A Royal Engagement: The Young Royals Book 1 (13 page)

I chuckled at his joke, "You know it really is wonderful what you have done," I said seriously, "And your cheese is absolutely incredible.
 
I can't get enough of it."

He blushed slightly before he replied, "I noticed the palace's order had increased," he said with a wink.

My body flushed with heat and my stomach flipped over at his playfulness.
 
The man was an enigma.

The song wound down and Will was tapped on the shoulder as someone attempted to cut in.
 
Jordan.
 
Will's eyes darkened and his jaw clenched as he laid eyes on the other man.
 
Jordan looked good in his formal military dress, but I didn't like the cocky grin he had on his face.

Will bowed to me and then moved off, without saying goodbye.

"That was rude," I said to Jordan as he took Will's place.

"Yes," he agreed, "The man is intolerable."

"Not him," I said, "You."

He looked at me with mock horror, "What did I do?"

I shook my head, "We were in the middle of a conversation, Jordan," I said.

His eyes softened and he looked at me adoringly, "Yes, but I couldn't stand to see you in his arms for another minute."

I huffed my annoyance, but I was secretly pleased with his response.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered before leading me off the dance floor and out one of the side doors.
 

The clear, dark sky was studded with the sparkle of stars and I took a deep breath of the cleansing, cool air.
 
The sweet scent of roses was heavy as we walked, arm in arm, through the garden.
 
It was a nice evening for a stroll and I realised that I was happy.
 
I even forgot about the body guards that kept their distance, but were still shadowing us.

"Are you having fun tonight?" he asked me.

I smiled, "I am now," I replied.

"Oh," he said, stopping and turning towards me, "And why is that?"

His voice was a soft caress and his eyes lingered on mine before dropping to my lips.
 
He was standing close to me, his hands gently gripping the tops of my arms above my elbows, flesh on flesh.

"Because I'm here with you," I whispered.

"Lys," he said my name like a prayer before he dropped his head and brushed my lips with his.

It was my first real kiss and it was perfect.

He lifted his head and his eyes searched mine for permission before he captured my lips again, longer this time.
 
I felt myself melt and I opened to him, allowing him to deepen the kiss, to make it something more.
 
His arms encircled me and pulled me closer so that our bodies touched.
 
It felt wonderful, amazing, and I lifted my arms and wound them around his neck.

When he lifted his head again, I was dazed and felt a little out of breath.
 
Slowly he pulled back, releasing his arms from around me and the cool air of the night rushed in and prickled my skin with goosebumps as I missed the heat of his body.

"Alyssa," he said, gently cupping my face, "You have completely astonished me.
 
I didn't know who you were going to be when I went to meet your plane, but I didn't expect this.
 
I didn't expect to feel this way about you."

What could I say to that?
 
I hadn't expected this either, I hadn't expected to be swept off my feet by a man who I hadn't seen in ten years.
 
A man who had been one of my brother's closest friends.

"I know you have a lot on your plate and that you are still finding your feet as the Queen in Waiting, but I really want to pursue this, see where this is going."

He kissed me again, just a tender brushing of lips, but it was full of anticipation, full of what could be between us.

"Jordan, I..."

"Shh," he said, placing a fingertip on my lips, "I know it's a lot to ask, but I feel something between us, something special.
 
You don't have to answer now, I want you to think about it.
 
The next three months are going to be tough, but I want to be by your side, if you'll let me."

"Oh, Jordan, you have made these last three months bearable.
 
I would have been lost without you.
 
I want you by my side, I feel it too, but..."

I looked down, not sure how to phrase what I was going to say or if he would be offended by it.

"But?" he asked, lifting my chin to search my eyes.

"I'm not ready to make this, what's between us, public.
 
Not yet, not until everything is sorted out with Parliament.
 
I don't want the public and the media fixating on our relationship when there are matters of state at hand.
 
Also...I don't want what we have to be sullied by the press.
 
Can you understand that?"

He smiled and nodded before kissing me again.
 
I could let him kiss me all night, I wanted to.
 
I didn't think a single kiss could have such a big effect on me, but it did.
 
It ignited something inside me.
 
There was a warmth in my belly and an ache in my chest.
 
My heart rate increased and my pulse fluttered at my throat.

A soft clearing of the throat from one of my security team brought me back to earth and we stepped away from each other as someone came along the path behind us.

"I should go," he said, "It probably wouldn't be wise for us to be seen together un-chaperoned."

I smiled at him as he placed a kiss on the back of my hand and then turned it over to kiss my palm and then my wrist.

"We'll have lunch again this week," he said as he walked away, back to the party.

I walked in the opposite direction, towards a hidden grotto in the garden.
 
I liked to come here as a child during my parents' functions, just to get away from all the adults and the formality of the evening.
 
I slipped into the small alcove and sat down on the stone bench.
 
My security team melted into the shadows and for all intents and purposes, I was alone.

I lifted my hand and touched my lips where only moments before Jordan had kissed me.
 
I don't think I could have wanted anything better for my first kiss.
 
His lips had been firm but gentle, his arms warm and secure as he held me close.
 
It had been divine.

I heard the approaching footsteps and leaned back into the darkness of the alcove, not ready to face anyone just yet.

"She's beautiful, don't you think?" a woman's voice said, "I think she's beautiful."

"She's...okay," a male voice replied.
 
A male voice that I would no anywhere.
 
Will.

"How can you say that?" the woman scolded him, "She is absolutely gorgeous.
 
And that dress!
 
Stunning."

"A bit overdone, don't you think?" he replied.

"Overdone?
 
Don't be ridiculous.
 
She is practically our Queen, if anything I thought it was understated."

Oh my God, they were talking about me.
 
I blushed with embarrassment.
 
Will thought my dress was overdone and that I was only okay looking?
 
That hurt.

"Will you dance with her again?" the woman asked.

"I don't think so Georgie," he replied gruffly.

"Why ever not?" she asked and I leant forward to hear his answer.
 
I, too, wanted to know why he wouldn't dance with me again.
 
"She looks like she's a good dancer and you seemed to be having a pleasant conversation.
 
I don't understand why you won't ask her again."

"Leave it Georgina," he replied, his voice a low growl.

"Not until you tell me why," she replied.

"Because once was more than enough, okay?
 
Satisfied?
 
I did my duty, we represented our family and I danced with her.
 
Now can we please go home?"

Georgina sighed, "You are such a spoilsport Will," she said, "But yes, I suppose we can go home if you wish."

Their voices faded away and I was left sitting there feeling like I had just been kicked in the guts.
 
Will only danced with me out of obligation and duty.
 
And I had thought it so much more.

The euphoric feeling of being kissed for the first time was now overshadowed by Will's cruel words.
 
I got to my feet and slowly made my way back to the ballroom.
 
I was hurt and confused, but I was also a Queen in the making.
 
I had been schooled all my life in not letting my real emotions show, although I had been sorely lacking in practise.
 
I drew on my inner strength and pasted a polite, aloof smile on my face as I re-entered the room.

Meredith was by my side in an instant and she seemed to know that something was wrong.
 
I don't know whether she had heard what Will said through her earpiece or whether she could just read it on my face, but for whatever reason I was grateful for her support.

She steered me through the crowd towards Frederic and handed me off to him instructing him to dance with me and cheer me up.
 
I rested my head on his shoulder as he waltzed me around the dance floor and listened to his witty commentary on each of the guests that came near us.
 
By the time the song had finished, I was laughing with him and my smile was genuine.
 
I reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks," I whispered in his ear.

"Anytime," he whispered back.

Chapter Nine

I was so done.
 
My feet ached, my body was sore and even my hair hurt.
 
I wanted this night to be over in the worst way.
 
I searched through the crowd looking for Priscilla, I needed to know if it was appropriate for me to leave now or whether I needed to stay and be the last person standing.

"What do you need, Your Highness?" Carlos bent down to speak to me as I sat on my 'throne'.

"I really want to go to bed," I said to him, "But I need to find Lady Priscilla to make sure it's okay."

He smirked and little smile, "I'm pretty sure you are allowed to leave whenever you want," he said, "You are the boss."

"You'd think that, wouldn't you," I said, "But if I leave before Priscilla and Dominique deem it appropriate, I will be in big trouble."

He chuckled, "I'll find them for you," he said, straightening up and speaking softly into his wrist.

Jordan had danced with me after Freddie had rescued me from my meltdown and it had felt nice to be in his arms.
 
It felt safe.
 
I knew I could be myself around him and that helped to soothe my frayed nerves.
 
I refused to think about what I overheard Will saying, it just wasn't worth the heartache.

"Priscilla is on her way," Carlos informed me and I huffed out a breath in relief.
 
I really wanted to get out of here and away from all the prying eyes.

I saw Priscilla walking towards me and she had the rest of my entourage with her.
 
I couldn't help but smile at the picture they made.
 
Six beautiful women dressed to the nines headed towards me with purpose.
 
It was like the glory shot of the tough guys walking away from the scene of an explosion.

"Your Highness," Priscilla said as she curtsied to me, the others following suit (Meredith with a sardonic smile).

"Lady Priscilla, may I please go to bed now?" I asked, well, whined is probably more like it.

Her lips thinned, but not in disapproval, she was trying not to smile.
 
"I think that would be okay," she replied and then turned looking for someone.

It wasn't as easy as just leaving, there were protocols for that too.
 
I had to be escorted out by my date (Freddie) and my Ladies in Waiting had to follow me.
 
I had to do a round of farewells and there was the national anthem to be played and by the time I finally got to my suite, I'm pretty sure an hour had passed.

I dismissed everyone except Meredith and my lady's maids.
 
When I was changed and ready for bed, I let Bridgette and Annette go too so it was just me and Meredith.
 
I needed to debrief and I needed my girlfriend with me to do it.

"So Jordan kissed me," I blurted out as soon as the maids had left the room.

She rolled her eyes, "I know," she said, "Carlos wanted to punch his lights out."

"Seriously?" my eyes widened.

"You know he doesn't like Jordan," she said, "None of them do."

This was news to me.

"So, your first kiss.
 
How was it?" she asked mischievously.