A Right Royal Mix-up
Summary:
She was a dead ringer for a runaway princess. So British tourist Lily Evans was hired to impersonate the missing monarch – at her arranged engagement to a real live prince! Riches galore would be Lily's during the royal masquerade. As would the company of the most romantic would-be bridegroom: Prince James Potter…
Regal, handsome, yet reluctant to wed without love, James enchanted tender-hearted Lily. And she selflessly wanted him to savour a storybook marriage when his true bride returned. So she wooed James – and won him – preparing to sacrifice all, but wishing her own fairytale would end happily ever after… with James as her husband…
So many of you really like this story, I'm updating as quick as I can! Here's chapter four… Oh, and I apologise for any cheesy chat-up lines that have or will be used in this fic – it comes from reading too many romance novels (they're the only books I can read from beginning to end during my lunch hour at work!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Lily or James, or anything you recognise from the books. Ariadne's mine, you can't have her! The plot is based on 'The Princess Gets Engaged' by Tracy Sinclair, which I don't own either. Don't try to sue me, all I own are my customised Doc Martens, and I need those cos I'm wearing them to my prom in two weeks…
Chapter 4
Dawn was breaking as Lily paid the taxi driver and tiptoed into the bed-and-breakfast. She felt guilty about having left her ailing friend alone for so long – although Ariadne was merely under the weather, not really sick. What made hr feel even guiltier was the realisation that she hadn't given a thought to her friend all evening.
Lily tried to get undressed quietly, but Ariadne woke before she'd gotten into her nightgown.
"What are you doing up so early?" Ariadne yawned and looked at her travelling clock. "It's only five-thirty, for heaven's sake!"
"Go back to sleep," Lily murmured. "It's too early to get up."
"I've been asleep since nine o'clock last night." Ariadne sat up and looked more closely at her friend. Then she glanced over at the other twin bed. "Are you just getting in? Your bed hasn't been slept in."
"Well, I… I'll tell you about it in the morning."
"It is morning." Ariadne grinned suddenly. "When I told you to go out and have fun, I didn't expect you to forget everything your mother taught you. Do I have to watch you every minute?"
"Don't worry, it was nothing like that."
"Then what were you doing all night?"
"I had dinner and since it was still early, I decided to stop in and catch that folksinger's act. She was fabulous. I'm sorry you had to miss her."
"Never mind the folksinger. Get to the good part. Who were you with all this time?"
"Well, I did meet a man at the bar. He was wildly handsome and he reminded me of someone – a movie star or someone like that." Lily frowned. "I still can't quite put my finger on who he looks like."
"What did you and this Adonis do all night?"
"We talked for hours. He's very intelligent – but not in a stuffy way. He has a great sense of humour. Oh, and he's a wizard too."
"Lucky you. I can see I'll be doing a lot of sightseeing alone from now on."
"No, I won't be seeing him again."
"Why not? He sounds fantastic – looks, brains, magic and a sense of humour. What more could you ask?"
"It was his decision, not mine."
"You spent the night with the guy and you don't expect to hear from him again?"
"You're making it sound more suggestive than it actually was," Lily protested. "We just happened to hit it off – although not right away. I made a chance remark after the show ended and we started to talk. He turned me off at first by his attitude, then I discovered he was just troubled about something."
"That sounds like a bummer," Ariadne commented. "Don't tell me you spent all night listening to his problems."
"No, I never found out what they were. It might have been a fight with his girlfriend, although I got the impression there was more to it than that."
"Either way, you're well rid of him."
"I suppose so," Lily answered slowly.
"You couldn't have fallen for somebody you merely had a conversation with." Ariadne looked at her more closely. "Unless you left out a few details. Was there more to it?"
"He kissed me," Lily admitted.
"That's scarcely earth shattering."
"You've never been kissed by Philippe." Lily sighed reminiscently. "I consider myself fairly knowledgeable in that department and I've never met a man with more expertise. He was positively awesome!"
"It was probably all the romance in the air over the royal engagement," Ariadne said dismissively. "It's catching."
Lily snapped her fingers suddenly. "That's who Philippe reminded me of! I thought it was a Quidditch player or someone, but he could double for James – if the prince wore jeans and a T-shirt and hung around bars alone."
"No wonder you're so starry-eyed! I wouldn't mind meeting a guy like that, myself. Maybe he'll call you. Did you give him this number?"
"He didn't ask for it." Lily finished getting undressed. "It's just as well. This way I can remember him as the perfect male. If I saw him again I'd find out he isn't."
"That's the spirit! Get some sleep. I'm going to get up and go wander, but I'll come back later this afternoon and we'll do something."
"I don't intend to waste the day in bed, but it's too early to go anyplace yet. Give me a couple of hours and we'll take in some of the museums."
***
After a few hours sleep and a refreshing shower, Lily said, "Okay, I'm ready when you are. Where shall we start?"
"Why don't we save the museums for tomorrow?" Ariadne asked. "I feel like a change of pace. How about hitting the shopping district today? We can browse through the stores and have lunch at one of those colourful places with the outside tables."
"Sounds good to me," Lily replied. "I'll get my shopping done early instead of waiting till the last minute the way I usually do. I want to buy some little gifts to take home."
"Me, too. And when we're through, we can pop in at Celeste's. Wasn't that the name of the place where Madame Fouchard said the princess shops? Maybe we'll bump into her."
"You never can tell."
Bienville was experiencing a minor heat wave, so Lily decided to wear a short white sundress instead of her usual trousers and a T-shirt. She also pulled her hair back and tied it with a colourful scarf, rather than wearing it in a mass of ringlets around her face the way she normally did. The simple hairstyle emphasised her patrician features, and the thin cotton dress moved fluidly over her slender body.
"Maybe I should change." Ariadne gazed at her friend consideringly. "You look so elegant."
"In a sundress and sandals?" Lily laughed. "That's scarcely what I'd call haute couture."
"Perhaps I'm just used to seeing you in jeans. Anyway, I think I'll wear a dress, too. Then we can shop at Celeste's and the saleswoman will think we can really afford it." Ariadne grinned.
The Rue de Le Havre was a shopper's paradise – guaranteed to max out anyone's credit cards. Exquisite merchandise was temptingly displayed in one shop after another. The two friends kept stopping to exclaim over a glamorous gown in one window, a beautiful silk blouse in another.
They finally managed to find a few stores with prices that didn't require taking a loan out at the bank, and they bought gifts for friends at home. When that was accomplished they decided to have lunch before heading for Celeste's.
The restaurant they chose had a broad outside terrace with red-and-white-striped umbrella tables. A low brick wall decorated with pots of red geraniums separated the diners from the people strolling by.
They were fortunate enough to get a table by the sidewalk where they had a view of both the passers-by and the scenic blue sea in the distance. Most of the other tables were filled with men and women dressed in casual chic – definitely not tourists. This was an upscale bistro patronised by the elite of Bienville.
"We have street-side cafes at home, but somehow they don't have the same feeling. This place is so Continental," Lily declared happily, gazing around. "Let's order an aperitif before lunch, like the natives do."
"Okay, but I don't think anyone will confuse us with natives."
"Madame Fouchard said they would."
"She isn't exactly a reliable source," Ariadne answered dryly. "If we'd taken her advice, we'd have skipped the Conservatory of Flowers yesterday."
"Weren't they gorgeous? I especially liked the pink-and-white variegated rose that was named after Gabrielle's mother, Queen Marie."
They were too engrossed in conversation to notice the two men who glanced idly at them as they were walking by.
When the older man stopped abruptly, the younger one glanced at him and said, "What's wrong, Henri? Did you forget something?"
Henri seized his arm and pulled him over to stand under a nearby tree. "Look at that girl, Robert. What do you see?"
The younger man glanced at a nearby table where a woman and a man were having coffee. "Are they friends of yours?" he asked in a puzzled tone.
"Not that table," Henri said impatiently. "The girl with a scarf around her hair. She's sitting with the blonde."
Robert scanned the tables and saw Lily. He sucked in his breath sharply as he gazed at her profile. "Can it possibly be?" He exhaled with a sigh when she turned her head and he got a better look at her face. "No, I should have known it was too good to be true."
"But it could be the next best thing. Beggars can't be choosers."
Robert frowned. "I don't understand."
"Think of the possibilities."
Henri spoke rapidly to his associate, who seemed far from convinced. The two men discussed the matter vigorously for several minutes. Finally Henri prevailed, although Robert still looked apprehensive.
Lily and Ariadne were sipping their aperitifs when the two men approached them.
You were very fortunate to get this choice table," Henri remarked with a smile. He glanced around the crowded terrace. "There doesn't seem to be another one available."
"Why don't you speak to the hostess?" Ariadne suggested. She and Lily had heard every pickup line, and they weren't any different in French. "I'm sure a table will be available soon."
"But not one with two such beautiful ladies," Henri said smoothly. "Would you allow us the honour of buying you lunch?"
"That's very kind, but no thank you," Lily said – firmly, she thought.
It didn't deter Henri. "I realise you are approached in this manner all the time, but I assure you this is not what it seems. I am a happily married man."
"How happy is you wife?" Ariadne asked dryly.
Ignoring her question, he said to Lily, "I have something I wish to discuss with you. May I sit down?" Without waiting for permission he pulled out a chair, nodding at Robert to do the same.
Lily frowned. "I don't want to be rude, but my friend and I prefer to have lunch alone. Will you please leave."
"Perhaps we should introduce ourselves," Robert murmured.
"Of course! Forgive me for being so intent that I forgot my manners. I am Henri Montelle, and this is my associate, Robert Dubois." He gazed at her expectantly.
The names were clearly supposed to mean something to them, Lily thought, but they didn't. She and Ariadne looked at him blankly.
"You are not from Bienville?" he asked tentatively.
Lily shot Ariadne a triumphant look. "No, we're just visiting," she said, thawing slightly at being mistaken for a native.
"You are French?"
"Actually, we're British."
"Amazing!"
"Not really. You must get foreign visitors from all over, especially this week when your princess is getting engaged. That's why we came, to be here for the festivities."
"I see." Henri gazed at her speculatively. "You are interested in Princess Gabrielle?"
"Everybody is. We've heard a lot about her." Ariadne grinned.
Henri made a small sound of irritation. "Do not believe everything you read."
"She's very beautiful," Lily said tactfully, to cover Ariadne's reference to the tabloids. "We were hoping to catch a glimpse of her around town. Our landlady told us you never know when you might run into the princess."
"How true," Robert said wryly. "Princess Gabrielle is very unpredictable."
"I hope we can count on her to be at her own engagement party," Ariadne said. "My friend here would be very disappointed if it was called off and she didn't get to see the prince. Lily thinks he's dreamy."
"Honestly, Ariadne!" Lily exclaimed in annoyance. "You make me sound like a teenager. I merely remarked that he's quite a nice-looking man."
Henri was watching them closely. "Perhaps I can arrange for you to meet Prince James," he said casually.
"Yeah, sure," Ariadne muttered, exchanging a derisive look with Lily.
"I can understand your scepticism, but I really am in a position to introduce you to His Royal Highness. If you were interested enough to visit our country expressly for the engagement festivities, wouldn't you regret passing up such an opportunity?"
"Why would you offer to do a favour like that for two complete strangers?" Lily countered.
"We are a small country, dependent on tourism. I'm sure it would be the highlight of your trip and you would give all your friends a favourable report of us." Before allowing her to examine his explanation for flaws, he asked, "How long do you plan to be in Bienville?"
After hesitating a moment, Lily answered, "For about another ten days."
"Then I'm sure it can be arranged. Prince James arrives tomorrow. Do you have any commitments for the next week?" When Lily looked at him warily he added, "I mean, are you meeting friends who will be disappointed if you cancel your plans? I can't guarantee when I'll be able to get you in to see the prince, you understand. You might have very little notice."
It would be very exciting if the man was on the level, Lily decided. She'd heard of things like this happening – a tourist being given the VIP treatment for publicity purposes.
"You could call us at the last minute," she told Henri. "We don't know a soul in Bienville, so we wouldn't have to break any dates."
Henri gave Robert a fleeting look of satisfaction. "Excellent!" he told Lily. "Then why don't we go someplace quieter and discuss the matter?"
Both women were instantly on the alert. "What's the matter with right here?" Ariadne asked bluntly.
"Well, actually, there's a little more to it," he admitted. "I'd prefer to conduct our business in private."
"I thought so! What you really mean is, you'll do something for us if we do something for you first."
"You guys are the same all over the world," Lily said disgustedly. "You're never too old."
Robert's face turned bright red. "You do Monsieur Montelle a disservice," he said stiffly.
"I doubt it, but just so there is no misunderstanding, the answer to his proposition is no. Even if he knew Prince James – which I'm sure he doesn't."
"You really have got the wrong impression," Henri protested. "I didn't realise how my request would sound. You must allow me to make amends."
"Certainly. You can start by leaving us to enjoy our lunch in peace," Lily said crisply.
"If you'll just give me a chance to explain."
"What does it take to discourage you guys?" Ariadne exclaimed, starting to draw her wand. She was sick of these guys! Sometimes a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do… "If we have to make a scene, we will. How would you explain that to your wife?"
"Please don't do anything hasty," Robert pleaded, as a couple stopped at their table.
"Henri, darling, how nice to see you out enjoying yourself." The woman glanced curiously at Lily and Ariadne.
Henri stood politely. "Madeleine, Edouard." He nodded to them without introducing his companions.
"I didn't know you took time off for something as frivolous as lunch," Madeleine persisted.
Henri looked at his watch. "You're right, I should be getting back to my office. Thank you for reminding me, and also for stopping by."
After a few more words the couple said goodbye, since Henri didn't leave them any other choice.
When they'd left, Robert said to him, "We should go, too. Perhaps there has been some news."
"I wish I had your optimism. Since I don't, this is our only alternative."
"Surely you aren't still considering this dangerous plan! Not now that we've been seen with her." He nodded at Lily.
"What other choice do I have? If you can think of another way, I'd be happy to listen."
"Excuse me," Lily interrupted pointedly. "Would you mind taking your discussion somewhere else?"
Henri's attitude changed. He was no longer the suave gentleman with the charming manner. His face was hard now, and his voice was authoritative rather than ingratiating.
"I'm sorry I didn't handle this affair with greater finesse, but I have no more time to waste. I shall have to strongly request that you come with me immediately."
Lily stared at him incredulously. "You have to be joking! I'm not going anywhere with you." She pulled her wand from her handbag. "If you don't leave this instant, I'm going to have to do something drastic."
Henri's eyes widened at the sight of her wand. "I'm sorry, but do you know what a Muggle is?"
"Yes, normal people like them and, I had presumed, you, but I guess not. No matter, I'm sure I know more hexes than you two," Lily snapped.
He gave her a wintry smile. "That won't be necessary. I am Inspector Montelle, head of the Council of Magical Law of Beaumarre, and Robert is the head Hit-Wizard."
"If one approach doesn't work, try another, is that it?" she asked derisively. "Aren't you a little old to be playing these games?"
"You wish proof of our identities?"
Both men offered credentials, which Lily brushed aside. "I don't care if you're Professor Dumbledore himself! Go try your story on some naïve soul who will believe it."
Henri stared at her with a frown. "You present me with a problem, mademoiselle. The last thing I wish to do is antagonise you. I would hate to resort to stronger methods, but it is imperative that we talk."
"Your threats don't frighten me. I'm a British citizen."
"Even Britons are subject to security checks. We can't be too careful."
"What kind of security risk could she possibly be?" Ariadne asked.
"She has shown an inordinate interest in Princess Gabrielle and Prince James. My job is to prevent any tragic – or even unfortunate – incidents from occurring at their upcoming engagement celebration."
"Are you afraid Lily will try to proposition the prince?" Ariadne asked mockingly. "From what I've heard about old James, it wouldn't be the first time, and he certainly wouldn't be shocked."
"Enough conversation," Henri stated firmly. "You will come with me," he told Lily.
"And if I refuse?" she asked, tilting her chin.
"Then I will have to insist. I am perfectly within my rights," Henri assured her. "No one will question me."
Lily rapidly assessed the situation and realised he was right. There was nothing she could do at the moment. Turning to Ariadne, she said swiftly, "Speak to Minister Truman in Monte Carlo – use the fire at the guesthouse. Tell him what's happened, and ask him to contact the State Department immediately. If he's not there, his wife, Marla, will know where to reach him."
Henri's eyes narrowed. "You are acquainted with Minister Truman?"
"He's a good friend. Now are you ready to reconsider?" Lily asked triumphantly.
"Yes, I suppose I will have to. I didn't want to complicate matters by involving your friend, but you leave me no choice. It would be awkward if she told her story to the British officials." He nodded towards Ariadne. "You will please accompany us."
"No way! You can't get away with this."
"I have already demonstrated that I can," he said impatiently. "If you attempt to make a scene I will inform everyone that you are drunk and disorderly and in need of restraint. Now, please stop wasting time. Robert, summon the car."
The two women looked at one another in consternation. They weren't reassured by the long black limo that pulled up to the curb. Henri and Robert might really be who they said they were – but then again, maybe they weren't.
Lily tried to pull away as Henri led her toward the car. "Can I see your credentials again? You only flashed them by me."
"You can examine them in the car," he said, urging her inside the plush limo.
When they were all seated, the driver locked the doors. It had an ominous sound, especially in conjunction with the tinted windows that prevented anyone from seeing in.
You said this holiday would be exciting," Ariadne commented ironically as the car moved smoothly away from the curb.
Lily tried to smile. "That will teach you to not listen to me."
They rode in silence for a while, each occupied with his or her own thoughts.
Finally Lily asked, "Where are you taking us?"
"We will be there shortly," Henri replied.
"That isn't what I asked you!" she exclaimed in exasperation. "You might at least tell me where we're going, even if you won't tell me why."
"If you insist. We are going to the palace."
Her mouth thinned in annoyance. "Okay, be childish about it. Don't tell me."
He looked at her with a mixture of amusement and irritation. "Are all British women this difficult to deal with, or are you an exception?"
"If you think you have troubles now, just wait until you hear from my Ministry," Lily said grimly.
Before he could answer, the limousine turned in between tall wrought-iron gates and travelled down a long, tree-lined drive.
"We really are at the palace!" Ariadne exclaimed.
"I am sorry to disappoint you by keeping my word," Henri remarked as the car stopped and they all exited.
Hope you liked it. Next chapter – the makeover! Oh, and we hear what James thinks about his night with Lily…
FOCCACIA! PISTASHIO! VERMICELLI!!!!!
