A Right Royal Mix-Up – Uncut!
Sorry about the wait… Well, I'm back from Majorca, seriously sunburnt and dreading the huge pile of revision I have to do. So, naturally, instead of revising for the two exams I have tomorrow, I'm posting my next chapter. Glad to know I've got my priorities sorted, eh? This fic is drawing to a close, and I should be able to update more regularly soon – I only have to be in school for four more days! Yay! I'll try and get the next chapter up in two or three days. Well, here goes… Hope you like it!
Disclaimer – just in case anyone hasn't quite grasped this fact yet, it's not mine.
Chapter 23
James's country home was a vast estate. The house itself was smaller than the family castle, but almost as impressive. It was set in the centre of acres of land, surrounded by high stone walls. The grounds around the house were colourfully landscaped with carefully tended flowers and clipped grass that softened the imposing stone structures.
James gave Lily the requested tour, pointing out the fireplace he'd described and some improvements he'd made. The renovations were more obvious upstairs, where the bathrooms had been modernised and some of the stone floors carpeted.
"This wing will be the nursery someday," he said, leading her into a large room that connected with several others.
"You must be expecting to have a lot of children," Lily remarked in an attempt at humour.
"I hope to," he answered without any suggestiveness. "This will be the common playroom, with the children's bedrooms and the nanny's interconnecting. In the opposite wing is the master suite. I'll show you that and then we'll go down to the cellar."
The master suite was very masculine. The furniture was massive, with few softening touches. The bedside table held a lamp, a telephone and two books, but no ornaments or plants. The dresser and a tall chest were similarly uncluttered. Only the large desk had the normal amount of disorder.
James watched Lily's face as she glanced around. "You don't like it," he commented with disappointment.
"I do," she protested. "It's a very handsome room – for a man. Anyone can tell that a woman doesn't live here."
"If you shared this room, what would you change?" he asked in a casual tone. She glanced around thoughtfully. "For starters, I'd bring some colour into the bedspread and drapes. And then I'd charm that couch and those chairs, probably to a print with a white background. Those are the major changes, but I'd also fill the room with flowering plants and some personal touches. That ormolu clock on the mantel downstairs, and the lovely Wedgwood bowl, perhaps."
"I didn't realise I was living in such austerity." He laughed.
"It's your room. You're entitled to furnish it any way you like. You asked me what I'd do and I told you."
"If you decide to marry me – and I'm by no means pressurising you – but if you decide, you can redecorate any way you like."
"Sure, and you'll move to one of the spare bedrooms." She smiled.
"I can guarantee that would never happen," he said in a velvet voice.
"Didn't you promise to show me the dungeon?" she asked, moving towards the door.
"If these were the old days, I'd keep you there until I wore down your resistance," he joked.
"You're too civilised for that."
"Keep reminding me of the fact." He put his arm around her as they walked down the hall. "I have stirrings of my caveman origins when I'm around you."
The dungeon wasn't easy to get to. Beyond the cavernous kitchen was a room with a trapdoor in the floor. James grasped a metal ring in the door and pulled it open, revealing a flight of hand-hewn stone steps leading to the basement below. It was dark, and a dank smell rose from the depths.
"You want to change your mind?" he asked Lily.
"No, I really want to see it." She couldn't tell him, but this might be her only chance to see an authentic dungeon.
"All right, if you're sure." James flipped a switch and nothing happened. "Damn!" he said, withdrawing his wand and lighting the end of it. "The lights must have burned out. Stay here and I'll turn on the lights in the cellar."
She stared down into the black hole. It was a little eerie. Were people actually imprisoned in the dark in those long-ago, brutal days? She hoped not. James's footsteps sounded faintly from below, like those of an animal prowling. And then the lights came on, dissipating the feeling of danger.
"Stay there and I'll come up and get you," James called.
But Lily had already started down the stairs. "It's all right. I can make it on my own," she called back.
There was no railing, so she clung to the wall with one hand as she picked her way gingerly down the uneven stone steps.
"Wait for me," he ordered. "You might fall."
Before Lily could answer, her heel caught in a crevice between two rocks and she pitched forward into space.
James raced up the stairs and caught her, breaking her fall, but her knee scraped painfully across one of the rough stone steps.
He held her tightly, his heart racing against hers. "You never listen to me," he scolded. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. You could have broken your neck!"
"You were right about the high heels," she said meekly. "Next time I'll take your advice."
"It's a nice fantasy, anyway." He smiled wryly. "I'm just thankful you didn't get hurt."
Lily didn't want to tell him that her knee was throbbing. But as they started back up the stairs, James noticed that she was trying not to limp.
"What's the matter with your leg?" he asked sharply.
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"No, you aren't." He knelt down to see for himself. "You're bleeding! Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
"I just scraped my knee, that's all. No big deal."
"What am I going to do with you?" He swung her into his arms and started for the central staircase. "You need somebody to take care of you."
"You mean, like a keeper?" she teased.
"It's not a bad idea." He smiled wryly. "Your father would agree with me."
"He did. He chose you."
"I'm not doing a very good job of it." James carried her to the bed in his suite and set her down gently. "Let me take a look at that leg."
He uttered a sharp exclamation when he examined her more closely. Her panty hose were shredded and blood was oozing out of the scrape on her knee.
"Take off your panty hose," he ordered.
"Certainly not!"
"This is no time for false modesty," he said impatiently. "All I'm going to do is charm out the grit, repair the skin and relieve the bruising. We'd better bandage it too, in case of infection." He disappeared into the adjoining bathroom before she could object.
Lily knew he was right. The tiny particles of stone in her knee had to be cleaned out or it might very well become infected. Scowling in annoyance, she hastily wriggled out of her panty hose while he was still out of the room.
James returned, carrying newly transfigured bandages that had once been towels. He raised an eyebrow when he saw she'd done as he instructed. "This must be a first."
"Just get it over with," she muttered.
"That's scarcely the kind of thing a man likes to hear," he remarked mischievously.
"I'm not noted for my patience," she said pointedly.
"Tell me something I don't know." He put a towel under her leg and brandished his wand. "This might hurt a little." She winced as he pointed the wand to her knee and muttered a spell, drawing the dirt and grit out of the wound, grating painfully. "I'm sorry," he murmured.
"It isn't your fault."
"I know, but I never want to hurt you," he said softly.
Lily's heart filled with so much love that she lowered her lashes, unable to answer.
"The worst is over," he said. "I'll put on a bandage and you'll be as good as new." He gave his wand an elaborate flourish.
She looked at the large square of gauze that now covered her knee. "Does it have to be that large? I don't want to make a big deal out of this."
"I didn't want you to get blood on your white skirt, but the cut should stop bleeding soon. You can take off the bandage when we get home."
"All of this and I didn't even get to see the dungeon," she commented ruefully.
"When you've seen one, you've seen them all. If it's a high priority you'll just have to come back again."
"But next time I'll wear flat shoes," she agreed, knowing there wouldn't be a next time.
James's smile faded and he gripped her hand. "When I saw you come plunging down those stone steps I felt real terror for the first time in my life. I don't know how I could have gone on if anything terrible had happened to you."
"James," she said hesitantly.
"I'm not asking you to love me." He framed her face in his palms and gazed at her with deep emotion. "It would be a dream come true if you did, but if that isn't to be, I'll settle for knowing that you're alive and happy."
Lily threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, James, I don't deserve you!"
He held her close and stroked her hair. "Don't feel badly, sweetheart. I'm a grown man, I can cope with it. You can't help the way you feel."
"You don't understand about me. I never meant to hurt you. No matter what happens, please believe that."
"You don't have to apologise. Love is a rare and wonderful thing. It hit me hard, but you can't make somebody love you in return," he said sadly.
"James, don't you know what I'm saying? I love you so much it hurts!" Lily decided nothing was worth the pain she was inflicting on him. If he hated her for the cruel trick she'd played on him, it couldn't be helped. He deserved to know the truth.
James was staring at her with a mixture of incredulity, joy and belated caution. "You know that's what I want to hear, but you don't have to say it, angel."
"Yes I do! I can't pretend any longer."
"Why would you want to? You have to know I'm mad about you!" He drew back to look at her searchingly. "Is it because of Tanya? You still think I'm involved with her?"
"No, I trust you completely, James. I know you're not capable of anything callous or underhanded."
He gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. "My love. I never knew I could be this happy!"
His fervent kiss expressed all the pent-up longing he'd been keeping in check. Lily responded with an equal lack of restraint. It had been so difficult to deny him, when he was everything she'd ever wanted.
They clung to each other, murmuring passionate declarations of love between frantic kisses. Gradually James's caresses became more sensual and his mouth trailed down her neck to the valley between her breasts.
Lily arched her body as he unbuttoned her blouse and strung a line of kisses over the soft slopes of her bra. Then his teeth nipped gently at the hardened nipple straining against its lace covering. She moaned softly as his warm tongue circled the little bud, creating a burning desire.
"My beautiful princess," he said huskily. "You're all mine, aren't you?"
Lily struggled to resist his powerful allure until she established complete honesty between them. James had to know the truth before they made love; otherwise she would be taking advantage of him. Maybe he wouldn't want her once he found out what she was capable of. That was a chance she had to take.
She captured his tormenting hand, but it remained curved around her breast. "We have to talk, James," she said faintly.
"I can't say much for your timing." His chuckle had a deep masculine sound.
"There's something I have to tell you," she persisted.
"I don't want to hear anything except I love you, James."
"You know I do, but I can't – "
"I can see there's only one way to get your full attention."
His mouth took possession of hers, effectively ending all conversation. While his tongue probed deeply, his hands caressed her body sensually.
All of her senses were under siege. Lily tried to remember why this was wrong, but when his hand slipped under her skirt to stroke her bare thighs, nothing else seemed important.
"Your skin is so warm and smooth," he murmured. "I want to touch every inch of you."
She flung her arms around his neck as his fingertips made erotic circles over her stomach. When they moved to the damp curls at the apex of her thighs, she held her breath in anticipation.
She was tantalised by his deliberate exploration of her body as he fulfilled his desire to know every inch of her. When his hand finally slipped between her legs and he probed intimately, she cried out in delight.
"Do you like that, my little darling?" he asked in husky voice. "I want to bring you more pleasure than you've ever known."
"You do, my love," she whispered. "It's never been like this."
"Do you know how that makes me feel?" He stared down at her with blazing eyes. "You're all the woman I'll ever want."
He positioned her body under his and scissored his legs around hers. Sliding his hands under her hips, he joined their bodies even closer. Lily was moulded to his long length, the hard proof of his desire raising the pitch of her own excitement almost unbearably.
He raised his head to say exultantly, "You're finally going to be mine. There's no turning back now."
She couldn't have if she'd tried. As James tugged her blouse out of her waistband, she reached eagerly to do the same with his shirt.
The harsh ringing of a telephone was an unspeakable intrusion into their private paradise. They stared at each other for a moment in disbelief.
"Do you have to answer it?" she asked in a muted voice.
James hesitated. "We use Muggle methods to ensure privacy. Only my close family have the number. Mother is the only one who knows we're here. She wouldn't disturb us unless it was really important."
Lily nodded wordlessly. As her passion slowly ebbed, she realised it was for the best, even though her aching body disagreed. She would have had to tell him afterwards, and it would have tarnished the beautiful experience.
It was James's father on the phone, not his mother. "I have wonderful news, son." Damien sounded euphoric.
"Couldn't it have waited until we got back, Father?" James gritted his teeth, trying to control his frustration. "This is the first free time Gabrielle and I have had in weeks.
"I realise that, but this is urgent. As you know, our Councillors have been negotiating with that tabloid newspaper. The publisher tried to stonewall us, but we've had detectives looking into the matter. They've uncovered enough unsavoury evidence against that Tanya woman to discredit her even without a blood test. She agreed to hold a press conference recanting her entire story."
"Fantastic!" James's frown was replaced by a broad smile.
"But that isn't all. When we presented our evidence to the newspaper and told them the amount we were prepared to sue for, they agreed to publish a retraction – on the front page!" Damien finished jubilantly. "That was one of our conditions."
"You were always a tough negotiator." James chuckled.
"It helps to be in the right, but this was one fight I didn't intend to lose. If money was all those people understand, then we'd have hit them where it hurts."
"I appreciate your support, Dad. Thanks for telling me the good news."
"Don't hang up, I'm not finished yet. The newspapers got wind of the story. You know how dogged they are about something this sensational. Reporters have been flooing in from all over, asking for a statement, so we set up a news conference. It's scheduled for two hours from now. That will give you time to get home and also confer with our Councillors before you face the press."
"You want me to come home now?" James turned to look at Lily.
"It's imperative! You want to clear your name and put this all behind you, don't you?"
"Of course," James answered, but with reluctance.
"Then you have to meet with the press, tell them how confident you were that you'd be vindicated, and answer the questions they're bound to have."
"I suppose it has to be done." James sighed. "I just wish it didn't have to be right now."
"I know, but it can't be helped. You'd better start for home immediately so our Councillors can brief you before you face the reporters."
James put down the phone slowly. "As you heard, that was Father." He told Lily what had happened.
She had already tucked her blouse back into her waistband. "That's good news." She slid off the bed without looking at him.
"It would have been even better news an hour from now," he said wryly.
"You can't have everything." She tried to keep her voice light.
"I almost did." He took her into his arms and cradled her chin in his hand, gazing down at her tenderly. "I wish I could tell them to have the news conference without me."
"You can't do that."
"No – for your sake as well as mine. I need to erase any doubt in people's minds. Although I don't know how anyone could think I would even look at another woman when I have you, my beautiful princess."
"We'd better go," Lily murmured.
"In a minute." He sighed and nestled her head on his shoulder. "I want to hold you just a little longer."
"We don't have time," she said as he kissed the corner of her mouth.
"Not for what I'd like to do. I don't want our first time to be a hurried affair. When I make love to you it will be slowly, the way you deserve. I'll hold you in my arms and bring you joy, over and over again, all night long."
"Oh, James," Lily groaned.
"You're right, I'm just tormenting both of us. But our time will come, sweetheart. I promise you."
"I'd like to think so," she said wistfully.
"Count on it! After the final ball, you and I are going away together for the weekend. Lord knows, we deserve it! We'll go someplace where we can be completely alone without these constant interruptions."
"I don't think there is any place like that," she said wryly.
"As a matter of fact, I happen to know of one."
"Where is it?"
"You'll find out when we get there. I want to surprise you."
Lily didn't allow herself to think about how wonderful it would be. When this week ended, so would her relationship with James. King Claude would have to figure out some other solution to his problem. She couldn't go on living a lie any longer.
James's parents were sure the promise of the printed retractions had patched up any rift between Lily and their son. James was obviously mad about her, and she couldn't hide her feelings for him. The chemistry between them was evident.
Remus and Ariadne were equally in love and had much the same problem as the other couple, although Remus wasn't aware of it.
"Remus asked me to marry him," Ariadne told Lily that evening.
"What did you say?"
"What could I say? You were the one who pointed out all the reasons why I couldn't accept."
"I'm sorry," Lily said quietly.
"It isn't your fault." Ariadne sighed. "You have your own troubles. It's do frustrating, though, when Remus and I both love each other. Sometimes I'm tempted to tell him the truth – but it's a no-win situation. He'd undoubtedly hate me for what we've done to James."
"You aren't to blame. I'm the guilty one."
"Not entirely. I was the one who urged you on. But it doesn't matter who was more at fault. We've backed ourselves into a corner and there's no way out."
"This thing has gotten out of hand and too many people are getting hurt. I won't let James be victimised any longer." Lily's chin set firmly. "If Gabrielle hasn't surfaced by the time this week is over, I'm going to tell him the truth. And this time I won't let myself be talked out of it."
"What about the repercussions between Beaumarre and Grandalia?"
"King Claude will just have to deal with it," Lily answered grimly. "I'm prepared to do everything in my power to convince Gabrielle of how wonderful James is. But I won't let her and her father keep him dangling. The longer he lives with great expectations, the more it will hurt when everything comes crashing down around him."
"You'd be taking an awful chance by telling him," Ariadne warned. "He might never forgive you."
"I'll just have to risk it," Lily replied bleakly. "James asked me to go away with him for the weekend after the grand ball. If there's no word from Gabrielle by then, I'm going," she said, making up her mind.
"Think about it before you do something you might regret," Ariadne pleaded.
"It's something I should have done days ago, but that's hindsight."
"Well, maybe James will understand how it happened."
Lily tried to smile. "Do you believe in the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny, too?"
"No, really. He might take it a lot better than you think. You could at least part friends." Since she realised Lily could not be dissuaded, Ariadne tried to sound convincing.
"Sure, it might be the best weekend of my life," Lily said mockingly. "Or the worst."
Well, how was that?
Next chapter is a short one before the climax – Starts off with Remus and Ariadne action, then moves on to Lily and James. Yay!
Here's a little poem, instead of my usual random phrase.
Irritating Poem
I'm writing a poem without any rhymes
But I've had to redo it just dozens of goes
Imagine my anger, my terrible rage
As the rhymes keep on jumping right onto the sheet
No sooner is one line put into its place
The next comes along, stares me right in the eye
Saying, "Now that you've finished that bit of the text,
You've got to have me, can't you see that I'm here."
I try for impossible words like 'cucumber'
But they overhear, and awake from their snoozing.
I reach out for 'artichoke', 'porridge' and 'sago'
But I find the gyrations just give me arthritis
