She laughs softly. “Won’t we be dancing all night?”
“Indeed yes, but this is the last time we will do it without being watched.”
“Right.” She nods, taking my hand. “I’d be honored to dance with you.”
Taking her into my arms, I twirl her around then pull her close. “I love you, Delaney. So much. I cannot thank you enough for committing to this life with me. There are no words to express what it means to me.”
“I already know. You don’t have to say anything.”
I smile, stepping back slightly. “Listen to what I’m about to say, very clearly.”
“Okay.” She crinkles her brow, her body stiffening slightly. “Are you upset about something?”
“No. It’s just important.”
“I’m listening.”
“My parents have asked that they escort you into the ball.”
“Really?” Her eyes open wide. “Are you serious?”
“Quite. They want to make sure the people know you are accepted into this family.”
“That’s amazing,” she says, softly. “Shit. I’m gonna cry.”
I smile. “Yes, it’s very heartwarming.”
“Yeah.”
“But…” I pause, taking a deep breath. “I’ve thought about this long and hard, and, well, I don’t want to present you as my girlfriend tonight.”
I notice how her expression falls. “Oh. Uh, okay.”
“Delaney, when I asked you to come here, I promised you that you would have my absolute commitment and I meant it.”
“I know you did. Do you think the timing’s wrong?”
“My darling, you misunderstand. I don’t want to introduce you as a mere girlfriend when you are my life. You are my breath, my heart, my very soul. Girlfriend is not a sufficient term to define what we have.”
She nods. “What do you want to say instead?”
“I want to introduce you as my future wife.”
Her lips break into a hesitant smile. “Oh. We can do that.”
“But I haven’t proposed properly.”
“It’s okay. We can get to that later.”
I smile. “Or, we can get to it now.” As I bend on one knee, Delaney gasps, covering her mouth. “If there were a step above marriage, I would seek it. If I could somehow figure out how to stay in your arms every moment of the day, I would. If I had a time machine, I would go back and meet you sooner, just so I could have you that much longer. If you live a thousand years, I want to live a thousand too, but not a minute more if you are not with me. Love is a good word, but it doesn’t encompass the depth of what I feel when I look in your eyes.” I pause, take another breath, and pull the small velvet box from my pocket.
Delaney murmurs, “Oh my god.”
“I didn’t know where our path would lead us. I couldn’t have imagined feeling the way I do, but the kind of love we share is beyond my mortal imagination. I need you, sweet Delaney, like the earth needs the sun, like flowers need rain, like humans need air. I love you so much, it cannot be defined. It is infinite. I am a better man, and I will be an amazing king, because I have the love of an incredibly stunning, captivating, feisty, brave, and rebellious woman. Will you honor me, my throne, and my name, and accept my proposal of marriage?”
Delaney doesn’t say a word, she just stares at me with wide eyes. Just beneath her gown, I can see her leg shaking though. Then suddenly she fans her eyes and flutters her eyelashes.
“Delaney? Did you hear me? Will you be my wife?”
“I heard you.”
“And?” Will she say no? Now that I’ve asked, is the reality too much? “Darling?”
“God, Lathan, of course I’ll marry you. Are you kidding me? I just wished you asked me before I got all dressed up.”
“Why?”
“Because I really need to cry.”
“Cry?”
“You would too if the man of your dreams just proposed in the most romantic place with the most beautiful words you’ve ever heard.”
I laugh softly. “Trust me, my love, I feel emotional also. The woman of my dreams, no, the woman that has surpassed every dream, just accepted my proposal.”
She smiles as a tear trickles down her face. “I love you.”
“I know, darling.” I pull a handkerchief from my pocket and blot the tear away. “Did you see your ring?”
“No.” She looks down at the box, then tilts her head, looking back up at me. “How on earth did you… Fallyn.”
I smile. “Fallyn.”
“Oh my god. This is incredible.”
“Are you sure it’s exactly what you wanted? She said you haven’t said anything about it for a long time.”
“How did you find it?”
“I had it made. We copied it from the picture Fallyn found online.” I pull it from the box, then taking her shaking left hand in mine, I slide it on her ring finger. “It will look perfect with the style of wedding band we wear here.”
She looks down at it. “It’s just like the picture I put in my hope chest so many years ago. I can’t believe Fallyn remembered.”
“Well, we did change it to platinum instead of yellow gold.” I smile. “And I upsized the stone quite a bit. It had to be suitable for a princess.”
“Did she tell you the story?”
“No, just that you had fallen in love with a ring when you were sixteen, and said that you would wait for the man that loved you enough to find it. I am that man.”
Delaney smiles, twisting her hand and letting the ring catch the sun. “I remember digging through my mother’s magazine and I saw it. Underneath the photo it said, ‘make her feel like a queen’. I pulled the page out and told Fallyn that someday I would find a man that thought…” she pauses as her voice cracks. “A man that thought I was his queen. I didn’t mean it literally.”
I laugh. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“Best damn wish I ever made. I can’t believe she remembered and you…” she looks up. “I can’t believe you’re real and you’re mine.”
“For eternity, my love. You will be the queen of this kingdom, but make no mistake, you are already the queen of my heart.”
She bounces up and down like a joyful child with a new toy. “This is so exciting.”
“Yes, it is. Now, we’ll go and have official photographs taken. The palace will make a formal announcement tomorrow, but your unveiling will be in just a few short hours.”
“Do your parents know?”
“Yes.”
“Fallyn knows, obviously.”
“She doesn’t know I’m asking tonight. Only my parents know.”
“Not even Ophelia or Tristan?”
“Not even them. This is our moment. Everything we do after this will be shared with the country. You must prepare for that. It may be our last moment of peace.”
She reaches up and cups my face. “No, you’re wrong. I am your peace from any storm. You are my shelter from the winds that blow. The love we share is the only solace we’ll ever need. Whenever I’m overwhelmed, I just think of you, your sweet eyes, your loving arms, and I’m okay. When things are hard for you, remember I am here, my arms are always waiting to hold you again. No matter what’s to come, I’ve got your back, and I know you have mine. That’s all any couple needs. It’s all we need too.”
I nod. “Yes, that’s true.” I smile. “We’re wicked awesome.”
Delaney laughs. “We are.”
“Shall we go for pictures?”
“Let’s do this.”
I lead her inside the palace and into the casual sitting room. “I requested we do the pictures in here,” I explain. “Not in the formal sitting room.”
Delaney looks around. “Still pretty formal.”
“Not by palace standards.”
“What makes it casual?”
“The furniture mostly. The art choices. I prefer this room because it’s not as ornate as the others. I wanted my Boston apartment to feel a little like thi
s.”
Delaney smiles. “That’s it. I couldn’t put my finger on why I liked it so much. It reminds me of your place.”
“I’m glad you like it. The people will recognize the mood. I want them to see that I am not my father.”
“They will.”
The photographers finish setting up the lighting and Delaney and I take our places. As I gaze down at the beauty in my arms, a smile settles on my lips. I have finally found my princess.
After pictures are done, we walk back outside toward the waiting car.
“How do I get inside the ballroom without anyone knowing?” she asks.
“Oh, don’t worry. Royalty can always come and go without being seen if that’s what we want. You’ll go through a private entrance in the back where Fallyn will be waiting for you.”
“Oh shit. I didn’t even think of that.”
“What?”
“How will I avoid crying when I see her?”
“A challenge certainly, but one you can handle.”
“I’ll do my best. Ophelia slaved over my makeup.”
“Oh. I almost forgot. I have an accessory for you to wear.” I run back inside, picking up the box I’ve carried for hours. Back outside, I hand it to her. “For you.”
Smiling big, Delaney lifts the lid on the black box, then steps back, gasping with her hand over her heart. She looks up with wide eyes.
“This is for me?”
“It is. Normally, the palace would lend you one from our collection, but I wanted you to have something that belongs to you. Something you can pass down to later generations. Do you like it?”
She reaches out to touch it, but then pulls her fingers back as if she’s afraid to break it. “It’s exquisite. I can’t believe it’s mine.”
“You will be asked about it, so, you can tell them that it is covered in amethyst, the birthstone you share with me. The center sapphire represents the royal family, and the diamonds are just because, well, tiaras always have diamonds.”
“I have my very own tiara.”
“You do.” Stepping closer, I take it out of the box. “Let me help you put it on.”
“Thank you.”
I position it carefully on top of her head, sliding the combs down to hold it in place, then I twist her around so she can see her reflection.
“Oh my god, I’m a freaking princess.”
“Transformation complete.”
She throws her arms around my neck, kissing me deeply. “This is the best day ever.”
“So far. We have so many best days yet to come.” I kiss her again. “I am so honored to have you in my life. I cannot wait for the day when I share my vows with you.”
“Yeah, that’s gonna be a good day.”
“The best ever.”
As we ride in the car to the location of the ball, I stare out the window, willing my legs to stop shaking. Now, the stakes just intensified. I’m his fiancée. The Prince of Havendon’s freaking fiancée. I shake my head as I absorb my new status.
“Are you alright, my darling?”
I look at Lathan. “I’m as a nervous as a whore in church.”
He explodes with laughter. “Oh, my, that’s an interesting expression.”
I grin. “Seriously.”
He squeezes my hand then lifts it to his lips for a kiss. “I understand completely, but trust me, okay? I’ve got everything under control.”
“Okay. I just don’t want to fuck up.” I shake my head. “See? I’m swearing because I’m a wreck.”
“Do you have your lipstick handy?”
“Yeah, why? Do I need to reapply?”
“You will.” His lips come down on mine in a passionate kiss as he pulls me into his arms. We kiss for what seems like ages, until he releases me, pressing his forehead on mine. “How do you feel now?”
I smile. “Like I want you to crawl under this dress and rock my world.”
“Hold that thought. I guarantee it will happen before the sun rises.”
“Perfect.”
The car pulls up behind a large building and stops in front of an entrance. The door opens and several people come toward us, helping me from the car and escorting us inside. We walk down a long hallway then someone opens a door, and I step into a beautifully appointed room. Fallyn is sitting on the couch and stands when she sees me.
“You look beautiful,” I tell her. “The gown is really pretty. Yellow looks awesome with your skin.”
“Thank you. Ophelia lent it to me.” She adjusts the bodice. “Little loose up top though, but we pinned it.”
“It’s gorgeous on you.”
She tilts her head. “Are you wearing a fucking tiara?”
“Language,” I whisper, glancing over my shoulder. “And yes, Lathan’s gift to me for tonight.”
“Wow. It’s amazing. It’s so beautiful.”
“Not as much as this.” I lift my left hand, and as Fallyn’s eyes focus on the ring, she looks up then practically screams with excitement.
“Shh, Fallyn!”
Lathan just laughs. “No one can hear us back here.”
“You proposed?! Oh you are a sneaky one!” She looks back at me. “He threw me off good telling me the ring would be in weeks from now.”
Lathan chuckles. “Forgive me, Fallyn. I just wanted to do it my way.”
“You’re forgiven. Holy shit, look at that rock.”
“Fallyn!”
She laughs. “Seriously. How big is it? You can tell me.”
“I have no idea.”
“Nearly six carats for the center stone,” Lathan says calmly. “All the little diamonds make up about another carat or so.”
Fallyn’s eyes open wide. “Now, that’s a ring.”
“It is,” I say.
“Is it heavy?”
“Kind of, yeah.”
Lathan chuckles. “It had to be spectacular. No one in Havendon wears engagement rings like this, but I wanted to follow the American tradition for Delaney, and I wanted to give her something she could be proud of.”
“I am.”
“Then I am pleased.”
“You’re killing me with how calm you are about all of this,” Fallyn says, shaking her head. “Did you take something? Why aren’t you hyperventilating by now?”
I laugh. “Trust me. I properly freaked out when he asked. Right now, I’m just trying to deal with what’s about to happen to me.”
“Fair enough.”
The door opens and in walks Tristan and Ophelia. I look up at Lathan who smiles.
“I invited them,” he says, softly before walking over and giving them both hugs. “I asked you both to stop by before the night’s events got started. As the people closest to me in my life, I wanted you to hear this before everyone else.”
Ophelia’s eyes light up as she spies the tiara, but my hands are folded so the ring is not on display yet.
“Well, what is it?” Tristan asks.
Lathan takes my left hand and lifts it. “She said yes.”
Ophelia shrieks just like Fallyn did while Tristan heartily hugs his best friend. Before we can finish congratulations, Arlan enters the room, and surprisingly walks straight to Fallyn, kissing her cheek before acknowledging the rest of us. Then he pulls me into his arms.
“I’m very happy for you and my brother.”
“Thank you, Arlan.”
He looks to his brother. “I understand there’s been a slight change of plans?”
“Yes. I’d still like you to kick things off, then after I come out, I’ll say a few words, then Mother and Father will take over.”
Arlan grins. “Havendon will never be the same after tonight.”
“Indeed, no,” Lathan agrees. “How shall we handle Fallyn’s introduction?”
Her eyes open wide. “Oh no. I don’t want to be introduced.”
“You will have no choice,” Lathan says. “You are the stranger among us. You will be asked who you are.”
“What should I say?”
The two brothers exchange glances, then Arlan smiles. “I plan to say you are Delaney’s best friend.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
“And,” he continues. “The object of my affection.”
She grins. “Oh.”
“Before the night is over, everyone will be quite clear who you are to me.”
“I don’t want to steal any limelight from Lathan and Delaney.”
“Steal away,” Lathan says, laughing.
“Please,” I add.
“We’ll do our best,” Arlan says, then looking down at his watch, adds, “I should get out there. Our parents should be here soon.”
As if on cue, the door opens and in walks the Queen followed by the King’s steward pushing him in a wheelchair. They are decked out in full royal formalwear. The Queen looks stunning in an elaborate royal blue gown with a plunging neckline. I feel perfectly fine about my cleavage after seeing her. She walks straight to me and brushes her fingers across my cheek.
“Congratulations on your engagement.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“I am overjoyed you will be a permanent part of our lives. My son is the happiest he’s ever been, and therefore, so am I.”
“I am too.”
I hold my breath as the King stands and walks over to me, then remind myself to exhale. “You look…” he pauses, then actually smiles. “Like a princess.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Father,” Arlan begins, “I’m going out soon. Do you have anything specific you want me to say?”
“Whatever you have planned is fine. We’ll wait for Lathan’s cue.”
“Which is what?” the Queen asks Lathan.
“I’m going to talk a little about what I’ve been up to and what I’ve learned, and then segue to what I’ve gained in the process. I’ll talk about America and what I brought back with me. That’s when you can lead Delaney out to me.”
“Wonderful,” the Queen says, then glances at Fallyn. “You should go out with us, as sort of a pseudo lady-in-waiting. Then Arlan can step down and greet you. Unless that’s disagreeable to you.”
“Ooh, can I?” Fallyn’s eyes light up. “I would love to.”
The Queen smiles. “I think that’s a good way to bring you out. Any objections?”
“No, Mother,” both brother’s respond.
Unexpectedly Royal Page 38
