Indiscretion

Chapter 13

Princess Cecile

***

My excitement could not be contained. Thankfully everyone thinks it’s because of Princess Lillian’s pending nuptials. And though I was happy for my little sister, my excitement had more to do with the king.

Since the day he promised to take me away, there has been something different in his manner towards me. It was as if he too felt something more for me than just the bargain we had made.

He has been overly watchful, sticking close to my side or having his eyes on me always, even in the hall. I no longer worried about court gossip. My happiness was worth that and more. After having despaired of ever knowing the love of a man, of ever feeling this desirable to someone, I could not easily give it up.

The only darkness in my otherwise bright day was lady Georgina. She seemed bent on plaguing me here of late for some unearthly reason. I’ve been avoiding her presence at all cost.

I knew from the many whispers following her about that she had been in the king’s bed. It rankled but I had no say. Our arrangement did not give me any authority over what the king did in his bedchamber no matter how I might wish it otherwise.

He has not taken her to his bed since the night I went to him though of that I was sure, because from then ‘til now he has been in my bed or I in his.

That did not keep her from making me uncomfortable and no more so than now as she made her way to my side. I watched the newly wed couple and sipped on the punch that wasn’t sitting too well with my stomach, her presence only made that feeling worst.

“Lady Cecile, how drawn you look. Are you not well?” I swallowed the bile in my throat and turned to face her. The glare in her eyes belied the smile on her face. What was her game? Did she suspect that I shared the king’s bed?

The lady had never had much to say to me in the past, so why now? And what did she mean that I looked drawn? “Quite well thank you lady Georgina, and yourself? You are well?” She preened and gave me a sly look out of the side of her eye.

Her hand went to her middle in a most suggestive way and I felt my gorge rise as my head grew light. “I am superbly well my lady. I carry the king’s seed and soon I will be his queen.”

I lost all color from my face and the only thing holding me upright, was the sheer will, of my genteel upbringing. “And what makes you think the king would offer you marriage when he has not done so with all the others rumored to have borne him children?”

“My sire will see to it of course. And besides, his majesty has professed his love, so it’s only a matter of time.” She moved away looking rather pleased with herself. Leaving me with a block of ice in my chest.

For the rest of the evening I was in a fog. The light had gone out of my day entirely. I avoided the king too hurt to think what to do. I slipped away before the festivities were at an end, locking myself in my chambers.

The knock at my door was no surprise. I half expected him to tell me he had changed his mind, that he was marrying the lady Georgina. She had seemed so sure of herself.

Instead he was dressed for travel. “Are you packed my sweet? We must go before it grows light.” He did not wait for an answer, just pushed past me into the room. Of course I was already packed but after last night…

He found my satchel and ordered me to get dressed, which I did, still confused. Should I mention the conversation of the last evening? There was no time, he was in an all fired hurry to be gone and once outside the palace gates, he on his horse me behind him on another and a procession who’d had a head start, there was no turning back.

Chapter 14

King Julian

***

We rode hard all day with intermittent stops to make sure she was fine on the ride. She hadn’t said much but when first she opened her door to me this morn she did not look her usual self.

Was she even now carrying my son? No matter, I am taking her away nonetheless. Her sire had attended the nuptials yester eve and after had approached me with his proposal. It is the reason I hadn’t visited her bed last night.

I’d told him in no uncertain terms that she would not be marrying anytime soon. When he’d tried pushing I’d reminded him that as king my word was sacrosanct and that had been the end of that.