A/N – Thanks for the comments! We still have a party to get through before the month kicks in.

Chapter 26 – Falling into Place

It was the day before the party. A chambermaid ran into Elizabeth's room as she was preparing for dinner.

"Milady, your father has arrived."

Elizabeth squealed and then quickly finished and ran downstairs to greet him. He had just walked inside the castle when Liz hurled herself into his arms. He laughed merrily as he hugged her tightly and spun her around. He had missed her laughter and their long talks.

Liz pulled back and looked behind him. "Georgie," she yelled pulling her into her arms. "Happy Birthday," she said grinning. "I have something for you."

Georgie smiled. "Thank you. I feel very old now."

Liz laughed. "Yes, eighteen is ancient."

She embraced Ruby and then dragged her and Georgie up to her room.

They sat on a bench watching Elizabeth walk to her changing area. When she returned with a beautiful dress the women are astounded.

"Happy Birthday, Georgie."

Georgie gasped. "Oh, my word. It's beautiful."

Liz smiled as Georgie held the dress against her body. "It's for the party tomorrow night. I want you to attend."

Georgie squealed. "Really?"

Ruby smiled. She loves how Elizabeth treats Georgie like a sister instead of a servant.

The chambermaid appeared at the door. "Milady, more guests have arrived."

"Ruby, Caroline will show you to your room. We're about to have dinner and you will be joining us."

Ruby smiled. "Thank you, milady."

Liz grabbed Georgie's hand and they ran down the hall, almost colliding with Emily at the stairway.

"Princess Emily, this Georgie."

Emily grinned. "I've heard so much about you."

Georgie bowed her head.

"You don't have to do that. Come here," Emily said giving the girl a warm hug. "Any friend of Elizabeth's is a friend of mine."

Georgie grinned.

"Let's go see who is here." They ran downstairs where John is standing looking very handsome.

Elizabeth made a cute noise and embraced him as John chuckled. "It's good to see you too, Lady Elizabeth," John said as they separated. "I was shocked to get your invitation but very happy nonetheless."

Liz grinned. "John, this is Georgie and Princess Emily."

As another smile lit up John's face, Georgie thought she was going to faint at how handsome he is. He made the motion of kissing both Emily and Georgie's hands since they had just met. "It's a pleasure to meet such beautiful ladies. Princess Emily, thank you for opening your home to us."

"Us?" Emily asked.

Claudia purposely strode toward them.

"This is my sister, Claudia."

She smiled. "You must be Lady Elizabeth." She looks exactly as her brother described.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," Elizabeth said warmly giving her a hug which totally surprised Claudia. "This is Princess Emily, and my friend Georgie."

Jason moved toward them with Johnny in tow.

"Jason, this is John."

Jason smiled. "I finally get to meet Elizabeth's rescuer. Thank you so much for treating her with such care."

"It was my pleasure, milord."

Claudia leaned over to Liz. "Nice," she said as Elizabeth blushed. "Who is the other one?" Johnny is very handsome too.

"Jason and Johnny, this is Claudia, John's sister."

Jason made the motion of kissing Claudia's hand and Johnny followed suit.

A chambermaid appeared. "Caroline will show you to your rooms. Please prepare for dinner. We will be serving soon," Elizabeth said.

"What did you think of John?" Elizabeth whispered in Georgie's ear.

They would make a gorgeous couple.

Georgie blushed.

Elizabeth laughed. "Come on." She'll take that as a sign of interest.

The women headed to Georgie's room to get her ready.

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John watched Georgie and Elizabeth enter the dining hall. Georgie took his breath away.

Elizabeth smiled knowingly. As much as she would hate to part with Georgie, if she does end up falling for John, she is excited for the young woman. He is a wonderful catch. She has no doubts that he will treat her well.

When Elizabeth told Jason that Claudia had asked about Johnny, he made sure that Johnny attended and was seated next to her. Johnny isn't used to being invited to such events, but Claudia is beautiful, so he isn't going to complain. The other guys had teased him for the last half hour when the rumor spread.

Introductions were made and everyone ate and merrily drank. After dinner, musicians played, and the guests danced and celebrated.

"Jeffrey," Monica said approaching him with a friend, "I want to introduce you to my friend, Lady Leslie Faulkner."

Jeffrey smiled. "It's nice to meet you, milady." He bowed his head slightly.

She smiled. "It's nice to meet you as well. Monica was informing me about Elizabeth and Jason. You must be very happy for your daughter."

"I am most pleased. I do not doubt that they will have a wonderful future together."

"Will you excuse me for a moment? My husband seems to be beckoning for me," Monica said slipping away. While she doesn't always play matchmaker, Jeffrey and Leslie would make a lovely couple and she wants to give them time to talk.

Jeffrey held out a chair for Leslie to sit on. "So, when do I get to meet your husband?"

Leslie sighed. "I'm afraid my husband died five years ago."

"I'm so sorry for your loss. Please forgive me if I have saddened you at all," Jeffrey said sincerely.

Leslie smiled. "No worries. It is hard at times. Monica told me that you lost your wife. I'm sorry for your loss too."

"Thank you, Lady Leslie. I miss her as well. Elizabeth has been my primary focus and now she is about to embark on a new life. It's hard for me, but of course, I wish her well."

Leslie nodded. "When my daughter Laura left home, I was grief-struck. If you ever need anyone to talk to, please know that I am more than willing to listen."

Jeffrey smiled. Leslie is an attractive woman, and she seems very pleasant. "Thank you, milady. May I ask what town you are from?"

"I live in Newberry."

"Ah, that is but an hour journey from my home in Rothsbury. Perhaps I could call on you from time to time."

Leslie grinned. "That would be lovely."

Jeffrey is handsome, and from what Monica had told her, he dotes on his daughter and is a very nice man. She hadn't considered anyone since her husband died but Jeff is already captivating her.

"Would you like to dance?" Jeffrey asked.

"I would love to."

Monica watched and motioned to Elizabeth who sat next to her.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Elizabeth said trying to catch her breath from the last dance.

"Look…"

Elizabeth followed her gaze and grinned. "Who is she?"

"A friend of mine, Lady Leslie. She's a widower but a lovely woman."

"Thank you. I worry about him so. I hope they hit it off." If Monica made the introductions, then she does not doubt that the woman is nice.

Monica smiled. "I will make sure they are seated together for the banquet tomorrow evening."

Elizabeth squeezed her hand.

John interrupted them. "Lady Elizabeth, will you do me the honor of a dance?"

Liz smiled. "Of course."

Claudia grinned. Elizabeth is very cute. It is too bad she is with Prince Jason because she would have been perfect for John. She glanced at Jason who is almost pouting watching his girl dance with another. "Prince Jason, would you like to dance?"

He almost choked on his beer. "Me?"

"Is there any other Prince sitting nearby?" She looked around for effect.

He smirked. "Please excuse my rudeness, I would love to dance."

She took his hand and he led her into the middle of the crowd.

Liz gazed at John. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"That I am. I wanted to ask you about Georgie. Is she royalty?"

Liz smiled. "No. She actually works for my family, but I have grown up with her by my side and she is like a sister to me."

John breathed a side of relief that he won't have to worry about protocol. "Do you think she would be interested in getting to know me more?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"She is walking Ruby back to her room. When she returns, you should ask her to dance."

"I shall."

Liz is over the moon.

Jason perused the room as he danced with Claudia.

"So, tell me all about Johnny."

Jason smiled. "What exactly do you want to know?"

"I don't know. Is he nice?"

Jason nodded. "He's fiercely loyal, funny, and that includes his accent. I must warn you though, he is kind of a lady's man."

He watched her closely to see how she'd react to that. He could already tell that the knowledge would excite her. Some women like a challenge.

"I see," Claudia said evenly. If she wants him, he'll be a lady's man no more. "Is he normally agreeable?"

Jason chuckled. "He can be feisty, but he eventually gives in."

Claudia smirked. She doesn't want a wimpy man but if Johnny has some fight in him, then that is even better.

Jason found Claudia's curiosity very interesting. She almost seems to be more than Johnny could handle, but his friend also likes a challenge and Jason is betting that Claudia will give him a run for his money.

The dance ended. "Thank you, Prince Jason, it was very enlightening."

Jason said goodbye and then spotted Elizabeth. "May I have this dance, my gorgeous wife to be?"

Elizabeth grinned. "I'm sorry. I promised Milo the next dance."

Jason frowned.

"I'm just kidding." She moved into his arms.

"That wasn't funny."

"Yes, it was," she said laughing.

When she spotted Nikolas dancing with Emily, she knows everything is right with the world. It is so good to see that Emily is back to being herself, and she loves the way Nikolas dotes on her. They are lovely to watch. She noted that her father is laughing at something Leslie said and she grinned. Everything is nicely falling into place.