Save Me

by Grady, D. R.

  “Okay. Where do I come in?”

  “You have to hold my hand.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I repeat, where do I come in?”

  “You need to keep Giselle from floating away.”

  Now that was a definite possibility. Julia nodded. “Lead the way.”

  Mallen was very grateful for the conversation he’d just overheard with the Bannette’s unfriendly relatives. Julia handled herself extremely well. And her parting comments told him her confidence and backbone had resurfaced. She hadn’t been embarrassed or pulled into herself as other abused women tended to do when surrounded by nasty people.

  He thought of the kisses they shared in her bedroom. She had been so sweet, so willing, so desirous of him. He’d never known a woman to be so attracted to him. She looked at him as though he were the only man in the world.

  Here was a woman with intelligence, beauty, grace, empathy, a wonderful sense of humor, and he figured dozens of other traits he would enjoy discovering. Sure she tended towards clutter, had an incredible ability to lose herself in her work and would likely miss a bomb going off. Julia still lacked self-confidence, and should never be given chocolate and coffee together, but she also had a wonderful laugh and a cute way of wrinkling her nose.

  She could match wits with him easily and loved being teased as much as she enjoyed doing the teasing. Then there was the fact she didn’t seem intimidated by his size and seemed to take for granted he would never hurt her. That assured him she trusted him. While he wasn’t certain he was good husband material, he did hope for the future.

  Once everyone had gathered in the ballroom and Stefen and his mother could leave their greeting duties, Mallen stepped onto the raised dais to stand behind the microphone.

  “Stefen wanted me to thank each of you for attending tonight and while the purpose of this gathering was to simply bring friends and family together, there has been a recent development that Stefen asked me to announce.” His eyes moved over the crowd until he located Stefen and Giselle. They stood so close together not so much as a beam of light could be seen between them.

  “It is my pleasure and privilege to announce the betrothal of my sister, Princess Giselle Rania Honoria Lisette Angelica Saltaire to Stefen Gustan Yves Rancourt Bannette. Please join me in honoring them tonight.” The room erupted. “Please be aware when my father announced the betrothal of his daughter to Stefen, he meant Giselle then, not Celeste.” Mallen nodded to the happy couple before stepping off the dais.

  Animated conversation surged through the room.

  Lila glowed with satisfaction next to Julia. “Apparently the word hasn’t leaked out since Saturday night.”

  “This is wonderful to finally be able to speak freely of our children’s betrothal,” Sophia Bannette enthused as she and Lila clasped hands. “And there was no question as to which of your children was involved tonight.” The two women shared a look she couldn’t begin to interpret.

  “Good job.” She congratulated Mallen on his public speaking skills as he joined them.

  He smiled at her. “Did you doubt me?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Excellent. Dance with me?”

  “Yes.” Julia happily sank into his arms as they assisted Giselle and Stefen in opening the dancing.

  She noticed Giselle had turned her engagement ring around again and it was probably blinding people. “So what happens now?”

  “Pardon?”

  “What happens now?” Julia reiterated.

  “Tonight we’ll dance until supper is served, which incidentally, you’re my supper date. And then Stef and Gissy will probably cut the cake and hopefully then we’ll be able to go home. Although there might be more dancing.”

  “Cut the cake?”

  “Yes, it is customary for the betrothed couple to have a cake at the time of their wedding announcement and at their wedding. The cutting of the cake tonight symbolizes them starting their journey of commitment together. The wedding makes everything legal, but today everyone will begin to pair Stef and Gissy. They won’t be seen as individuals any longer, but instead as two halves to a whole.”

  “That’s a very nice custom. It gives them practice for the actual event.” She enjoyed the sway of his body and the way his voice wrapped them into a world all their own. How she adored his scent and the feel of his hands on her.

  “We eat cake twice, at least.”

  “Right,” she didn’t agree as she rolled her eyes at him.

  His eyebrows beetled. “I like cake.”

  “I know you do, since I have yet to eat an entire piece myself.”

  “Why’s that?” The artless innocence on his face didn’t fool her.

  “I wonder. It hasn’t been your mother or sister stealing my cake.”

  “That Sebastian.” Mallen shook his head sadly.

  “Not Sebastian, either.”

  He tried for horrified. “We have a mouse?”

  “No.” Julia shook her head. “And you’re a big goof.”

  “Now you’re calling me names.”

  “You’re not a goof?”

  “Of course not.” As he defended himself, she noticed he danced them onto an enclosed terrace. There were small alcoves that contained lights and statuary of some sort. One of the small spaces had a missing light and Mallen directed her there. Only when they reached the space, they found the area already occupied with an entwined couple.

  “Try the next one down,” Stefen suggested. Julia and Giselle smiled at each other before Mallen whisked her down to the next alcove, which also lacked light.

  He tugged her purposely into his arms. She didn’t resist.

  “I have wanted to do this all night.” He groaned.

  “You already have,” she reminded him with a smile against his lips.

  “After that, silly.” He squeezed her tight.

  Julia laughed. She tugged his head down for another of his wonderful kisses.

  “No, this one’s full, and so’s this one. Now that’s interesting.” Sophia’s voice floated to them and Julia and Mallen both tensed.

  “Hhmm, one’s an engaged couple but this other pair, we haven’t heard anything about them yet,” Lila inserted.

  Mallen let out an exasperated breath. “We’re trying to conduct an intimate moment. Go away.”

  “Really,” Giselle’s voice added to the fray, “how do you two expect any of us to know how to do this if you don’t even let us kiss in peace?”

  “Exactly. We need practice.” Julia added her own protests.

  Mallen squeezed her. “We do?” he whispered.

  “No, but they don’t know that,” she whispered in response. She also snuggled closer.

  His grin told a story all on its own.

  When the mothers dithered, Stefen finally stepped in with a comment. “If you two hover, you’ll never get grandkids.”

  Like magic, the women disappeared.

  “Good one, Stef,” Mallen commended his friend.

  “You have our heartfelt appreciation,” Julia added.

  “Since we have already been interrupted and before we return to our...practice,” Giselle said delicately, “we wondered if you both would stand with us on our wedding day?”

  Julia gasped and spun around the alcove to stare at Giselle and Stef. She kept a hand on Mallen, though. “Are you sure, Giselle?”

  “Yes. I’d really love for you to attend me on our special day.”

  Mallen’s arm closed around her and she glanced up at him. His expression told her he supported her decision either way.

  “I would love to help you. Thank you so much,” she enthused as she wiggled around enough to hug Giselle. This was made difficult with the men in the way, but they managed.

  One of the men cleared their throat.

  Giselle and Julia happily returned to their previous activity.

  The four of them meandered inside just in time for dinner. Lila’s eyebrows shot up, but they ignored her. “Have a good t
ime admiring Stef’s art?”

  “Oh, it was very inspiring,” Julia replied. “Although, it’s rather unfortunate we didn’t have time to view his entire collection.” Mallen’s foot bumped hers under the table. She grinned at him.

  Giselle started laughing and Stefen quietly sipped from his goblet, a smile lingering around his lips.

  “Have you plans for when the wedding will be?” the lady next to Giselle asked.

  “A Christmas wedding.”

  “My, you haven’t left yourselves much time,” another lady commented as she set her wineglass down.

  Giselle smiled dreamily at Stefen. “We’ll manage.”

  “Have you chosen your attendants?”

  “Yes, Mallen and Julia just accepted tonight,” Stefen finally joined the conversation.

  “Oh, you asked them already?” Lila questioned in astonishment.

  “Yes, while we were viewing the statuary,” Mallen replied impishly.

  “I see, funny, I don’t recall seeing the four of you while we viewed them,” Mr. von Blustery stated. She couldn’t remember his name.

  “Perhaps we’d already finished by the time you arrived.” Stefen’s voice was the epitome of bland.

  Giselle and Julia kept their heads down. Better to not see their smiles.

  “Yes, I’m certain that’s the case,” Mr. von Blustery agreed, although when she looked at him, Julia noticed his mustache quivering again. Like he knew something they didn’t. She decided not to think of the possibility of anyone else knowing exactly what they had been doing among Stefen’s statues.

  “Have you chosen your colors yet, Giselle?” One of the older ladies was determined to keep the wedding conversation going.

  “Not yet. Probably one will be green, but we haven’t decided on the others yet.” Giselle shrugged and speared some carrot with her fork.

  “You certainly don’t have much time,” the same lady commented again. She sounded disapproving this time.

  “No, but it won’t be difficult to find Julia or I a dress. Everything else is easy.”

  Julia perked up after she swallowed some lettuce from her salad. “We’ll have to go shopping.”

  The bride-to-be laughed. “It’s a shame, really.”

  “We’ll persevere I’m sure.” She patted Giselle’s hand across the table.

  The men heaved longsuffering sighs, while the ladies all tittered with interest.

  By the time the last course had been served and Giselle and Stefen rose to cut their betrothal cake, she felt the effects of too much food. Grateful for her loose, forgiving gown, she still didn’t want cake.

  The couple cut the beautiful confectionary masterpiece and began serving. Giselle had set a very large slice in front of Julia and a smaller in front of her brother. She cut a small piece off her generous serving and added the remainder to Mallen’s plate.

  “To save you from sneaking this portion.”

  He had his mouth full so he couldn’t comment. But he did wrinkle his nose at her. She wished she could stick her tongue out at him. But, being a lady, she refrained. Barely.

  After everyone finished their cake, Stefen announced there would be more dancing in the ballroom and the guests eventually cleared out of the dining chamber. She waited until Mallen finished his slice, her’s, his mother’s, and one of the older lady’s seated next to him.

  “I need to go work off some of that superb supper.” Julia patted her comfortably full tummy.

  “I could probably help you,” he offered magnanimously as they headed for the dance floor.

  “You’re a trooper, Mallen.”

  “I am always happy to assist a beautiful lady.”

  “Just when I get ready to slug you, you say something sweet,” she complained teasingly as he hauled her into his arms and she melted against him.

  “We’re probably not going to get much exercise this way,” he pointed out as they danced close and slowly.

  “Who cares, it feels nice.”

  “Right.” He tugged her closer.

  She savored every moment of being in his arms.

  That was just as well, as they were separated during the next song. She greatly enjoyed herself despite the fact she wasn’t with Mallen. Many of the men present asked her to dance, and most of the older gentlemen actually knew some pretty fancy steps. Not one of them was shy about teaching her the intricacies either. She learned easily because she found herself enjoying the people and the exercise.

  She didn’t worry about her appearance, her dress, her hair, or looking stupid; having fun was her only concern. There wasn’t anybody she had been forbidden to speak to, although she did avoid the hyenas. Julia noticed the wicked stepsisters, as she decided to classify the daughters, hadn’t been asked to dance much.

  As she grew weary of the dancing, others seemed to do the same. Most everyone left between eleven and eleven-thirty and she was grateful when Mallen appeared before her with her wrap.

  “Thank you.”

  “Starting to get tired?”

  “Yes, and you?”

  “No. I did not perform so many fancy steps.”

  “You noticed?”

  “Of course. The old guys had a wonderful time. I’m sure they’ll be asking for you at the next party. We’ll probably be invited to every gathering now. Thanks to you.”

  She almost felt guilty, until Lila said, “Don’t believe him dear, we’re already invited to all parties.”

  Julia stuck her tongue out at him.

  He chucked her under the chin and she attempted to poke him.

  “Children,” Lila reprimanded mildly.

  Her eyes promised Mallen retribution. He wiggled his brows at her.

  When they climbed into the car, the vehicle was as packed as it had been on the ride over. She thought she counted less seats this time – and happily settled on Mallen’s lap. Feeling his warmth and wonderful scent surround her, she snuggled into him and fell asleep.

  ***

  While the Saltaires and Julia celebrated, George A. Chalmers III emptied his stomach contents over the side of an old fishing boat. He had managed to secure the rickety vessel to take him across the channel between England and France. Sandovia was located somewhere to the north of France and he had every intention of slipping over the border unannounced.

  If he lived – the boat creaked and groaned and warned it could disintegrate with the next massive wave. There had been several of those already. A bucket with something inside that stank clattered past and managed to spew across his shoes and splatter his trousers. The stench of the bucket contents paired with the underlying fishy decay enmeshed in the vessel caused him to heave again.

  Once he found her, his slut girlfriend would pay for this obnoxious journey.

  It cost him far too much of his savings to find an airline who didn’t ask any questions. They discreetly provided overseas flights. All you needed was a wad of cash and a warm body, and the warmth might be overlooked provided the wad of cash proved thick enough.

  The plane ride hadn’t been quite this miserable, even though he thought he recognized one of his fellow passengers. George’s former law firm helped to incarcerate the man a while back. His past involved a long-range rifle and the exchange of money for death. The entire flight he hoped the killer didn’t recognize him.

  Now, as the cold wind whipped through his hair while the deck heaved, and seawater spotted his glasses, George reflected on hatred. He would definitely make Julia pay for this. The longer it took him to find her, the longer would be her punishment. And since he’d just vomited the disgusting meal from the plane, he surely wouldn’t listen to her cries and pleas for a long while.

  He decided maybe he would nearly kill the slut for this trip.

  Chapter 16

  A chagrined Julia showed up at the breakfast table the next morning. “How long did it take before I fell asleep last night?”

  “Approximately five seconds.” Mallen’s answer was accompanied by a smug smile.
The girls both laughed.

  Giselle smiled. “I think probably a minute.”

  “Thank you for removing my dress,” she said to Giselle, who she suspected had accomplished the deed – she couldn’t remember doing it herself.

  “You’re welcome. You seemed awfully tired.”

  “I was. I didn’t wake up until Michaela shook me this morning.”

  Lila patted her hand. “That’s what dancing the night away will do for you.”

  “But dancing was so fun.”

  “All the older men will be sore this morning,” Mallen declared.

  “All them? How about me?”

  “I’m a bit sore, too. I haven’t danced like that in ages.” Giselle laughed.

  She and Julia looked at Mallen inquisitively.

  He shook his head. “I’m not sore.”

  Julia laughed. “Like we believe that.”

  “I didn’t do anything more energetic than a few slow dances.” He flicked her nose.

  “Did you enjoy yourself dear?” Lila smiled at Mallen.

  “Of course, Mother. Probably not as much as Julia and Giselle, but there is something to be said for dancing with older ladies.”

  “Oh?” Lila inquired, interest lacing her question.

  “I am now more updated on what’s going on in this country than if I’d just left an advisory meeting.”

  “There is that,” Giselle agreed. “They are our best source of information.”

  Mallen stroked his chin. “Probably why there are so many female advisors.”

  Lila tapped her chin. “You did see the entire committee last evening.”

  “I did not dance with all of them, however.”

  “Right.” Giselle laughed.

  Mallen turned his attention to Julia. “I need to go into town today. Would you care to come?” His expression was as polite as his voice. Julia wasn’t fooled.

  “Sure,” she replied. “I’ve got an all day experiment scheduled, so if you give me some time to start it, I can go.”

  He nodded. “I’ll wait in my office. Come and get me when you’re ready.”

  She desperately hoped that was a double entendre.