A Right Royal Mix-up – Uncut!

I'm so sorry for the appallingly long wait for this chapter. I'm now on study leave, so I should be able to get chapters out faster (famous last words!) Anyhoo, I'm sure y'all just want to read the chappie – not much L/J action, I still want to keep you in suspense ;-o

Disclaimer – If in doubt, it's probably not mine.

Chapter 20

            After the entourage had left for Grandalia, Claude relaxed over a drink with Henri. It had been a stressful time and both men were relieved that the situation had resolved itself without rupturing relations between Beaumarre and Grandalia. Claude had received a fire-call from Damien during which the two men expressed their continuing faith in James.

            Claude realised, however, that only this latest crisis had been averted. A much more serious one was still unresolved. "I can't understand why you still haven't been able to find my daughter," he said to Henri. "Gabrielle is one of the most instantly recognisable young women in the world. Your people must be either stupid or incompetent." The king scowled as his frustration mounted.

            "Everybody is making an all-out effort, Your Majesty, but we're hampered by having to be extremely circumspect. Still, I'm as puzzled as you. We've sent people to all the luxury resorts the princess frequents. We've questioned her friends discreetly. We've even enlisted the help of bartenders and headwaiters, but nobody has seen her."

            "Or else they're not telling you."

            "I don't believe that's the case. My people have been very careful not to arouse suspicion. They're trained to get information without giving any away."

            "She can't have vanished off the face of the earth!! Gabrielle telephoned from somewhere! What about a private yacht? She could be cruising to God-knows-where!"


            "It's a possibility, but there are a limited number of larger private yachts that can offer the luxury that the princess prefers. I managed to obtain the guest lists for every one that's on a cruise at this time. A lot of the princess's friends are aboard various ships, but Gabrielle's on any list."

            "I'd like to know what she's living on. You told me she hasn't used any of her credit cards – which is astounding in itself," Claude said ironically.

            "The princess undoubtedly knows we could locate her through her purchases."

            "She must be found," Claude stated imperiously. "This stalemate can't go on any longer. I want results, not excuses."

            "I understand, Your Majesty." Henri hesitated. "When we do find your daughter, I'm afraid she will be very angry at being forced to return. Has it occurred to you that she might tell Prince James he's been duped?"

            "Gabrielle is wilful and headstrong, but she loves her country. She knows any such revelation would destroy the peaceful relations that have existed between us and Grandalia for generations." Claude's smile was wintry. "She'll make my life miserable, but she won't betray me."

            "Will she marry the prince, though?" Henri persisted. "Her return won't automatically solve everything. Lily could be the princess's twin, but they're nothing alike." He chose his words carefully. "Gabrielle has a… a more… volatile personality than Lily."

            "Explosive is the word for her," Claude agreed dryly.

            "Prince James will be bound to notice the difference. If he was attracted to Lily – who is perhaps a little more understanding, shall we say – then he might not be compatible with Princess Gabrielle."

            "I'm hoping that despite her anger with me, Gabrielle will discover for herself what a charming young man James is. Everyone else is captivated by him."

            "He has been quite a hit with the court as well as the people of Beaumarre," Henri conceded.

            "Gabrielle can't help but be impressed," Claude said eagerly. "We've had a few setbacks, but the original idea of a marriage was sound. My daughter and James might not know it now, but they'll thank us someday."

            It was Henri's private opinion that the king was whistling in the dark. The two young royals would be like petrol and matches together.

            The only bright spot was that Lily had helped them avert a major scandal.

            The castle at Grandalia was larger and more imposing than the palace at Beaumarre. Flags flew from turreted towers, and ivy clung to the ancient bricks. Beyond the massive front portals was a lofty entrance hall hung with priceless tapestries.

            Lily and Ariadne weren't given a chance to look around. Servants were waiting in the great hall to show the entourage to their quarters.

            "Wow, this place makes Gabrielle's palace look like a tract house," Ariadne muttered to Lily as they followed one of the staff up broad marble stairs carpeted in midnight blue.

            "It's not your average two-bedrooms-and-a-kitchen," Lily conceded.

            "The housemaids probably have apartments larger than that," Ariadne remarked as they reached Lily's suite where a maid was already unpacking for her.

            "If there is anything that your require, Your Highness, please ring." The manservant gestured to a long tapestry pull next to rose-coloured damask drapes. The drapes were looped back from tall windows, which overlooked lush green lawns that were bordered in the distance by an old-growth pine forest.

            "The king and queen request the honour of your company in the library in one hour," the man said. "My name is Édouard, and I will return to escort you there if that is agreeable to Your Highness."

            "That will be fine, Édouard," Lily said.

            "Do you feel as if you're five years old again and your mother is going to hold your hand and walk you across the street?" Ariadne asked, after the man left.

            "It's better than getting lost and having them send out a search party for us," Lily remarked.

            "I wasn't included in the invitation. James's parents just want to see you."

            "I'm sure that was just an oversight on Édouard's part. He meant he'd come back for both of us."

            Ariadne shook her head. "I'm getting the hang of this protocol thing. The king and queen will meet all their guests at dinner tonight, but you're not an ordinary guest. It's natural that they'd want to talk to you privately."

            "This is the part I hate." Lily sighed. "I don't know what to say to them."

            "Just be your own sweet self," Ariadne teased. "They'll love you."

            "That's the whole point. I don't want them to love me!"

            "Then be rude. Tell them your accommodations are terrible and demand new ones. It's probably what Gabrielle would do."

            "You're a big help," Lily grumbled.

            James had waited until his guests were taken care of before going to look for his parents. He found them in the library where they all embraced warmly.

            "It's good to have you back, my boy," King Damien said fondly. "We missed you."

            "I can't imagine why, considering the way I sulked like a teenager for days before I left." James smile. "I wouldn't have blamed you if you'd changed the locks on the front doors."

            Rosamund returned his smile. "Parents learn to grin and bear it. Payback time will come when you have children of your own."

            "I'm happy to tell you that's not the case yet," James said, a trifle grimly.

            "I've already spoken to my lawyers," Damien said. "They'll proceed on the matter first thing in the morning."

            "There's to be no compromise," James warned. "I'm sorry for the additional publicity this will cause if I insist on complete vindication, but I won't settle for anything less."

            "I wouldn't consider it, either," Damien said. "As for the publicity – I welcome it. I intend to issue a press release telling the world we won't stop until we get a retraction on the front page if that tabloid."

            "They can't buy us off as they do a lot of their other victims. Our pockets are as deep as theirs." Rosamund smiled mischievously.

            James's face was charged with deep emotion. "I can't tell you what it means to have you stand beside me like this."

            "We know what a principled young man you are," his father answered fondly. "I'm just glad Gabrielle recognises it, too." When James's expression changed, Damien looked at him sharply. "This hasn't caused trouble between you two, has it?"

            "Don't be naïve, darling," Rosamund chided. "The girl would have to be a saint not to have been furious with him. It wouldn't be surprising for relations between them to be a little strained at first. The important thing is that she stuck by James."

            "Did she?" Damien continued to stare at his son.

            "Gabrielle returned with him, didn't she?" Rosamund asked impatiently. "That should answer your question."

            "Actually, her father talked her into coming," James said with reluctance. "When Gabrielle heard what I was accused of she went ballistic. I suppose I can't blame her. It really blindsided us. We'd gone out alone for a picnic and when we returned, everyone was talking about that damn article. She was hurt and embarrassed."

            "But you explained that it was a pack of lies," James's father said.

            "Not exactly. She was too angry to let me explain. Then I lost my temper and let her think the story was true."

            "How could you do that?" Damien exclaimed.

            James shrugged. "I figured if she didn't trust me, nothing I said would make any difference. When she said we had grounds for breaking the engagement, I said that was fine with me."

            "The engagement is off? Why wasn't I informed of this?" the king demanded.

            "I'm not sure whether it's on or off." James stood to pace the floor restlessly, jingling some coins in his pocket. "Or which one I want it to be."

            Damien's rising indignation died as he gazed at his son. "Now would be the worst possible time to announce the engagement is over, but your future happiness is a more compelling reason for doing so. I take full responsibility for this fiasco, if that's any consolation to you."

            "I'm not blaming you, father."

            "You're more forgiving than I would be in your place," Damien said wryly. "I played God because I thought I knew what was best for you. I won't compound the error my forcing you to see it through. I'll call Claude right away and discuss the most diplomatic way to end the engagement."

            Rosamund was watching her son intently. "Is that what you want, James? You don't feel you can be happy with Gabrielle?"

            "I'm afraid it's the other way around," he answered sombrely. "She's the woman I always dreamed of meeting. I fell deeply in love with her, and I thought she cared for me too. It hurt more than you'll ever know when she seized the first chance to get away from me."

            "She must care for you if she's willing to continue on as if nothing had happened," Rosamund protested.

            "Gabrielle is a kind, decent human being. She wouldn't desert me when I needed her. But pity is no basis for a marriage. I suppose we'd better bite the bullet and get it over with. Make the call and do whatever damage control you feel is necessary, father. For your sake, not mine." James added. "I really don't care anymore."

            "There's no need to act immediately," his mother said hastily. "Gabrielle has shown great generosity by coming here and facing down the gossip. You can't trivialise her gift. Festivities have been planned for the whole week. Why don't you wait until they're over to make the announcement?"

            "How can I ask Gabrielle to go on pretending for another week?" James asked hesitantly.

            "She's expressed her willingness." Damien had picked up on his son's reluctance to sever the relationship. "By the end of the week the celebrations will be over and the spotlight will be off both of you. After a suitable period, Claude or I can announce that by mutual consent, you've changed your minds."

            "I suppose that would be all right," James agreed, looking a great deal more cheerful.

            "It's the only sensible way to handle the matter," Damien assured him. "By then we should have our retraction from the tabloid, and the whole thing will simply fade away."

            Rosamund looked at her watch. "Now that's decided, you'd better go and freshen up, James. We've asked Gabrielle to join us for a private chat before dinner."

            When their son had left the room, Damien shook his head. "Does James really believe all those fairy tales I just told him?"

            "At this moment all he cares about is spending another week with Gabrielle. I think he really loves her," Rosamund answered her husband.

            "That would be a cause for celebration if she felt the same way," Damien said soberly.

            "Don't be too sure she doesn't." Rosamund smiled. "The Potter men are irresistible. I can vouch for that."

Well, there you go! Hope that chapter was worth the wait! I should post the next one fairly quickly.

Next chappie – Lily and Ariadne meet the respective parents! I've have requests for a bit more R/A action soon, so the focus shifts onto them slightly for this chapter…

Delirious monkey-fish!