Author's Note: We decided to post this a little early, thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed to this story, it means more than you think
Disclaimer: All characters owned by Meg Cabot, we only own the plot
Chapter 2
6 weeks later
I quickly rush over to the loose floorboard next to the fireplace, crouching down and lifting it up after looking around to see if any of my ladies in waiting were lingering around. Today is my birthday and Jesse told me to look in here the second I woke up. Well...at least I think that's what he told me.
His English and French have gotten slightly better and in my spare time (what little I have, anyway) I've been trying to learn Spanish.
...But even so, his ability to speak to me in a language that I understand is still small, and he still points and uses his hands a lot when he talks to me.
But that doesn't matter. We both speak the language of love. Oh God, that sounded corny, but whatever. As I open the floorboard, I find a poorly wrapped parcel with an orchid on top.
I smile and reach for the orchid, smelling it before setting it aside and ripping off the brown paper, my heart swelling as I life up the small wooden pendant of a sparrow he must have carved out of a piece of wood.
It's probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I usually get these big grand presents that I don't even care about. Something small like this shows how much time he put into it by carving it himself.
It is strung onto a long black leather cord, probably a leftover corset lace or something, and even though it fits it perfectly I know I must find a silver chain for it, or I could never wear it, my mother would spot that black cord off the bat.
I smile and set the necklace down on my bedside table before calling for Jesse. He has a secret entrance to my room, specifically built so that he could get to me whenever I needed him.
I see the door open and he walks in, a secret smile on his face as he looks to the ground, his long lashes making his chocolate eyes even more beautiful.
I walk over to the door to make sure it's locked before hurrying over to him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you for my present, Jesse," I whisper in his ear.
"Anything for you, Querida," he says slowly and I smile at his attempt to speak English. "I can't wear it just yet, I have to find a silver chain for it...otherwise my mother would spot it instantly. I absolutely love it though, I can't tell you how much I love it...I really do...love it," I say, and for some reason I can't stop myself from saying that...love.
He laughs as I ramble. "But not as much as I love you," I whisper before kissing his lips.
"Querida...we can not...it is daylight out," he says quickly pulling back, though I can tell that is the last thing he wants to do right now.
I pout but nod, kissing him softly once more. "I have surprise, querida," he tells me and I grin.
"A surprise? What?" I ask him excitedly, bouncing up and down as I take his hands.
He laughs and shakes his head. "Tonight, querida...I will come for you," he tells me.
I pout once again, looking down to the floor. Tonight? Tonight is forever away. At least I will have tonight to look forward to, though, when I have to go to all of the things my family has prepared for me, a ball, a grand supper...the works.
"I can hardly wait, Jesse," I tell him, squeezing his hands.
"Good...I must go, Claude will be up soon," Jesse says, glancing around before swooping down and giving me a soul searing kiss.
I cling desperately to him, not wanting to let go, but I have to. As we part, I clasp his hand tightly, letting go slowly until only our fingertips touch.
"Te amo...mi querida," he whispers as he gets nearer to the door, placing his hand over his heart before slipping silently out of my room.
I sigh wistfully and fall back on to my bed, a goofy grin plastered on my face.
A few happy moments later a knock rings throughout my room, and my mother is walking in, completely dressed up, even though it is only early morning.
"Happy birthday, Susie!" she exclaims, and I sit up, still grinning.
"Thank you, mom," I reply.
"Now...why aren't you up yet? We have to get you bathed and dressed, and perfumed for tonight's festivities!" she exclaims, and I know there is only one reason she is treating me so nicely...the man she wants me to marry will be there.
I have been dreading this day for quite sometime. I don't WANT to marry someone else! I want to marry Jesse! But that could never, ever happen.
I catch her looking at something over my shoulder, and only too late do I realize my pendant is still out in the open, "Susannah...what is this? My, my it is spectacularly done, did you get it from the market when we went to Paris in May? (It is now late November).
I nod frantically, "Yes...I, erm, yes I did, I just haven't had the chance to get it a proper silver chain..." I say quickly.
"It truly is exquisite," she says, smiling. "We'll find a chain for you immediately."
I smile broadly, "Thank you so much mother," I say, beaming up at her and giving her a hug in a rare show of affection on my part.
She seems taken aback at this but hugs me back. "You're very welcome, Susannah," she says to me.
"Where is Françoise? She usually helps me with my baths," I say, looking around for my favorite lady in waiting.
"Why don't you ask Jesse to fetch her for you? You haven't been using him," she says and I cringe on the inside. She says "using him" like I OWN him or something.
"Uhm...well alright, then," I say and I clear my throat, about to call Jesse in when Francoise bustles into my room, apologizing for being tardy.
I'm about to tell her it's all right but my mother scolds her for her tardiness and I sigh. She's like this to all of our servants.
Françoise stands perfectly still as my mother berates her and warns her if we must send someone to fetch her ever again she will be without a job.
As my mother leaves, I quickly apologize to Françoise but she brushes it away, telling me that my mother was right which totally ticks me off.
I quickly undress and she helps me bathe before getting out my gown for tonight and lying it down atop my bed, quickly working at my hair.
I wish there was something that could make my hair silky and smooth...or instantly dry. I hate my hair after bathing.
Françoise has to go through this boring and long labor of towel drying my hair, which takes forever since my hair is halfway down my back, and after that she must help to put it up, but usually some of my other ladies help me with that.
After nearly two hours, I am ready and left alone for a moment. This is when Jesse visits me. "Jesse!" I squeal quietly, making sure no one is coming. "This is dangerous!"
"I had to see you," he says and he quickly looks me up and down before saying something in Spanish. I don't believe he's ever seen me as dressed up as I am right now but once or twice before.
"Querida...words cannot describe how beautiful you are," he tells me, smiling and taking my hand.
"Thank you," I say, smiling right back at him but bringing one hand up to my chest, where there is cleavage showing due to my new corset. I love Jesse, but I am still extremely modest around him.
He smiles, though his smile fades almost immediately. "Are you going to meet him tonight?" he asks and I nod sadly. He found out about my betrothed when he overheard my mother and I talking one night.
He doesn't say anything after that, just looks down to the ground, his long lashes making it impossible for me to see his eyes.
I reach out and tilt his chin up so he's looking at me. "I love you, you know that," I say softly.
"I know...I know Querida," he says softly and I lean in, pressing my lips to his.
He places his hand on my cheek and takes control of the kiss, his other hand on the small of my back, pulling me closer. His kisses are so wonderful...I like to lose myself in them. After it starts to get really heated, I push him away. "You must go," I whisper, our faces still close.
He sighs and nods, placing a sweet, loving kiss on my lips. "I will come for you...tonight," he tells me and I nod my head.
"Yes...now please, go quickly, before you are caught," I say softly and he does, just as there's a knock at my door. "Come in," I say, checking myself in the mirror one last time. Hey, even if I don't want to go to this ball, I should still look good.
My mother enters, smiling. "Oh Susannah, you look wonderful," she tells me and I turn to smile at her.
"Thank you, mother," I reply, turning back to the mirror before following her from the room. I just pray that this night goes quickly.
Supper goes by very fast, I am sitting besides Andy tonight in my mother's usual spot of honor, seeing how the celebration is on my behalf, and since I am so close to the king, I have no chance to socialize with the other guests...at least at supper I don't.
They introduce me to my future husband right away. His name is Paul Slater and I hated him from the moment I set eyes on him.
One, he's British, and the only reason they are even considering a British man is to settle some issues between Aquitaine and parts of Great Britain, and for two he just had that cocky arrogance, he was the type of man who assumed I would just fall head over heels in love with him from the moment I lay eyes on him since he happened to have been graced in the looks department.
And besides all that, he keeps looking at me like he's...undressing me with his eyes. Creepy.
The very first dance is given to me and my father, as is custom. Though I never call Andy my father, he is technically a father figure to me, and I respect him.
As we are dancing, he asks me what I think of Paul. I tell him he is a fine suitor, though I want to scream that I hate him and that I love Jesse.
"I want you to be happy, Susie, I want you to have the best man possible, and I believe Paul is that man," he says.
I smile and nod my head. "Thank you, Andy," I say as the song ends.
"I think it would be suitable if you gave Paul the next dance...get to know him," Andy says, smiling down and kissing my cheek.
I smile back and nod as Paul walks over to me. "May I have this dance?" he asks. I nod reluctantly and take his hand.
"So, Princess. I have a feeling we will be married before your 17th birthday," Paul says, smiling down at me as we start dancing to the song, which, blasted musicians, happens to be slower.
"Please, Paul, there's no need for that. Call me Suze," I tell him, letting my eyes looking anywhere but him.
"Suze...such a short name for such a magnificent woman," Paul says, smiling, and I can't help but blush a little.
"Well, my name is Susannah, but I prefer Suze," I tell him, glancing up at him and smiling a little.
"Susannah...yes, I think Suze fits you better," Paul says, smiling down at me with his striking baby blue eyes.
He pulls me a little closer and I look over my shoulder, gasping when I see Jesse watching us from a secret servant's area.
"What is it?" Paul asks me, his hand wrapped a little too intimately around my waist.
My eyes lock with Jesse's for a moment before I shake my head. "Nothing, Paul," I reply, looking away from Jesse.
Paul frowns a little but nods, reaching up to his collar and adjusting it briefly. I have to admit, Paul looks pretty impressive in his attire, which is much different from ours, the English being much more conservative.
"Let's go somewhere," he whispers in my ear as the song ends. I look back to where Jesse is. He's still watching us, his gaze fixed on Paul.
"I...I don't think that would be appropriate," I say to him a little nervously. I have no clue how old this guy is, but he's definitely not 15.
Apparently he doesn't hear me or is ignoring me because next thing I know, we're outside in the garden. I have to admit, I love it out here but I would rather be out here with Jesse.
"Paul...sir, how old are you?" I ask him, holding my hands down at my waist as I sit down.
"Eighteen," he tells me, reaching for my hand which I hastily move out of reach.
He sighs, shaking his head softly, "Nice corset, might I say, it defines your...figure quite well," Paul says, grinning as I gasp, moving my hands to cover myself.
"Come on, Suze, we'll be married soon," he says, moving closer and putting his arm around me.
"You're not being proper, Paul, I don't like it, and we haven't even set anything in stone yet, how do you know for sure?" I snap, scooting away.
"Do you not want do marry me?" he asks and I grimace. I bet he was quite the player back in Britain. Ugh.
"For one thing, I know absolutely nothing about you! And for another, you don't go up to a woman who you're thinking about trying to charm into marriage and compliment her corset!" I exclaim again, standing up and walking to the other side of the garden patio.
"We have plenty of time to get to know each other after the honeymoon," he says silkily, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
I frown and pull his arms off of me, completely repulsed. Honeymoon? With him?
I'm going back inside now," I tell him, glaring up at him before turning to leave.
"Wait, I'm sorry Suze...I was ahead of myself. It's just hard not to be when I'm with such a beautiful woman," he says, reaching for my gloved hand.
I turn around and look at him, sighing. If I take his hand, I'll feel like I'm betraying Jesse.
"It's not proper for an unwed lady to be alone in the presence of a man unless he is her father, betrothed, or servant," I recite to him.
"Well, I am your betrothed," he says, taking a step closer to me.
"Not officially," I say, crossing my arms over my chest and suddenly feeling as if I'm naked.
"Well, you're as good as," he says angrily. I can tell he's getting frustrated.
"What do you want from me?" I ask, turning around to face him.
"I want you, Susie Q," he says, now grinning at me.
"Susie...what?" I ask him, frowning a bit.
laughs and is about to kiss me but I push him away, hard. So hard that I nearly knock him over. My lips are reserved for Jesse, thank you very much.
"You better watch that attitude of yours," he growls, glaring at me.
"What are you going to do about it?" I ask, glaring right back at him.
Another laugh resonates through the almost empty courtyard and a small shiver shoots down my spine, "Now, do you really have to ask me that?" he asks.
For some reason, my mind flies to Jesse. But no, he couldn't possibly know about that.
I raise an eyebrow at him and he scowls over at me, "Now I know why they say children should be seen, not heard," he says.
That's it. This guy is DONE. I slap him across the face. No one calls me a child and gets away with it.
He reaches up, still in shock, and touches the now slightly red spot before he realizes what happens and his cold eyes set on me.
But before he can say anything, I head back inside, wanting more than anything for this night to be over and to see Jesse.
"This isn't the end of this Susannah," he says mockingly but I simply stick my nose up even further in the air.
"Susannah, is everything all right?" my mother asks as I enter the ballroom.
"Yes, of course. Perfect," I snap, smoothing out my skirts before walking into the crowd and being immediately immersed in the people.