PART 2

For the next two days, Elizabeth travelled the length and breadth of the kingdom, searching for a suitable man, but her search proved fruitless as she came home empty handed. No matter the number of men she saw, they were always missing something. But she didn't know what that was.

Disappointed and scared of how her father would react to the truth, Elizabeth planned to be too sick to attend the ball. Her best friend, Isabel, was going to help convince the Queen that Elizabeth was seriously ill.

Her mother had other ideas.

"Hurry up, Elizabeth. There are only a few hours until the ball begins."

"Oh, mother. I don't feel well enough. I don't think I'll be able to attend," she exclaimed, throwing a hand dramatically to her head.

"She really is unwell, Your Majesty." Isabel spoke up.

"Nonsense. You have to go. For your fiance's sake."

"Mother…"

"No, dear. Be ready to go down in two hours." Her mother said as she headed towards the door, shutting it behind her.

"I'm sorry, Lizzie. I tried. You know what your mother is like."

"I know, Iz. Don't worry about it. I'll have to think of something else."

"Come on, let's get your mind off it. Let's get you ready for the ball. We're going to make you so beautiful that no man will be able to resist you."

~~~~~~~~~~

As Elizabeth descended the stairs into the guest filled ballroom, her eyes scanned the crowd. There had to be someone here who was suitable, she thought.

It was as she reached the bottom of the stairs that she saw him. He would be perfect, she thought happily. As she wove her way toward him, she took the time to look him over with a critical eye.

The stranger was tall, his brown hair unconventionally long, brown eyes and a sensuous mouth. She could tell that, hidden beneath his formal clothing was a fit, strong, but not overly muscled body, and he moved with the grace of a cat. A very dangerous cat.

"Good evening, sir." Elizabeth smiled politely as she held out her hand to him.

She watched wide-eyed as he slowly raised her hand to his lips to place a gentle kiss to her wrist, his eyes never left hers. "Good evening." His voice was rich and smooth, making something deep inside her tingle.

Now was no time to give in to foolish feelings. More important matters were at stake.

"I am Princess Elizabeth and I have a proposition for you."

END PART 2