The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) (25 page)

Today is the unfortunate day we all witnesses the burial of King Alexander. I stay by James’ side the whole time. In the carriages we ride to the church for the ceremony and are overwhelmed by the citizens who have joined us on this day. The crows the roads but respectfully part ways for the carriages and coffin.  They stand silent as we enter, singing praises to the deceased King and letting our prayers be known. When we walk out the church, Mary and Queen Margaret crying behind us, the crowds lower their heads in a mark of respect. It is clear to see that Alexander was a loved King by these people today.

As we leave, the bells ring loudly and in the privacy of our carriage, James let his tears fall. There is a dinner in respect of the King in the ballroom but none of us feel like eating, but we go. We have to. There is some dancing, not at all happy but everyone believes in celebrating Alexander’s life and how great he did ruling the country. I am honoured to now be a part of this kingdom.

Bagpipes sound out, making me jump as I sit with James at the top table. Men begin to dance, but I notice the sounds of the dance is different to the one the held when James and I arrived here.

“This is a dance of mourning,” James informs me.

I am bewildered from hearing this, turning back to watch the dance, “It is beautiful.”

James nods, turning back to the dance and drinking his wine. Our hands stay locked under the table, forever supporting one another.

“We now rule this,” James speaks, facing me. “We are King and Queen Grace.”

“Not officially,” I point out. Yes, the documents have been signed, but right now James’ title is
acting King
until the crowing which is scheduled for two months’ time, it is always a huge event. His mother, Margaret is no longer in control but I am not titled Queen yet. However, James is Alexander’s heir to the throne and there is no objection, we are married with everyone’s blessing and they all know we will be King and Queen.

“But we are Grace,” James insists.

“I received a letter from my father, they will be arriving two weeks prior to the crowning ceremony,” I inform him.

James nods, “That is good, make sure that George comes too because he is the future of England. It will do the country good to see the future side by side.”

“I will do so,” I nod, although I already know he will be coming. He told me so, but I knew he would not resist the chance to see Jane.

“I have already had the pleasure of the council pressuring me about producing an heir,” James growls. “My father is only just buried, I am not even crowned and yet they ae on my back asking to produce an heir.”

“Shh,” I place my right hand on our joined hands, trying to calm him. “Everything will work out, do not fret.”

James takes in a deep, calming breath and smiles, “I know, my love.”

We share one dance that night, for the rest of it we sit and enjoy watching everyone else. We go to bed and but do not make love that night but when we wake the next morning, James is already caressing my breasts with hunger in his eyes.

“I have to have you,” he pleads and in answer, I reach down and wrap my hand around his hard member.

“Let me do something for you,” I insist, rising to my knees and settling in between his legs. I do it a little clumsily because I am still half asleep, but I am also eager.

Seeing him in pain for the past few days has made me want to do something to make him happy and I hope I am doing this right. James looks down at me, watching to see what I will do next and I take a deep breath. I do not want to make a fool of myself. Taking his hardness in my hand, I begin to lick the top, getting a taste and his head drops back onto the bed. Seeing his reaction makes me become a little brazen and I take him into my mouth, going up and down. James’ moans are becoming loud and I get excited, watching him like this is as enjoyable for me as it is for him. The more I become used to having him in my mouth, the deeper I take him and I join his groans of satisfaction. I am really enjoying myself and James looks down at me, watching me as I bring him to a finish and he explodes into my mouth. It feels odd and I quickly swallow everything that is in my mouth.

James looks to me in awe, I cannot quite believe I did that either and I fill with pride as I lit back down next to him. James holds me, staring into my eyes, “Now let me return the favour.”

He then quickly disappears below and spreads my thighs. My eyes suddenly close as James take his first swipe with his tongue and it is my turn to become undone.

After James sees to more council meetings first thing in the morning, he finds me having breakfast with Princess Mary. I like to keep my eye on her and make sure she is doing okay, we are the same age but she seems younger. She reminds me of my sisters and I have started to gravitate towards her because of that.

“Would you like a walk?” He asks me and my heart speeds.

“Yes,” I spring from my chair.

“Walking?” Mary asks. “Do you enjoy it?”

“I do,” I answer. “I am guessing you do not?”

“No, but I did enjoy hunting with father though,” at the mention of her father, she smiles sadly.

“Would you like to come with us?” I ask her, feeling bad about leaving her here.

“No, I will find my Ladies to keep me company,” Mary stands and looks to me. “Do not worry about me, Grace,” she giggles. “Enjoy your walk.”

“I feel bad,” I admit to James as we walk towards the back of the castle. I have seen the gardens from looking out from the top of the castle but I have not had a proper look.

“Do not be, Mary will be fine and I wanted to be alone anyway,” James answers.

“Really?” I ask.

“Yes,” James stops and holds me as we stand outside. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I kiss him. “Are you ok?”

He nods, “As well as I can be.”

“I am always here,” I answer, leaning into him.

“I know, and after your gift this morning I cannot wait to see what I will receive tonight,” I laugh at his cheeky comment.

“You will have to see,” I tease. “I may be too tired.”

James playfully frowns, “Well then, let us get this walk out of the way.”

“James,” I laugh. “Do not spoil the walk.”

He takes hold of my arm, linking it with his and we begin on our walk of the gardens. Lush green grass is everywhere, over the walls of the castle you can see mountains bigger than the hill we sit on rising high in the clouds. Big plants and pretty flowers spring everywhere and the gardeners have done an incredible job maintaining and creating a wonderful garden.

“Do these gardens live up to your English ones?” He asks.

“Better,” I admit. “I adore it here.”

“You do not know how much that means, hearing you say that,” James adds and I give him a smile, love swelling in my heart.

James begins to lead me around to another section and this area is a little relaxed and wild looking, not too much that it looks untidy. It is quite the opposite because it represents plants naturally and it is truly stunning. Paths have been created to guide a trail using rose walks and I am taken back by how pretty is all looks. James takes my hand as we walk through and I am delighted to find benches hiding everywhere, I think I will be coming out here a lot.

I sit on a bench, surrounded by flowers and sigh in content, “I shall be happy here.”

“Is this your spot?” James laughs.

“I think it might have to be,” I agree and we spend some time being alone here, together.

When we start to leave, I feel so very happy despite what has happened over the last days. I lean my head on James as we start our way back to the castle when a little girls’ laughter has me stopping. I feel James tense from where my arm touches him dd. I turn to face the direction of where the girl is coming from and see the cutest child running straight towards us. In fact, she hurriedly runs into James’ arms. It is the sweetest thing, but I do not understand why James is acting so strange. The way he stands by up with the girl in his arms, holding her with caution as she smiles to me. When the girl smiles widely from her playful giggling, something clicks in my head and I quickly look between them.

“Grace, this is Abigail,” James interrupts my thoughts. “Abigail, this is the Princess Grace and I love her.”

“I am so sorry, Your Highness,” A lady quickly approaches us. “Abigail saw you and ran faster than I.”

“It is fine, Lady Edith,” James assures her. “I have not seen her since she arrived back at court.”

I watch Abigail in James’ arms and his conversation with Lady Edith, who is clearly her Lady Mistress. I see that Abigail has dark hair and the same smile as James but her eyes are the lightest blue. They stand our brightly and she is adorable but she scares me. She looks too much like James for her not to be his.

“Lady Edith, this is my wife Princess Grace of England,” James introduces and Edith curtseys her respect and I greet her as gracefully in return.

Abigail then gurgles something that resembles the word,
dada
and my heart fills with dread.

“Lovely to meet you both,” I try my best to smile at Edith and Abigail. “I have to go now.”

I turn my back, overcome with emotion but James places a hand on my shoulder, stopping me, “Grace, please.”

I take a deep breath, looking at all three of them over my shoulder, “Spend time with your daughter, James.”

I then walk away and all the while all I keep thinking is that he did not correct me. James has a daughter and did not tell me! I try my best to hold in my feelings until I come to the quarters where my chambers are as well as my Ladies. Jane appears from her chambers and looks surprised to see me alone, “Grace, I thought you were with James?”

“I was,” I answer, the first wave of emotion escaping by the wobble of my lip.

“Grace what is the matter?” Jane quickly ushers me into her room.

“James has kept a secret from me Jane, a big secret that is going to change everything,” I cry.

“What is it?” She asks sounding worried.

“He has a child,” I sob, still not quite believing what I am hearing. “He has a daughter named Abigail.”

Jane goes silent, while I let my tears fall. I cannot believe James has not told me about Abigail, it should have been one of the first things he told me when we were courting. Who is Abigail’s mother and where is she?