A Right Royal Mix-up

Here you go, I'll finally put you out of your misery. None of you were even close with your guesses, although some of them were very amusing… I'll let you get on with reading the chapter so you can find out what actually happened…

Disclaimer – it's not mine, however much I wish it might be otherwise.

Chapter 17

            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?"

***

            "I've been waiting for you to get back," Remus said with relief. "I have to speak to you alone for a minute."

            After the men had excused themselves, Lily turned to Ariadne. "What's going on?" Before her friend could answer, she continued, "Are you feeling okay? I knocked on your door last night and again this morning, but you didn't answer either time."

            Ariadne's cheeks flushed and she avoided Lily's eyes. "I guess I was asleep and didn't hear you."

            It was a reasonable explanation, except for her strange behaviour. Lily's gaze sharpened. "You weren't in your room, were you?"

            Ariadne took a deep breath. "All right, no, I wasn't. There's no reason to lie about it. I'm not ashamed of the fact."

            "You were with Remus, weren't you?"

            "Yes, and it was wonderful." Ariadne's face was soft with remembrance. "He's everything I've ever wanted in a man. I'm in love – really in love – for the first time in my life."

            Lily hesitated. "Ordinarily I'd be thrilled for you, but I don't want to see you get hurt. We talked this over. You and Remus have no future together."

            "That's where you're wrong! You have no future with James. Unfortunately he can never marry you, no matter how you feel about each other. But it's different with me. Remus doesn't have to marry royalty. There's nothing standing in our way."

            "Except a phoney identity. Can you marry him without telling him who you are? Or did you already tell him last night?" Lily asked tensely.

            "No! I wanted to, but I thought I should talk to you first. Remus wouldn't tell anyone if I asked him not to," Ariadne said earnestly.

            "You don't really believe that. He's utterly devoted to James. Do you honestly think he'd let this deception go on?"

            "Maybe James should know," Ariadne said uncertainly.

            "Of course he should! But it's too late now. The engagement had been announced and the two of us have been on display all week. James would look like a fool for being taken in by a phoney Gabrielle, and King Claude would look even worse for perpetrating such a fraud. Relations between the two countries would be irreparably damaged, all because of me."

            "You're not solely to blame," Ariadne protested. "It wasn't your idea."

            "But I went along with it, I'm the one who ruined James's life," Lily said sombrely. "How do you think Remus would feel if he found out? Do you really think he'd keep it to himself?"

            "No, and he'd blame me, too, for keeping quiet," Ariadne said sadly. "Now I'm glad I didn't tell him. At least we had one perfect night together."

            Which was more than she had had, Lily thought wistfully.

            "It won't be much consolation to you, but the marriage between James and Gabrielle might not go through," Ariadne said.

            "What could prevent it?"

            "That's what Remus was waiting to talk to James about. I wanted to warn you, too. It might be very –" Ariadne paused as a group of people came out of the den.

            One of them was holding a newspaper and they were all talking animatedly.

            "I don't care how rich or handsome he is," a woman said. "I certainly wouldn't put up with a thing like this."

            "You women are too hard on the poor chap," a man protested. "After all, he was a footloose bachelor at the time."

            "This is more than a case of boys will be boys," his wife answered sharply. "If I were Gabrielle, I'd –" She stopped abruptly and rolled up the newspaper when she saw Lily and Ariadne in the hall. "Oh… you're back, Gabrielle. We all wondered where you'd gotten to."

            "James and I went on a picnic," Lily said. "Is there something going on that I should know about?"

            The men looked uncomfortable and the women exchanged meaningful glances. "It isn't our place to say anything," the first woman answered. "But on the other hand, you'll find out anyway."

            "Find out what?" Lily was losing patience.

            "Perhaps it would be better if you read it for yourself." She held out the newspaper.

            It was one of the more lurid wizarding tabloids, one that regularly dished out details on the less savoury escapades of the rich and famous. Dominating the front page was a large picture of James beside an exotic brunette. The headline above it read: 'The Prince and His Paramour. Does Princess Gabrielle Know About James's Secret Love Child?'

(A/N – Now, who saw that one coming? Yay! More angst for the tortured couple!)

            Lily's first reaction was shock. It couldn't be true! She glanced up in bewilderment to find the others staring at her avidly, waiting for her reaction.

            Lifting her chin regally she said, "I thought these yellow rags could sink no lower, but it appears they have. I'll put this thing in the bin where it belongs." She walked gracefully up the staircase, followed by Ariadne.

            When they were in Lily's suite with the door closed, Ariadne said, "You carried that off royally. I'm proud of you. Gabrielle couldn't have done better."

            "They were just waiting for me to make a scene's I wasn't about to give them the satisfaction," Lily said disdainfully. "Did you know about this?"

            "I found out it a just a short time ago. Somebody went into town and came back with that tabloid. They've all been discussing it. It's the high-point of the weekend," Ariadne commented sardonically.

            "You don't believe it, do you?"

            Ariadne hesitated. "Maybe you should read the article."

            "I don't have to read it. I know what sort of trash those yellow rags print."

            "I know they exaggerate, but there are a couple of things that almost have to be the truth. James could sue the pants off them otherwise."

            "Even if you win, you lose. A lawsuit only gives the story wider coverage. That's what they count on."

            "Maybe you're right, but you still should read the article."

            "All right, if you insist."

            Lily handled the paper as though it were contaminated. Her face was filled with disgust, but as she read further, her expression changed.

            The article described Tanya Tremayne as a sometime 'model and actress'.  She'd told the reporter that she and Prince James had been intimate for over a year. Three months ago she'd borne a child by him – a little girl she'd named Jemima, after her father, James. Tanya had said she and the prince were very much in love, but they both realised he could never marry her.

            James was very generous, however. He was paying for the rent on her luxury apartment and also supporting his daughter. To back up her story, Tanya had given the reporter a photocopy of a generous check made out to her and signed by James. The check was printed in the article.

            That was numbing enough, but Lily was really wounded by the woman's final claim. Tanya said James had assured her that he would visit her and their daughter regularly, and continue to support them. She said she and the prince had a special relationship that his marriage would not change – the implication being that the affair would go on.

            Lily's face was pale as she put down the paper. It didn't matter that James hadn't betrayed her. He thought she was Gabrielle, so it was the same thing. How could she have been so badly taken in by him?

            After a look at Lily's expression, Ariadne said, "I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

            "I was so trusting I didn't even want to read the article," Lily said bitterly.

            "I'm sure some of it was overblown."

            "Which part? They have a picture of the woman, the baby and the check. You're right, he doesn't have grounds for a lawsuit."

            "I meant the part where she intimates the affair will continue after James is married. I don't think he'd do a thing like that."

            "Oh, really? If he'd keep a separate family tucked away secretly, he's capable of anything. He should see his daughter. A man should have more responsibility than to just scatter his seed."

            "He is supporting them," Ariadne reminded her.

            "How generous of him! Maybe they'll pin another medal on his chest."

            Ariadne gave her a curious look. "James never even hinted that he'd fathered a child?"

            "Believe me, it never came up. He was too busy telling me that I was the only woman he'd ever loved, and how he'd been looking for me all his life. He didn't mention that he'd made a detour here and there. "

            "Well, luckily it isn't your problem. Everything will really hit the fan when his parents and King Claude get wind of this. That's why I said the wedding might not take place."

            "And all of this was for nothing," Lily said dully.

            "I guess so." After a few moments of silence Ariadne said, "For what it's worth, Remus told me that the story isn't true."

            "Why doesn't that surprise me? James has the ability to inspire loyalty – among men, anyway."

            There was a light tap at the door and James called, "Are you in there, Gabrielle?"

            Lily crossed the room with a set face. She opened the door, but didn't invite him in. "What is it?" she asked coolly.

            He sighed when he saw her expression. "You've seen the newspaper article." It wasn't a question.

            "Yes, some of the guests couldn't wait to show it to me."

            James swore under his breath. "You'd think they'd have more to occupy their time. I wanted to tell you about it myself."

            "But you haven't found an opportunity all week?" she asked derisively.

            He frowned. "Don't tell me you believe what that asinine excuse for a newspaper printed? You, of all people, know they don't let the truth get in the way of a juicy story."

            "Maybe. But it's a little more difficult to make up photographs."

            Remus had accompanied James, but he wasn't immediately visible in the shadowy hall. As an argument seemed imminent, Remus stepped forward and said, "Why don't we all go inside where we can discuss this without an audience."

            "There's nothing to discuss," Lily replied. "I read more than enough about it in the paper. I don't care to hear any more details."

            "You're sure everything you read is true?" James demanded.

            "Please," Remus coaxed. "We really need to talk about this in private. Ariadne?" He tacitly asked for her assistance.

            "Remus is right," she said. "Why give those gossipmongers more to talk about?"

            Lily stood aside reluctantly, and James entered with the same lack of enthusiasm. "This is fairly pointless," he said. "You've already made up your mind about me."

            "How can I ignore the fact that you're having an on-going affair with another woman?"

            A muscle twitched in his square jaw. "You're not asking me if I am, you're telling me."

            "Do you deny it?"

            "Would you believe me if I did?"

            "That's no answer," Lily said angrily.

            Before they reached a complete stalemate, Remus said pacifically, "You've had experience with the tabloids, Gabrielle. You know they mix lies with half-truths."

            "What part is a lie – the affair, the baby? He isn't writing out checks to her for no good reason."

            "It doesn't have to be for the one you're thinking," Remus replied.

            "Give it up," James said distantly. "Let her think what she wants."

            "You're both being pigheaded," Remus said impatiently. "If you won't tell her, I will. James dated Tanya once or twice, but they were never involved," he said to Lily. "They knew a lot of the same people and ran across each other frequently in different clubs. She was having an unhappy love affair and she cried on James's shoulder. He felt sorry for her, so he was sympathetic."

            "That's a polite way of putting it," Lily commented cynically.

            James scowled. "You see? Why are you even bothering?" he asked Remus.

            The other man ignored him, and continued doggedly (A/N - or should that be wolfedly?)

            "Tanya became pregnant and the father of the baby ran out on her. She was broke and desperate. She didn't even have money to pay her rent, so James helped out. That's what the check was for."

            "And she was so grateful she named her baby after him?" Lily asked derisively.

            James threw up his hands in frustration. "The child wasn't named after me! She just happened to like the name. It's very popular at the moment."

            "Even if I accepted that explanation, there's one thing that doesn't add up. If you simply befriended her, why would she give such a damaging interview to a tabloid reporter?"

            "For money," James answered succinctly. "Maybe she thinks it will be publicity for a book she plans to try and peddle. Everybody who's ever had the most casual encounter with a celebrity writes a book about it. Why would Tanya photocopy the check I gave her? Who does that unless they plan to use it in some way at a later date?"

            Ariadne hadn't taken part in the conversation, but now remarked, "That's a good point. The normal thing would have been just to deposit it."

            "Don't confuse Gabrielle with logic," James said sardonically.

            "If you want unquestioning acceptance, get a dog," Lily snapped back.

            "I'd settle for an open mind," he said.

            "Why don't we all calm down," Remus pleaded. "Something like this is very stressful, but we can work it out if we don't lose our perspective."

            "It's already worked out. James didn't want to marry Ga –" Lily caught herself just in time. If she revealed her own deception, James would think his was justified – which it most certainly wasn't! "You didn't want to marry me in the first place," she told him. "Now you don't have to. Your girlfriend has provided a reason to call off the wedding."

            His jaw set grimly. "If that's what you want, it's fine with me."

            "Don't pretend I'm being unreasonable," she flared. "How did you expect me to react?"

            "I expected you to realise I was being set up," he said austerely. "In a way, I'm glad this happened. Our marriage wouldn't stand a chance if we couldn't trust each other." He turned and strode out of the room.

            Remus gave Lily a troubled look. "You're making a big mistake," he told her. "James really loves you."

            "How gullible do you two think I am? You heard him. When I told him we had grounds for breaking the engagement, he couldn't agree fast enough."

            "That was simply anger and hurt pride. He's innocent, Gabrielle. Stand by him." Remus left to find James.

            After a moment of silence, Ariadne said, "James could have been telling the truth. It could very well be a frame-up."

            Lily wavered for the first time, remembering the tender as well as the passionate moments she'd shared with James. Wouldn't he have prepared her for something that damaging to a relationship, rather than have it come out after the marriage? She honestly didn't know what to think.

            "It doesn't really matter whether I believe him or not." Lily sighed. "It's what Gabrielle thinks that counts. She'll break the engagement so fast he'll get whiplash."

            "That's undoubtedly true," Ariadne said. "Well, maybe it's for the best."

            "There isn't anything good about this whole situation," Lily said sombrely.

Ooooohhh!!! Lily's got a stubborn streak, eh? And poor put upon James! Can this mess ever get sorted out? Will I ever stop torturing our favourite couple? I doubt it…

Next chapter – how do the parents react when they find out about James's little… er… indiscretion…?!?

Scro Gneu Gneu!

And Guadeloupian melons.

I'll try and update soonly…

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