The Prince's Scandalous Wedding Vow

by Jane Porter

  He swallowed hard at that thought because he had failed her, and she was the one who deserved his love and loyalty the most.

  Alexander returned to the palace to find Josephine, but when he reached her room, she was gone. One of her ladies said that Josephine might be in the garden as she liked the garden, especially in the latter part of the afternoon. He hadn’t known that. He thought he should have known it.

  He walked through the rose garden and then the orangery, ending up in the kitchen garden where he found her sitting on a bench beneath a peach tree.

  She looked up at him without a smile. She looked at him as if he were a stranger. His gut tightened. They’d become strangers since the wedding.

  “Can I help you with something?” she asked coolly, formally.

  He wanted to kiss her, touch her, love her, make her his again. Instead he stood there stiffly, aware of the staff probably watching, aware of the security cameras in every corner. He wanted her desperately, but life in the palace was not for intimacy. It was a stifling world, filled with rules and formalities and never-ending protocol.

  “I wanted to tell you,” he said gruffly, “that Claudia came to see me this afternoon.” He frowned, uncertain how to explain everything Claudia had told him. “She said she suspected I didn’t remember what happened on the yacht and thought I should know.”

  “What happened on the yacht?”

  “There was a fight, but it was between Damian and Claudia.”

  “So why were you the one in the water?”

  “Claudia said I intervened, saving her from Damian when he became physical.” He felt Josephine’s gaze bore through him. Did she doubt him? Or did she doubt Claudia? He wished he knew. “Damian grabbed a lantern and struck me with it. Claudia ran away, afraid, and she’s said nothing about the incident because she’s afraid Damian might turn on her.”

  “That must be a relief for you to know.”

  Alexander hesitated, flashing back to how they were on Khronos. How simple life had been and how happy he’d felt with her. Happy and free. She’d been happy, too.

  He struggled with the words. “I also just want to tell you I’m sorry. I’m sorry for dragging you into all of this. I’m sorry for forcing you into a marriage you clearly didn’t want—”

  “Good. You should be sorry,” she said, rising. “You did force me into this marriage, and yes, you can be incredibly selfish, but I’m not surprised you went to Claudia’s aid. It’s what you would do. You understand responsibility. You never fail to do your duty.” And then she walked past him, her skirt brushing him as she headed back to her suite.

  * * *

  Josephine entered her bedroom and carefully closed the bedroom door. She lay on her bed trembling. She had no fight left in her, no fight at all. It was time for her to go. Time to leave. Thank goodness King Bruno’s funeral was in the morning. She’d pack tonight and be ready to go as soon as they returned from the service.

  * * *

  The funeral was held in the same cathedral as their wedding. The cathedral was packed with kings and princes, and political leaders from all over the world. The service was long, with prayers and songs from the choir, and two speakers—Alexander and his cousin Damian.

  Alexander spoke first and was eloquent about his father’s virtues and his passion for his country, while Damian spoke of his uncle Bruno’s vigor and strength and reminisced about the trips they’d taken, the sporting matches they’d played, and how close they’d been, more like father and son than uncle and nephew.

  Josephine could see Alexander’s jaw tighten and his fist clench as Damian spoke. She found herself watching Alexander’s hand and the way his fingers curled and then unfurled. She kept her gaze fixed on Alexander’s hand because it was far better than seeing the pain in his face.

  Two hours later, Josephine gave her suite of rooms a last glance before lifting her small suitcase and heading for the corridor.

  She’d written Alexander a note and she intended to put it on his bed. But as she approached his suite, she heard voices, and she hesitated outside the door to his living room, not wanting to interrupt.

  But one of the voices grew louder, the tone menacing. “You think because your father is gone I won’t tell the Parliament what you’ve done? You think I’m going to protect you when you’re a violent, unpredictable man, not fit to lead this country or wear the crown?”

  Josephine shivered a little, recognizing the voice as belonging to Damian. But that’s not why she shivered. She shivered because she was remembering the yacht and the voices she’d heard the night she’d saved him.

  It was the same voice. The same anger. The same delivery, the same inflection.

  It was Damian who’d fought with Alexander. Damian who’d struck him.

  Fear swamped her, not fear for herself but fear for Alexander, and just like that night on the beach, she couldn’t move. She couldn’t leave him.

  She slowly twisted the doorknob and opened the door just enough to get a look inside. Alexander was sitting in a chair, calm and composed, while Damian paced back and forth.

  “I will tell them everything,” Damian said. “I will destroy you. I will make sure everyone knows who you really are, and when I’m finished, you will be finished because no one will believe you or trust you, not when they find out you have mental problems and lapses in your memory—”

  “Whatever are you talking about?” Josephine interrupted, pushing the door open and entering with a faint smile. “You sound almost...crazy, Damian. I’m surprised because you gave the most moving tribute to King Bruno earlier. Was it all an act? Or is this an act now?”

  Alexander was immediately on his feet. “Josephine,” he said, a warning in his voice.

  She walked toward Damian. “Please explain something,” she said, still smiling. “Why do you think people will believe you? What makes you think they won’t believe him?”

  “Because he’s brain damaged. He’s lost his memory—”

  “Yes, he lost it. But it’s back. He’s told me everything. I know everything. Shall I fill you in?”

  “Josephine,” Alexander growled.

  She ignored him again, her arms crossed over her chest. “You despise him because he’s the heir and you’re not. During your trip, you were seething with jealousy because Alexander would soon be king. Not you. Never you. Not as long as he lived. And so you provoked him, hurting Claudia, knowing Alexander would go to her aid. Once Alexander was where you wanted him, you took a lantern—very handy, I might add—and bashed him over the head, and then while he was reeling, you pushed him overboard.”

  She stood now just in front of him and she practically vibrated with fury. “You thought you’d gotten away with it, too,” she added. “You thought you were going to be Aargau’s next king. But then Alexander returned, and you lost your big opportunity. You must have been devastated. I can only imagine your pain. I almost—almost—feel sorry for you.”

  Damian stared down at her for long moments before he stepped back and barked a laugh. “That was good. I almost believed you. But you have no proof, he doesn’t remember—”

  “But he does. He told me everything. How else do you think I know?”

  Damian stopped laughing. He glanced from her to Alexander and back. “If he knew, why hasn’t he said something? Done something? It’s because he’s still brain damaged—”

  “I’m not brain damaged,” Alexander said mildly. “I object to that. But Josephine is right. I told her everything, and she has told her staff everything, and they in turn told security.” He walked to Josephine’s side and slipped his arm around her waist, holding her tight. “The palace guard has been instructed to arrest you should they find you anywhere near the palace or any member of the royal family again.”

  “You’re lying. You’re bluffing,” Damian choked, furious. “You can’t arrest me because you h
ad no proof, and you’ll never have any—”

  “The palace guard is here, Your Highness,” a voice said from the doorway.

  They all turned as Gerard entered with the palace security. “We’ve heard everything and there is more than enough evidence to convict you,” Gerard said shortly.

  “But I did nothing! This is all hearsay!” Damian cried.

  Gerard shrugged. “I was able to recover the missing security footage. It’s all on camera. Every word Josephine said was true.”

  “But there was no security camera,” Damian protested. “I know. I checked her room and balcony carefully.”

  Silence followed. Gerard gestured for the guards to take him. Panicked, Damien put his hands out. “Wait. I’ll leave. I’ll leave Roche. I won’t come back. I promise—”

  “Not just Roche, but Aargau,” Alexander said flatly. “You’re not welcome here, and should you be found trying to enter Aargau, you will be arrested and charged with crimes against the state. Understood?”

  * * *

  It had been a very long, difficult day, but Alexander was finally alone with Josephine in his bedroom, which was just where he wanted her.

  “You saved me twice,” he said, sitting down in a chair near the bed and then pulling her onto his lap.

  He noticed she’d allowed him to draw her down, but her posture remained ramrod straight. She was still upset. He didn’t blame her, but he was also beyond proud of her, and in awe. She was a marvel, a heroine, and she was his.

  His hand skimmed over her hair, stroking from the top down. “How am I to live without you?” He didn’t give her a chance to answer. “I’m afraid it’s impossible, which is why I can’t let you go.”

  Her chin tipped, nose lifting. “You can’t make me stay. I’m done being ordered about.”

  He checked his smile. “Well, then, I’ll just have to lock you back in the tower.”

  She turned her head sharply and glared at him. “Have you learned nothing these past few weeks?”

  He lifted one of her long silky curls. “I did. I just told you. You weren’t listening. I can’t live without you.”

  “You’ll be fine. You’re not in danger anymore.”

  He stroked another curl and then wrapped it around his finger. “Not true. I’m in danger of losing you and it’ll break my heart, and what kind of king would I be with a damaged brain and a broken heart?”

  She smothered a laugh but he felt her back heave and the inelegant snort made him smile. It felt good to smile. It felt good to have her with him like this. He’d missed her so much.

  “You’ll be fine without me,” she said huskily. “You’ll find another princess—”

  “Never. You’re the only princess I want and the only woman I love.” He turned her head toward him. “I love you, Josephine, I do, and I know I don’t deserve you, but I’m asking for a second chance. Let me make things right. Let me prove to you how much I love you and how sorry I am for hurting you—”

  “You did hurt me.”

  “I know I did. I wasn’t sensitive about the miscarriage, and I shouldn’t have forced you to marry me. I should have let you go home and grieve and come back when you were ready.”

  She said nothing and he gave her hair another stroke.

  “I’m not being honest,” he said after a moment. “I’m sorry for what I did, but the truth is I’d do it all over again if I thought I might lose you. I didn’t let you go home because I was afraid you wouldn’t come back. I demanded you marry me because I couldn’t imagine living without you. From the time I was on Khronos, I wanted you, and not just for a few days but forever. There is no one else for me, cara, only you.”

  He tipped her chin up and kissed her lightly. “Tell me we can make this work. Tell me you’ll give me another chance. You don’t have to love me. You don’t have to forgive me. Just promise you’ll give me time to get it right, because that has been the one thing we have never had enough of...time. It’s always been against us. It’s always running out. I need time with you, Josephine, time to prove to you that I can make you happy, and make you feel safe—”

  “You do,” she whispered, interrupting him. “And you have.” She blinked, chasing away tears. “I love you,” she added simply. “I have loved you from the moment I saw you on my beach. I was meant to rescue you, just as I was meant to love you. Sometimes I think the only reason I was put on this earth was to be there when you needed me.”

  “If that’s the case, know now that I will always need you, and I will always love you, and I will always want you at my side. We belong together. You, me, and the children we will have.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Do you think we’ll be able to have another baby? I want to start a family with you.”

  He clasped her face and kissed her fiercely. “We will,” he murmured a long time later. “I promise we will. Just as I promise you my love and my heart forever.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THEY WAITED UNTIL the period of mourning was over to take a much-needed honeymoon, and then after the honeymoon there was the coronation with all the pomp and circumstance the crowning of Aargau’s new king required.

  But finally, thankfully, the guests were gone, and the fuss was over, and life was settling into a pleasant routine at the palace. Alexander would be busy during the days, but he was all hers at night, and they made love with an unending passion and hunger.

  But after two months of palace walls and palace views, Josephine longed for a change, and she mentioned to Alexander that she hoped they could sneak away for a few days, or even a day, and do something adventurous and new just the two of them.

  She didn’t think he was listening, but the next morning while she was having breakfast he strolled into her room and told her that they’d be leaving within the hour.

  “What should I wear?” she asked.

  “Something comfortable, and bring a sweater or a jacket just in case it gets cold.”

  Their driver ferried them to the dock, where a boat was waiting. Josephine glanced nervously at the boat. “Where are we going?”

  “It will take us thirty minutes by boat. At this time it’s the only way to get there.”

  “What are the conditions like today?”

  “It’ll be a little bumpy, but I’ll make sure we take it slow.”

  She nodded and stepped into the speedboat and told herself she wouldn’t get seasick and hoped it was true. “Are you going to tell me anything else?” she asked, taking a seat and watching Alexander take one across from her.

  “In a bit,” he answered. “But for now, just try to relax and enjoy the adventure.” He gave her a faint smile. “You like adventures, and freedom. Remember?”

  “I do,” she agreed cautiously, even as her stomach lurched. She’d been queasier lately, her morning coffee no longer the treat it had once been. And as the speedboat raced across the water, bouncing on some of the bigger waves, sending up a mist of sea spray, she clung to her seat praying she wouldn’t throw up.

  This was probably not the best adventure when she wasn’t feeling well, but Alexander looked so happy that she didn’t want to ruin his pleasure.

  “Where are we going?” she asked, as the minutes slid by and the boat kept bouncing and she kept swallowing hard.

  “There is a bit of rock ahead, nothing too grand. It’s barren and remote. But I thought you might like it. I thought you might need a place of your own, a place off the grid with plenty of sun and quiet beaches.” His voice had dropped and he gave her a crooked, rather tender smile. “A place where you can be a mermaid and raise our children away from society, noise, and rules and regulations.”

  Her eyes suddenly stung. Did he know? Did he suspect? She hadn’t said anything yet, but she had seen the doctor and he’d confirmed her suspicions. He’d even done an ultrasound and let her watch the tiny, steady, strong heartbe
at. “You’re describing paradise,” she said softly.

  “I wouldn’t call it paradise, but it is yours, all yours. I’m giving you your very own island.”

  The speedboat was slowing and yet the wind tangled her hair, and she struggled to push back wild, damp strands from her salt-sticky face. “An island of my own?”

  “It’s there, ahead of us. Just keep watching the horizon.”

  She watched and her gaze narrowed as she waited for something to appear. He told her a little more about the island that lay off the coast of Aargau. It was rocky and barren and good for nothing, but it did have a small beach and a tiny little cove, neither of which were used by the public since they had been owned for the past 160 years by the Alberici family.

  “So you have been here before?” she asked, leaning forward, thinking she could see a small lump of land in the distance, but not sure.

  He shook his head. “I was there once as a boy. My father and Uncle Aldo took Damian and me there for a fishing trip. It wasn’t a success, though, and we never returned.”

  “So you have bad memories of the place?”

  “I don’t know if they were bad, but they weren’t good enough to make me want to return. But it’s different now. We’re going together.”

  Yes, it was land ahead of them. It appeared to be a small hill rising from the sea. The island wasn’t very big, but then again, it wasn’t quite as small as she’d imagined, either. She could see little green from where she sat, and she suspected it was, as he said, nearly all rock.

  The motorboat slowed yet again as they approached the shore. The purplish-blue water lightened, turning a shimmering aquamarine as they arrived at the cove, capped by an ivory crescent of sand. The sides of the cove were rocky and relatively high, but the beach was lovely, with its generous swathe of pale ivory sand.

  Their boat’s driver steered them as close to the shore as he could before turning off the motor. Alexander jumped out of the boat, waded into the surf, and held his arms up to Josephine. “Come, Queen, I’ll keep you from getting wet.”