjoying the silence after all the hubbub of the party. The formal gardens looked almost eerie in the moonlight, like a surrealist painting in shades of grey and black. Gravel paths fanned out in several directions, giving no clue as to where they led. Like life, Lily thought poignantly. You could take the wrong path quite innocently. With a sigh she went back into the bedroom.

            She'd discarded the heavy wig along with her shoes. That was the easy part. Getting out of the gown was the challenge. Although the hooks at her waist were tiny and hard to unfasten, at least they were in reach. The ones higher up were not. After struggling mightily, she had to concede defeat.

            What to do now? Gabrielle would have called a maid to undress her, but Lily hated to disturb anyone at that late hour. In any case, she didn't know how to summon the maid. There were several symbols by her bed, but she hadn't listened when the butler told her which did what when she tapped them with her wand. Her only option was to hope Ariadne wasn't asleep yet.

            Holding her gown together at the back of her waist, Lily went into the hallway. Her stocking-clad feet didn't make any sound on the carpeted floor and she knocked softly. Too softly, because there was no answer.

            Knowing Ariadne was a sound sleeper, Lily was forced to knock a little louder. When that brought no result, she called to her and still didn't get any response. The situation would have seemed funny at any other time, but Lily was tired and she wanted to go to bed.

            Out of sheer frustration, she called out louder than she intended, "Ariadne, will you please wake up!"

            Ariadne's door remained shut, but the one across the hall opened. James stood in the doorway, wearing only black satin pyjama bottoms that rode low on his lean hips. His normally messy hair was even more tousled, as though he'd been asleep.

"What the devil's going on out here?" he demanded.

            "I'm sorry I woke you," she murmured.

            James looked incredibly sexy with his sleepy eyes and half-naked body. Lily tried not to stare at his broad chest and defined muscles.

            "What are you doing out in the hall at this time of night?" he asked.

            "I was just going to bed, but I have to see Ariadne first."

            "Can't it wait until morning? She's obviously asleep."

            "I know, but I need her help. I can't get out of this wretched dress."

            He looked at her with a slight frown. "Why didn't you call a maid?"

            "Because I forgot which symbol to tap and I didn't want a whole gaggle of servants showing up at this hour. I feel foolish enough as it is."

            "Since I'm already up, there's no point in waking Ariadne. Turn around and I'll unhook you."

            She did as he said, because it was only sensible, but when he fumbled with the tiny hooks, Lily wasn't so sure. She was very conscious of him, so close behind her that she could feel the warmth of his body on her bare back.

            "This thing must have been designed by the Marquis de Sade," he muttered. "What you need is someone with little fingers and a lot of patience."

            "It's all right, I'll wake Ariadne," Lily said with relief, starting to move away.

            James stopped her by putting an arm around her waist. "I didn't say I couldn't do it. Just give me a minute."

            "We're going to wake up the whole house," she protested.

            "Not if you stop fidgeting." He grinned suddenly. "Although I suggest we go into your room. The lighting is better, and if anyone came walking down the hall, this would look quite suggestive."

            Lily didn't want to be alone with James, and certainly not in her bedroom. But making a big thing of it would only provoke sarcastic remarks. She didn't feel up to resuming hostilities at this time of night, so she silently led the way.

            "Did the party just break up?" he asked after closing the door and resuming the intricate task of unhooking her dress.

            "Weren't you there?"

            "By one o'clock I felt I'd done my duty, so I went to bed. You didn't even miss me," he teased.

            "I didn't see that much of you during the second half of the evening," she answered evenly. "But I'm sure all the single women missed you."

            He didn't respond for a moment. Then Lily breathed a sigh of relief, realising her gown was finally unfastened. She held the top so it wouldn't slide off her shoulders.

            James turned her around to face him. "I want to apologise for my conduct tonight. I behaved like a petulant schoolboy. You have every right to be angry."

            "I wasn't the one who got angry. You were."

            "Disappointed is a better word for it. I thought you wanted me as much as I wanted you."

            "I did! It just wasn't – "

"You don't have to explain. No means no. A real man accepts that."

Lily felt he deserved more of an explanation, but what could she say?

            "It's alright, darling." He stroked her hair tenderly. "I overreacted because I want you so much, but I think I understand what you were trying to tell me."

She gave him a cautious look. "You do?"

            "You want our relationship to be different from the ones we've had in the past. There's more to marriage than just the physical side – although I must admit that part is irresistible." He smiled sensuously. "I want to take you to bed and make love to you night and day for a week."

            It was torture to be offered something she wanted so much, yet couldn't have. Lily made a tiny sound of protest.

            James misunderstood. "Don't worry, angel. I'm not sure if I can wait until our wedding night, but if that's what you want, I'll try."

            "You would do that for me?"

            He framed her face in his palms and gazed at her tenderly. "I love you, sweetheart. It's taken me years to discover it, but I never really knew you before. Whatever you want is all right with me. I want to make you as happy as you've made me."

            "Oh, James, I can't do this to you," she whispered.

            "I'll survive." He smiled. "It will take a lot of cold showers, but you're worth it, my love."

            Unshed tears made her eyes as bright as stars. "You're too good to be true," she said in a choked voice. As she reached out for him, the front of her loosened dress slipped to her waist.

            He drew in his breath sharply at the sight of her exposed breasts. The raw hunger in his eyes couldn't be refused. When Lily made no effort to cover herself, James reached out and cupped her breasts in his hands.

            "You're irresistible," he muttered, caressing her compulsively.

            He pulled her into his arms and parted her lips for a deep, inflaming kiss that made her long for his full possession. When his hands moved along her bare back, then lower to cup her buttocks and lift her into the juncture of his thighs, Lily moved urgently against him.

            "You don't know what you're doing to me," he groaned. "I've never wanted anyone this much. I can't leave you alone."

            "I don't want you to," she whispered. "Love me, darling."

            "Yes, sweetheart, I'm going to fill you with joy. I'll hold you in my arms and we'll be joined in every way."

            They clung together for long moments, their passion rising as they caressed each other with increasing intimacy.

            "Ah, Gabrielle, Gabrielle..." He murmured her name over and over. "My beautiful bride."

The reminder registered, even in Lily's heated state. Her body told her to ignore it, but the damage had been done. Passion didn't justify what she was doing – even though her feelings for him were more than merely physical. But it would still be a betrayal of the man she loved. He would never forgive her.

            James could feel her tense in his arms. He raised his head to look at her searchingly. "What's wrong, Gabrielle?"

            Her lashes swept down to fan her flushed cheeks. How could she do this to him again? There was no easy way except the truth, which couldn't be told. "You can tell how much I want you, James," she began haltingly.

            "But you still want to do it the right way," he finished for her.

            "She glanced up swiftly, dreading the anger she expected to find on his face, but she found only tenderness tinged with regret.

            "It would make our marriage... significant, somehow," she explained hesitantly, hoping he would accept that.

            He smiled. "More than just a night of passionate love-making – although I can't think of anything better at the moment." He smiled wryly. "But our marriage is going to be so much more than that. We'll be partners as well as lovers, sharing everything."

            "It sounds wonderful," Lily answered wistfully.

            "It will be," he said in a vibrant voice. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he kissed her without taking her in his arms. When her disappointment showed, James laughed. "I've used up most of my self-control for tonight. I have just enough left to take me out of the door." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Sleep well, angel. I'll see you in the morning."

            After he left, Lily undressed slowly and climbed into bed. If she hadn't listened to her conscience, James would be lying here with her, their naked bodies joined together. She turned over on her stomach and buried her head under the pillow to blot out the erotic image.

            Doing the right thing might be good for her character, but it didn't do a lot for the rest of her.

Well, there we are! Hope it was worth the wait…

Next chapter – fluffy, romantic chapter – breakfast in bed and a picnic…

Ecky Ecky Fatang Whooooop Ohnie!

Power to the Wafflemice!!!