The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) (15 page)

“Indeed,” King Louis looks to me with much heat in his eyes. If I were still interested in a marriage with the French King, and especially if my father wanted it to happen then I would be feeling very happy right now. I would be more or less engaged to him by the way he’s talking to me.

However, my father doesn’t want a marriage between us and must not have told Louis about this otherwise he wouldn’t be talking to me like this, would he?

And, my father gave James the blessing to wed me if he chose to do so. Unknown to the King, we were in love and would jump to that decision and today James did ask for me to become his wife. King Louis obviously does not know this.

“Grace, may I ask you a question?” Louis asks.

“Of course, Louis,” I answer him.

“How well do you know Prince James?” He asks and I stand frozen in shock for a couple of seconds before I answer.

“I’m sorry King Louis, but why is that your business?” I ask.

Louis smile fades and a frown takes its place, “I just want to look out for you Grace, and I don’t think James would be good for you.”

Anger fills me but I try not to show it, “I know James quite well Louis and he is a very agreeable man.”

I leave it at that, not wanting to give too much away.

“Grace, you could have a beautiful life beside me in France, ruling together,” he looks very serious, looking at me with so much intensity.

“France is a beautiful country,” I agree.

“Even more so with you as my Queen,” Louis declares.

I do not know want to say to him, I am stunned for words. I can’t return his feelings and I will not ever return them, for I love James.

I then spot James, he is on the opposite side of the royal box to where I am standing with Louis. Watching him, I forget all about who I am standing with and let James consume me. As if feeling my gaze, James look straight over to me and flashes me him handsome smile. He truly is a beautiful man. I can’t help but smile back at him and my stomach fills with the same butterflies as they always do when James is around.

“I see someone else holds your admiration,” King Louis interrupts my daydreaming.

“Jealousy is not a good look on you, Louis,” I begin to snap at him. I have had enough.

“I am standing beside you, conversing with you and it’s him who gets your smiles,” he frowns.

“Princess,” Interrupts Louisa. “Your father will be out any moment.”

“I must take my seat,” is all I say to Louis and walk away. “Thank you, Louisa.”

“That is not needed,” she smiles and goes to sit beside the rest of my Ladies.

I enter the royal family box and take my place beside my father’s seat. I look over to James and I know he is wondering if I am okay, so I nod my head in answer and his face relaxes. I am the first to take my seat but I see my siblings all approaching. I would much rather be seated with my Ladies, I hate jousting with a passion but because it’s Fathers’ birthday I have to sit with the family.

George sits on the opposite side to me, taking his place beside mother’s seat and the two youngest Princesses take their places next to him. Julien sits next to me on my left and I realise this could be an opportunity for him to talk to me.

“Hello Julien,” I smile politely.

He smiles, it’s better than nothing I suppose.

“Are you enjoying your time at court?” I ask him but all he does is nod his answer. “Julien, are you ok? I’m a little worried about you.”

Julien frowns to me, but it’s not an angry frown. No, his expression is more pained and my heart tears for him.

“Oh, my brother,” I turn to face him more. “If there is anything bothering you, please come to me. I hate to see you like this and I want to help. Please let me help?”

Eventually he nods and I give him a soothing pat on the hand, because that’s all I can do in front of all these people and by the sounds of the cheering, the King and Queen have arrived. I turn to face the cheering crowd as mother and father take their seat in the middle of their children. Either side of the royal box we sit in are members of the court and guests. Facing us are less important people staying at the court, probably here for the Kings celebrations.

“Thank you everyone for joining me on this fine day!” The King shouts and there’s a loud cheering in reply. “Let the joust begin!”

As father takes his seat, the men come out of their tents, in full armour and climb their horses. My stomach turns and I groan in discomfort, “Oh no.”

Father turns to me, when he sees my expression and what I am groaning at, I see him smile, “Gracey stop being a baby.”

“I told you, I do not like jousting,” I become nervous as the horses prance around, getting ready for the run down. I breathe out a long breath of air to try and calm myself and father shakes his head, returning back to his conversation with mother.

“I do not care for the sport either,” comes from my brother beside me, and I try not to let the shock be so clear on my face. I don’t think I achieve that as when I look to him I have the biggest smile on my face.
Julien spoke to me!

The horn sounds, snapping me from my happy moment and I grimace as the riders go towards one another on horseback, racing with their lances aimed high. Apparently, these two men have a disagreement and this is how they are sorting their argument. Seems silly to me. As they get closer, my hands rise to my face so they are partially hidden from view and when they strike in the middle, the man on theft is hit with a loud clang on his suit of armour and he falls from the horse. Groans echo throughout the crowds as he lands with a thud on the grass and I watch with horror to see if he gets up or not. Julien laughs beside me and although I am terrified for the man on the floor as he is carried away, I am seeing my progress with Julien as a positive thing and who would have thought it would be a game of jousting that brought it on.

The King’s birthday feast has finished and I am glad, I could not have eaten any more if I tried. I don’t want to tell father about James today, because I want today to be all about him and it should be because it is his birthday. On the other hand, I want to tell him now because I want this ‘future husband’ talk to stop. It’s tiring and stressful and now that I am to be married to James, the Prince of Scotland and future King, it’s meaningless to me. I am so happy that my smile will not fade and I am worried my secret will show. Right now, my father is rather much enjoying the centre of everyone’s attention. As soon as I see the opportunity to, I make my escape but I bump right into King Louis.

“Princess,” he greets me. “I want to apologise for the way I acted earlier. I did not mean to, I’m just under a lot of stress right now.”

Louis truly looks sorry, so I allow myself to relax a little, “My advisers are getting on at me to find the right Queen and they don’t understand why we aren’t engaged yet. We all agree you are the perfect Queen for France, I just wish that you saw that too.”

“I was growing fond of you but my father isn’t so sure. He has to be careful of who I marry, for both myself and for England. You have to understand that,” I explain, trying my best to not let it slip that I am no longer available to him

“I do, truly,” he nods. “But that doesn’t make it any easier.”

He laughs a little and it lightens the atmosphere between us, “I have to do what my father orders Louis.”

He nods, finally understanding what I am saying, “I’m an extremely jealous man Grace, especially when it comes to a beautiful woman and as soon as James came along, I knew I didn’t stand a chance. I saw the way you looked at him and he was just as taken with you. I knew right then that you were not going to be my Queen and I’m sorry for acting the way I did.”

“I accept your apology Louis, thank you,” Louis then smiles and I see the man I first met when he arrived at court.

James then appears and I see the way they both look to each other. I know now that their father’s did not get on, but that does not mean they shouldn’t have to either.

“Do you like England, James?” Louis asks him.

“Of course, what is not to like?” James replies, sending me a handsome smile. I sense the silent battle between these two. Louis may be now civil to me, but his feelings are clear towards James.  “Shall we dance?” James asks me, holding out his hand and I eagerly accept placing my hand in his.

“Thank you for not punching him in his face,” I laugh as we begin to dance.

“I knew you would not want that,” James winks. “You look so beautiful Grace,” James quickly changes the subject of conversation. “That dress,” he lets the comment drop as he takes me in. “Stunning.”

“You look very handsome,” I blush and return his compliment.

“Nothing compared to you tonight,” James brings his face a little closer so our noses are almost touching. It’s so intimate. “You are my weakness Grace. God help those who hurt you, I will protect you with every inch of my power.”

I ask myself again how I got so lucky. To actually fall in love with a Prince, one who has my father’s blessing to marry me. It is what every Princess dreams of. The way James looks at me, talks to me and how he makes me feel so beautiful is what every woman should have and I am lucky to have it in James. So handsome and caring, I know that from our time spent alone in the stables. He didn’t know me as a Princess then but he still treated me with respect and never stepped over any boundaries.

“I’m so lucky to have you,” I whisper, afraid that someone close by might hear.

“No,” James shakes his head. “I am the lucky one. The beautiful English Princess will be my wife. The future Queen of Scotland, ruling by my side. You will be a great Queen, stunning, caring and strong.”

“You spoil me with compliments,” I blush.

“They are well deserved,” James replies, his eyes baring into mine. I know he wants to kiss me and I want him to as well. “Scotland will love you as much as I.”

I try to break the tension and look around us, noticing how girls glare at me in jealousy. They all want James but he only pays me attention.

“I cannot wait to see you in Scotland,” James brings me back to him. “The cold breeze touching your face and blowing your long dark hair. You would have to stay close to keep warm.”

I laugh, “You do not notice how cold England is?”

“Gigi, are you inviting me to keep you warm tonight?” James flashes me that naughty smile and I can’t help but laugh some more.

“How much I love that thought, but it cannot come true until we are married,” I remind him.

“Do not taunt me, Grace.”

A few dances later, I decide to cool myself down with a drink, both the dancing and James’ words have me hot. We walk together and the wine is glorious as it cools me but I’m afraid the same cannot be said for James. The way he is looking at me has me burning inside. He needs to be careful because he is making his feelings clear for everyone to see.

“I want to kiss you so badly,” James growls beside me, almost sounds pained.

I choke on my wine, not very Princess like at all. “James,” I laugh, quickly wiping away the spilt wine from around my mouth before anyone sees.

“Sorry,” He chuckles and reaches up to wipe my bottom lip.

Our laughter dies and everyone around me fades, I want James to kiss me. James’ thumb drags down my bottom lip and I hear him moan. James steps closer to me and my heart thumps violently. James takes a step closer and my body becomes alert to his presence. I hope I do this right. What if I am terrible? Will he not want to marry me anymore?

“I am a tortured man Gigi. We are engaged, you are going to be my wife and yet, I cannot kiss you. Do you know how hard it is for me to look at my beautiful Princess and not express how I feel for everyone to see?” James explains. “I am yours in every way and I want everyone to know we belong together.”

“I want that, I really do but we have to be careful,” I insist.

“Careful about what?” Suddenly asks my mother.

“Mother,” I step away from James and look to her. Oh no, what did she hear?

“Are you two having a good time over here, in the dark?” She asks, look between James and I. “Do you realise how this looks Grace?”

“Your Majesty,” James begins, but mother cuts him off.

“I will tell you, James looks as if he is about to claim you right here for everyone to see. Now explain.” Mother demands, her temper in full force.

“Mother please,” I beg her, looking around and seeing that a lot of people are now looking over.

“No, I do not want to hear excuses, I want an explanation. Now.” She hisses and I have no choice.

“The truth is that,” I look to James and he gives me a reassuring smile.

“Grace,” my mother sounds irritable. I spot Genevieve mingling with the guests and I realise mother is in a bad mood because she is here, on his birthday. At this point, I want to cheer my mother up and I just know the news I am hiding from her will improve her mood.

“James asked me to marry him,” I tell her and watch the emotions flicker across her face. At first I see that what I have just revealed was not what she was expecting. She seems shocked and I have to smile, it’s quite comical as her expressions change. Mother looks to James, who then nods and she looks back to me, tears gathering in her wide eyes.

“Oh my,” She finally speaks. “When did this happen?”

“I have adored your daughter since the moment I set eyes on her, and she has truly captured my heart. As soon as King Stephan gave me his blessing, I knew I had to ask her, and I did,” James fills in.

“This morning,” I giggle as mother claps, gathering some interest from nearby guests. Tears blur my vision as I watch her become emotional.

“Oh my darling, Gracey,” she holds me. “You have made me so happy,” Mother holds me against her, dancing around as we laugh and James watches with pride.

“What is this?” Comes my father’s voice and we stop our dancing.

“Stephan,” Mother greets with an excited tone.

“Have you been drinking Maria?” he asks her.

“No,” she shakes her head with a wide, silly smile. “Maybe a little but I have a rather good reason.”

Father then faces me, “Grace, can you explain please?”

But instead, it is James who steps forward.

“Your Majesty, I wanted to wait for tomorrow when the celebrations were over, but I see that now is the time,” James prepares himself before continuing. “After receiving your blessing, I asked Grace to marry me and I hope that I still have the permission to wed your daughter, because I love her and she accepted my proposal.”

Father listens to James, but his eyes keep flicking to me as I bounce with happiness.

“Gracey?” He asks and I have to laugh. My big bulk of a father, King of England is dumbfounded. His eyes are wide with an odd half smile.

“It is true Father, I am to become his wife,” I say as my happy tears fall. Father grabs me in a bear hug and spins me around, my feet lifting from the floor and I laugh as though I am his little girl again. The music has stopped but I do not notice as all I can hear is my father’s laughter. I am to be the future Queen of Scotland, and this makes him very happy. I love my parents and it feels amazing to have them so proud of me.

“My daughter is getting married!” He shouts and silence envelopes us.

Father sets me back down on my feet and wraps an arm around me, quickly kissing me on top of my head and demands James to stand on his other side. Mother stands next to me, looking at me with such pride as father shouts for everyone’s attention.

“It is my absolute pleasure, to announce to you all on my birthday, that my eldest daughter is to be married to Prince James of Scotland!” The King shouts and there is cheering and shouts of congratulations.

Suddenly George, Julien, Elizabeth and Isabella are here and celebrating with us. My Ladies all rush over as well, all laughing and in good spirits. I couldn’t be happier. Everyone tries to approach us to give us their blessings, but James cuts through them all and wraps me in his arms.

“Thank goodness I can now do this,” his lips hit mine and I am taken away by his kiss. His lips are soft as they claim mine and I hear the laughter and clapping as we celebrate our engagement.

“Now, you may be a Prince but you still have to wait for the wedding son,” Father laughs, and stands next to us. Servers hand us all a drink of wine and father holds his cup high. “To the future King and Queen of Scotland!”

Everyone joins and raises their own drinks as they repeat the chant loud and clear.

“Grace,” James holds out his hand. “A celebratory dance?”

I place my hand in his and walk out in the middle of the crowd as they create a space for us. The music begins and we begin our dance.