A Prince For Sophie (12 page)

His first sight of her on that moon-washed beach more than a month before had compelled him to compare her to a goddess. No goddess could compare, this night, to her.

He held out his hand, and when she took it, he led her the few steps to where Archbishop Drapeau was waiting.

“We are gathered here together at this time and in this place, to witness the marriage of
Alexandre
Michel Philippe de la Croix and Hannah Elizabeth Jones,” the archbishop intoned, the twinkle in his eyes belying his solemn pronouncement. “The bride and groom have chosen to write their own vows.”

Alex turned to Hannah. Lifting the hand he still held to his lips, he kissed it. He was unashamed that his eyes were moist. He never believed such a moment could ever be his.

“Do you have any idea, my love, how incredibly happy you make me? For the last decade, I’ve raised my children and ruled my country, and told myself I was content. Yet there was a loneliness deep within me, a yearning I thought would never be fulfilled. And then one evening, I looked up and there you were. I love you with all my heart, and I will love you for all of my life and beyond. I will share your burdens, and your joys, and ask that you share mine, for every moment, of every day, from this time, forward.” He brought Hannah’s hands to his lips and kissed them again. The tear that tracked down her cheek sparkled in the candlelight. Her smile was more brilliant than all the stars in the heavens.

And when she gave him her own vow, her voice was clear and strong and the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

“I thought I knew what love was. I thought I knew what the rest of my life had in store for me and I, too, believed myself content. And then I met you, and I understood that I’d never really known anything about love at all. I love you more than I believed I could love, and loving you, I understand, as never before, that all things are possible. Magic brought us together. Love will keep us together for all of eternity. I will care for you, and trust that you will care for me. I will laugh with you and cry with you and live every moment of every day with you, joyfully, gratefully, from this time, forward.”

The archbishop turned to Michael, and Alex’s eldest son carefully placed a ring on the pages of the open Bible he held. When the cleric turned to Catharine, she set another ring beside the first.

“These rings are but symbols of the love and commitment you’ve pledged, one to the other.”

When the archbishop had blessed the rings, Alex reached for the smaller of the two. He held it in place over Hannah’s finger.

“With this ring, I declare you my wife, and my queen. Everything I have is yours. Now and forever.” Then he slid it all the way onto her finger, and offered his own left hand to her. He’d not worn a ring last time. But he wanted, very much, to wear Hannah’s ring now.

“With this ring, I declare you my husband, my king, my liege lord. In accordance with the customs of the royal house of Boisdemer, I will serve and defend you, and her, with all that I am, for all of the rest of the days of my life.”

Alex felt his heart turn over as Hannah spoke the traditional words of the Queen’s Pledge of Fealty. Her smile, as she then knelt before him, told him she knew she’d surprised him.

It was his turn to surprise her. He nodded to Justin, who stepped forward, a cushion of royal blue velvet in his hands. Alex picked up the delicate crown, and the servant bowed and stepped back to his place.

“This was my grandmother’s crown,” he said softly as tears welled up in Hannah’s eyes. “Like you, Isabella was a woman of strength and character. A woman who nurtured, and loved. It was among her roses you agreed to be my wife. How fitting, then, that you wear her crown.”

He set the delicate piece of gold, bejeweled with diamonds and sapphires, on her head. Queen Isabella’s Crown was one of the smallest of the coronets in the crown jewels, which was another reason he’d chosen it. His Hannah didn’t like ostentatious at all.

He brought her to her feet, and turned them both to face the archbishop, who blessed them before saying, “I pronounce you husband and wife.”

As Alex leaned forward, capturing Hannah’s lips with his, the night sky exploded into glittering colors, red and green, brilliant silver and gold. Breaking their kiss, he put his arm around his wife and marveled at the unexpected celestial display.

“They’re coming from everywhere!” Hannah whispered in wonder.

“So they are.” From every direction, all across the skies of Boisdemer, fireworks were cascading color upon dazzling color. Little Michelle shrieked and laughed with joy, awed by the display. Alex smiled, thoroughly enjoying her delight. Before long, her brothers and cousin joined in.

“People were so happy that you and father were to be married,” Philip said. “Someone suggested they light fireworks as soon as you were wed. The idea took hold.”

“Magic and love,” Alex murmured, and kissed the top of Hannah’s head when she leaned closer to him.

“Yes?” she whispered.

“You said magic and love, and I know, standing here right now, you were absolutely right. There’s magic in the air, and has been, since we met.”

“Do you mind? That magic had a hand in our coming together?”

His heart was so full, he was amazed he could contain all the love he felt. Leaning forward, he kissed her. “Mind? My beloved wife, I’ll be grateful for that magic for as long as I live.”

“My dear husband, I feel the exactly the same way.”

Sophie looked out from the balcony off her suite, the setting sun casting a gentle glow across the palace grounds. From her vantage point, she had a perfect view of the steady stream of cars that were carrying guests for what the press had dubbed the ‘Dowry Ball’.

This entire event, she thought morosely, had gotten completely out of hand. It astounded her that the more her father insisted that his daughter was
not
for sale, the more the media of the world seemed to think she was. She’d even appeared with Hannah and her father on an American television morning show, where they’d been interviewed specifically about the charity event. Her father and Hannah had been brilliant with the hosts, who had concluded that any woman as beautiful as Sophie certainly didn’t need her father’s help to nab a husband.

Sophie frowned, the uncomfortable sensation that had plagued her since hearing the commentator’s opinion returning to shiver down her spine.

A noise in the room behind her made her turn away from the view. Her maid was standing near the bed, quietly waiting.

Re-entering her bedroom, she closed the terrace doors and offered Paulette a smile. “Thank you for being so patient with me. I suppose I’ve put off getting ready long enough.”

“I’m at your service whenever you wish, Your Highness. Are you planning to leave your hair down tonight?”

Unlike other occasions, she hadn’t bothered to use the spa staff today. In fact, Sophie hadn’t given her appearance for tonight a single thought. She’d kept herself busy all day in the vain hope that if she put the evening out of her mind, it would go away. Since that hadn’t worked, she reconsidered her approach.

“No, Paulette. I think I want it up. We’ll use my double tier silver tiara, I think. And I’ve changed my mind on the gown as well. Rather than wearing the soft gold, I want the silver. You know the one I mean?”

“The one that fashion reporter said was ‘reminiscent of an icicle’?”

Sophie laughed. “You understand what I mean to do!”

“I think so, Your Highness. You intend to project the image you’ve been labeled with.”

“I do, indeed. Let’s see how well we can put together an ice princess. Perhaps I’ll be able to turn these would-be suitors away with just a chilling stare.”

* * * *

“I think we may be in danger of violating the fire code.”

Stephan looked over at Peter.
The man was never really still
. Even though Peter stood immobile beside him, his eyes were on a constant sweep of the room, and Stephan understood that he was always vigilant, always on guard.

“In what way?”

“The number of people here,” Peter explained. “I’ve never seen the ballroom so full.”

Stephan studied the crowd. The orchestra was playing, and waiters were circulating with refreshments. In just a few moments, Alex and Hannah, and Sophie, would be announced.

“Is it my imagination, or are there a lot more men than women here?”

“Not your imagination, pal. That ‘typographical error’ is turning into the lie that would not die. The majority of these suitors, as well as most of the press, are convinced that Sophie is the top prize.”

“They are not suitors, they are delusional miscreants.” Stephan stubbornly ignored the edge in his voice and what it meant. “When we were accosted the other day leaving the Children’s Home, I thought that was the most insane thing I had ever seen. Now, I stand corrected.”

“You know,” Peter said, looking Stephan straight in the eye, “It’s the strangest damn thing. Of all the men who are attending tonight, there are 70 named King, 21 named
Roi
, 18 named Rey, and 12 named Koenig. And then of course, there’s Mr. Gaynor.”

“I’m missing your point,” Stephan replied. Truly, it was becoming difficult to give Peter his full attention when Sophie would be there at any moment.

“Don’t you think it’s strange? They’re all variations of the word ‘king’. And Gaynor’s nickname is ‘The man with the Midas Touch. You remember the fairy tale, about King Midas? I just thought it was odd.”

The orchestra sounded a fanfare. A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned toward the Grand Entrance.

“Ladies and gentlemen, their majesties, King
Alexandre
and Queen Hannah, accompanied by Princess Sophie, the Princess Royal.”

“Still gives me a shiver,” Peter murmured.

Stephan joined with the guests in applauding. He shot a smile to his new friend.

“Hard to get used to, your mother being a queen? Or is it the fact that Uncle Alex is bestowing the title of Duke of Cardinia upon you, since you’re marrying his daughter?”

Peter laughed. “It’s a good thing I love that woman. And speaking of women, had you hoped to dance with Sophie tonight?”

The barely suppressed laughter on Peter’s face immediately raised his suspicions.

“It seems to be the only way I can get my hands on her lately, so yes.”

“Good luck. I think the lady’s dance card is already full.”

“Dance card?”

“It’s one of the reasons the media have dubbed this the ‘Dowry Ball’. As with seasonal cotillions of centuries past, gentlemen apply, in this case by making a donation, for the privilege of dancing with the debutante also known, in this case, as the Princess Royal. Helene tells me that an unprecedented amount has been raised in support of children’s projects throughout the kingdom.”

Stephan snorted, his mood sinking down another notch. “This situation has gotten entirely out of hand.”

“I’m just hopping no one thinks they can make off with her tomorrow, after the tournament. After all the assurances Alex, Michael and I have given her, it would be a pain in the ass to be proven liars.”

Stephan wasn’t really listening any more. He had his attention fixed on the line of men that seemed to start at Sophie and wind around the ballroom.

One look at her face told him how very much she hated this attention. Perhaps his name was not on a card for a dance, but she had to be allowed a break at some point in the evening. When she was ready for a rest, he’d be there. And in the mean time, he’d make sure that no would-be lothario stepped out of line with her, even as he formulated his
own
plan.

Something had to be done.

* * * *

“Our daughter seems just a bit overwhelmed.”

Hannah followed Alex’s discreet gesture to where Sophie stood. The line of men waiting to dance with her hadn’t shortened, despite the fact they were an hour into the evening. Then she shifted her attention slightly. As she watched, Stephan cut through the crowd to intercept Sophie and her next partner just as the orchestra began to play another waltz . He appeared quite determined as he said something to the gentleman waiting for his turn. Then he placed Sophie’s hand on his arm, nodded to the other man, and escorted Sophie to the restricted corridor that led to the family salon and out of the room.

“She’s not the only one who’s annoyed,” Hannah noted.

The look of bafflement on Alex’s face was priceless. “Why would Stephan be annoyed? I saw him earlier, dancing with that American actress. He seemed to be enjoying himself well enough.”

She couldn’t suppress her chuckle. “It’s a comfort to me, darling, to realize you’re not that much different from ordinary men.”

“Have I just been insulted?”

“No, sweetheart. And to enlighten you, the reason Stephan is annoyed is that he’s smitten with our daughter.”

“Is he?” Alex’s expression turned from baffled to pleased in a heartbeat. “You know, darling, he’d be a good match for Sophie, if she were in the market for one. They have one major passion in common, children. It’s not widely known, but Stephan holds a doctorate in child psychology, and he spends several days a month working with damaged children, primarily at the hospital in Montgermane’s capital.”

“I agree. He would be a good match for her. But what we think doesn’t much matter. It’s what Sophie thinks that counts. So far, I think she likes him. But it’s always been too easy for her. Her life has always been organized and orderly and she’s used to being in control. And the same may be said, I believe, of Stephan. Maybe if things aren’t as simple as they’ve always been for those two, they’ll see each other a bit more clearly.”

“Hannah, how long have you known—”

“That they’re in love with each other and don’t realize it? Oh, well before we decided to do this,” Hannah replied, opening her hands to indicate the ball.

Alex laughed, then put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. She slipped her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Such displays of affection, she knew, had never been witnessed before in the royal court of Boisdemer. She smiled, pleased that protocol could so easily bend to accommodate their love.