“My father certainly thinks it is,” a voice responds. I know that voice—I’ve thought of it every day since I first heard it singing in the rose garden.
I frown. It couldn’t be—Jolie must know she’s not allowed in this end of the castle. But she comes into view, holding my daughter’s hand. Flora is smiling up at her, and the two of them turn toward Flora’s chambers. My daughter opens the door.
“This is where I keep my books. See?”
“I would have loved to have this when I was your age,” Jolie says. I can hear the smile in her voice. I poke my head out of my own door and crane my neck to hear what they say. Panic worms its way into my heart. Jolie shouldn’t be up here. No one should be up here! She could be tracking any kind of bacteria into Flora’s room. She could be putting my daughter’s life in danger!
“Look, this is my favorite book,” Flora says excitedly. “I can’t wait to read the one you gave me.”
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was my all-time favorite book when I was younger. I was a bit older than you, but you’re a better reader than I was,” Jolie laughs.
“I’ll read it tonight and bring it right back to you.”
“Don’t worry about it, Flora. Take your time.”
Flora? Flora? Did my fucking rose gardener just address a royal princess by her first fucking name? Who the hell is this woman, and why is she so comfortable being insolent?
“I really should get back to the garden.”
“When I finish it, can I swap it for another?”
“Of course,” Jo replies. She says goodbye to my daughters as I seethe behind my own door.
This has gone beyond breaking the rules. It’s gone beyond trespassing. Jolie has crossed a line, and I intend to let her know just how unacceptable her behavior has become. There is no fucking way I’m putting my daughter’s life in danger just so she can start a fucking book club with a six-year-old.
The rage inside me mounts, and the demons on my shoulder start to laugh, and laugh, and laugh.
13
Jo
“You met the Princess?” Sam asks in a hushed whisper. “She brought you up to her chambers?” Her freckled cheeks are bright red, and a stray tendril of curly red hair has escaped her bonnet.
I frown, glancing from my plate of food over to her. “Yeah. You haven’t? She says she knew my father, I thought she was pretty close with the staff.” I don’t tell Sam about our little reading parties in the evenings.
“The closest I’ve come to her was seeing her get into a car from a distance. His Highness keeps her away from everyone except Bertrand and Mrs. Grey.”
“That’s a bit sad, don’t you think? Poor kid. Doesn’t she have any friends? She was so excited about getting a new book.”
Sam chews her lip and shakes her head. “The Prince has always kept her away. She’s sick, you know.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a bright, young kid. She still needs to socialize. What kind of parent isolates their daughter from everything? The kid is a genius. She should be making the most of it.”
“Ever since Prince Gabriel brought Flora here when she was an infant, he’s kept her away from everyone and everything. The incident in Farcliff changed him. I’ve worked here my entire life, and when he used to visit when he was younger, he was different. Less angry. Less alone.” Sam shakes her head. “I’d stay away from the Princess if I were you, Jo.”
“That incident was right around the time I left for New York,” I say, chewing thoughtfully. “What happened, again? A fight with his ex?”
“More than that.” Sam glances around the kitchen. We’re alone at our end of the table, so she lowers her voice and continues. “His ex wrote this tell-all book that became a bestseller. It had all kinds of crazy details about him—even their sex life.”
My eyes widen. “Really? I don’t remember that.”
“Uh huh. The King had the book banned, but it still sold like crazy. Prince Gabriel went nuts one day, when he was mobbed by the press about it.”
“Is that when he was knifed?”
Sam nods gravely. “In the street. His ex was having a press conference, accusing him of stealing her baby. He was accusing her of neglecting the Princess and keeping his daughter away from him…” She shakes her head. “It was messy. I think there’s still video of it on the Internet.”
“This must not have made international news, because I don’t remember any of this.”
Sam shrugs. “It was a big deal in Farcliff.”
“Maybe I was too focused on trying to pay my bills.”
Sam leans in toward me. “Apparently, the ex left the baby at home unsupervised. A three-month old! Who does that? Prince Gabriel found out, took the Princess into his care, and confronted his ex about it.”
“Holy shit.”
Sam shakes her head. “He’s crazy about that little girl. Like I said, Jo, I’d stay away from her if you value your job—and your life.”
Bertrand appears in the doorway, and we both straighten up. I feel like a guilty child, caught doing something I shouldn’t have done. My cheeks burn as the Prince’s butler swings his eyes over to me.
“Miss Beaumont, the Prince would like to see you.”
Silence falls over the kitchen as all eyes turn to me. Even the scraping of utensils over plates stop.
I swallow the last bite of food in my mouth. “Me?”
Bertrand nods, gesturing to the door. I wipe my mouth on my napkin and pick up my plate, but Sam stops me.
“I’ll clear it,” she whispers. “You should go.”
“What’s going on?”
My friend shrugs. “I don’t know. This doesn’t usually happen.”
My heart thumps as I push my chair back. I jerk up to stand and bump the table, sending the water in Sam’s glass sloshing over the edges.
“Sorry,” I whisper.
“It’s fine. Go.”
I smooth my hands over my legs and take a quick breath. As I follow Bertrand down the hallway, I pick at the skin around my fingernails and try not to trip over my own feet. My limbs feel heavier than usual, making every movement clumsy.
Why would the Prince want to see me? Am I going to be fired? My father would be devastated. Is this because of the Princess? Does he know that she’s been coming to the cottage since my father and mother were here?
I knew I should have refused to follow her to her chambers—Sam told me the East Wing was forbidden—but she was so insistent and so proud of her little library. How could I refuse? She’s royalty, too.
I clear my throat and Bertrand glances at me. He says nothing to calm me down, and my mind spins out of control. My movements become even jerkier. I run my fingers through my hair and rub the back of my neck as sweat starts to gather under my arms and between my shoulder blades.
Bertrand comes to a stop outside a set of double doors. We’re not far from Flora’s room, just the other side of the hallway. The doors are less grand than the library, but the sight of them fills me with terror.
This is the end of me. I’m done. I’ll be fired, disgraced, and I’ll have to go back to Farcliff with my tail between my legs. I’ve only just started my new book—based on Flora—and I feel like I’ve found a new family and a new home.
I can’t leave now. It would kill my father—literally. Every time I talk to him on the phone, all he wants to know about are the roses. If I ruined this for him…
The Prince’s butler knocks on the door, and then pushes them open. He bows deeply, and my eyes flick to the end of the room, where the Prince sits at a small desk.
“Thanks Bertrand,” the Prince says, putting a bundle of papers down and turning to face us. He waves a hand. “Leave us.”
The butler arches an eyebrow, but says nothing. I stumble inside the doors, and they close behind me silently. Suddenly, the room is stifling. I can’t breathe. I don’t know where to look. The Prince’s eyes are glued on me, and I just want to disappear.
I can’t move. I can’t even curtsy, or bow, or whatever the heck I’m supposed to do. I just stand there and sweat. The room is small, with a desk and a couch opposite each other. Another set of double doors leads to a massive bedroom. I’m in the Prince’s chambers.
“Miss Beaumont,” the Prince starts. His voice reverberates through my body, and I gulp.
I don’t feel sassy or confident right now. I feel completely, utterly terrified.
“Your Highness.”
The Prince stands up from his chair and walks toward me. Every step he takes makes my nerves crank tighter. He keeps his hands folded behind his back. His brow is dark as he surveys me.
“The East Wing is forbidden,” he growls.
This is it. I’m going to be fired, or arrested, or worse. My life is over. Done. Finished.
The Prince arches an eyebrow. “You told me you weren’t a rule breaker.”
“I… I’m not,” I stammer. “The Princess asked me…”
“What my daughter says shouldn’t supersede the rules of this castle. She’s a child.”
I say nothing, inhaling sharply as Prince Gabriel takes a step toward me. His eyes are dark and stormy, his face impassive. He’s so broad—so strong.
Is it wrong that I’m still attracted to him? Even when I see the darkness inside him. Even when he’s angry and imposing. Even when I know I can never have him.
I close my eyes. I can’t look at him. Every time I stare into his face, a lump forms in my throat and he steals the words from my lips. The only way I’ll be able to say anything is if I’m not looking at him.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“You should be,” he growls.
With my eyes closed, I can sense every movement he makes. The Prince takes another step, and I can smell his cologne. I can feel the heat of his body just inches from mine.
I’ve ruined everything. I won’t get to take care of the roses for my father, I won’t get to finish my new book. I’ve failed again, just like I always do. At least I’m consistent, right? If I can count on anything, I can count on my ability to fuck something up.
“Look at me,” the Prince commands.
I take a breath and force myself to open my eyes. Prince Gabriel is standing just inches away from me, in all his towering glory. I’ve never met a man like him before. The danger in his eyes is tantalizing, and he makes me melt. He makes me think about everything naughty, everything wrong, everything right.
“I should have you fired…”
“Your Highness…” My breath hitches.
“… but my daughter seems to like you.” He tilts his head, his eyes flicking down to my lips.
Fire burns in my veins and I waver on my feet. I can’t speak, or think, or move. I just soak up his presence and try to stop my head from spinning.
The Prince steps toward me, and I step back. His lips tug at the corners, and he takes another step. I move back.
It’s not that I want to move away from him. Quite the opposite, actually. I want to throw my arms around him and kiss him like I’ve never kissed anyone before. I want to give myself to him—mind, body, and soul. I want to surrender to this feeling inside me and never look back.
But he’s royalty.
And who am I? I’m just the gardener’s daughter.
Once more, he steps toward me. This time, when I take a step backward, my back hits the door. The Prince grins, bringing his hands up to cage me in against it.
My pulse hammers. He leans in toward me, his breath tickling the base of my neck. The Prince’s lips brush the skin just below my ear, and a growl rumbles in his chest.
My fingers act of their own will, curling themselves into his shirt and pulling him closer. Torturously slowly, the Prince moves his lips up my neck and over my jaw. Everywhere he touches sends sparks flying over my skin. His body cages me against the wall and I submit to the desire inside me.
I arch my back toward the Prince, pressing my chest against his. My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him close to me. His lips tease me, trailing over my jaw and across the corner of my lips.
When I roll my hips toward him, Prince Gabriel chuckles.
“Jolie,” he chides. “You are a rule breaker.”
“What rule am I breaking now?”
I lift my eyes to his, and the tension between us heightens. His lips part, but I don’t wait for his response. I lean toward him and press my lips to his.
I don’t know what’s come over me. I’m not usually this forward. I didn’t come here to kiss him.
It’s just that his aura is engulfing me, and I can’t resist any longer. I pull him closer to me, fusing my body against his. Swiping my tongue across his lower lip, I part my lips as I kiss the Prince of Farcliff.
For the briefest of moments, I can feel his hesitation. He pauses, feeling my lips against his as his body traps mine against the door.
It’s only a moment, though, and then something inside him snaps. It’s almost an audible shift in the energy between us, like thunder breaking overhead.
Sweet, irresistible thunder.
Prince Gabriel roars, slamming his body against mine as he crushes my lips with his kiss. His hands move from the door to my hips, and then around to my ass. He pulls me closer, grinding his hips to mine as he deepens the kiss.
It’s electric. It’s animalistic. It’s wild.
He claws at my body, lifting me up so I wrap my legs around his waist. I hook my arms around his neck, kissing him fiercely as I moan into his mouth.
His hands slip under my shirt. The feeling of his bare hand against my skin sends red-hot shivers coursing through my body.
I can feel the fire burning inside him. I can sense the wildness just beneath the surface, and it makes my heart hammer against my ribcage. My fingers curl into his blond locks and I swipe my tongue into his mouth.
Prince Gabriel tastes like danger. He smells so intoxicating it feels immoral to be this close to him. I moan again, and he kisses me harder. His hips roll toward me, and I feel his length. He’s hard—for me. I moan into his mouth and he grinds himself against me again.
It’s better than I’d imagined. Desire consumes me whole, and I give myself over to him.
I’m ready.
I want him.
I don’t care about the consequences. I don’t care about anything except what’s happening right here, right now…
…but just as suddenly as it starts, it’s over. The Prince pulls away, unwrapping my legs from his waist. I drop to my feet and he takes a step back.
“Go,” he says, his eyes flashing.
“But, your Highne—”
“Leave!” He howls, and fear spikes through me.
I scramble for the door, my hands shaking as I tear it open. I don’t even take the time to close the door again. I just run down the empty hallway, straightening my clothing as tears sting my eyes. My cheeks burn and shame coats the inside of my mouth.
I run all the way to the Gardener’s Cottage, not speaking a word to anyone. I don’t stop moving until I’m safely inside with the lock bolted.
Then, and only then, do I break down and cry.
14
Gabriel
I slam the door shut and stand in the middle of my anteroom, panting. My blood pumps hot and fast through my veins. My chest heaves. My legs tremble.
Fuck.
I shouldn’t have done that. I brought her here to fire her—and instead, I kiss her?
No, that was more than a kiss. I was seconds away from losing control. If she’d stayed a moment longer, I’d have torn her clothing to shreds and fucked her senseless. I’d have given in to the beast and lost control.
Slumping down onto my chair, I let out a sigh.
I shouldn’t have screamed. I shouldn’t have kicked her out. I saw the tears fill her eyes when I yelled, and the frantic edge to her movements. I heard her footsteps running away from me.
And she should run away from me, the demons whisper. Everyone
should.
Charlie wants me to do charity? He wants me to re-enter the royal life? How could I possibly do that, when I can’t even control my own urges?
My face feels hot, and there’s a tickle in my throat. I crumple away from the door, slouching in my chair as I struggle to come to terms with my own behavior.
She’s just like Paulette—or is she? The kindness in her eyes is genuine. Jolie is good. I know she is.
Would it be that bad to sleep with her, just once? To give in to these urges a single time?
I inhale sharply, rubbing my palms against my eyes. Something has shifted inside me, and I don’t know how to fix it. Does it need to be fixed?
To want someone as badly as I want Jolie—is that a bad thing, or a good thing? What does she want? Why would she kiss me? Why would she break every rule in the castle, and then shatter my defenses with one bat of her eyelashes?
She’s going to destroy me—but destruction feels too good to say no.
The echo of her footsteps in the hallway rattle in my mind, and I let out a sigh. I shouldn’t have treated her that way. What did she do to deserve it, except show kindness to my daughter?
My mind pulls me in a thousand different directions, but in the end, my body wins. My feet carry me out of my chambers and down the hallways. My footsteps follow hers as I walk out of the castle and across the lush, green lawn toward the Gardener’s Cottage.
There’s a tingling in my fingertips and a hollowness in my chest and all I can see is the small building at the edge of the grounds. My steps are hurried as I make my way across, and all I can hear is the rushing of blood in my ears. My mouth tastes bitter and I inhale deeply as I step onto the flagstones that lead to the cottage’s front door.
Twice, I’ve stood here before—and twice, I’ve hesitated.
Not today.
Without pausing, I bring my fist up and knock on the door.
“Jo!” I call out, leaning toward the door.
I can hear rustling on the other side of the door, but it doesn’t open.
“Jolie,” I call out again, a little more quietly. I knock once more, then pause.
Knocked Up by Prince Gallant Page 9
