Part 3

Michael Guerin cocked an eyebrow as he gazed at the princess standing before him. Her dark brown hair fell to just below her shoulders, framing a beautiful face with deep chocolate eyes and a rosebud mouth. Michael allowed his gaze to rake over her entire figure, taking in the gold dress that accentuated her eyes, making them glow luminously as she gazed patiently up at him. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she couldn't remember anything.

"What is this proposition you have for me?"

Her gaze never wavered from his as she said, "I need you to be my fiance."

If he hadn't been so shocked, he probably would have laughed. The lovely Princess Elizabeth, much talked about by men throughout not only this kingdom, but also the surrounding kingdoms, who had refused every suitor, was asking him to be her fiance.

When he didn't answer her, Elizabeth rushed on to tell him everything, "My father, the King, has commanded that I marry Duke Evans on my twenty-first birthday in 4 weeks time. I refuse to marry such a horrible man and so I told my father that I was already engaged. Unfortunately, I am not."

"That's a sad story and all, but what does it have to do with me?" the young man asked.

"I want you to pretend to be my fiance for 4 weeks, then you'll have to marry me. Once we're married, we can arrange for you to 'die' on the honeymoon in some accident. Then I won't need to ever marry again as I can play the part of the distraught widow. I will make sure you're rewarded handsomely for your time and trouble. Will you help me?"

"You seem to have put a lot of thought into this crazy plan." He watched as she blushed prettily.

"I'm desperate and I've had a while to plan it." She declared.

Michael sighed. He didn't think he could ever say no to this gorgeous woman. "So, what do I have to do?"

He felt a strange emotion grip him as a smile lit her face. This was going to be a long four weeks.

"You have to meet my father," she said. He felt his heart sink. He'd never done well around royalty. He didn't know how to behave or what to say, and that had made him an outcast. Too bad, he had to do this for Elizabeth.

He held out his arm and when she took it, he led her over to the thrones, where the King and Queen were seated.

"Mother, Father," Elizabeth said, causing a hush to fall over the room. "I would like to present my fiance..."

Oh, no. What was his name, she thought wildly.

END PART 3