As their deadline approached and the girls became noticeably overwhelmed, nature — or hormones, perhaps — took over and a couple of the handsome young royal guardsmen lent a hand unloading the flowers from the delivery vans. With their help, Juliette and her crew finished decorating just as the first of the classical musicians began to arrive.
7:15 PM. Juliette stood at the back of the ballroom, surveying her work proudly. She had managed to represent all of the colors of the rainbow using a combination of ivy, potted plants, and cut flowers. The room itself was magnificent: the polished hard wood floor, the decorative woodwork lining the walls, the stage with the musicians dressed in formal attire, the spectacular glass and gold chandeliers — it truly had the feel of a magical fairy tale.
Juliette approached her three employees. The pretty teens flirted easily with the royal guardsmen. “Excuse me, girls, I have to get ready for the dance. Remember, you’ll have to leave in 15 minutes.”
“Oh pleeease,” one of the girls begged, “can’t we just stay inside and watch?”
Juliette smiled in sympathy. “I’m sorry, but you know the rules. Please take the white van back to town and leave the blue van for me.”
“OK,” the girls reluctantly agreed. Juliette thanked her employees and the royal guardsmen, then headed to the coat room. Her shoes and formal gown hung from a portable rack along with several others. After taking a quick look around, she squatted down and undid the ribbon on a pink hatbox. She reached inside and discretely pulled out a small white cloth bag. Hiding the bag in her left hand, she then grabbed her shoes and gown from the rack and exited the ballroom.
She paused just outside the door and pretended to inspect her dress. When she was sure no one was watching, she shoved the white cloth bag behind a potted rhododendron placed against the wall. She stood, exhaled, and walked to the women’s dressing room.
“The flowers are just lovely.”
Juliette turned to find the head caterer, Paulette, a happily plump woman in her late 40s, standing next to her. “You’ve really outdone yourself this time,” she continued.
Juliette smiled. Both women were in their formal gowns, standing at the rear of the ballroom. It was just after 8 PM. The room was filled with aristocratic gentlemen and ladies, all dressed in tuxedos and long, flowing, brightly colored ball gowns; diamond jewelry sparkled invitingly under the light of the chandeliers.
Even though the prince had yet to arrive, the classical musicians began performing at 8 o’clock sharp. No one was dancing yet; everyone was smiling and chatting nervously. To the untrained eye, everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves — yet Juliette detected an odd energy among the attendees; a sort of urgent intensity.
“The rhododendrons are a really nice touch,” Paulette noted.
“Thank you,” Juliette said. “I like to use a mixture of potted plants and cut flowers for an event like this. It makes the room so much more alive.”
Not to mention that potted plants are the perfect place to stash a stolen necklace!
At that moment, the prince entered the room. Dressed in a white uniform coat with gold buttons and navy blue pants, the prince smiled and greeted a group of men with hearty handshakes. Even though the room was filled with rich handsome men, Juliette felt that Prince Guillermo was in a class by himself.
“Look at him smile like he hasn’t a care in the world,” Paulette mused. “A state funeral one week, a royal ball the next. The lifestyles of the idle rich.”
“It really is like another world, isn’t it?” Juliette said.
“Still, that prince is awfully easy on the eyes.”
“Yes, he is.”
“As my grandmother would say: I wouldn’t kick him out bed for eating crackers.”
“Paulette!” Both women giggled as they watched the prince make his way over to a group of young women. He gave a slight bow and-
“Oh my goodness, Paulette, did those girls just curtsy?”
Paulette laughed. “Yes, they did.”
“When is the last time you curtsied?”
“Oh, I don’t remember. High school maybe?”
Gazing at the scene, Juliette whispered, “Another world…”
As Juliette daydreamed, Paulette broke the spell, “Well, I better make my way back to the kitchen. The first batch of mini-quiche came out burned; I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Take care, sweetie.”
Juliette snapped out of her daze. “Bye.”
Get it together, girl. You’re here to work, not gawk.
She checked her watch. 8:25. The best time to make her move would probably be in about an hour. The party will be in full swing, the drinks will be flowing, no one will notice the florist slip out the back of the room.
This is going to be the most low-tech burglary ever.
She visualized the scenario for the hundredth time in her mind: the white bag was stashed behind the large rhododendron in the hall. The emergency kit was safely hidden in the old castle ruins outside.
So, I’ll slip out the back of the hall and walk directly to the gem room. If anyone asks, I’m lost and looking for the kitchen-
“Excuse me.”
Juliette instinctively shooed away the distraction as she continued her mental checklist.
The emerald necklace is in the back corner-
“Excuse me?”
“Yes, what is it?” Juliette snapped. She looked up to find-
Prince Alfonso Guillermo de Valdivia y Beaumont!
“May I have this dance?” Prince Guillermo’s piercing blue eyes and easy smile rendered her momentarily speechless.
“Uh- Uh- Uh- Of course!” Juliette finally found her voice.
Oh my God! It’s the prince! It’s really him!
The small orchestra had just begun playing a fun, bouncy, familiar waltz. Juliette smiled, took the prince’s hand, and stepped out onto the dance floor. He placed his right hand on the small of her back and began gently but firmly guiding her. She was relieved to find that he was an accomplished dancer.
“You dance quite well,” the prince said, smiling.
Juliette returned the smile. “Thank you. My uncle taught me.”
“May I have your name?”
“Juliette.”
“Juliette,” the prince repeated. “That’s a nice name.”
As she gazed into the prince’s blue eyes, her 13 year old inner fan girl squealed with delight: I’m doing it! I’m dancing with the prince!
The prince gave her a spin which Juliette executed gracefully. However, as she turned, she noticed several jealous stares from other young ladies in the room. She couldn’t help but laugh. Was it feminine pride?
Ha ha, girls, suck it!
“You seem to be having fun,” the prince noticed.
“Of course!” she laughed easily. “It’s not every day the flower girl gets to dance with the prince.”
“Please, call me Guillermo,” he said.
She hesitated, then replied, “Of course.”
The waltz came to an end. The prince held her hand and bowed slightly. “Thank you,” he said with a smile.
“I enjoyed it,” Juliette also smiled.
As she left the dance floor, the jealous stares followed her. Ladies whispered to each other:
“Have you seen her before?”
“Who does she think he is?”
Juliette just shrugged it off and continued to smile. She wasn’t going to let anyone take away from this moment — least of all, some empty-headed socialites from the useless aristocracy.
But, as the intense stares lingered for 10 minutes, then 20, she began to feel uneasy. Part of her plan — a big part of her plan, in fact — was to slip out of the ballroom unnoticed. If this kept up…
She turned around and scanned the back of the room. There she is!
“Paulette!” she waved. “Save me!”
“What is it dear?” Paulette asked.
“I’m so bored. Can I hang out with you?”
Time to go.
The few catering staff that were left in the room were distracted, busy gossiping and cleaning up. Juliette carefully inched her way along the wall towards the door, unseen, then quickly left.
Out in the hall, she walked briskly with her head held high. She looked like a confident woman running an errand — a skill she had practiced so that if anyone did notice her, she appeared to belong.
She approached the ornate wooden door to the gem room, gave a quick glance to her right and left, then slipped inside. The room was pitch black. She lifted her gown, retrieved the thin flashlight that she had stashed in her lace garter belt, and directed the beam to the far left corner of the room.
There you are!
The emerald necklace was laid out on a blue velvet mat. Even the pale glow from her flashlight made the gems sparkle, casting vibrant colors against the surrounding walls.
She quickly snatched the necklace, pocketed it, and headed back towards the door.
In 60 seconds, little necklace, you’ll be safely tucked underneath a rhododendron.
She smiled.
Suddenly, as she was reaching for the door, the knob turned.
She froze in terror.
There was movement behind her. The room lights came on.
The door opened. A dignified-looking butler entered. “Juliette Thierry, I presume?”
“Juliette,” a voice called from behind her. “So good to see you again.”
Fear coursed through her veins. She couldn’t move, couldn’t react.
This can’t be happening!
She felt a hand reach into her pocket from behind and retrieve the necklace. “I’ll take that, if you don’t mind.”
She forced herself to turn.
There, holding the necklace, looking smug and self-satisfied, was the devilishly handsome Prince Guillermo.
Chapter 3
“Would you follow me, please?”
Juliette opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.
What’s happening? How? Why? I’m caught? I can’t be caught. It’s not possible!
The prince gave her a gentle nudge from behind. Her legs started moving on their own.
Automatically, robotically, she followed the butler out into the hall.
She felt numb and strangely cold; an icy tingle on her arms and legs. She trudged along, head down; her legs weighed a thousand pounds.
This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening.
At the end of the hallway, the butler opened a door, and motioned inside. “If you please.”
Juliette did as she was told.
Inside the room, there was an oval wooden conference table surrounded by 6 leather chairs.
“Please.”
Her eyes found the butler; he was holding one of the chairs away from the table for her to sit in.
Juliette numbly complied.
She waited, silently, the same thought playing over and over in her mind.
Wake up! You’ve got to think! Don’t give up!
Finally, when the smiling prince entered the room and shut the door behind him, a wave of fear crashed over her. “This isn’t what it looks like!” she began babbling. “I was just-”
The prince held up the palm of his hand. “Save it. Please.”
“No, really, I was just-” She stopped short: the prince tossed her white cloth bag — the one she had hidden behind the rhododendron — onto the table in front of her.
Well, that’s that. You’re caught, hon.
He sat down. “Juliette, I have a proposition for you. But, before we get to that, can you tell me one thing? Why this necklace?” Guillermo held up the emerald green necklace; so, so beautiful.
Juliette remained silent, defiant.
“You walked past several pieces that were far more valuable,” Guillermo prompted.
Again, Juliette refused to comment.
Even if I go to prison, I’ll be damned if I reveal a thing about the orphanage.
Guillermo gazed at the necklace, seemingly lost in thought, letting it pour slowly from one hand into the other, then back again. “This was the necklace my mother wore when my brother was crowned,” he muttered. “My sister is going to wear it for her coronation ceremony, as well.”
He abruptly snapped out of his funk. “Well, it doesn’t really matter, I guess,” he said, sliding the necklace into his jacket pocket.
The prince looked at the butler. “Armand, would you do the honors?”
“Certainly, sir.” The butler, Armand, picked up a black leather notebook and flipped it open. “Juliette Thierry,” he read. “Age 25. Graduated with honors from Université Paul-Valery, a small liberal arts college in the south of France. Owns and operates a successful flower shop on La Rue de Couer. Single, never married, no children. Her last known lover was 3 years ago, one André Duchamp, member of the Cirque du Montpellier-”
Juliette frowned at the prince. “Is this really necessary?” she snapped.
Guillermo responded, “You’re right. I apologize. That was thoughtless of me. Armand, there’s no need to lay out the lady’s entire personal life. Please skip ahead to the relevant passage.”
“Very well,” Armand sniffed. “I shall summarize. Miss Thierry’s flower shop has catered 8 functions for the aristocracy over the past 3 years. In all but one of those functions — including tonight’s ball — a valuable piece of jewelry was reported stolen shortly after the event.”
“That’s just a coincidence,” Juliette deadpanned. “You have no proof.”
Prince Guillermo chuckled. “You’re something else.”
“Wait a minute,” Juliette grew angry, “how long have you known all of this?”
“Why do you think we hired you to do the flowers?” There’s that grin again. She was starting to despise that grin.
“So you just toyed with me!” Juliette spat out the words. “You filthy rich smug bastard! If you’d done your job properly in the first place, I wouldn’t have to-” she stopped short.
Shut up, Juliette! You’ll ruin everything!
“Hold your tongue, young lady!” Armand chastised her. “The prince is not to blame here.”
Juliette glared at the prince. “I had no idea you were so sadistic.”
He seemed truly taken aback. “Sadistic? How can you say that?”
“Then why did you dance with me?”
“Because I wanted the room to know that we were acquainted. That way, it won’t be such a shock when we announce our engagement.”
“Wait! What? Engagement?!”
Guillermo motioned to the butler.
Armand slid a contract across the table to Juliette. “You are to be the prince’s legal bride for a period of one year,” Armand explained. “To the outside world, you must appear to be in love. Privately, you may do as you please — so long as you are discreet. You will be assigned separate bedrooms. You will keep the details of this arrangement a secret from everyone. Should you run away or otherwise fail to hold up your end of the bargain, the contract will be considered to be null and void, and the police will be notified of tonight’s attempted theft.”
“Oh, and no burglaries for the next year,” Guillermo said. “I can’t have a thief for a wife.”
Juliette sat in stunned silence.
Is this really happening? Am I dreaming?
Armand walked to Juliette’s side and offered her a pen. “Sign here, please.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!” Juliette said. “You want me…to marry…you?”
“Yes, for one year.”
“I’m completely lost.”
Guillermo sighed. “I…” He looked up at his valet. “Armand, should we trust her with all of it?”
Armand considered for a moment, then said, “These are desperate times, sir.”
Guillermo grimaced. “In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose.” He looked back
at Juliette. “The truth is, I have no desire to be king. If I could, I would give the throne to my little sister, but I’m barred by the Constitution from doing so. I have to wait a year until my sister becomes 21. Then she can become queen and I can get back to my humanitarian mission.”
“But what on earth do you need me for?” Juliette asked.
“The law dictates that any prince must be married before he can become king,” Guillermo explained. “If I’m not married in 2 weeks time, I can’t become king.”
“It would be a crisis for the entire country, miss,” Armand interjected, his tone weighty and serious. “The monarchy would be thrown into chaos.”
Juliette leaned back in her chair and grinned like the Cheshire Cat. “I refuse.”
“What?” Both men spoke at the same time.
“You want me to save the monarchy, right? I refuse.”
Prince Guillermo looked stunned. “Isn’t it every little girl’s fantasy to be the princess?”
“Oh? Isn’t it every little boy’s fantasy to be the king, your highness?”
The prince chuckled. “She’s got us there, Armand. We’re trying to sell her a product that we, ourselves, wouldn’t even buy.” He looked back at Juliette. “All right, fair enough. Armand, how much is the necklace worth?”
“At its last appraisal, Le Collier de Couronnement was valued at one hundred and fifty-one thousand U.S. dollars, sir.”
“OK, how about this? At the end of the year, provided everything goes according to plan, I’ll give you one hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars in cash to do whatever you want with.”
Juliette raised her eyebrows.
One hundred and fifty-one thousand. That would buy a lot of meals for the orphanage… but they can’t possibly wait another year for a new roof. Then again, if I’m in prison, they’ll get nothing at all…
Prince Guillermo continued, “After a year, we’ll annul the marriage or get a divorce or whatever.”
Juliette stared long and hard at Prince Guillermo, then at Armand, then at the white cloth bag on the table in front of her.
“All right,” she picked up the pen. “I’ll sign — but on two conditions.”
Princess Thief: Stealing Your Heart Page 2
