Forbidden Love

Chapter 8

Princess Florence POV:

When we finally made it back, we had missed dinner.

"I almost sent the guards out for you! Where in heavens name have you been!?" My mama fussed.

Here is my chance. To tell everyone what The Prince had done to me. That he had compromised me and demand another pairing. But, no words left my mouth.

"The Prince and I" I stumble my words together. "We got lost in the woods. The Prince understood that we did not have a chaperone and made sure to keep his distance and make sure I was safe"

"Is that so?" My mama asked, looking his way

I give him my look. I felt he understood what was next.

"And how did you get in the woods? Your Grace?"

"I wished to speak to your daughter alone for a mere second when the horse went out of control and threw us off into the woods"

"What a gentleman" My mama smiles at me and I try my hardest to smile back. "I'm sure you will no longer have any complaints about your pairing as it seems the two of you are perfect together"

I chuckle in agreement when I just wanted to cry.

"Are either of you hungry?"

"No, I would just like a hot bath" I nod

"You can no longer skip meals if you are to bear healthy children! But, that is not for months so I will send you off"

I rush away and I could hear the Prince behind me.

"I am sorry" He calls behind me

"Sorry!? Sorry, will not take back the lies I have just spewed for you. Sorry, will not make me not get married to you"

"I did not tell you to lie"

"Are you so dense? I am a woman and you are a man. If I were to tell everyone what you did, you only had to open your mouth and they would no longer believe me"

"Will you please explain to me how me kissing you will affect anything? Our parents have been set on having us marry one another since before we met. None of them would have changed their mind just because of your whining."

I look at him in disbelief.

"And if you would have truly told what had happened, they would only speed up the wedding to ensure no one finds out what we have done"

"These is no we. I did nothing"

"Well, I guess we can all suck it up and move ok then?"

"Are all men this dense?" I scoff, storming off to the bath that awaited me.

~

I wrote in my journal so many things about him that I had to turn the page 3 times to fit it all. Bad and good filled the book.

But, even after I had written all my feelings down, I still could not stop thinking about what he had told me in the woods. About the feelings, he wanted to give me in revenge for his father.

I grab my light and lock the door. Surely everyone shall be asleep now.

I set my light back down and laid on my back with my hands on my belly, staring into the ceiling.

"I should not," I thought. But the desire to understand what he meant was far stronger.

I reached my hand between my legs and felt around. My brain felt scrambled. Why would he long to do this to me? It didn't feel like much until I pressed down and moved just a tinge.

That must be what he meant when he said whatever pleased me. I did It again, and again, and again until I did not want to stop. Breath left my lips as I kept going.

I did not understand when to stop until an overwhelming feeling washed over me. I remove my hand from my legs and stare at the ceiling.

~

I tap my fan onto my hand and stride down the lengthy hall.

"Princess!"

The familiar voice of the Prince had me make haste through the hall.

"A moment will do just fine"

"I believe it will not. I must sit for my miniatures" I mumble.

"I am quite sure your miniatures will not run away"

"Yes, you are correct. I have absolutely no intention to speak with you."

"Will you remain in distress for the rest of our engagement?"

"Engagement?" I mutter, turning around. He presents a ring and glances to the floor. "It was my mamas"

My heart sank to my toes. "You hate me yet find me desirable so soon?"

"My papa hasted it along. I have not a choice and neither do you"

"I will not marry you. I will never marry you" I scoff.

"Tell that to your mama who suggests that we are madly in love! Trust me, I have no desire to marry you"

"How relieved I am" I scoff

"You will not speak your way out of this, Florence"

"Must we drop formalities so soon?"

"I grant you full permission for you to call me by my given name. We have many more Important things to worry about than what you decide to call me"

"Will a rake match you more?"

"No" He clears his throat. "Was my kiss that bad? That you hate me so much?"

I turn away and touch my lips. "That does not matter. What matters is that you have done what you have"

"Will you join me? For tea?"

"Will, that have you leave me be?"

"Perhaps" He shrugs.

~

Prince James POV:

We sit in the drawing room and quietly drink our tea. Her mama sat not far from us.

"Shall we go for a stroll?" I whisper

She shakes her head and I rest my hand upon hers.

"Allow us to talk freely"

~

"There are worse things than the cards we have been dealt"

"Is that so?" She mumbles.

"Yes. Though I do not entirely enjoy your presence, I have thought of much worse parings"

"Is that supposed to be a compliment? Am I supposed to be thankful that the man I am to marry will be able to tolerate me?

"Must you twist my words?"

"Twist your words? That is what you said"

"You are impossible" He scoffs

"I shall return home then"

"We will not" I take her hand and turn her back to me.

"People are staring" She mumbles

"Let them stare. I demand answers"

She yanks her hand from mine and looks to the ground. "I am not supposed to like you. To enjoy your presence. To actually adore bickering with you. But I do. I do and I despise it with every part of my being. I enjoyed what you did yesterday and I do not wish to admit it. I do not wish to admit any of this. That is the matter"

I let out a breath and offer my arm. "Let us walk"