A Right Royal Mix-up

Well, here you go. Numero dieciseis... Very fluffy, and I apologise for the cheesy romance bits – I read too many mills and boon romance novels in my lunch hour at work. Sorry for the delay, but I had to write my bonus chapter for the uncut version, and I'm right in the middle of my GCSE art exam (literally – I had five hours today, and I have another five tomorrow) Anyhoo...

Disclaimer – it's probably not mine. Any of it. It belongs either to JK or to the voices in my head. Oh, or Tracy Sinclair.

Chapter 16

                A light tap on Lily's door woke her the next morning, which was surprising. Gabrielle's maid usually waited until she rang for breakfast.

            "Please come back later," Lily called.

            The door opened and James came in carrying a tray loaded with covered dishes and a pot of coffee.

            "It's time to get up, sleepyhead," he said. "You're wasting the best part of the day."

            Lily sat up in bed, pulling the covers up to her neck. "What are you doing here?"

            "I came to have breakfast with you."

            He put the tray over her knees and started to remove the silver covers from plates of crisp bacon and eggs. There were also croissants, butter rosettes and a crystal dish filled with strawberry jam.

            She sniffed the aroma of coffee appreciatively. "Why are you bringing it? Did all the house-elves go on strike?"

            "Not that I know of. This is a labour of love."

            "You just wanted to see what I looked like first thing in the morning," she joked.

            "I didn't have to. I knew you'd be gorgeous."

            He walked around to the other side of the bed and stretched out next to her, but on top of the covers. After propping some pillows behind his back, he took one of the plates from the tray and picked up a piece of bacon.

            She gave him a startled look. "What are you doing?"

            "You didn't intend to eat both breakfasts, did you?"

            "I meant, what are you doing in bed with me?"

            "Technically I'm on the bed, not in it. Not as satisfactory an arrangement as I'd like, but I'll settle for what I can get."

            He didn't seem to be affected by the suggestiveness of the situation, but that could be because he was fully dressed, while she was wearing only a skimpy chiffon nightie. James looked gorgeous in a navy turtleneck sweater and fawn-coloured slacks. Lily was intensely conscious of his long, lean body stretched out next to her, tantalisingly close.

            "We must be the only two people who are up this early," she said hastily. "Outside of the house-elves, that is."

            "The others don't know what they're missing. It's too nice a day to stay inside. What would you like to do today?"

            "I guess we'll have to wait and see what our host and hostess have planned."

            "Probably something dull like bridge and rehashing last night's ball." He reached for another croissant. "We can think of something better to do than that."

            "Like what?"

            "How about getting a couple of horses from the stables and going for a ride in the countryside?"

            "I didn't bring any riding clothes." She was glad of the excuse.

            James and Gabrielle were both known to be superb horsemen. It was said of James that his horse, Itriwi (A/N that translates as Star-son in Berber, the unwritten language of the Moroccan mountain people.) was the only thing he loved more than his Nimbus broomstick, along with his parents. Gabrielle had won ribbons at riding exhibitions. But Lily couldn't hope to pass herself off as an expert rider. She hadn't been on a horse since a Muggle summer camp she'd been on many years ago. And she hadn't been any good at it even then.

            "I can transfigure you some," he said. "Or just wear jeans."

            "I didn't bring those, either."

            "I can find something that won't be missed, and make you a pair. Transfiguration was my best subject back at school."

            "That's so much trouble. Why don't we just go for a walk instead?"

            "All right, if you'd rather," he said reluctantly.

            "We can have the elves pack a basket for us and we'll have a picnic under a tree. Won't that be fun?" she coaxed.

            "Just being with you is a slice of heaven."

            He leaned over to kiss her tenderly, then with increasing desire. Lily responded, but James pulled away before things got too heated. "It's so hard to keep control of myself when I'm with you," he said. "You're the one who's to blame, though."

            "How is it my fault?" she asked indignantly.

            "No woman should be that beautiful."

            "Okay, I'll try to be ugly today," she smiled.

            "You couldn't if you tried," he said fondly. "Get dressed and meet me in the library in half an hour."

            Lily rushed to shower and dress, grabbing a pair of cream coloured trousers and a matching shirt with long, full sleeves. She was glad James had wakened her so they could have a long day together. She didn't allow herself to dwell on the fact that it would be the last one she would have with him.

            On the way downstairs she knocked softly at Ariadne's door, but there was no answer. That was slightly strange. She would have thought Ariadne would have wanted to make the most of her last day with Remus, also. But then, Lily told herself, everybody except James had gone to bed awfully late last night.

            James was waiting with a picnic basket at the foot of the stairs. "The elves assure me it's a lunch fit for a princess," he said.

            "How did you get them to make it so fast?"

            "No problem. I simply went to the kitchen and asked."

            "Guests aren't supposed to go into the kitchen. Proper protocol would have been to ask your valet, who would have asked the butler, who would have asked the elves," Lily joked, although it was true.

            "That's nonsense. I had a nice talk with the head house-elf. Her name is Roselle, and her husband is a garden-elf here. They have two children, a girl and a boy."

            That was one of the many things Lily loved about James. He was genuinely interested in people, no matter what their status (or in this case, even their species) and he refused to allow the rigid rules of society to keep him from getting to know them. He would make a wonderful king when the time came, Lily thought wistfully.

            As they went out the front door, James suggested they stop by the stables before starting on their walk. "Just to see the horses," he said hastily when Lily gave him a wary look. "The duke recently acquired a new Arabian stallion with superb bloodlines. I'd like to take a look at him."

            She couldn't think of any reason for refusing, so went along without protest. While James talked with the stable boss, Lily walked down the line of stalls, looking at the horses.

            They were superb animals, sleek and high-spirited. Some tossed their heads and snorted loudly, but one bay-coloured mare was more placid. She stuck her head over the gate and nuzzled Lily's hand.

            "That's Lady Jane," a groom told her. He handed Lily a couple of lumps of sugar. "This is what she's looking for."

            Lily stroked the horse's soft nose as it ate the sugar. "She's a beautiful horse."

            "That she is, but Lady Jane is too tame for Your Highness. You'll be wanting something more high-spirited, like Rex here." He gestured at a huge black stallion who tossed his head and stamped the ground.

            "He's a splendid animal, but actually I prefer Lady Jane."

            Before she could stop him, the man opened the gate and led the mare outside to where James was chatting with the stable boss.

            "I'll have her saddled up in a jiffy, Your Highness," the groom said.

            James turned with a pleased expression on his face. "You changed your mind."

            "No, I didn't!" Lily insisted as the groom put a saddle on the mare. "I merely said she was a beautiful horse. I didn't mean I wanted to ride her."

            "I can see why." He gazed at the horse disparagingly. "She doesn't look very spirited."

            "Just because she isn't pawing the ground?" Lily asked indignantly. "Who needs a macho horse? I think she's lovely."

            "Okay, but you don't mind if I choose a mount with more 'enthusiasm', shall we call it?" he teased.

            "Choose anything you like, but you'll be riding alone."

            James looked at her with a puzzled frown. "You love to ride, Gabrielle. Why this sudden aversion? It's almost as if you're afraid."

            "You know better than that," she said swiftly. "I'd love to go galloping across the countryside with you, but not in these clothes. I dressed for a walk."

            He continued to look at her strangely. "You never let something like that stop you before," he said slowly. "You attended the opera in jeans and a tank top once."

            Lily knew she wasn't behaving like Gabrielle, but she thought James had accepted the change in her. It would be ironic if the whole deception started to unravel on her last day in Beaumarre.

            That couldn't be allowed to happen. Lily eyed Lady Jane grimly, hoping she wouldn't break anything major if she fell off.

            Keeping her voice light she said, "I was trying to live down my lurid past, but you've tempted me once too often. Come on, pal, let's ride."

            "Wouldn't you know that this was the temptation you couldn't resist," he said wryly, cupping his hands to help her into the saddle.

            As the groom led out a handsome brown stallion for James, Lily tried to remember the little she'd learned about riding a horse. Grip with the knees was one thing, and there was something about positioning your feet in the stirrups.

            She clutched the reins tightly as they rode away and Lady Jane started to trot to keep up with the other horse. Staying astride was only half of Lily's problem. She was being jarred unmercifully. With every step, her bottom rose in the air and then slammed back onto the saddle.

            Besides the discomfort, she was afraid James would discover what an inept rider she was, but he was enjoying himself too much to notice. He kept up a running commentary on what a beautiful day it was and how much he liked being out in the country.

            Lily didn't have time to appreciate it, although as they got farther from the castle the scenery was spectacular. The meadows were filled with wildflowers and many of the trees were covered with blossoms.

            She was just getting used to the mare's gait when James said, "This is too tame. I'll race you to that clump of trees out there."

            "I don't want to beat you," she answered lightly. "It would ruin your disposition for the rest of the day."

            "You have to be joking! I could give you a ten-minute start and still be there ahead of you."

            "What's the big rush to get to a clump of trees? I'll get there almost as fast and I won't be all hit and sweaty when I do."

            "You'll look even sexier – if that's possible. Come on. No more excuses."

            James reached over and flicked her horse's flank with his reins. It startled the mare. She reared, then took off at a gallop. Lily was caught by surprise, too. She managed to stay in the saddle by grabbing the horse's mane, but the reins slipped out of her hands. Lady Jane was in full gallop when she raced under a tree. A low, leafy branch obscured Lily's vision for an instant. She reached up instinctively to brush it out of her face and lost her precarious balance.

            One minute she was holding on for dear life, the next minute she was lying on the lush grass in a field of daisies, with flower petals from the tree drifting down on her head. It happened so fast that she was surprised rather than hurt.

            James galloped up only seconds behind her. He slid off his horse and knelt beside her in one fluid motion. Trying to hide his panic he smoothed the shining copper hair out of her eyes and said, "Lie still, darling. I'll get a medi-witch. You'll be fine."

            "I don't need a medi-witch. There's nothing wrong with me." She struggled into a sitting position, in spite of his restraining hands on her shoulders.

            "You can't be sure. I want an expert opinion."

            "I just gave you one. I'm the one who knows how I feel."

            "Nothing hurts?" he asked anxiously.

            "Only my dignity." She smiled. "Can you imagine me, an expert rider, falling off a horse?"

            "It was all my fault. I didn't realise she spooked so easily. If anything had happened to you I'd never have forgiven myself!" James took Lily in his arms and held her so tightly she could hardly breathe.

            It was always heavenly to be in his arms, but her nose was wedged into the curve of his neck. "Could you loosen up just a little?" she asked in a muffled voice. "You're squashing me."

            His punishing embrace loosened immediately and he drew back to look at her ruefully. "I seem determined to injure you in one way or another. But I just want to hold you and know you're all right. When I saw you go sailing through the air, my heart stopped!"

            "I can imagine how klutzy I looked," she remarked wryly.

            "You do everything with style," he said fondly. "Who else would have landed in a field of flowers. You look like a beautiful wood-nymph with all these petals in your hair."

            As he leaned forward to remove one, Lily's mouth brushed his cheek. He turned his head so their lips touched.

            "Don't ever leave me, my love," he murmured.

            She linked her arms around his neck and kissed him yearningly. "I don't know how I can. You're everything I ever hoped for."

"Darling Gabrielle, you're everything I've ever wanted in a woman. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you." He kissed her tenderly.

            It was a bittersweet moment for Lily. This would be the last time she had alone with James. Once they returned to the house party they would be surrounded by people for the rest of the day. And then she would leave for home.

            Lily was returning his kiss passionately when the silence around them shattered. The stallion that had been grazing nearby lifted its head and neighed loudly in answer to the sound of horses' hooves and voices calling in the distance.

            James lifted his head and swore softly. With a few swift movements he smoothed Lily's hair and helped her to sit up.

            "We'll have to find a deserted island," he said wryly. "That's the only place people will leave us alone."

            She looked at him in a daze. It was difficult to be abruptly thrown out of paradise. "Why are they calling us?"

            "Lady Jane must have returned to the stable and they're worried about you." James got to his feet as several riders galloped up.

            The stable boss reined to a stop and jumped off his horse. "Is the princess alright, Your Highness? The mare came back alone." He looked down at Lily with deep concern.

            "I'm fine." She stood and brushed herself off. "We stopped for a picnic and I forgot to tie Lady Jane to a tree."

            "She doesn't usually bolt for home," the man said doubtfully.

            James shrugged. "You never know what a horse will do. Thanks for your concern. We'll be alright now," he said in a dismissive tone.

"Yes, Your Highness. I'll leave a spare mount for Princess Gabrielle."

            There was no way Lily was getting on another horse! Before she could think of an excuse, James made one for her. "It's such a nice day, I think we'll walk back. You can take my horse with you," he told one of the grooms.

            After the men had ridden away he said to Lily, "I hope that was alright with you. I don't want to take a chance on any more accidents today."

"It's fine with me," she said. "I preferred walking in the first place, but it's a long way back."

            "I'm in no hurry. Are you?"

"I'm not in a hurry, but I was looking forward to a picnic," she said. "What happened to the picnic basket?"

            "I had it fastened to my saddle. It must have fallen off when I raced after you. Maybe we can find it."

            James took her hand as they started back through the meadow.

            The picnic basket was lying not far from the tree that had unseated Lily. Containers had tumbled out onto the grass, but the lids hadn't come off.

"The pate got a little mashed, but it will taste just as good," she said after removing the top of a small carton.

            "The wine survived. That's more important."" James laughed.

            "There's enough here for ten people!" she exclaimed. "What were the house-elves thinking of? We could never eat all of this."

            "Speak for yourself. I'm famished."

            It was a sumptuous picnic. The house-elves had provided both cold salmon with dill sauce, and herbed chicken breasts. Little watercress sandwiches and two kinds of salad rounded out the menu, and there were petit fours and fresh fruits for dessert.

After they'd eaten, Lily dabbed at her mouth with a linen napkin, sighing happily. "That was fantastic. I don't think I could eat again for a week."

            "You'll be hungry again by dinnertime," James predicted.

            "I doubt it. I hope Claudette doesn't have anything lavish planned."

            "Usually after a house party there's just a buffet laid out for anyone who is still around. People leave at different times during the afternoon and evening." He reached over and took her hand. "I wish you were coming home with me tonight. I hate the thought of being separated from you for even a day. Why do you have to go home first?"

            "Women have things to do before a trip," she answered vaguely.

            "Like what?"

"Well, deciding what clothes to bring, for one thing."

            "You can always have your clothes sent to you. Just call and tell your maid what to pack. Grandalia is only a couple of hours away. Come with me, angel," he urged. "We can have a day to ourselves before all the mandated state functions begin."

            The strain was beginning to fray Lily's nerves. Not only because of her sadness at having to leave James; she felt guilty over the suffering she was about to cause him. He would be devastated and bewildered over her desertion. If he never trusted another woman again, it would be her fault.

            She tried to keep the tension out of her voice. "We've spent most of today by ourselves. We should be getting back to the house party."

            "Do you really want to?"

            "Not especially, but it isn't polite to just disappear for the entire day."

"That's one of the perks of royalty. When you're rude, nobody dares to criticise." He grinned.

            "We've turned over a new leaf, remember? I'm going to stop throwing tantrums, and you're going to do something meaningful with your life."

            He reached over and gripped her hand. "With your help, sweetheart. That's another reason for you to come with me tonight. We have so much to talk about. The foundation will take up a lot off our time, so I suppose we'd better get settled in our own home first. I have an estate just outside the city that I want you to see.  I spent most of my summers there as a boy. It's a wonderful place to bring up children, and we can also keep an apartment at the palace. But if that arrangement doesn't suit you, there are a lot of other choices."

            "I'll have to think about it," she murmured.

            "Of course. I don't expect you to make up your mind right now. We'll find someplace where you'll be happy, my love."

            He was twisting the dagger in her heart and Lily didn't know how much longer she could stand the pain. This was a hundred times worse than the Cruciatus curse! She busied herself putting the remains of the picnic back in the basket to avoid looking at him.

            "Just leave that here," he said when he finally noticed what she was doing. "I'll tell one of the grooms where to find it."

James was so caught up in his plans for the future that he didn't realise Lily was saying very little. She suffered greatly on the long walk back as he told her about the huge fireplace in his castle, and described how they would make love in front of the fire on cold winter nights. There was also a lake on the estate where they would teach their children to swim. Lily breathed a sigh of relief when the manor house came into sight.

            The houseguests were assembled in a large den on the main floor, judging from the buzz of conversation coming from there. But Ariadne and Remus were in the front hall, talking very seriously.

            James raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

CLIFFY!!!!!!

Sorry, but I don't think I've put a cliffy in this story yet, and this one was too good to resist (plus the fact the chapter would be horrendously long. It's already my longest, I think, at 11 pages.)

Next chappie – we discover if there is a problem (but of course! The path of true love ne'er did run smooth, or whatever it is) and indeed what the problem is…

Bet you 12 bags of choc chip cookies no-one can guess what the problem is… Please review with your suggestions, I really want to see what you think has happened…

Mongolian macaroons  and CHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSEEEE!!!