"Are you quite all right, princess?" the man I danced with asked.
"Fine. Thank you." As the music changed, I stopped dancing. "Please excuse me. I believe I see a friend, the Duke of Norfolk, looking for me. Thank you for the dance."
I stormed from the dance floor to the spot where the elderly man stood. He walked with an intricately designed cane which I believed was all for show.
“Your grace."
"Is that dear sweet, Princess Evelyn?" he asked, kissing my cheek.
"It is good to see you again. How are you?"
"Fine, child. I am so glad that you’re okay.”" He stared at me with his distant stare. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing. Everything is well."
"I can hear it in your voice. Do tell what troubles the princess of England?"
"You hear right. I am troubled, and I'm not sure what to do."
"What troubles you?"
"I seem to be jealous of your nephew and that woman he’s been dancing with," I said.
"What woman?" Norfolk asked. “I see him sitting at the table with the king and queen.”
“What?” I spun around to see James back in his seat looking rather melancholy.
Interesting.
“It would seem that even when tempted he decides to sit.”
“It does seem like that.”
“I wonder why,” Norfolk said.
“I wonder.”
“I think perhaps my nephew is in love. But with who?” He looked at me and winked.
"How is it possible to fall in love with someone so fast? I don't even know him besides he's a prince in Scotland."
"Have you tried to get to know the young man?"
"We haven't had an opportunity to get to know one another."
"Make time."
"It's hard when there are ill reputable girls everywhere."
"Ahh, I see the problem. You are jealous."
"Of course I am not. Why would the princess of England be jealous of anyone?"
"Because you ae. Go talk to him. Get to know him. I don’t see anyone trying to kill you right now."
I returned to my seat and poked at the remainder of my dinner. My stomach twisted in knots as I kept glancing at James.
“Your grace,” the blonde said, curtsying in front of him again.
“Marissa, you’re back.”
“Would you care to dance again?” she asked.
“Oh, uh…”
“Forgive us, please. I believe you had asked about a stroll?” I asked.
“Yes. I would love that walk.”
She pursed her lips and hurried away in a flurry of damask and ruffles. James stood and held his arm out to me.
“I suppose I should get used to that,” I mumbled.
“To what?”
“Women fawning over you.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think so.”
“Don’t be modest, James. You’re a handsome man.”
“But I’m going to be your husband, Evelyn.”
“I’m not naive, I know many kings in the European countries have mistresses.”
He furrowed his brow and pouted a bit. “Not all kings.”
“No?” I side-eyed him to watch his expressions.
A soft smile played at his lips. “Not all kings take mistresses.”
“I suppose not. My father never did.”
I looked at James as he rolled his eyes.
“What?” I asked.
He shook his head and sighed heavily. “Nothing. Where shall we walk?”
“The rose gardens are my favorite place.”
I led him through the side doors and out to the hedges of flowers. They were in full bloom and covered every inch of the green. We walked arm in arm throughout the hedges. The guard presence around the castle had increased tenfold since the attack.
“Is this what you want, Evelyn?”
“What?”
“Marriage. With me.”
“Oh. Well, of course. It’s a smart match.”
“That’s not what I mean, Evelyn.”
“Then what?” I asked quizzically.
“Is this what you want. Not what your parents want.”
“Yes. We get along quite well. Our countries will prosper.”
“Do you love me?”
“Love? We barely know each other, James.”
His gaze diverted to his shoes.
I stopped and looked at him before placing my hand on his cheek. “Don’t think of it as a bad thing. I enjoy time with you and I want to marry you. We just have to marry in order to get to know one another.”
“It’s not fair to us though.”
“Perhaps not,” I said. “But the heirs of two countries don’t have such luxuries as falling in love before marriage.”
“Your parents did,” he said.
“My parents are the exception to everything.”
“What does that mean?”
I shook my head while sighing heavily.
“No. Tell me. Please?”
“My mother...she wasn’t an heir to an entire country. She was simply a lady born into the right family.”
“Oh she is more than that.”
I pursed my lips and nodded before walking on.
“You want to get married don’t you?” he questioned, hurrying to catch up to me.
I nodded again.
“Evelyn?”
“What?”
“Do you want to marry me?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“James, I want to marry you. We are a smart match and you’re a very wonderful man. Let’s walk and enjoy the peace.”
We walked about the gardens as music drifted out the windows. He reached over and intertwined his fingers with mine. His hand was warm and slightly damp.
Is he nervous?
I glanced over at James and could see his face flush as he chewed his lip. I smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. His lips twitched up at the corners as we made our way back to the ball.
“Evelyn!” Elizabeth called.
I glanced at her before hurrying away from my future husband. Elizabeth grabbed her skirts and ran after me.
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
"Emotions. Confusing emotions."
"Want to talk about it?"
"Not anymore. I'd rather just go to bed."
“Did something happen with James?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“Why is he dancing with her?”
I spun on my heels to see him hand in hand with Marissa. I could feel my face flushing. My entire body felt like it was on fire.
We just came inside!
“He can do as he pleases,” I muttered. “He’s not my husband.”
“Yet,” Elizabeth said quietly.
I turned to my mother and kissed her cheek. "I'm retiring. I shall see you in the morning."
Mother nodded her head and waved her hand for me to go. I rolled my eyes as she returned to the conversation she had with father and who appeared to be the envoy from Italy. I stood and left the room without anyone noticing. At least I thought nobody noticed. I stood near the stairs leading to the second floor when someone grabbed my wrist. I turned around, prepared to hit them in the face.
"Stop!" James said.
"What are you doing? Why would you sneak up on me?" I asked.
"Why did you leave?"
"I am tired. I'm going to bed," I said, wrenching my arm out of his.
"What are you doing? Why are you acting in such a way?"
I glanced up and saw the baron's daughter standing near the doorway. I shook my head and proceeded up the stairs. "I believe Marissa is waiting for you, Prince James."
"What?" He turned and saw the green-clad girl standing there, waving to him like a little imp. "For the love of all things. I told her it was simply a dance in which we were partne
rs for a few moments."
"Well she obviously finds you oh so attractive."
"Evelyn, you are completely blowing things out of proportion."
I shook my head and continued up the stairs.
"Please!"
"James, I will not be hurt. Not by a man. Not ever. If this is how you are, I don't want to go to Scotland or be your wife."
"What do I have to do to prove she is nothing to me?" He chased me up the stairs.
"I don't know."
He grasped me about the waist and spun me toward him. He stepped up to my stair and stared into my eyes with his beautiful, brooding gaze. He cupped my chin in his hands and caressed my cheek with his other. His fingers trailed down the side of my face to my neck. My attention drew to his lips. My heart sped up as James pulled me closer. I wanted to hate him.
“You have no right!”
I pushed against his chest, breaking his hold on me. His face twisted into the saddest expression I’d ever seen.
I felt bad.
He turned to walk away, his shoulders slumped.
I sighed and reached out for his arm. “Wait. I’m sorry.”
He turned his head toward me a bit. “Evelyn, I know this is not an ideal situation. We don’t know each other. I can assure you there are no romantic feelings towards Marissa. I’m not that kind of man. I wish you could understand that.”
“I can try. I just hate having my parents always deciding everything in my life for me. It’s like just because I’m a Princess I have no say over anything. I’ve been told since the day I was born to do this or do that. With marriage, I just don’t want to end up like my cousin the Queen of Spain. So unhappy. So miserable and with a very unfaithful husband. He even has children with other women!”
James grasped my hand and held it close to his heart. “I can’t promise that we’ll have long lives or even that our countries will always be at peace with the world. But I can promise you, for as long as we are alive and wed, I will only have eyes for you. I will only love you.”
I smiled lightly and kissed his cheek. He turned his head and caught my lips with his. It was but a few moments, but those moments were sweet.
“Okay,” I said quietly.
He held my hand, leading me to my room. Inside Captain Blackstone waited.
"You're still here?"
"I'm to guard you at all times."
I rolled my eyes at him. "At least I had a guard free dinner."
"I'll stay again if you would like," James said, kissing the back of my hand.
My heart leapt to my throat and my throat went dry. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
Why did I say that? I want him to stay!
"I do want to. I never want to leave you again."
"Okay." I nodded my head and disappeared into my private room to change.
The fire had died down and the guards stood near all the doors. I shook my head at them once again and climbed into bed. James took up his post right next to my bed. I settled against the pillows and reached out for his hand. Smiling, he grabbed it and leaned against the back of the chair.
"When do we leave for Scotland?" I asked sleepily.
"In two days."
"That doesn't leave a lot of time for me to pack."
"It'll be managed," he replied.
My eyes slowly closed to thoughts of traveling to Scotland and the wedding that awaited. Another thing I had no control of in my life.
Chapter six
The day before leaving didn't provide much excitement. I helped Charlene pack our trunks while attempting to avoid Captain no-fun. The rain pounded against the windows of the castle. I'd hoped it wasn't foreshadowing of what we could expect while in Scotland. The morning of our trip, I awoke early. I lay in bed waiting for any sound in the castle. All was silent. Glancing at the guards, I noticed they leaned against the walls, sleeping. I crept out of bed and to the door connecting my chambers to the Bower room. Sneaking through, I opened the main door to the hallway. The guards who were supposed to be posted out front were nowhere to be seen.
They probably aren't expecting me to be up so early.
I snuck down the hall, down the stairs, and toward the kitchen.
"Princess?"
I stopped my progress and turned around to face my father's personal butler.
"Yes?"
"What are you doing up so early and sneaking about?"
"Why aren't you in my parent's bed chamber?" I snapped back.
He stood straight up and looked down his nose at me. I narrowed my eyes back.
"I had to use the privy chamber for servants."
"I got hungry early," I replied.
"Why not wake your lady-in-waiting?"
"I did not feel as though I should disturb Charlene since we have a trip today."
"Do hurry."
"Of course." I continued sneaking along, tip toeing all the way to the kitchen.
Our head chef Alberto stirred a pot that boiled over the fire before turning to a large table in the center of the room and slicing some sort of meat. I pulled up a stool that rested in the corner and placed my chin in my hands, watching his hypnotizing movements. A small pot at the side of the fire place clinked with eggs that rolled over each other as the water boiled. Another pit held a skewered pig.
Roast pig for dinner.
Alberto slid a small cutting board, knife, and butter. I sliced into the still warm bread and spread the beautiful, golden-white mixture on. Sinking my teeth in, I sighed a happy little sigh as Alberto smiled up at me.
"Fresh from the oven that is."
"It's delicious."
"I made a few loaves for you to take on your journey to Scotland. Along with some cheese that Madeline prepared this week."
"You know about that?" I asked.
"Princess, everyone knows. Nothing stays secret around this castle."
"Wonderful. It was supposed to remain a secret until I left tonight," I mumbled with my mouth full.
The cook laughed lightly while shaking his head. "How did you escape the guards?"
"They're all sleeping. It wasn't that hard."
"Of course they're sleeping," he said. "They either eat, drink, or sleep. Most of them are completely useless."
"I agree."
I stood, taking the remaining bread with me and walked outside. The ground was soft, wet, and muddy. I loved the feeling of mud squishing between my toes. I crossed the drive and headed for the stables. Inside it was dry and warm. The smell of hay and horses invaded my nostrils. I ripped off chunks of the bread as I strolled past each stall, holding out the treat for the inhabitant inside. The horses' soft muzzles and whiskers tickled my hand as they nibbled the bread.
The last horse in the stall to the right was my magnificent Friesian. My mother began breeding them after she acquired one so many years ago. My own dear Guinevere was the most beautiful. I kissed her soft nose after she finished the crust. She nudged my cheek and let out a soft whinny.
"Don't worry, my own darling. You'll be coming along to Scotland. I cannot bear to leave you behind."
Almost as though she understood what I said, Guinevere bobbed her head up and down.
"Where is she? Search the grounds until Princess Evelyn is found!" Captain Blackstone bellowed from beyond the doors.
I groaned and opened the door to Guinevere’s stall, ducking beneath it as the barn doors burst open. Captain Blackstone’s boots stomped up and down the cobbled floor.
“I know she’s around here somewhere! Find her!”
I rolled my eyes as Guinevere knickered and nibbled at my hair.
“Stop it,” I whispered to the mare.
She knickered again.
Captain Blackstone stopped. “Princess.”
I sat as quiet as I could.
“I know you’re there Princess Evelyn. Please, get up.”
I groaned and stood, hay sticking out of my hair.
/>
He shook his head and arched his brows. “Return to the palace.”
“I don’t need to be told where to go, Captain Blackstone.”
“Until your mother and father say otherwise, yes you do. Now back to the castle.”
“When I’m queen…”
He raised his hand, cutting me off. “You’re not queen today. You’re still a princess and I still take orders from your parents. And those orders are to keep you safe and guarded. Please, Princess Evelyn, back to the castle.”
“Fine.” I kissed Guinevere’s nose and walked back through the kitchen.
As I rounded the corner to go up the main staircase, I ran into my mother.
"Evelyn! You're filthy!" she exclaimed as I walked past.
"Yes, I know this. If I wasn't followed around by that man I'd have no issues."
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I can't even enjoy a morning stroll to see my horse without that him scolding me."
"What did he scold you about?"
"Going two steps without a guard at my side."
"It's for your own safety, sweetheart."
I rolled my eyes and continued up the stairs, followed closely by two guards who were being yelled at by Captain Balckstone.
“You two had one job. One. You had to stay awake and watch her.”
“Good day,” I grumbled, heading into my receiving chamber.
"Evelyn?" Charlene asked, emerging from my bed chamber.
She groaned at the sight of me.
My dress had mud covering the hem, my feet and legs looked as though I was a peasant, hay stuck up in my hair, and a large bread crumbed trail of slobber stuck to my face.
"You look dreadful!" she exclaimed.
"I feel it."
"You can't simply wash up in a basin. You need to get a bath."
"Ugh, Charlene, I hate that old thing."
"You should have thought about that before traipsing about outside in a bare foot. Let's go."
I obediently followed the girl to my father's privy chamber. She knocked on the door and spoke softly to the lad on the other side. He peeked around Charlene and scrunched his face at me before nodding his head. The room filled with steam. Buckets of water lined the floors and a large, wooden tub sat in the center of the room. He barked a few commands and the younger boys began dumping the hot water into the large tub. Within a few minutes steam rose from inside.
"Out," Charlene ordered everyone.
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 4
