Island Doctor to Royal Bride?

He couldn’t help but smile as a warm feeling spread through him. She’d said yes. It was the first time he’d ever taken someone to his mother’s annual ball. He’d taken a variety of partners to various palace events throughout the years. Ones when he’d needed someone on his arm, at a time when he’d been expected to court the media. But he’d never taken anyone to his mother’s private ball. This one was entirely different. He moved slightly, adjusting Arissa in his arms.

She smiled with her eyes still closed. ‘Now, wake me up when we get back to the palace.’

* * *

The maid had shown her up to the room on the first floor of the palace. She gave a little gasp as she stepped into the large space. The walls were pale yellow and the large windows allowed light to stream into the room.

On one side of the room, away from the light of the windows, were row upon row of a multitude of dresses all shrouded in protective covers. The dresses were arranged like a rainbow with one range of colours flowing into the others.

Arissa’s mouth fell open as she wandered along the rows, her hands reaching up to touch the odd dress to examine it a little closer.

The maid smiled. ‘They’re beautiful, aren’t they?’ She moved alongside Arissa. ‘Is there a particular style you like best, or you find the most flattering? Or is there a colour you like best? I know all the dresses,’ she said casually. ‘I can probably point you in the right direction.’

It was like being the proverbial child in a sweet shop. Arissa’s eyes were practically on stalks as she wandered along the rows. ‘There’s just so many,’ she said in wonder. The maid shot her a smile and settled down in a chair in the corner of the room. There was a huge mirror on the wall close to her, along with a circular velvet curtain that swept around to give a private dressing area. This whole room was dedicated to the enjoyment of trying on these dresses. Every little girl’s dream.

After a while she shook her head and held out her hands. ‘The truth is, I have no idea where to start. I’ve never been to a ball—I don’t know what’s suitable and what’s not.’

The maid came and stood in front of her, not hiding the fact that her discerning eye was sweeping up and down Arissa’s frame.

‘Will anything even fit me?’ Arissa asked self-consciously.

The maid gave a smile. ‘I think just about everything here will fit you. And if it doesn’t? No problem. We have a seamstress on hand who can tweak any dress.’ She put her hand to her mouth. ‘Now...’ she said. This time she started to walk around Arissa. ‘What’s your favourite part of yourself, and your least favourite part?’

Arissa tilted her head.

The maid smiled and continued. ‘There’s a whole bounty of dresses in here that I think will be perfect. But it’s you that’s wearing this dress, and you need to love it enough that you feel comfortable in it. There’s no point in me making a suggestion of a dress with a low back if you feel self-conscious about showing skin.’

Arissa gave a nod. ‘Okay, I understand. Nothing too revealing for me, then, please. And I’m a little on the short side.’ She ran her hand across her stomach. ‘And this is probably my worst bit, so nothing that clings too much and shows what I had for dinner.’

The maid laughed. She held out her hands to the array of rainbow dresses. ‘You still haven’t told me your favourite colour.’

Arissa looked down at the red shirt she was wearing today. ‘I guess I like all colours. Preferably not black or white.’

The door opened and the maid turned in surprise. ‘Your Majesty, forgive me. I wasn’t aware you had returned.’ She gestured towards Arissa. ‘I was just helping Prince Philippe’s guest select a dress for the ball.’

Arissa’s feet had found themselves frozen to the floor. She watched as an elegant woman with her fine blonde hair swept up in a chignon came into the room. Her eyes met Arissa’s and she gave her a wide smile.

‘Ah-h, the doctor.’ She walked towards Arissa with her arms outstretched. ‘So you’re the woman my son has been talking about so much.’