The Frog Prince (10 page)

“You
are
jesting. You must be, because no prince would say such a thing to the woman he hopes to marry one day. Now, out!” She pointed to the door. “Your time is up.”

“What did I do?” he asked as he slipped off the bed.

“What did you do? What did you
do
?” Blythe began to push him out the door. “You have the idiocy to sit upon my bed and propose marriage to me as if we were in a brothel! And then tell me that my stunned looks at finding a full-grown man in my bed were most decidedly my confusion at your handsome face!”

Well, that would teach him to be so arrogant. He laughed as she shoved him out the door. Then he turned and grinned down at her glittering eyes. If looks could slay someone, her glare would have certainly destroyed him. “Where would you care to have my proposal of marriage, then?” he asked.

She groaned and closed those eyes. “Do not look at me like that. You will make me smile, and I refuse to smile when I am attempting to stay mad at you.”

“Forgive me for monstrously ruining my first attempt at a proposal and making you feel as if you were in a brothel. Now, where would you prefer to hear my words of agreement toward you? For you must know, I find you to be exceedingly more dear than any girl I have ever met. However, if I have just now ruined your hopes of finding me less vain than you believed, I will do everything in my power to attempt to grow and become a better man so that I may win your heart.”

She shook her head. “Nolan, no.” She chuckled then. “I mean, yes, you did ruin that quite atrociously. But I can easily forgive you for your momentary lapse of common sense. You do not need to grow more—I find you magnificent just the way you are. Indeed, I must be the one to apologize to you, for it is I who judged you wrongly from the beginning. And I would have most likely continued to judge you had you not come as you did and allowed me to get to know your soul.”

It was so marvelous to be able to stand at his full height and to see her so very close and so very charming. “Blythe?”

“Yes?”

“I will declare myself properly by the pond where we met—your most favorite place in the world. But if I do not express my love and hope for a future with you right now, I feel as though my heart might burst. I love you.” He reached out and finally ran his hand through her silken hair, cupping her head. How many times had he wished to do this? Tugging her gently closer, he whispered, “You care about so very many things. You laugh, you banter, you can hold your own in any argument, and your soul is sweeter than any I have ever known.”

His gaze caressed her perfect features as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I desire more than anything to express my ardent wish to make you mine, though I am afraid to hear your words lest you reject me. I have been a fool for too long. Thank you for teaching me how to truly treat a woman.”

“I will only accept your proposals at the pond if you kiss me this instant.”

“Hush, minx.” Nolan laughed, his whole chest warm from the glow in her eyes. “I do believe you shall keep me on my toes for an eternity.”

“I would hope so.” She brazenly placed her arms about his neck. “For I know of no one I would prefer to spend my eternity with.”

How could he deny her another moment? Nolan swiftly pulled her in and kissed her soft lips for some time until she moaned and pulled back.

“My goodness! I would have kissed you much earlier if I had known this was to be my reward!”

Grinning, he brought her in and properly silenced any more wayward silliness from her until she melted into him.

CHAPTER TWENTY

A LITTLE WHILE LATER, after sneaking out of the castle so they would not alarm anyone with the sight of the transformed prince, Blythe traveled hand in hand with Nolan to the pond. It did not take him long to kneel upon one knee and properly ask for her heart to be his always. Once done, she happily snuggled up with her new fiancé upon her boulder.

“Blythe, I have been thinking,” he said. “What if we include monies to provide for a schoolteacher for your kingdom as a part of the marriage settlement between me and your mother? Do you think that would work?”

She sat up and pulled back to see him better. “Do you really mean that?”

“Of course. I cannot simply take you away and abandon the children without their education.”

“Oh, Nolan! You are too good. I have been so worried about leaving them, I did not know what I would do.”

“Well, this seems like the perfect opportunity to correct the state of your kingdom, then. For if I have it decreed, in exchange for your hand, the continual funding necessary to pay for the new teacher and schooling, I do not see how she can resist, or how she can put up a fuss over such things. If Prince Nolan of Hollene finds it essential, how could Queen Mary not?”

“Precisely! You are a genius. For she could turn me away, but could she turn away such a wealthy and handsome prince?” Blythe grinned.

“Why do I feel as though you are gently mocking me?”

She shrugged. “I most likely am, but it does not signify. I do believe my mother will go along with whatever you ask of her. Especially something like this, that does not take any time or effort or even money on her part.” She suddenly kissed him. “Thank you. Thank you for thinking of those children. How blessed they are! How blessed I am to have you in my life. I love you.”

“No, my dear, it is I who is blessed. I have and will always be blessed for knowing you and finding such a dear, sweet woman to attach myself to.” He kissed her again and then pulled back. “However, I guess perhaps a little of the credit should go to our mothers, too.”

“Oh goodness, yes!” She chuckled. “That is, if we have not ruined everything after today.”

“My mother will not care overly much. I know—I was waiting in the carriage. I figured it would be the easiest way to get home. But I spoke with her before I came back inside your castle.”

“Did you?”

“Yes, it was my mother who convinced me to stay in the end. I think she saw how much I loved you.”

“Before she drove away, she asked me what I thought of the frog. And I answered truthfully, that I have never loved anyone more.” She looked at his lips. “Which reminds me, I have a kiss to give you from her.”

“A kiss?”

“I thought it was an odd request at the time, but then again, I had not realized who you were yet.” She leaned up and kissed him. “Despite her revealing what you thought of me, I do think I will like her very much.”

“And even if you did not, it is fine. Because you will always have me to love.” He kissed her again.

“Or pummel you.”

“There is that. However, you can only pummel me when I need a good thump and have done something excessively outrageous.”

“Like propose to me upon my bed?”

“Yes, exactly so.”

“Prince Nolan of Hollene Court, I will never willingly harm you, for you truly love me. All of our arguments and frustrations will be just that—arguments and frustrations. For I have the security deep down that we will always have one another once those angry feelings wane, and I am reminded of the goodness of your heart and your true character once again.” She grinned. “I cannot wait to finally begin my life with you. Thank you for seeing me.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Thank you for seeing
me
. Not very many women would have, nor would they have treated a frog as nicely as you did.”

“You started it. You were kind enough to collect my ball for me.”

“Then may we have a lifetime of kindness between us both.”

“Yes, let us do so. It sounds like heaven to me.”

And it was. Prince Nolan and Princess Blythe wed just three months later in a simple ceremony to the happiness and delight of both kingdoms. They went on to have two adorable little girls who loved to play with slimy frogs and swim in dirty ponds, to the great chagrin of their poor governess and maids.

Queen Mary Elizabeth II and Queen Bethany were able to resolve their differences, and with the addition of their granddaughters, they soon became the best of friends again and had many opportunities to take the little girls on adventures.

Nolan was true to his word and not only made sure that Blythe’s kingdom had the funding necessary for a teacher, but that Hollene received one as well. He was always heard to say that none of the teachers who had been hired were as good as Blythe.

Blythe still taught when she could, but for the most part stayed busy within her own castle. She and Nolan were often planning some big feast or party or celebration—anything to bring joy to their people, for they were determined to see their kingdom as happy as they were.

And they did. But how could they not? For this truly is a tale of a prince and princess who learned that the worth of the soul is so much greater than what is first perceived. Equality and love for all became the founding basis for their kingdom, and they learned to live by that quite nicely. So much so, they all lived happily ever after.

THE END

Next in the Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection:

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

CHAPTER ONE

“HELLO!”

Aleck looked up from snipping at the ornamental hedges in the palace garden to see Princess Cascadia coming toward him. He immediately dropped his shears and lowered into a bow. “Your Highness,” he said as he came back up to face the pretty dark-haired young woman. She looked exceptionally fetching today in a pale blue gown and matching ribbons.

She smiled and then stopped right in front of him. “Hello,” she said again, as she slowly twirled the white lace parasol behind her head.

He waited a moment for her to say something while his stomach did flip-flops. How many days had he watched the beautiful princess and wished for opportunities like this to speak with her? And yet, when they came, he had nothing to say. How does a simple gardener go about speaking with royalty?

She continued to twirl and wait, her grin growing.

Say something, you dolt!
He swallowed nervously and then asked, “Would you like a flower?”

“A flower?” She looked at the hedge he had been pruning.

“No. Not from here.” He pointed out behind him. “We could pick one from the queen’s garden, if you would like. I know of some lovely daffodils that have just bloomed.”

“Oh! Yes, please.”

“If you follow me, I will show you just where they are.” He began to walk, and then when he noticed she was not with him, he turned around. Princess Cascadia stood in the exact same spot. Confused, he asked, “Would you rather I went without you and brought back a couple?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Good heavens, how was a man supposed to know what it is that women want? “Then you would not like to follow me?”

She chuckled, her laugh floating about her like tinkling fairy bells. “No, Aleck. I wish for you to lend me your arm so that we may go together.”

How could he be so thoughtless? “Of course.” He rushed to her side. “Forgive me.” Being so close to her, close enough to smell the lavender soap she used, caused his breathing to become quite erratic. He glanced down at her side and then slowly offered his arm, willing himself to act natural as she daintily placed the top of her gloved hand upon his. He gazed into those sky-blue eyes a moment, reminding himself to breathe.

He was holding her arm. Her hand upon his. Her waist a mere inches from him. They were together—truly together—for the first time. A warmth spread through him he had never known before, sending a concentrated group of tingles at their touching limbs. He grinned at her and then watched in amazement as she inhaled sharply.

This overwhelming feeling affected her as well! She could feel it.

Those eyes sparkled back at him. He was lost. Truly and foolishly lost.

Could she possibly think of him as he thought of her? Could the princess actually wish to be with a mere gardener?

A dog barked some distance away and snapped him back to the present. “Come, and we shall find the most enchanting daffodils for you.”

He took a step forward, and then another, half expecting her to turn around and run the other way, but she did not. Instead she quite happily followed him.

Nothing had ever felt more right and wonderful than this moment.

“Aleck?” she asked as they slowly made their way to the flower garden.

“Yes?”

“I know this is highly improper and I will most likely get scolded if I am to be caught walking with you, but thank you for doing so.”

His gaze met hers again. “It is my pleasure.”

She nodded and glanced away, a faint blush stealing across her cheeks. All at once, the parasol began to twirl twice as fast as it had before. “Sir, you flatter me.”

“I do not mean to flatter, Princess,” he said with a grin, loving this new game of theirs. “Indeed, I only mean to speak the absolute truth. This is by far the most pleasurable moment of my day.”

She gasped and glanced his way before biting her lip and looking away again.

He could not believe his eyes. If he did not know better, she would seem to be genuine in her response to him. “Why did you ask to hold my arm?” he brazenly asked, curious as to how she would reply.

She kept her profile to him as they continued to walk. “Because I knew you would never think to offer, and so I asked for myself.”

“Because?”

“Because I wanted to,” she replied.

“Fair enough.” He let the subject drop. “And have you had any news to impart? Any reason for us to be thus engaged?”

“News?”

“Yes. For when your mother asks why you have been traipsing the grounds with a lowly gardener, you will have a much better reply to give her than because you wanted to.”

She blushed again and then shook her head. “You are incorrigible.”

“I know. I think it is why you like me.” He said the last looking straight at her again.

She gasped in shock. “I have said no such thing!”

He stopped, his back toward the many windows of the castle, stepping forward and hiding her for a brief moment. “You did not have to say anything to me. I can tell by your actions.” His heart grew a bit heavier. “Princess, as much as I wish to keep you near me to learn every possible secret of yours and gain your trust, I fear for this.”