The Princess

by Lori Wick

  “We’ll be at the Electric Company. Do you know it?”

  “Yes. My mother went to school with the owners.”

  “Should I have invited your parents?” Shelby asked, suddenly thinking she’d been remiss.

  “Did your mother want you to?”

  “She only asked me about you.”

  “Then don’t worry about it. I can assure you my parents won’t give it a thought.”

  Shelby nodded, trying to take in his advice.

  “What are you giving your mother?”

  “Oh, I haven’t found anything yet. I’ve plans to shop tomorrow.”

  “What will you look for?”

  “A book probably, and maybe a nice blouse or jewelry.”

  “Sounds as though she likes everything.”

  “She does, and she won’t make a list or even hint. She likes to be surprised.”

  “How about you, Shelby—do you like surprises?”

  “Only if I know the surpriser very well. One day the women at the hospital surprised me for my birthday,” she said as she gave a small shudder. “I blushed for an hour.”

  Nikolai’s head went back as he laughingly said, “And of course blushing is the worst thing you can do.”

  “You can only use that teasing tone because you’ve never been embarrassed.”

  “Oh no, I’ve never been embarrassed. I’m just the man who tried to introduce himself to the redheaded woman sitting in the kitchen, only to learn she was my wife.”

  “I’d forgotten about that.”

  “I never will.”

  Shelby turned her head to look at him, and Nikolai did the same to look at her. For several moments they studied each other. Shelby, a little confused by what she saw, was the first to look away. She was surprised when Nikolai’s large hand cupped her jaw and brought her eyes right back to his. Shelby watched as he opened his mouth to speak, hesitated, and removed his hand.

  “I’ll talk to you a little later,” he said softly, turning his gaze to the front.

  But he didn’t. Shelby didn’t see Nikolai again until they left for evening church, and although she waited for him to mention the incident, he never did.

  “Happy birthday, Daria,” Nikolai said as he shook his mother-in-law’s hand. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

  “We haven’t even ordered, Nick,” she assured him warmly. “Please sit down.”

  “Thank you,” Nikolai replied as he shook Brice’s hand and signed a few words to Josiah, who smiled in delight. He had no more than taken his chair when a waiter arrived and spoke to Josiah and Daria; Nikolai took a moment to address his wife.

  “I told Ivan to leave because you have your car. May I have a ride back to the palace?”

  “Certainly,” she told him easily enough, but her eyes dropped to the way he spilled over the small wooden chair. “It’s not a big car,” she felt a need to add.

  Nikolai’s eyes twinkled, and for the first time he tried a flirtation. “Afraid I’ll be too close?” he asked softly.

  Shelby’s face was glowing in a matter of moments.

  “Well, Red,” Brice prodded from her other side, “want to share?”

  “Red?” Nikolai asked, his brows rising nearly into his hairline. “Did you call her Red?”

  Brice smiled wickedly. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”

  Nikolai turned very amused eyes to his wife, whose own eyes were telling her brother that he was in for it.

  “Red.” Nikolai tested the name. “I like it. It fits you very well.”

  Shelby refused to look at him. She was still blushing and decided the menu needed her attention.

  The waiter left for a moment, and Daria turned her gaze to the young people at the table. Her son and son-in-law were on the verge of laughter, and her daughter’s face was buried in her menu.

  “Something tells me you two are in trouble,” Josiah spoke up, having noticed as well.

  “I’m getting ready to flatten Brice,” Shelby, setting the menu aside, informed her father quite calmly.

  Nikolai laughed when Josiah smiled.

  “Actually,” Daria inserted, “it wasn’t that long ago that she could.”

  “Come on, Mom,” Brice teased, “it’s been at least six weeks.”

  “Yes,” Shelby said in a low voice, “Brice has even been dressing himself for two whole months now.”

  Nikolai saw Brice’s hand move but didn’t know the intent until his wife jumped from the pinch she’d received. Shelby’s own hand moved, but Brice caught it in both of his. As though everything were completely normal, he began to speak to Nikolai.

  “What time do you need me on the thirtieth?”

  “We don’t pull until two on Sunday, but you’re welcome to come for the entire weekend. In fact,” he continued, turning to his in-laws, “you’re all welcome to stay at the palace. Henley isn’t a long drive, but we’ll have many guests, and it’s a very fun time.”

  “We’ll plan on it,” Josiah wasted no time in saying.

  “Great,” Nikolai responded, meaning it. “I think you’ll have a good time.”

  “What else goes on besides the tug-of-war?” Brice asked as he let go of his sister’s hand.

  While Nikolai answered, Shelby put her hands in her lap and worked to pull her emotions under control. Why did it bother her that her husband was getting on so well with her family? Wasn’t that what she wanted?

  I’m crabby right now, Lord, and I don’t even know why. There is always so much to thank You for, but I’m being a grouch. Thank You that Nikolai was willing to change his plans to be here tonight. Thank You that he’s making such an effort. Help me not to be afraid of the change in him. That this was the crux of the matter did not occur to Shelby until she uttered the words to God. The concept took her by surprise, even as she realized she was going to have to deal with it.

  It was a relief to have the waiter come back for their orders. For the moment Shelby put her tumultuous thoughts aside and tried to remember that this was her mother’s birthday.

  Daria had loved her gifts, a mystery novel and small spray bottle of her favorite cologne, and although Shelby had prayed almost constantly, she was still a bit disgruntled when she and Nikolai exited the Electric Company and made for her car. It never occurred to her to ask Nikolai if he wanted to drive. Shelby unlocked her door, hit the unlock button so Nikolai could get in, climbed in herself, and started the engine.

  In a matter of moments Nikolai was shown yet another side of his wife’s personality. A confident, almost aggressive driver, she shifted with the ease of breathing and launched into traffic like a racecar driver. Nikolai was crammed rather tightly into the passenger seat, or he would have held onto something.

  “Have you had this car long?” he asked to take his mind off the way she zipped through traffic as though she’d lived in the capital city her entire life.

  “Two years.”

  “A friend of mine has a car something like this, but it’s black.”

  “I don’t like black,” Shelby told him honestly but was immediately sorry for her tone. To make up for it she asked, “Do you have a car you drive much?”

  “No. I’ve been driven all my life and never gained much of an interest.” The last word escaped on a small gasp as Shelby avoided a truck that stopped suddenly.

  “I love to drive,” she volunteered as she changed to a lower gear and the car shot up the long drive to the palace. To Nikolai’s amazement, Shelby did not stop at the front door but scooted around their home to the car barn.

  “Has Murdock told you that the staff will put your car away for you?”

  “He has, but everyone already spoils me to death, and I think this is the least I can do.”

  Nikolai fell silent as she brought the car to a halt. He had to bend nearly double to get his legs out from under the dash and emerged to see that his wife had not waited for him. His long-legged stride made it easy to catch her, but other than thanking him for holding the door,
she spoke not a word.

  Nikolai was on the verge of asking her about the silence when her almost irritated pace slowed. She was crawling along when she spoke his name.

  “Nikolai?”

  “Yes?” he replied softly.

  “I was crabby at you when we drove home, and I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you, Shelby. May I ask you a question?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did I do something?”

  “No,” she said so softly that Nikolai had a hard time believing her.

  “You’re sure?” Nikolai tried again.

  Shelby kept walking but didn’t answer. They were to the green parlor now, and Nikolai, afraid she would just keep walking, caught her hand.

  Shelby looked up at him.

  “Why were you crabby?” he asked quietly, his eyes more than his voice telling her he wanted to know.

  Shelby swallowed and admitted, “I’m angry at both of us. My own brother had things to talk to you about, but when I’m with you I can’t find ten words. I know you’re trying, and I’m trying too, but when my own family seems to have more common interests with my husband than I do, it bothers me more than a little.”

  “I’m glad you told me. I’ve been asking the Lord about this very thing.”

  “What exactly?”

  “How to get to know you and have you know me.”

  Shelby softened on these words, and her face revealed this.

  “What did I just say?”

  “That you want me to get to know you.”

  “You thought otherwise?”

  “Yes, but I understood why you might not.”

  “Thank you for that, but this marriage is going to be empty and lonely if we don’t work on the walls that divide us.”

  Shelby only nodded, but she could have told him that her marriage was already a lonely place for her. She hadn’t expected it to be so, but it was. At the same time, she was afraid to let him get any closer. It was the most complicated situation she had ever been a part of.

  She was very glad when, just moments later, Nikolai wished her a good night, and she could go alone to her room. She had quite a bit to think about.

  Eleven

  “Have I missed Shelby?” Nikolai asked the next morning as he walked into the kitchen.

  “She hasn’t been here yet,” Fran told him, “and unless she’s not hungry this morning, she should be here soon.”

  “How often is she not hungry?”

  Fran’s head tipped to one side in thought. “Maybe once a month, twice at the most.”

  Nikolai nodded and took a seat. The newspaper was already waiting for his wife, but Nikolai did not pick it up. His mind was too busy working out how many months they had been married. The way Fran said it made him feel as if he’d lost track. A few mental calisthenics told him it would be five months on the day of the King’s Fair. When he felt Yvette’s absence keenly, it felt much longer. When he thought of how little he knew his present wife and how far he had to go, it seemed but days.

  “I’m starving,” Shelby announced as she came sailing through the kitchen door and right for Fran. She put a companionable arm around her shoulders and said, “What can I have in about four seconds?”

  “Ham-and-egg quiche, cereal, or muffins.”

  “Can I have all three?” she asked playfully as she turned and saw Nikolai. “Hi,” she said with soft surprise.

  “Good morning. You sound hungry.”

  “I am. I don’t know why after that big meal last night, but I’m starved,” Shelby said as she sat opposite him and tried not to touch her heated face. Without looking at him, she poured herself a small bowl of cereal but didn’t add the milk because Fran set a hot piece of quiche in front of her at the same time.

  Nikolai watched her pray and then thanked Fran for his own warm plate that held a piece of quiche and two muffins. He waited only until Shelby picked up her fork before speaking.

  “Did you tell me last night that you don’t care for the color black?”

  Shelby nodded and said nonchalantly, “It’s never been my favorite.”

  “So you don’t mind it?”

  Shelby’s head tipped. “I can live with it, I guess.” She took a bite of food, completely unaware of where this was headed.

  “Your entire room is black,” Nikolai said, watching her grow very still.

  Shelby licked her lips. She had been in such a bad mood the night before and now saw that she had let her tongue run away.

  “That’s true,” Shelby said softly.

  “Would you have decorated it that way had it been your choice?”

  Shelby wanted to hedge and say “probably not,” but that would have been a lie. She forced herself to shake her head no.

  “Did no one tell you that you can redecorate to your heart’s content?”

  “Yes, I knew that, but—” Shelby stopped. How could she say this and not hurt or upset him? She had to make herself go on. “Nikolai, I thought Yvette decorated my room.”

  She hadn’t been looking at him but now glanced up to see his look of surprise and then recovery.

  “And you thought it would upset me to see the room changed?”

  Shelby nodded, feeling miserable.

  “I appreciate that, Shelby, I honestly do, but the truth of the matter is that my grandmother did that room. When my parents lived here, they shared my room, as did Yvette and I. My mother isn’t that crazy about black, but her own mother loves it. She left it that way because her mother had liked it. My mother would be vehement about your changing it if you don’t like black, and I would agree with her. Change the room, Shelby—do anything you want with it.”

  Shelby nodded and thanked him softly before making herself go back to her food. She was still hurting inside from realizing how lonely her marriage was, and now to be reminded that at least two couples had not even needed her room but had been happy to share one bedroom was like salt in an open wound.

  “What will you do with it?” Nikolai asked as he started on his own meal.

  “I’m not sure. I might ask my mother for some ideas. She’s good with that type of thing.”

  Shelby was glad that Nikolai only nodded and continued to eat. She didn’t want to talk about this. She didn’t have time right now to think about redecorating. Indeed, having her bedroom and sitting room torn apart was the last thing she wanted at present.

  The royal couple managed to talk during breakfast, but Shelby could feel the strain in herself. They shared the paper, and she smiled and laughed in all the right places, but just as soon as she was able, she left the room. She didn’t need to leave for an appointment for more than two hours, but she still felt a need to escape. She lasted only about 20 minutes before she went back to the kitchen, intent on finding Nikolai and asking him if he had noticed her unsettledness at breakfast. He was gone. Murdock informed her that he’d gone out to the skeet area. Shelby was forced to go to her appointment, not certain whether she needed to apologize or not.

  “Of all the cookies you’ve made me, this batch of cookies was my favorite,” the queen mother told Shelby the following morning. “I think I could have one of these every day.”

  “Well, do, and when you run out I’ll make more.”

  “It’s a deal,” she said in her elderly voice, her eyes, still quite bright, smiling at Shelby where she sat holding the photo album. “Now this,” she said, her bent finger pointing, “is Rafe. You probably recognize him. And this little head at the edge of the picture is Nicky.”

  “Where are they?”

  “They’re skeet shooting.”

  Shelby only nodded, but the queen mother was the second person in two days to mention skeet-shooting, and she was becoming curious. She knew nothing about it, only that it was scheduled to be part of the competition at the King’s Fair.

  The queen mother sat next to Shelby on the deep sofa and watched her profile. That she had lost the younger woman was evident, and as she was tired, she let the silence l
inger.

  I don’t believe we’ve ever had a redheaded king, she told the Lord. I do hope it will be a boy, tall and strong like Nicky. But You know me well, Father; I’ll gladly take a great-great granddaughter.

  “Queen Miranda,” said Beckett, who suddenly appeared at the door. “Your son is here. May he join you?”

  “Of course,” the queen mother said with a smile.

  “Am I interrupting?” Anton asked as he entered the room.

  “Not in the least. Come and sit with us.”

  Anton kissed his mother and granddaughter-in-law and then took note of what they were doing.

  “A walk down memory lane?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Indeed.” The queen smiled right back. “Shelby is the only person I’ve ever known who doesn’t tire of old family photos or slides from vacations.”

  Anton laughed, but he could see that his mother was flagging. Shelby probably didn’t know her well enough to recognize the signs. He knew he must keep his visit short and somehow take Shelby with him when he left.

  “I’m here about the King’s Fair, Mother,” he wasted no time in saying. “Did you remember that it’s coming up soon?”

  “I did. I had my locking rings out last night to see if I could do a little something with them.”

  “How did it go?”

  “Fine for a few minutes, but my arms tired quickly.”

  “In that case I think I have good news for you. Toby’s neighbor does magic tricks. He’s 11 and a rather somber child, but very intelligent and respectful. I thought the two of you could figure out a way to work together.”

  “Would we need to meet today?”

  “No, I can see that you’re tired,” Anton came right out and said. “If you’re interested, I’ll ask him to come in the morning.”

  “Good,” the old queen replied. “Do that. I’ll look for him about nine, shall I?”

  “Yes. Shelby and I will go now and let you rest, and if you change your mind about the morning, you need only call.”

  “Anton, what’s the boy’s name?”