“Are you sure? I’ve always found her to be quite rude. Quite unlike my girls.” Her stepmother said smugly.
Lucia couldn’t help but turn around and look at her stepmother.
“Are you really choosing now to attack my character?” She asked, ignoring everybody else in the room.
“This is what I mean. No respect.” Her stepmother said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
“You must earn the respect you expect to receive.” Lucia said coldly.
“I’ve raised you as my own since I married your father.” Lucia’s stepmother said with a fake look of hurt on her face. “How could you say that?”
“I’m sure the prince doesn’t want this at his table.” Lucia said as she glanced back at him.
He had a look of confusion mixed with annoyance on his face, which Lucia didn’t like the look of. She had to stop rising to her stepmother’s arguments. She had to convince the prince that she was worth being his wife and she wasn’t doing that bickering with the evil woman who had taken Lucia’s home away from her.
“You look shaken.” The prince said with mild concern when Lucia turned her attention fully back to him.
“I’m sorry that you had to witness that.” Lucia said with a sad look in her eyes. “My family can run high with emotions sometimes.”
“Lucia please don’t let sadness reach your eyes like that.” The prince said with a frown.
Lucia didn’t say anything. Her attention quickly got taken by the maids who were bringing in the food. She watched as plate after plate of meats and vegetables got placed on the table.
“This is quite a feast.” She said and her stomach growled with approval.
“Well, this is the palace after all.” The prince said.
Lucia filled her plate with far more than she thought she would eat. She sat for a while paying attention only to the food in front of her. Everything tasted amazing and for a while that was enough, but as her stomach started to fill her attention got dragged back across the table to William.
“Please excuse me a moment.” Lucia said when William’s eyes met hers.
The prince looked up from his food and questioned her with his eyes.
“I just need to freshen up.” Lucia lied and then she walked quickly out of the room with her footsteps echoing over the sound of food being eaten.
She closed the door and her eyes for a moment. She needed to get William off of her head. She needed to focus on the prince because he was the only one who had shown a real interest in her. She sighed as she realized that she was probably always going to feel out of place.
She walked down a long stone hallway until she reached a small room that looked like a miniature library. She walked in and sat down on one of the overly plush chairs. She just needed a minute. She just needed a minute to calm down and accept the situation. She just needed a minute to properly push William out of her head. She just needed a minute a breath without anybody watching her.
She closed her eyes again and listened to the silence that surrounded her. It was peaceful. She could feel her muscles starting to unwind a little and then a noise forced her eyes to jump open.
“I wondered where you’d gone.” William said as he walked into the room and closed the door behind him.
*****
“I should be getting back.” Lucia said and she stood up quickly.
“What’s the rush?” William asked her and smiled.
Lucia knew what the rush was. It was the rushing feeling of her heart as it beat twice its normal speed. She could feel her cheeks flushing as she looked at William.
“Well, I’m sure the prince wouldn’t be happy to know that we’re together. Alone in a small room.” Lucia said with a flirtatious smile.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t.” William said and he stepped forward.
Lucia could smell his aftershave as it mixed with the rich scent of the old books. It was hypnotic. The heat from the fire was making her feel hot under the collar and her thoughts weren’t helping matters.
“So I should go.” Lucia said, but there was no truth in her voice.
“Or you could stay?” William suggested, although he knew there was no need to.
“You know I thought you would be in touch.” Lucia said and then instantly regretted it.
She could feel herself getting embarrassed over giving away her thoughts of him.
“How could I get in touch when the prince has such a firm eye on you?” William asked.
Lucia looked into his deep honey brown eyes. She could see nothing but truth within them, and she nodded.
“You don’t look excited enough for a girl who has a prince at her feet.” William observed.
“Perhaps I have no interest in marrying a prince.” Lucia said casually.
“Then do tell me who might it be that you wish to marry?” He pressed her for details.
“That would be assuming I wish to marry someone at all.” Lucia teased him.
“No girl rejects a prince without her own in sight.” William countered her teasing.
“Then perhaps I’m not a girl.” Lucia suggested.
“Then my eyes have been lying to me.” William said with a look of shock and outrage that made Lucia laugh.
“How can that be so?” She asked him.
“I know not.” William said, shaking his head. “But they show me only a very beautiful girl standing before me.” He finished and he took another step closer.
Lucia could feel his heat crossing over the space between them. His nose was almost touching hers. His breath felt hot and heavy against her cheek.
“Well, what would you do to such a beautiful girl?” she asked him in barely a whisper.
“I hardly think I can say it out loud in such company.” William said with a long and intense look.
“Then perhaps you should show me?” Lucia said softly.
“Perhaps I should.” William said and then he put his hand behind Lucia’s head and pulled her lips onto his.
At first Lucia wanted to pull away. She had gotten herself in too deep and she wanted to swim to shore, but when she moved to pull away she found herself stuck. Her body didn’t want to accept the conclusion that her mind had been made, and instead, it kissed William back harder.
She could feel herself growing hungry for his touch. She couldn’t ignore the sparks that were igniting under every brush of his fingertips. She felt his tongue slide across her bottom lip and its heat made her quiver in anticipation.
She let her shaking hands rest on his waist as he moved down from her waist. His touch was electric. It made every part of her want more. It made her mind race ahead to what might be coming next. She let her hands slide down his body and then she traced her way across his waistline.
She could hear his breathing getting caught in his chest. She could hear the way her every moved affected the beating of his heart. She looked into his eyes. She could see the same hunger that she felt coursing through them.
His hands fell further. She could feel the soft material of her dress riding up her leg, as he pulled it between his fingers. She let her fingertips dip below his waistline. She could feel his hardness waiting for her. It felt hot in her hand as she slowly stroked down it and then she pulled herself away, as his hand started to slide in between her legs.
“Tell me that you’re not interested in the prince.” William said, as he teased her peach with his fingers.
She could tell from his eyes that he was enjoying himself.
“I don’t want the prince.” She said with her eyes firmly on his.
He dipped his fingers deeper into her and she felt her back arch with pleasure.
“Tell me who you want.” William said and then he pushed deeper into her.
Lucia felt a deep groan leave her lips as she felt William sliding deeply inside of her and then she waited for him to do it again, but he didn’t.
“Tell me who you want.” He repeated.
“I want you.” Lucia said, beca
use it was true. She wanted him now and she wanted him for the rest of time.
He pulled his fingers away from her and for a moment Lucia wondered whether she had given the wrong answer.
“I want you to turn around.” William said.
Lucia nodded and followed his instruction. She felt the heat from his hand as it found its place on the bottom of her back and then the gentle pressure as he pushed her over the chair. The noise of his zipper told her what was coming and she waited with baited breath for him to show her that she was wanted.
His hands found their way to her peach again and he stroked her gently. Lucia could feel her breathing getting deeper with every caress of his touch and she opened her legs to show him that she was ready.
She felt it against her peach first. It was hot and hard. Then he slowly thrust and Lucia’s world imploded around her.
She had never felt so alive. She had never felt such an overwhelming pleasure. She could feel William’s hands behind her as he continued to thrust himself in. His touch was gentle, but his thrusting was getting harder. She could feel him reaching deeper and deeper inside of her and all she could think of was that she didn’t want it to stop.
A feeling started to build between her legs. It overflowed into the rest of her body and pressed against her lungs. She couldn’t breath and her lungs burnt as though they were on fire, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was the overwhelming feeling that was drowning her in heaven and how she could get it out.
William sped up behind her as though he could read her mind. The feeling started to get stronger. Her mind went blank as it became the only thing that was important. She could hear herself groaning loudly, but she couldn’t stop the noises from coming out her lips. Then, just when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore the feeling tore through her with a velocity that she wasn’t sure she would survive and her knees went weak, as she came.
*****
“So you want me, huh?” William said once he had caught his breath.
Lucia smiled at him sarcastically.
“I was just telling you what you wanted to hear.” She said.
“You’re going to hurt my feelings if you carry on.” William said with a faked pet lip.
“I’m sure.” Lucia said and then she reached her hand up to check her hair.
“Well, we should be getting back.” William said after a moment.
Lucia frowned.
“We can’t go back now.” She said in a worried voice.
“Why not?” William said with a blank face.
“After what we’ve just done?” Lucia said as though it didn’t need to be explained.
“Lucia.” William said and then he sighed. “You are a very beautiful girl, but you are the prince’s.” He said as though that was obvious too.
“But we just.” Lucia said, but she didn’t finish.
“It was nothing.” William said with a shrug and then walked out.
*****
Lucia looked down at the elegant white gown she was wearing. She could feel the weight of the netting pull down on her hips and winced a little when she tried to move. She looked beautiful. She looked like any future princess should look.
She could already hear the voices of the guests floating in through the window and she looked out nervously. It looked beautiful. A white silk runway with a wooden arch entwined with white roses. Lucia couldn’t have asked or expected for anything more.
She walked away from the window and sighed. She thought back to the night that she had shared with William and how she had not seen him since. The prince had proposed two months after that night and William had been right, without another prince in sight, she had said yes.
She wondered how the prince might react if he knew about their night of passion. She wondered whether he would still be willing to marry her. She shook her head. There was a reason she hadn’t told him the truth about that night. She knew he wouldn’t look at her again if she did.
A knock at the door pulled her attention away from the internal conflict that had been bothering her months. She walked slowly over to the door and opened it mid wince.
“Well, I knew you’d look beautiful, but wow.” William said.
Lucia didn’t say anything for a moment. She just stood in shock. It was like her mind just couldn’t make sense of what she was seeing. She was sure that she was dreaming.
“William?” She said finally.
“Well, at least you still remember me.” He said with a chuckle and then walked into the room.
Lucia didn’t try to stop him. She just watched as he walked in and sat down on the bed.
“I’ve missed you.” William said and his eyes were filled with sadness.
Lucia snorted.
“You walked away from me.” She said as though he needed to be reminded.
“I had to.” William said.
“Why?” Lucia demanded to know.
“Because you were the prince's.” William said with a weak shrug.
“I was no ones.” Lucia said and she couldn’t hide the anger and hurt from her voice. “What are you doing here?” She asked him.
“I can’t do this.” William said and gestured to Lucia and her dress.
“Do what?” She asked him.
“I can’t just stand by and watch you marry the wrong man. You should be marrying me. I should have never have walked out on you. I should have faced the prince like a man. I’m sorry.” He said and Lucia could tell that he meant every word.
“Well, it’s too late.” She said bitterly.
“It’s never too late.” William said and he stood up and walked over to her.
“It’s my wedding day.” She said.
“It’s never too late.” William repeated.
“It’s my wedding day.” Lucia said again, but this time more slowly.
“And like I said it’s never too late.” William said and then he leaned in and kissed her softly.
Lucia pushed him away.
“You don’t get to do this again.” She said and she could feel her cheeks burning hot from the tears that were tearing down them.
“Lucia, please I love you.” William pleaded.
Lucia stopped.
“What?” She asked.
“I love you.” William said again. “I need you in my life; please don’t make the wrong choice today.”
The sound of a harp playing sent Lucia’s heart into a frenzy. She was meant to be getting married. She was meant to be marrying the prince, but she knew in her heart that it was a mistake. She looked out of the window again at her perfect wedding and felt nothing but dread.
“You don’t run this time.” She said with a shaky voice.
“We run together.” William said and he smiled at her with a smile that reached right up into his eyes.
She nodded.
“Okay, well, we better get going.” She said with a grin and then she pulled him out of the door and towards the back of the house, so that they could make their escape.
*****
THE END
Here is a FREE bonus 8000 word romance story “The Rogue Duke” by Cassandra Michaels.
The Rogue Duke: Scandalous Nobility
Sophia sat listening to the sound of the fire crackle as she pulled her dark brown hair through the pearlescent comb her mother had given her. The comb brushed through her hair without hitting any knots and then she pulled it back and pinned it into a loose bun, which let her curls bounce down around her pretty face.
She looked in the mirror and let her eyes hover over the reflection which had been steadily growing with her for twenty-one years. She was a beautiful girl or so everybody else thought. She had skin as white as the snow, which fell softly and quietly outside of her bedroom window. Her blue eyes were big and full of a sparkle which could only be found in those girls who believed that life was better spent being lived. Her dark brown hair was deep and warm. It fell down her back to her waist and in summer the sun’s beams would give
her honeysuckle highlights which would shimmer whenever she moved.
Her attention got pulled away from her reflection by a knock at her door. She stood quickly and walked over to answer it.
“Our guests will be arriving soon.” Sophia’s mother said when the door was open enough for each to see the other.
“I’m almost ready mother.” Sophia said, as she glanced back into her room and the dress she still had to put on.
Her mother looked at her for a moment as though she was trying to decide whether or not what she was seeing was good enough. It lasted for a few seconds before she finally nodded and then walked away from Sophia’s room, without another word.
Sophia closed her door and looked over the dress. It was made out of beautiful dark green silk that was soft to the touch and kind to Sophia’s curves. The bottom of the dress seemed to float across the ground magically as though it was designed to never touch the ground and the body of the dress had been made with the finest bone corset that money could buy.
Sophia’s mother had bought her the dress. It had been bought with the intention of it being worn that night and that’s what was going to happen whether Sophia liked it or not.
She walked over to the dress and let her hand touch the silky material. It was beautiful and she would look beautiful in it, but she knew that beauty came at a price. She shifted her hand up the dress and felt the boning that would tear into her chest and force the air out of her lungs. She felt a soft frown bury into her forehead as she pulled it off its hanger and starting to pull it over her petticoat.
The silk felt cold against her skin and left a trail of goose bumps along its path, but Sophia didn’t mind. She was glad to be out of the itchy cotton dresses that had been all the rage the year before.
She walked over to a small bell ringer next to her door and held it until she heard footsteps.
“Do you need some help miss?” A green eyed and snooty nosed girl asked after she had knocked and had been let into the room.
“Yes, but go wash your hands first.” Sophia said and she smiled at the girl, as she nodded and dashed away from the room.
Sophia could feel the bone digging into her ribs as the maid pulled the final drawstring and fastened her into her dress.
HISTORICAL ROMANCE: Scottish Romance: Scars of a Highlander (Highlander Alpha Male Romance) (Historical Fantasy Scottish Time Travel Romance Short Stories) Page 10
