Chapter 18: Beach Days

Brighton Beach, Brighton, England. May 1st, 1811.

There were days when Marianne still couldn't believe she had a tiny being growing inside of her. After three years of hoping and deceptions and tears and waiting, she had finally missed her monthlies, and this time they had never come. The first time she had missed them, she had lost the baby after a couple of months, going through the most painful days of her life. But now, she was walking side by side with her husband – the doctor had forbidden horse riding to make sure she wouldn't lose the baby again – as her belly showed quite the bump.

"I do not think I have been this happy before," she said softly to James, whom she was holding on to his arm. The sand they were walking on was soft and she often lost her balance these days. She gently ran a hand over her growing belly. "I do hope it is a boy."

"I simply wish the baby will be healthy, regardless of the gender," James replied, placing a small kiss on her temple. "And as long as you are healthy as well."

"Of course," she said. "I am as fine as a horse; that is what the doctor said at my last appointment." She paused. "I wonder why I have so many of those. I do not remember my mother seeing a doctor during her own pregnancies, except the midwife once it was time."

James held her hand tightly in the crook of his elbow. "Because you are the princess of England, and you and the Heir must be looked after at all times. Besides," he added, "only the best for you, my love."

Marianne smiled sweetly at her husband. He had always been loving and attentive to her needs and her well-being, but ever since they had found out she was pregnant and carrying the next Heir to the throne, he had become even more so. It was sweet, but she wished he would be his old self with her from time to time, teasing and laughing and simply having fun together. Right now, they were on vacation in Brighton for a week or two now that the Season was ending, and it was a good respite from the past few Season months with their fair share of parties, balls, and other social events they needed to attend. They had managed to hide the pregnancy for a while, but now it was impossible to hide, for she was in her seventh month already.

"We have not yet decided on a name," Marianne said.

"Well, if it is a boy," he replied, thinking, "it should be James."

"James the Third, of course." That was said rather sarcastically, but her husband laughed. "And if it is a girl?"

"You decide," he said, squeezing her hand.

Marianne thought for a moment, but she wanted to name the child – if it was a girl – with a meaningful name. "Eleanor," she said after a moment. "Like my sister."

"The one you are close with?" he asked. "I like her. At least upon the few times I have seen her."

"Good, because she is my favorite sister and she deserves recognition for who and what she is."

James nodded and they continued to walk on the beach, the sun at their backs. After a while, Marianne asked that they turn around and start heading home, for she was beginning to tire and her swollen feet were making it hard to walk in the sand. And that was without talking about the heavy burden she carried in her belly; but what a joyous burden it was, for she already loved the child within her and she could not wait to meet it.

/ / /

Pavilion grounds, Brighton, England. July 22nd, 1815.

James had wished to have more time since he had eliminated a lady, but time was of the essence, and he needed to be done by the time his friends arrived – if they arrived at all – and he could give them a list of ladies that would perhaps suit them best. It amused him to some extent to be the Grand Matchmaker of this little private Season, and he hope to come out of it as he had entered: still unmarried.

He had taken the day to himself, however, but at the moment as the sky turned pink then purple then dark, and after a lavish dinner in the dining hall with everyone else, he was waiting for his walking companion he had invited. He sorely needed a digestive walk, and he supposed he could kill two birds with one stone and get to know one of the ladies remaining on his list.

He was making sure his top hat was clean without a speck of dust when soft footsteps brought him back to the real world.

"I am certain your hat is perfectly clean, Your Highness," the lady said.

"Thank you, Miss Talbot." James placed his hat on his head, a little tilted to the side, and he invited her to walk. "Shall we?"

"Of course." By the oil lamps of the patio, he noticed that Miss Rowena Talbot was wearing a simple dress made of dark blue silk – she had evidently changed from her dinner attire – and her brown hair – unchanged from dinner – was held in a half up-do in a matching bonnet. The evening air was a little cooler, so she was wearing a light blue jacket and some walking boots. "I do hope you had a pleasant day," she said. "We have not seen you until dinner this evening."

"Yes, thank you," James replied. "I was out, riding, for the day," he surprised himself saying. "I enjoy the coastline and it brings me peace of mind." Why was he saying that? Though it was true, he never told anyone that.

"I can understand that," she replied, "especially during times such as these." She paused. "It must be dreadfully exhausting to meet so many new people in such a short time. I hope no one is giving you trouble?" the brunette asked, her inquiry quite genuine.

James offered her a tight smile, but her soft one softened his. "It is quite exhausting, indeed," he said. "But it must be done, or my father shall have my head."

"Why? Must you remarry so quickly?"

"Unfortunately, I do not have a male heir, and my father is adamant I remarry to produce one."

Rowena laughed softly. "What if your new wife only gives you daughters? What then?"

James shrugged. "I honestly have no idea. There has not been a reigning queen since Queen Anne Stuart united Scotland and England in 1707." He paused. "For now, she is the Heir Apparent."

"I see." Rowena smiled and ran her fingers on the high grass on the side of the path. "I would not mind having a queen on the throne, for once," she said. "I am certain the country would only benefit from it."

James barked out a single laugh. "I would agree, but my father does not."

They were silent for a while, the only sounds around them were their boots on the dirt, the crickets in the grass who were becoming silent as the two of them walked by, and the breeze in the trees. Above them, the sky was darkening and some stars had already appeared here and there; to their left, the small lake was quite still, its waters reflecting the stars above.

"Tell me about your family," James suddenly said.

"Of course," she said after a slight hesitation. "My mother married a saloon keeper, and I am very close with my father. My mother usually stays at home and tends to our house. I cannot say I am close with her, but I do respect her, of course."

James nodded once; he could understand that. "Any siblings?"

"No," she replied. "Only grandparents, to which I am quite close."

James sensed she was not telling him everything, but he did not pry; if she wanted to keep her private life private, then so be it. Again, they walked in silence side by side as they rounded the lake and arrived back at their beginning place. Though their conversation had come to a stop, he did not feel ill-at-ease around her. On the contrary, her presence was soothing, as if he was walking alongside a longtime friend and no words were needed.

They arrived on the backyard patio and James turned to Rowena, bowing his head to her. "I thank you for a pleasant evening, Miss Talbot. I wish you good night."

"Thank you, my Lord," she said curtsying to him. "Good night." With that, she was on her way to her bedroom, leaving James alone in the night. He stood there for a moment, letting the crickets go back to their song before retiring for bed also.

/ / /

Pavilion Grounds, Brighton, England. July 23rd, 1815.

Later the next morning after a hearty breakfast, James invited the next lady on his list for an outing on the lake. It was quite a different sight from the previous night. After black waters with white diamonds on it, it was now light blue with some green in it, and the sun was shining on it, making it hard to look at. But, oh, so majestic.

"Lady Gray," James greeted as Diana arrived on the wooden deck, dressed in a sapphire blue outdoor dress with a matching feminine top hat and gloves. Her blond hair was tied in a bun at the nape of her neck, and James decided he liked the general look and nodded once. "Nice hat."

"Yours as well, Your Highness," she replied, curtsying. "I like to wear practical clothes to move in, and bonnets are quite unpractical indeed."

James chuckled. "I see." He looked at the small boat attached to the deck and then back at the lady. "I understand you wished to go boating on the lake," he said.

"Yes! I would love that." The smile on her face said it all, so James nodded once. He stepped down in the boat – it wobbled a bit under his weight – and found his balance before holding out a hand to the lady to help her inside as well. She took his hand and stepped down as if she had done that her entire life, quickly finding her balance as she sat on the seat at the prow of the boat. James sat across from her and untied the ropes. He gave a big push from the deck and they slowly floated away as he placed the oars on the sides of the boats and started rowing away from the deck and the shore and to the middle of the lake.

"Can you swim?" he suddenly asked.

"Of course," she replied. "Why? Are you planning on toppling the boat?" she asked with a mischievous spark in her eyes.

"No, of course not." He paused. "Unless you want me to?" he teased back.

Diana Gray burst out into laughter and it was a sound that made James' insides melt like a puddle. Marianne used to laugh like that and he would get drunk on the sound. He could feel his cheeks burning at the memory it had triggered and he looked away, rowing them further away.

"It is such a wonderful day, is it not?" she asked, seeming to be oblivious to his thoughts. "I wish we could do this every day."

James quickly glanced at her, but she was not looking at him. Instead, her gaze was directed towards the line of trees and she sighed, content. "I agree, it is a nice day." But as for doing this every day, his arms would not follow, for rowing, a boat was quite the exercise.

"Tell me," he said. "How many countries have you been to?" He paused. "I do not like traveling between countries, but I do like visiting places."

"Well," she said slowly, thinking. "I was born in India, and from there, I love to say that we traveled the globe as a family, but I would need to sit down and actually write down the various countries we have been to. But off the top of my head, I can list a few of my favorites!"

"Please do," the prince said, putting his oars to rest.

"Alright, so my favorite countries I stayed for an extended period of time – more than a year in fact – are India– obviously, since I was born there, South Africa, and the Ottoman Empire."

James's brow rose to the brim of his hat. "You have quite literally traveled the entire globe, Miss Gray. I have to say I am rather jealous."

Diana giggled softly. "Yes, well, I was lucky enough to have parents who needed to travel for a living."

"How long have you been in England?"

"Since I was fourteen." Diana fiddled with the lace of one of her gloves. "My Mama thought it was time for me to settle into good English society."

James nodded, though he did not necessarily agree with the lady's mother. He rowed in silence for a few minutes and then put the oars inside the boat and let the soft current carry them wherever it wanted.

"Oh, what a beautiful specimen!" Diana whispered, pointing at a gray and white heron on the side of the lake, immobile as it watched them go by. "Right about now, my papa would have taken out his sketchbook and drawn it."

The prince looked at the thin bird and wondered what it would be like to be able to fly wherever the wind took him. Maybe he could consider building himself a pair of wings to escape Brighton. No, that was utterly ridiculous. "Have you visited other countries for shorter periods of time, then?" he asked, coming back to the lady across from him.

"Yes, or course! Mainly in Europe, though. France, Italy, Spain, Portugal," she said while enumerating them on her fingers. "Oh, and Egypt as well!"

James nodded appreciatively. "That is quite a number of countries for a lady as young as yourself. I cannot claim as many. My travels have only taken me throughout Europe."

They continued to share their traveling experiences until James noticed they were very far from where they had started. With a silent grunt, he placed the oars on the sides of the boat and mentally prepared himself to row all the way back.

"Here," she said, standing up and making them wobble a little. "Scoot over, your Highness, and let me row as well."

"What? Of course not!" he said. "Please sit back down, you will topple us!"

"No, really," she insisted. "I wish to help you row all the way back."

James glared at her: he was not going to let a woman help him row, that would be quite improper!

"Please," she said. "I learned in India that if two people share a task, it is easier and more fun to do. Do let me row beside you."

"No."

But Diana Gray was not used to being shut down like so, and she still tried to sit next to the prince and take one of the oars from him. And in their fight for that oar, James regretted even coming out for the day. What must they look like?

"Please sit down across from me," James said, using his authoritarian voice. "Or else one of us is going to–

"Oh!" she gasped, suddenly letting go of the slippery oar and falling out of the boat with a big splash.

"Lady Gray!" he said, letting go of the other oar and bending over the boat. Without hesitating one second, he peeled off his coat and waistcoat, threw his hat into the boat, and jumped after her into the warm sun-warmed water. She was clearly struggling to stay afloat, and James grabbed her under the arms and swam to the closest shore. It was only when they arrived on the grass that he looked at the boat and noticed that the oars had sunk to the bottom of the lake.

Diana coughed some water and sat up.

"I thought you could swim," he said, sitting next to her, shaking the water from his clothes.

"Try swimming with a dress," she retorted. But then she looked at the prince and started to laugh.

"What seems to be so funny?" he asked, his hair dripping on his face. He took off his boots and emptied the water on the ground. He absolutely did not find the situation to be funny at all.

"I haven't had this much fun since we arrived in Brighton," she replied, still laughing. "What an adventure!"

James stared at the blonde globetrotter but then realized that Marianne would also have found this situation quite funny and he allowed himself to laugh. "Yes, quite," he finally said. "Do women really row boats alongside men in India?" he asked.

"No," she admitted. "But men share tasks, so why not women as well?"

James snorted and shook his head as he stood up. He offered her his hand to help her up as well. "I am afraid we will have to walk back… the boat is oar-less and in the middle of the lake."

/ / /

Brighton Beach, Brighton, England. July 23rd, 1815.

Valery had been there when James had told Henry that one of the Ladies had suggested a beach day for everyone. James had not seemed enthralled by the idea, but since he had promised he would pass the message along, he had done it and walked away.

Henry, on the other hand, had been over the moon with the idea, wondering why he had not thought of it himself first. "But of course! And we will hire the bathing machines as well, it will be such a grand afternoon, shall it not, sister?"

"Yes, of course."

Now, standing on the edge of the beach alone, watching as the bathing machines were being brought to the water's edge, Valery wondered how good of an idea this whole affair was, indeed.

"Have ye ever tried those, Lady Windsor?"

Valery looked at who was talking to her: Lady Elsie MacGregor. "Yes, multiple times," she replied. "It is quite fun… when there are not so many people."

Elsie laughed softly. "I can understand that," she said with her Scottish accent. "I would not want to change and go bathing with so many people watching." She paused, looking as the horses pulled the machines full of ladies changing into swimming gowns into the sea. "Though I wouldn't mind with a close friend."

Valery smiled. "Yes, I do agree."

Once the machines were far enough in the water, the horses were brought back to the shore, leaving the little houses on high wheels among the soft waves. A few minutes later, the first group of ladies, all dressed in short burgundy swimming gowns, walked down the stairs right into the water. Giggles and splashing sounds could be heard all the way to where the two ladies were watching as Valery popped open her parasol. Her skin was too fragile to expose to the summer sun.

"I assume you two will not be bathing today?"

Valery jumped, startled by James' voice right next to her. "No, I suppose not." she looked at him, surprised. "Neither will you, then?"

He shrugged. "Bathing naked in front of all these women? No thank you."

Elsie MacGregor burst into laughter. "I do apologize, sir," she said, putting a hand on her mouth. "But could you not wear a shirt and trousers to swim?"

James was silent for a moment, thinking. "I could, you are right," he admitted. "I have never thought about it."

"Men around here like to swim naked," Valery explained to her friend with a small side grin.

"I see."

"And we do not mix," James added. "I shall leave you to your musings." With that, he left them alone, and Valery let out a sigh she was holding in. He was her friend– one of her closest indeed, but when he was around, she did not feel completely at ease, especially when thoughts of Marianne filled her mind. But to her surprise, such thoughts had found their way less and less in her mind, lately, replaced by someone else, though the face was still blurry in her dreams.

"Look!" Elsie said, putting a gloved hand on her arm, making her heart race quite a bit. "Jemima just jumped into the water from the top of the stairs!"

Valery squinted her eyes to see better against the blinding waters where the sun was taking full advantage of reflection and smiled. "She can swim, do not worry." Elsie's hand was still on her arm and she covered it with her other hand, careful to keep the parasol over her head. "Shall we go see them from up close?"

Elsie smiled, making the dimple in her chin deeper. Valery could not ignore it and felt heat rising in her cheeks as she horridly found herself staring at the lady's lips. She quickly looked away, and, without waiting for the Scottish woman's reply, walked towards the bathing machines, bringing the lady with her. Surely, if there were more people around them, she could distract herself with other thoughts.

"Lady Windsor!" Lady Yvain McIntyre called out from the water. "Will ye be joining us, then?"

"No," she replied politely. To their left, a group of ladies – she could not tell them apart, all dressed in the same burgundy bathing dresses and hair caps – was encouraging another one who seemed to be less sure about the ordeal.

On the beach, Henry was flying kites with Lady Aislin and their laughter could be heard from there. Valery and her friend simply stood there, side by side, watching the women in the water. She tried to count them, making sure that they were all accounted for, but she could only count twelve in the water, one with her, and one with Henry. One was missing, and– she looked around, searching for James. Surely, he could not have abandoned them all there, could he?

"Do excuse me a moment," she said before walking away and searching the beach for the prince. After looking for him for what seemed like an hour, she found him sitting under a parasol with his daughter and one of the ladies, eating sandwiches. At this distance, she could not say who it was, only that she had blond hair. She came closer.

"Ah, there you are," she said. "I knew I was missing one lady."

Lady Louise Grierson laughed softly. "I do apologize for giving you a fright, Lady Windsor," she said. "I did not wish to bathe."

"Understandable, Lady Grierson." She looked at the box filled with sandwiches. "May I have one, please?" James handed her one wrapped in cloth. "I hope you will not eat them all, Eleanor," she teased. "We need to keep some for the others."

"Oh no, of course not!" Eleanor said, not understanding she was being teased. "There is some cake as well, in case they are hungry."

Valery nodded and shared a look with James before walking back to Elsie MacGregor. By now, the machines were being hauled back to the shore by the horses while the ladies changed inside in their dry clothes, helped by maids who had come along just for the occasion. As each group reached the sandy beach, they joined the Prince under the many parasols Henry had had set up and they ate hungrily, finishing all the sandwiches, and cakes, and drinking tea from china teacups.

Henry suggested flying kite for those who wished, and a handful of the ladies accepted the offer. To be honest, Valery really enjoyed the afternoon and was glad that others did as well. All she could see were smiles and laughter, even on James' face… Maybe this was a turning point in the Selection? She dearly hoped it was for he could not end up all alone for the rest of his life. And Eleanor needed a mother as well…


Hi! omg it's been so long since the last chapter! but these past few weeks have been way too busy with the twins and whenever I got to sit down, I did not have the energy to write.

But I will write more! (especially since I've had another story idea, but I want to finish this one first... though you will still see the first couple of chapters coming up before the end of this one.)

Anyway, thanks for your patience, for sticking with me, and for reading! I can't wait to read your reviews and I'll see you next time! (only four chapters left until the dudes arrive hehe) byeeee!