The Perfect Duchess (Completed)

Chapter 2. 1795 

Camille. Her name and voice were exquisite. James did detect a French accent, but it was overshadowed by her British accent. He had never spoken to, much less scene, a more beautiful woman. He smiled at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Eau Claire. Are you enjoying the festivities?"
Camille smiled back. "Very much, I am hoping that his royal highness treats Genevieve with love and respect. She's a dear friend of mine, and I want her to be happy."
James. "I am hoping for that as well. We are going to have to wait and see what happens."
Camille. "How long have you served his Royal highness?"
James. "Two years. I began serving him when I was 21 years old. And what about you? How long have you been serving her Royal Highness?"
Camille. "Since the beginning of last year, when I was 18 years old. We were in France when I began serving her. When she became betrothed to Richard, I knew I needed to follow her and continue serving her as her lady and waiting."
James. "That's very kind of you to keep serving her. Seems the two of you are very close friends."
Camille. "We are. Before I became her lady in waiting we had our debut together."
James. "How lovely. I'm hoping to have the same relationship with his Royal highness. We don't really see eye to eye on most topics of conversation. However, I do respect him as my sovereign."
They moved towards the railing of the Windsor castle garden, gazing down into the garden and admiring the blossoms that possessed it. There were roses, gardenias and hyacinth, lilies and wisteria. They didn't speak for a few moments, only listening to the chirping of the crickets in the nearby bushes. They were both wanting the marriage of Richard and Genevieve to go well and be prosperous. They knew that only time was going to determine that, not to mention the relationshipThey knew that only time was going to determine that, not to mention the relationship that the two of them were beginning to form.
James glanced at her. "Shall we go back inside?"
Camille. "I believe that's a good idea your grace. We can't have any scandal brought to our names."
James gave her a wicked smile that sent her toes curling. "Indeed we can't."
Smiling at each other, they walked back into the ballroom to make sure that their master and mistress were taken care of. They didn't want any scandal brought to their names at that moment. Their focus was strictly on Richard and Genevieve and making sure that they had everything they needed. It was quite clear, however, that they would have the opportunity to see one another every single day that they served the future monarchs of England.
***
Two hours later, while Camille was helping Genevieve out of her wedding gown and into a nightgown, she couldn't stop thinking about James Remington, and how handsome he was. The Duke of York was a gentleman unlike any she had ever seen, much less spoken to. He had a poise and elegance about him that most gentleman didn't possess. He was kind and gentle, yet had a wicked charm about him that made her heart race.
Genevieve. "You seem to be very lost in thought cherie."
Camille blinked, blushing bright pink. "A little, but I apologize."
Genevieve smiled. "It's all right cherie, there's no need to apologize. But I'm quite curious, what, or who, were you thinking about?"
Camille became even more bright pink. "A certain gentleman."
Genevieve sat down on her vanity chair and started brushing her curls. "And which gentleman is this?"
Camille moved into the closet to hang up Genevieve's wedding gown. "The Duke of York."
Genevieve stopped brushing her hair and turned to look at her dearest friend. A huge smile spread across her face. "Do you mean James Remington?"
Camille stepped out of the closet. "Yes, I do mean him. He is quite the gentleman, handsome and elegant and kind."
Genevieve put down her hairbrush. "And one of the most honorable gentleman you'll ever meet. I am hoping that Richard is going to be like that. I don't want to fail him as his wife or his queen. I know he needs a son, he's told me so multiple times."
Camille moved toward her mistress, sliding her nightgown over her head. "Then we must prepare you for your wedding night your highness."
Genevieve agreed, and within half an hour, she was lying in bed and waiting for Richard to come and be with her. She had no idea what her wedding night was going to be like, or what Richard was going to be like in bed. She took a deep breath after dismissing Camille and her other two ladies in waiting, Felicity and Louisa. She had to prepare herself mentally and physically for what the night was going to bring.
As Camille left Genevieve, she noticed Richard making his way down the hall toward her chamber. She felt her skin beginning to crawl as the future monarch stared at her with hungry eyes. She swallowed hard, keeping her eyes lowered to the floor. She was halfway to the stairs when she heard him calling out to her. Reluctantly, she turned around to look at him. "Yes your highness?"
Richard stepped forward, his eyes focusing on her. They glided down her body, and he purred softly with approval. "You are very beautiful Camille."
Camille trembled, feeling very uncomfortable. It was one thing to be stared at by the Duke of York, who hadn't been staring at her so vulgarly. But it was a whole other thing to have the future king of England staring at her like she was a piece of cake on a pedestal.
Richard reached out and caressed her cheek. "I would love to have you in my bed Camille."
Camille took a step back. "Your highness, you have your wedding night to go to. I need to go downstairs. If you will excuse me, I must go."
Before Richard had any time to say more, Camille turned on her heel and practically ran downstairs towards the servants quarters. She couldn't believe that Richard was wanting her when he had his wife to be intimate with that night. She didn't want him, and that was for certain. She wished with all of her heart that Richard wouldn't try to seduce her into his bed.