A Right Royal Mix-up
Okie dokie, here's chapter 13 (unlucky for some). In answer to the question I've been asked a few times, I'm planning between 25 and 30 chapters for this story, but no sequel. So I'm only about half way through… there's a lot more to come *cackles evilly*
Sorry it took a while to update, it was my prom on Friday, then I went to an after-prom party til really early in the morning (about 6) and I had to work at nine. I had about 4 hours sleep all weekend, so I'm sorry if its not up to my usual standard…
Disclaimer – I'm sure you've got the idea by now. If you recognise it, It's not mine. If you don't, it isn't…
Chapter 13
The beach party was unlike anything either Lily or Ariadne had ever attended. The sand wasn't covered with a red carpet, but every other amenity was provided.
Tables and chairs had been set up around a portable dance floor where a small combo was playing. Waiters in white coats were pouring champagne into crystal flutes, while others passed elaborate hors d' oeuvres.
"Tell me how this is different from a dinner dance," Ariadne asked Remus.
"It's held outdoors and the men don't have to wear dinner jackets." He smiled.
Most of the guests were dressed informally in cotton slacks and t-shirts, although the majority of the outfits sported designer labels.
"Where's the bonfire?" Lily asked as she and James joined the other couple. "How can you have a beach party without a bonfire?"
"I'm sure Claire would provide one if you asked her," James said.
"I was only joking. Everything is lovely. It's just a little… different."
"A beach party should have hot dogs and potato crisps," Ariadne explained. "And blankets spread out on the sand, not tables and chairs."
"I don't think I've ever been to a party like that," Remus remarked. "It sounds like fun."
"It is," Lily assured him. "Maybe we can organise one for some other night."
"We're already here, so what's wrong with right now? Claire!" James called to their hostess. "Princess Gabrielle has a request to make."
"James, no!" Lily exclaimed. "She did a lot of planning for this evening. I can't disrupt her entire party."
"It wouldn't be the first time you had a zany idea. Claire won't even be shocked. She doesn't know you've reformed."
Their hostess reached them. "What can I get for you, my dear?"
"Not a thing," Lily answered hastily. "You've provided everything a guest could possibly want."
"Gabrielle is being polite," James said. "What she really wants is a bonfire and some sausages to roast over it. And buns, I presume?" He looked at Lily questioningly.
"Oh, yes, definitely buns," Ariadne answered for her.
Claire looked at them blankly. "You want sausages? Now?"
"If it isn't too much trouble." James's eyes danced with merriment.
"You do realise that Françoise has prepared a special dinner for the occasion?"
"And I'm sure it will be superb. James wasn't serious." Lily gave him a reproving look.
"I suppose it would be totally inappropriate. Everyone would be talking about how different this party was from all the others that have been given for us," James remarked blandly.
Claire's eyes began to gleam with satisfaction. "What people think isn't important. If that's what you and Gabrielle want, that's what you shall have." She beckoned to a servant and gave him rapid instructions.
As the man hurried off, Ariadne called after him, "And while you're at the market, pick up a load of marshmallows and some long skewers. Oh, and don't forget the mustard."
"How could you do that?" Lily included both Ariadne and James in her reprimand. "The woman had an entire dinner prepared. Did you see her face? She's probably never tasted a hot dog in her entire life!"
"Then we did her a favour," Ariadne grinned.
"In more ways than one," James commented. "She'll be the envy of every hostess in town. It might even start a new trend in entertaining."
"I'll drink to that," Remus chuckled. "I could get used to some informality now and then."
In an amazingly short time, the servants had started a roaring bonfire and spread blankets on the sand.
Initially the guests were more than a little dubious. But gradually the novelty of it started to appeal to them and they became enthusiastic. It was probably the first time they'd ever eaten finger food, except for hors d'oeuvres.
"Leave it to Gabrielle to introduce us to something new," one man remarked, slathering mustard on his hot dog.
"Wait until you get to the entertainment," Ariadne said. "She's going to teach you to sing along."
"This one was your idea," Lily said. "You can lead them."
"Ariadne must be a very good friend of yours," James observed. "The Gabrielle I used to know didn't play second banana to anyone."
"You never met Ariadne before. She taught me everything I know about outrageous behaviour," Lily said lightly.
Ariadne got everybody to sing and then she showed them how to toast marshmallows. Claire was almost wriggling with glee at the success of her party.
After a while the crowd around the fire dispersed. Some of the couples strolled along the beach, others drifted over to the dance floor, and many just stood around chatting.
"Would you like to dance?" James asked Lily.
"In a minute." She stood and held out her hands. "First I want to wash off my sticky fingers. Those marshmallows are good, but they're messy."
"I'll be right with you," he called, pausing to roll up the bottom of his jeans.
The water had been calm earlier, but it was getting rough. Waves were building farther out, and even the shallow water was choppy. A light wind had sprung up, too.
Foaming water hissed around Lily's ankles as she bent down to rinse off her fingers.
"Gabrielle! Watch out!"
She heard James's warning, but almost simultaneously a wave broke over her. Not only her clothes were drenched. But her hair as well.
He raced over and led her out of the surf to dry sand. Brushing the wet hair away from her face, he said, "I tried to warn you when I saw it coming."
"I should have been paying attention. I must look a mess," she said ruefully.
James's gaze shifted from her face to her body – and froze there. Embarrassed, Lily realised that her top had gone completely see-through. She folded her arms across her breasts and mumbled, "I'd better do something about my hair."
"First we have to get you dried off," He put his arm lightly around her shoulders, as though the last few moments hadn't been charged with tension.
A servant brought towels, and Lily turned her back to James while she towelled her hair dry. Then she allowed him to wrap a blanket around her.
"Sit down here by the fire," he said. "I don't want you to catch cold." He wrapped her up, mummy-fashion.
"I have to get my arms out so I can do something about my hair, she complained.
"I like it this way." He combed his fingers through the damp strands. "You look more approachable, not so picture-perfect."
"I'm far from perfect," she said sadly. "I do really dumb things." Like falling in love with a man she could never have. Lily couldn't pretend any longer. At least, not to herself.
"Anybody could get hit by a wave – or were you talking about some of your more memorable escapades?" he teased.
"You're not in any position to be judgmental. You've been involved in a few incidents yourself."
"Overblown or taken out of context," he said dismissively. "I'm an innocent victim of the paparazzi."
"Those pictures of you in Rome with that actress didn't look so innocent."
He eased her down on a blanket and stretched out beside her. "Why are we talking about the past when it's the future that matters? Our future together."
Lily wanted James to be happy, even if it had to be with someone else. When you truly loved someone, you wanted the best for them. But had she set him up for disappointment? Gabrielle would come back full of anger and bitterness. She wouldn't give herself a chance to get to know him. And he wouldn't know why she'd seemed to change so radically. Lily decided she'd better try to prepare him.
"James," she began hesitantly.
"Mmm?" He traced the shape of her mouth with his forefinger before leaning forward to kiss her sweetly.
"I wish you wouldn't do that," she said faintly.
"How about this?" His lips slid down her neck to the hollow of her throat.
"I'm trying to talk to you," she pleaded.
"I can't say much for your priorities. But okay, go ahead. What's more important?"
"I wanted to talk about us."
"That's a subject I'm vitally interested in. What about us?"
"We've been getting along really well, but it won't necessarily last, she said carefully.
"I suppose we'll argue eventually. We're both very volatile people. But think of the fun we'll have making up." He unwrapped the blanket and drew her into his arms.
Lily tried to keep her mind on what she needed to say to him, but it was difficult. It took a great effort to draw away.
"You have to listen to me, James. Most of what you've heard about me is true. I'm stubborn and headstrong and spoiled. You haven't seen that side of me much because I've been trying very hard to change. But don't be surprised if I have a relapse."
"I don't expect you to be sweet and docile. I want a partner, not a cocker spaniel. Of course we'll argue, but only because we care about each other. And for the same reason, we'll work things out."
"Oh, James, you're too good to be true." She buried her face in his shoulder to hide the tears that blurred her eyes.
Ariadne had been having a wonderful time. She enjoyed the fancy dress balls and all the beautiful clothes that were provided for her, but tonight was fun, too. She was especially pleased that Remus felt equally at ease in a T-shirt as he did in a tuxedo. He was one man in a million.
They were strolling hand in hand on the beach when Ariadne noticed Lily and James lying on the sand together.
"Come over to the fire," she told Remus. "I have something to tell Gabrielle."
"I don't think they'd appreciate being disturbed at the moment," he smiled.
"I can't think of a better time. " When Remus looked at her in surprise she modified her grim tone. "I mean, this won't wait. I just thought of something important that I forgot to tell her. Gabrielle!" Ariadne said urgently when they reached the other couple.
Lily looked up vaguely, as though she didn't recognise her.
"I have to talk to you," Ariadne insisted. "Walk down the beach with me."
"Now?" James frowned. "Can't it wait?"
"No, it can't. Are you coming, Gabrielle?"
Ariadne's timely appearance helped Lily shake off the spell she'd been under. She rose to her feet, avoiding James's eyes.
"What happened to your hair?" Ariadne was curious in spite of her concern.
"I got hit by a wave," Lily explained as they walked away.
When they were out of earshot, Ariadne said, "I don't know if you're annoyed with me for breaking up your clinch, but I thought I should remind you that you're gathering bouquets in somebody else's garden."
"I know that. We weren't doing anything wrong," Lily said defensively. "James just kissed me a couple of times. It's perfectly natural for a man to kiss his fiancée. It would have seemed odd if I'd made a big deal out of it."
"From what I could see, you weren't just passively enduring," Ariadne observed dryly.
"Not many women would be indifferent to him."
"That's a good point, but you aren't doing either of you a favour. If he falls in love with you, he isn't going to be happy with Gabrielle."
"I was trying to prepare him for her when things sort of got out of hand."
"Well, I had to say what was on my mind, but it's your life, I won't nag you about it anymore."
"Feel free," Lily managed a smile. "My judgement is slightly impaired these days."
"It's only temporary insanity." Ariadne returned her smile. "You'll recover."
Lily could only hope her friend was right.
Well, that's that… Next chapter, our favourite foursome go to Grandalia…
"They may say you cannot frolic. They may scorn you for frolicking in public places. I say, frolic by example, and others will follow suit."
