The Perfect Duchess (Completed)

Chapter 11. 1795 

James felt his heart give a jolt of delight as he saw Camille emerging at the top of the staircase leading into the ballroom behind Genevieve. She was a vision of beauty. He smiled at her, and she returned the gesture. His hand instinctively moved to cradle the ring box inside the pocket of his black trousers. For that evening, he was wearing a three-piece black silk suit with a dusty blue button up shirt, cream waist coat, white cravat, and black boots. That night was going to be the night that he proposed to Camille, the night that she was going to become his Duchess.
Noticing her beloved waiting for her at the bottom of the staircase, Camille felt her heart flutter with excitement.if there was ever a gentleman that was so handsome, so beautiful, and so perfect, it was James. And after that night, she was going to be his and he was going to be hers.
James extended his hand as Camille descended the last few steps into the ballroom. Smiling, he brought her gloved knuckles up to his lips for a tender kiss. "You look beautiful ma cherie."
Camille smiled, blushing a soft pink. "Thank you mon amour. You look very dashing."
James. "Thank you."
As the group of ladies and gentlemen made their way into the ballroom, Camille noticed Richard making his way toward Genevieve. He was wearing a three-piece suit of gold silk with a cream button up shirt, maroon waist coat, and matching cream cravat and black boots. She watched as the king took Genevieve by the hand, brushing his lips against her knuckles for a quick kiss. She noticed that there wasn't much affection between the two of them, at least not from Richard's end.
Genevieve gave her husband a soft smile before turning her attention to the group of gathered guests that were beginning to arrive. She began talking with a few of them, trying to keep her tone light and happy. It was clear that she wasn't going to allow Richard to dampen her spirits.
***
By midnight that same evening, James and Camille escaped from the bustling ballroom and went out onto the terrace. Dazzling fairy lights twinkled above their heads, snow covering the ground in a blanket of white. The evening was cold, but the two of them were dressed warm enough to keep out the chill.
James took a step forward and caressed Camilles cheek. "I've been waiting so long for this moment my love."
Camille gave him a tender smile, reaching up to stroke his cheek in return. "I've been waiting for this moment as well. We can finally be together and Richard won't be able to tear us apart."
Smiling brightly, James went down on one knee before her, removing a black velvet box from the pocket of his trousers. Opening the box, he removed a beautiful round diamond ring resting on a white gold band. Surrounding the clear diamond was a halo of circular blue diamonds. He took Camille's left hand into his, fixing his eyes with hers. "Camille my darling, I love you more than anything in this world. You've brought joy and happiness into my life. I want nothing more than to call you mine for all eternity. Will you marry me?"
Camille's eyes started streaming with tears of delight. "Yes, yes of course!"
Beaming, James slid the ring on her finger and rose to his feet. He brought her tightly against him, his lips crashing passionately against hers. His tongue careened into her mouth, twisting with hers. At last, he had his wife. And no one was going to take her away from him.
Camille closed her eyes, sliding her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. Her tongue danced with his, allowing him to take full control and dominate her. Finally, she was engaged to the man she loved and adored. And no one was going to tear them apart again.
They kept kissing for several minutes, soft moans of pleasure flowing from their lips. Their bodies caressed against one another, a blazing fire beginning to build. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps had them both freezing and turning to look behind them.
Rebecca Florence was standing behind them, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. She smiled deviously, one hand on her swollen belly. "So, it seems the two of you are engaged."
Camille glared at her. "Do not tell the king. Or I will tell everyone that you are expecting his bastard."
Rebecca growled. "Don't say a word about that."
James. "If you don't speak of our engagement to the king, your pregnancy won't be out in the open."
Rebecca. "Very well."
James and Camille watched as Rebecca turned and walked back into the ballroom. They exchanged a glance of anxiety. They were hoping and praying she wouldn't say a word to Richard about their engagement. If she did, they would be ruined. Little did they realize that Rebecca was going to be much more trouble than they first anticipated.