A Royal Surprise

by Nichole Blithe

  “Stop.”

  He releases my hand, and I glance around to make sure we aren’t attracting any attention. “Please don’t do anything to embarrass my dad any more than I have. Fighting with you will not look good for the hospital or him. So please, just don’t.”

  “I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise. You shouldn’t have come without an escort to fend off all the admirers. You don’t always attract the best sort of men.” I don’t need his reminders about my ex and all my worries.

  “What does that say about you?” Walking away I’m proud of myself, until he catches up with me in a few quick strides.

  “I’m the exception. Just give me a chance to prove it.”

  “I came with my dad and I have Samuel.” I nod to the wall where he stands scanning the crowd. “And there are plenty of other guards stationed all over, but thanks for your concern.”

  “I think I’ll stay anyway.”

  “Won’t your date miss you?”

  “I’m here with Nico, no date. You’ve been avoiding me princess.” I have. He knows it, and I know it. I can’t get caught up in lusty feelings for the playboy duke.

  “I’ve been very busy with the hospital. The planning, the funding, the opening. So many things to do.” I press my lips shut to stop the endless chatter that keeps spilling out.

  “Now that it’s over, your schedule should be nice and open. I think it’s time we got to know each other better.” He picks up a grape off the hors d’oeuvre table and pops it into his mouth

  “Afraid not. I have an abundance of projects I want to get started on.” It’s not a lie, I do have so many other things I want to work on, but it’s an excuse. I don’t need to spend any time alone with him.

  “When you’re tired of these games Princess, you know where to find me.” He winks and walks away.

  “You’re the one playing games.” I say to his retreating back, not knowing if he even heard. I won’t chase after him if that’s what he wants. He can have the last word yet again. Engaging with him just encourages it.

  Chapter Eight

  A dozen people must be floating around my new room, under the careful eye of Mrs. B. and Clara. Manicure, pedicure, hair, and make up. All to get me ready for the ball, my first official introduction to the people as the princess.

  Once the last pin is in place and lipstick is applied, Mrs. B shoos everyone but Clara from the room and pulls a large garment bag from the closet. I haven’t seen the dress yet and I’m excited. I tried to peek earlier but there just wasn’t time. She unzips the bag and deep blue lace spills out in flowing piles. They help me into the dress and make quick work of lacing up the corset back. Lace covers the bodice and trims the skirt. More lace decorates the skirt and drapes along the off-shoulder design. The dress was made for me and looks like it. It fits perfectly, and the dark blue color makes the red in my hair show more vivid than usual.

  “How do I look?” I turn to face them, and Mrs. B holds out a box.

  “Almost like a princess, you just need one more thing.” She opens the lid revealing a tiara covered in glittering diamonds and giant sapphires.

  “It’s extraordinary.” I’m afraid to touch something so precious much less wear it. I reach out and run my fingers along the cool metal and stones.

  “Turn around.” Mrs. B. has me face the mirror and places the tiara on my head. It’s heavier than I expected. She fixes my hair around the tiara and steps back. In the mirror is a version of myself I don’t recognize. Poised, elegant, beautiful. All things I would never refer to myself as.

  “Just lovely. Your father is waiting in the hall.”

  “Shouldn’t keep him waiting then.” I give her what I hope is a confident smile and Clara opens the door for me. Dad is standing just outside looking so much like a king I almost can’t believe it. His black suit is trimmed in gold and the look is complete with a royal blue sash across his shoulder and on his head a golden crown lined in sapphires and diamonds. This is the first time I’ve seen him wear a crown. Sometimes I can almost forget we’re royalty.

  “Oh, Adella. What a stunning princess you make.” He offers me his arm, and I fall into hesitant step beside him. “Time to officially introduce you to the people. Don’t be nervous.”

  “I’m not.” My voice comes out in a shaky lie. I’ve met everyone at this point but never received an official introductory ball after my birth and my dad insists on it. My rising panic at having to have all eyes on me is making it harder to breath. The flowing skirts of my dress swish against the floor as I walk down the hallway gripping dad’s arm.

  “They love you already. You’re good for them — for us. You’ve done so much already, the children’s hospital, all your plans — things I never did. Things we need. You bring a new perspective in ways we never would have thought of.”

  “You don’t have to make me feel better, I know they don’t all feel that way.”

  “I’m not. You are the best thing to happen to the country in a long time.”

  “This country is the best thing to happen to me.” I smile at him, and he covers my hand with his and gives me a squeeze.

  “I’m so glad, because your being here is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

  We arrive at the double doors that lead to the throne room, and flutters assault my insides. My heart is pounding in my chest and head. I close my eyes and breathe shaky breaths until they steady. Hundreds of eyes are about to be on me at once. I hope I don’t throw up. I look at my father, and he nods to two guards who open the doors.

  The sounds of music, chatter, and clattering spill out into the hall with us. They stop abruptly when the guard to our left signals our arrival.

  “His Majesty King Alexander Robert Dunsany and Her Royal Highness Princess Adellaide Katrina Bowes Dunsany.”

  “Lunga vita al Re.” After clapping, bowing and curtseying the music continues again, and everyone returns to the conversations they were engaging in before our big entrance.

  “Scariest part is over, now just enjoy the night.” He’s right the buildup was worse than anything.

  “I promise I will. This is spectacular thank you for doing this.”

  The grand hall has been decorated with dozens of bouquets of flowers sitting on every flat surface. Each in various assortments all in brilliant white, accented with ribbons of the rich blue and gold of the country. Their scent fills the air, sweet and crisp.

  “Had you been born here, there would have been a grand ball to celebrate your birth and introduce you to the kingdom. I’m finally getting to do that just a little later, so thank you for allowing me.”

  “Your Majesty. Your Highness.” Cristian interrupts, bowing his signature deep bow. So handsome tonight, dressed in a suit with a sash similar to my father’s but less elaborate. Why can’t I feel more for this wonderful guy? “Would you care for a dance, Your Highness?”

  “Go on. Have fun.” My father kisses my temple and steps up to the platform to sit in his throne. A heaviness fills my chest, and I don’t want to leave him alone, but he smiles at me and shoos me with his hand.

  Cristian offers me his elbow and leads me toward the swirling couples. I try to ignore all the eyes on us, especially the deep green ones that pierce into mine, not quite angry, but definitely not happy.

  “You’re a lovely dancer princess.” Cristian leads me around firmly and elegantly, weaving in and out of the other couples with expert form.

  “So are you.” Thank goodness Mrs. B included dancing lessons in my Royalty 101 classes. Too bad I don’t have classes for speaking to people socially without becoming an awkward mess. “You’re on a first name basis with my father. Please call me Adella.”

  “As you wish, Adella. I had wondered if you might consider lunch with me? Perhaps next week. I’ll be accepting the invitation to stay at the castle for the end of summer festival. We can go into the city or picnic on castle grounds if you prefer.”

  I should take him up on the offer. Seneca was r
ight about me avoiding relationships and Cristian is the perfect example of someone I need to be with. The song ends, and the clapping keeps me from having to answer just yet. It should be so easy to tell the attractive guy yes to lunch. A new song begins, and he returns his attention to me.

  “Mind if I cut in?” Relief and annoyance mingle as Quinn interrupts.

  “Of course not.” Although his furrowed eyebrows tell another story. “Until later Adella. We can continue our discussion another time.” He takes my hand and presses lips to it before turning and leaving me with Quinn.

  I turn to Quinn once Cristian is out of earshot. “That was rather rude. Who says I want to dance with you anyway?”

  “Oh, am I mistaken? You’re interested in that fun sponge? You want to dance with me. Even if you don’t want to admit it.” He puts one arms around me and pulls me close and firm. Darn it if it doesn’t feel right. Perfect even.

  I swallow back the sigh that wants to sneak out and narrow my eyes at him. “He’s kind and handsome and well respected. He has manners.”

  Quinn pulls me even closer and dips me back letting his hands roam a little too freely. “I’m all those things, too. Just because my cousin behaves nauseatingly proper doesn’t mean he isn’t just like me. You don’t feel anything for him, admit it.”

  “That’s none of your business.” It’s not that I don’t feel anything, it just isn’t the heart racing, thought consuming kind of feelings.

  “Isn’t it? What about what’s between us?”

  “Okay, Quinn. What is between us? Are we in love? Are you ready to settle down and make pretty heirs with me? No this is lust and a game you’ve gotten so good at I think you forget you’re playing.” I’m not ready for all those things either, but I need to make my point. He doesn’t want what he thinks he does.

  We come to stop on the edge of the floor while other couples continue to glide by smiling and happy. “It’s more than that with you. Just let me prove it.” His thumb caresses my cheek, I close my eyes and let him, relishing the contact.

  My eyes pop open to meet his. “The minute you get what you want, you’ll be over this.”

  I pull away and dart out the closest door into the foyer and cross quickly to the solarium. Quinn follows me shutting the door behind him. I don’t stop until I reach the windows looking out at the dark gardens lit with lanterns, dotted with couples in love as they meander under the night sky. I wish he would quit following me, almost as much as I wish she still had his arms around me again.

  He stops once he’s behind me putting his hands on my hips, whispering close to my ear. “I didn’t mean to upset you, truly.”

  “That’s what you seem to do all the time.” I thought he enjoyed it and was purposefully trying to upset me, now I’m not so sure.

  “Everything is different with you. I don’t know how to act. I never say the right thing.”

  “You’re enjoying the chase. Something I’m sure you never experienced before. It will pass.” It must be new and thrilling for him after always having women fall at his feet.

  “I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” His breath fans my neck and his fingers grip tighter into my hips. “Yes, I want you, but its more than that. I also want to talk to you and hear what you have to say. I’ve never cared about that before. Your compassion and fight are just as enticing as your beauty.

  Laughter just outside the door sobers me, and I finally pull away. Panting and breathless from just his touch.

  “You’re flushed, we can’t walk out of here with you looking this way. It will only fuel rumors. The women are making quite a commotion after your American boyfriends’ little performance.” Three months ago, I was invisible. Now hugging my father is front page news along with the speculation about which of Messalina’s most eligible bachelors will win my heart. Dad has begun hiding the newspapers from me, seemingly forgetting I can go online and read them. I know I shouldn’t, but the curiosity draws me in every time.

  The door opens and the female voices drift in, Cordelia is stepping through the door but looking back at who she is talking to. We duck behind the drapes in a space hardly big enough for one of us. In this close proximity I can’t think about anything except him kissing me. Sadly, I spend more time than I want to admit thinking about the kiss when we were just a boy and girl who met in a bar, not a princess and a duke with so much uncertainty.

  I try to ignore him and how good he smells and the chatter of Cordelia and her gaggle of followers until she says, “She might be a princess by blood, but she isn’t one of us.” The beautiful daughter of sweet Lord Bachran, how did she get such an ugly personality? The noble version of a mean girl.

  “She has both the duke of Gedge and the duke of Herington fawning all over her. It’s positively sickening.” Denise replies in her nasally voice, always two steps behind Cordelia and quick to agree with whatever she says. The girl likely hasn’t had an original thought in her life.

  I don’t recognize the voice that answers, “She’s not even that pretty.”

  I don’t think I’m not that bad. Jealousy can make people say ugly things, so I won’t take any of it too personally. I know how Cordelia feels about Quinn even though she denied it to my face. I also know how devoted her friends are.

  “I wish she would just pick one, I would be happy to take the leftover.” Quinn shifts, and I grab his wrist shaking my head. I would rather they didn’t know we heard them. I can’t imagine that ending well.

  “It looks like it might be Herington. Did you see the way they were dancing?”

  “So tasteless.” Me or him? Or our dancing? Who knows with this bunch.

  “He won’t stick around,” Cordelia says vehemently. “He never does for more than a night or two. If he did, I would be married to him already.”

  “Don’t be jealous Cordie. We all know you never got over Quinn.” Even I knew from the moment I met her. Her warnings to stay away from Quinn were clear, hidden beneath concern for me.

  “He’ll realize his mistake one day and come to me, begging for me to be Duchess of Herington.” I look at Quinn, and he shakes his head, jaw clenched tight.

  “They only want her because of the title that comes with it. King is so much better than Duke.” The unknown one says. The cackling and giggling continue until a guard walks in and tells them they aren’t allowed in the room and ushers them back to the great hall. The silence they leave behind rings in my ears.

  I don’t bother moving after they’re gone. I told myself I wouldn’t let them get to me, but it hurt to hear the constant attacks on me all based on superficial things like my looks and royal status. I hate they got to me and I hate that I let them.

  “They’re wrong,” Quinn says as he wipes the tear that has managed to slip free with his thumb.

  “Are they?” I didn’t grow up in this world, they don’t respect me as the princess. Cordelia sees me only as a threat. If only her warning had come with a picture, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess.

  “Completely. I wanted you before I knew who you were. Don’t forget that. I care nothing about being a king.”

  “And Cordelia?” I shouldn’t ask, but I’m stupid enough to do it anyway. This is the second time I’ve had to listen to her great love and loss of Quinn. If he feels anything for her, he has all the motivation he needs to go after her now.

  He holds my face with his hands looking into my eyes. “I will never be what Cordelia wants me to be.”

  “But you were once.”

  “Hardly. We were young. Foolish kids. I thought I was in love. I learned very quickly I was wrong. Unlike her, I have left all that in the past.”

  “And the rest?” I feel like we’ve been dancing around this topic for weeks, but I’ve never just asked.

  “Your beautiful and vibrant. They’re jealous trolls.”

  They aren’t. Cordelia is gorgeous, and he knows it. He did date her after all.

  “That isn’t what I meant. Never mind, I don’t want to know
forget I asked.” It’s none of my business what he does and who he does it with when he isn’t with me, he isn’t mine.

  “Don’t let what they say make you think you are anything less than what you are.” He leans down brushing his lips against mine.

  My arms work around his neck, and he presses me against him. Holding me close as his lips tell me everything I want him to say but know better than to hope for. My back hits the wall as he presses me against it. He leaves my lips kissing along my jaw and down to my neck, along my collar bone and onto my bare shoulder before making his way back to my lips.

  What I should feel for him is clouded by how he makes me feel. I have to remember who he is and who I am now. He’s the duke who won’t settle down, and I’m a princess with all eyes on me. I lean away from his kiss even though I could happily stay in his arms, stay in this bubble behind the curtains, even if I know it would only be for a little while.

  “They’ll wonder where I am.” And likely think the worst. How many saw him chase me out of the hall?

  “Let them wonder.” He kisses me again, and I don’t try to stop it, this will be the last time, so I’m going to enjoy every second of it. Every touch of his body against mine. Every thump of my heart as it races in response.

  When he steps back, I’m breathless and satisfied. Quickly a feeling of loss settles into my chest. He takes my hand in his walking with me to the door, the heaviness only grows.

  “I’ll look out first and make sure no one is in the foyer.” I nod, and he pokes his head out.

  He swings the door open for me, I step out into the foyer and walk back across to the ball the echo of my clicking heels surrounding me. Leaving him and everything between us behind in that room.

  Chapter Nine

  Tables are scattered among the gardens and trees, draped with crisp white clothes and decorated with white and yellow cascading bouquets and more candles than I could ever count. The nobles and other highly regarded elites are spread out in groups among the tables for the annual garden party that begins the end of summer festivities.