A Right Royal Mix-Up – Uncut!
Sorry for the delay – the chapter was written two days after I finished the last one, but ff.net wouldn't let me post it!… This is pure fluff, but I've been asked by a couple of reviewers to put in more romance (instead of all the wonderful angst!) But don't worry, angst-lovers – there'll be a nice, messy confrontation scene in a chapter or two… (fire-bird rubs her hands together with glee as she cackles evilly). There will be 29 chapters and an epilogue in this story, and I've planned them all out now, so I just need to get my nose to the grindstone and write the damn things! I'm trying to stick to two or three day gaps between chapters, so I hope the next will be posted within that time (fingers crossed – I'm revising for my Additional Mathematics exam – urgh!)
Anyhoo, that's enough about me, on with the fic!
Disclaimer – Have you ever doubted that I am indeed the wonderful JK? *bats eyelashes as readers snort* Yeah right – I wish!
Chapter 24
The week in Grandalia was winding to a close and most of the major events, including the public ones, were over. Helena's garden party was Thursday afternoon, the time Rosamund had allotted her. Someone else was hosting a private dinner in the evening and the grand ball on Friday night would climax the festivities.
Helena's party was as organised as if she'd planned it for weeks instead of just a few days. A corps of waiters circulated among the guests on the lawn, serving an endless supply of tiny sandwiches and pastries. Tea was dispensed from huge silver urns under a red-and-white tent, which also sheltered a long, fully stocked bar.
Ariadne gazed at the lovely chateau that overlooked the meticulously groomed lawns. "Your parents' home is beautiful," she remarked to Remus.
"You've only had a glimpse of the inside," he said. "After the party I'll show you around. I especially want you to see my apartment."
"You also have a suite of rooms at the royal castle, don't you?"
He nodded. "As equerry to prince, I have to spend a lot of time there. But now that James is getting married I'll have more time for my own life." He smiled and squeezed her hand.
Ariadne quickly turned to look around at the groups of guests dotting the lawn. "There must be almost a hundred guests here, but it isn't a bit crowded."
"My parents have had three times as many people at parties. This is just a last-minute thing."
"That's even more amazing. I don't know how your mother does it."
"Mother will be delighted to share her secret with you. You heard how badly she wants a daughter."
"Remus…" Ariadne began hesitantly.
"I know you haven't agreed to marry me, but I don't intend to give up. Not after you said you love me."
"I do love you, Remus, but I… I'm not ready to get married. Everything is happening too fast."
"I knew you were special from the moment I saw you," he said fondly. "But we don't have to get married right away. We can have an extended engagement, if you like. I just want it to be official. This would be a perfect time to make the announcement."
"No, you mustn't do that!" When he was surprised by her vehemence, Ariadne said in a milder tone, "I have to tell my parents first. Think how they'd feel if they read about it in the newspaper before I had a chance to tell them."
"You're right, of course. I hadn't thought of that."
"Well, now you understand. Let's have some tea." She started to walk towards the tent.
"I'm looking forward to meeting your parents," Remus remarked.
"You'd like them," Ariadne said wistfully. "How could I help it? They brought you into the world." He gazed at her tenderly.
Why did Remus have to be so sweet and trusting? Ariadne wondered hopelessly. She tried to think of how to change the subject – something she did a lot lately – but he didn't give her a chance.
"Why can't I go home with you when you leave here? I can meet your family and give them an opportunity to look me over."
"No, I… That wouldn't work out. I'm not going directly home from here."
He frowned slightly. "Where are you going?"
Ariadne improvised wildly, mixing a little truth with a lot of fiction. "Actually I might be going to England. An old school friend asked me to stay with her in London. I'm between jobs at the moment, so it seemed a good time to take her up on her invitation."
"You were simply going to drop out of my life without telling me?"
"I wouldn't put it that way," she answered carefully.
"What part didn't I understand?"
"You're overreacting, Remus. I'm just talking about a holiday."
"Which you never mentioned until I asked to meet your parents." He looked at her speculatively. "You never talk about yourself. Is there something you don't want me to know?"
"Like what?" she countered.
"That's what I'm asking you." He gazed at her steadily. "All I really know is that you and Gabrielle were at school together. You never mention your family or other friends. It's as though you have no past."
Ariadne picked her way through a minefield. "You're making my case for me. How can we consider marriage when we know so little about each other?"
"I'm willing to tell you anything you want to know. I'm saving the deep dark secret until I'm secure of you. I don't feel like I can trust you with it when you won't even tell me about your family." He waved an arm at the numerous guests. "My family is here today, and a lot of my friends. I want you to be a part of my life, but you won't let me into yours. Why not, Ariadne?"
"You're imagining things," she mumbled.
"I don't think so. Have I just been believing what I wanted to believe? The truth is, you don't want me to meet your parents because you don't intend to see me again after you leave here. This is just a summer romance for you, isn't it?"
"No!" Ariadne couldn't bear to have him remember her that way. "Whatever else you think about me, please believe I love you, Remus."
"I'd like to believe it," he said slowly. "But how can I? People who love each other want to be together. I have a terrible feeling I'll never see you again after you leave here."
"That would break my heart." Her eyes were bright with unshed tears as she told the truth.
"Darling Ariadne!" He took both her hands in his and held them tightly. "I'll never let that happen. Wherever you go, I'll come after you. The only thing that will keep me away is if you tell me you don't love me." He smiled tenderly as he added, "And even then I'll try to change your mind."
They were joined by a young couple, friends of Remus.
"You two look awfully serious. Don't you know this is a party?" the man joked.
Remus made the introductions and they all chatted for a few moments. When the woman asked him about a mutual friend, Ariadne made a vague excuse and went to find Lily.
The two women took one of the gravelled paths to a private corner of the garden, shielded from view. When the voices of the guests were only an indistinguishable murmur, Lily stared at her friend curiously. "Is something wrong? You look upset."
Ariadne told her what had happened with Remus. "What am I going to do?" she groaned. "I know the week is almost over, but I don't know if I can get through the rest of it. How can I keep on letting him believe we have a future together?"
"Maybe you do." Lily's jaw set firmly. "After James and I leave on Saturday you're going to tell Remus the truth. Then it's up to him, but I don't think he'll disappoint you."
"Are you sure you want me to do that?" Ariadne's face lit with a mixture of hope and caution. "What if you change your mind and decide not to tell James?"
"I won't. It's time King Claude stopped victimising everyone to save face. He's already ruined my life. I refuse to let him do it to the rest of you."
"I wish there was some solution for you and James," Ariadne said in a muted voice.
"The only one I can think of is if Grandalia suddenly abolishes the monarchy and becomes a democratic country." Lily tried to make a joke out of it, since they both knew her case was hopeless. "I can't see that happening in the foreseeable future, but at least one of us might as well get a husband out of this trip."
Lily's gown for the grand ball was an exquisite creation of white lace that could have doubled as a wedding gown. The bouffant skirt belled out from a tight bodice that had a sweetheart neckline. It was a perfect showcase for the magnificent ruby necklace and earrings Robert brought to her room.
Lily was unmoved by the priceless jewels. The borrowed finery was simply a reminder of what a fraud she was. But no more. She waited until her maid and hairdresser had left the room before telling Robert her plans.
"You can't do that!" he exclaimed with an aghast expression.
"Watch me," she answered grimly. "Why won't you admit the game is over and you lost?"
"That's not true. Gabrielle – "
"Is never going to marry James," Lily interrupted. "She went so deep underground that you can't even find her. What makes you think she'll ever change her mind?"
"King Claude has ways," Robert replied vaguely.
"You're all living in a fantasyland," Lily said impatiently. "How long did you expect me to put my life on hold so you could carry on your conscienceless deception?"
"The king is very grateful to you. I'm sure he'd be willing to compensate you handsomely."
"Don't add insult to injury! You better start dreaming up a story that won't make you look too foolish, because I intend to tell James everything tomorrow. What he'll do about it is up to him."
Robert argued and begged, but Lily was adamant. He followed her all the way to the ballroom, still pleading, and only gave up when James joined them.
"You look exquisite." James's eyes glowed as he gazed at her. "I must be the luckiest man in the world."
"You're certainly the most handsome," she answered lightly.
James was one of those men who looked completely at home in dinner clothes. His were tailored to perfection and the white jacket accentuated his deep tan.
Those few moments were all they had in private before a group gathered around them. They were never alone for very long, and especially not on that final night.
It was a gala evening. Two orchestras alternated, so there was continuous music for dancing. The ballroom was decorated with arching sprays of purple and white orchids, and a bevy of waiters circled constantly with champagne and canapés.
The midnight supper was as lavish as might be expected. Every conceivable delicacy was displayed artfully on a long, lace-covered buffet table that glittered with silver serving dishes. While the guests were eating, waiters continued to pour wine and champagne, and the orchestra played on.
Lily and James preferred to dance. "This is the first time I've been able to get near you all night," he complained.
"You're making up for it," she laughed. He had both arms wrapped around her.
"Be thankful I'm practicing restraint." He drew her even closer.
"What happens when you indulge yourself?" she teased.
"You'll find out tomorrow," he answered in a smoky voice.
Lily didn't want to let herself think about how exciting it would be – if James forgave her. "You still haven't told me where we're going."
"Try to be patient for one more day."
"But if I don't know where we're going, how will I know what clothes to take?"
"You won't need any." His lips brushed across hers. "We might not get out of bed for days."
She laughed breathlessly. "It won't look very respectable, checking into a hotel without luggage."
"Do you really care?"
"No," she answered softly, gazing at his beloved face. "You're all I care about."
AWWWW!!!!! Well, how was that for fluff? I'm not very good with soppy, romantic stuff, so I hope that was OK. Quite a lot of angst seemed to slip in, somehow!
Next chapter – Lily and James go away for the weekend, and who do you think they meet?
Sweet builder's bottoms!!!
