The Reluctant Princess - a Novella

Chapter 10 - On the Terrace

***Warning - Explicit sexual content***

Elizabeth slept in late the next morning, which was not her custom. She lay in bed, luxuriating under the covers, unable to think about anything but the events of the day before. Just thinking about Henry kissing her and telling her about his wicked fantasy made her heart race and her belly ache with need. She was not completely ignorant about what happened between a man and a woman in the marriage bed, but, aside from the mechanics of the copulation act, she had not considered much else. Now, as she let her fertile imagination run freely, the possibilities seemed endless.

When the noon hour began to approach, Mildred began to get anxious and finally, Elizabeth slid out of bed and braced herself for the many (largely unnecessary) hours of preparation for the ball.

Both her mother and sister joined her in her chambers hours later to fawn over her, as if Mildred were not enough of an annoyance, but she was grateful for the distraction. She welcomed anything that would help keep her mind off her betrothed, who had evidently thought it prudent to avoid being anywhere near the frightening team of females today.

By the end of the ordeal, she found herself secretly hoping Henry would send one of those devastating, appreciative grins her way.

She stood by the full-length mirror, studying her reflection and trying to decide whether she liked this glamorous version of herself. She was clad in a shimmering scarlet gown that would ensure she would be the center of attention, and this unnerved her considerably, because it would only be the beginning of her new life as the crown prince's wife. In one short week, she would be a princess of the realm, a future queen. All eyes were going to be on her and on her every move, for as long as she lived. It was a lot to digest, and for the first time, she actually thought she was in over her head. She did her best to hide her apprehension, however, and when it came time for her to make her grand entrance into the ballroom, she was smiling serenely for the expectant crowd.

Henry stood by the ballroom entrance, waiting for her, his gaze skimming her form from head to toe but finally settling on her face as she reached him and held out her gloved hand.

He brough it to his lips and his eyes sparkled with excitement, then he offered her his arm. She slid hers through it and instinctively pressed herself closer to him, hoping his confidence would somehow seep into her.

"I trust I don't have to tell you how spectacular you look," he whispered as he began to guide her around the room to make formal introductions.

"Thank you, your highness," she replied blushing a little.

He grinned and glanced sideways at her as they approached the Belgian foreign minister.

"As much as I would prefer you call me by my given name," he whispered, "I am starting to like this your highness business... I think we can work that into our bedroom activities..."

She stared at him, rather shocked he would speak of such a topic in a public setting, and she would have loved to ask him to explain himself, but the wicked man was already greeting the minister, so she had no choice but smile and make a mental note to seek clarification at a later date. The small wiry Belgian was smiling broadly at her, overt appreciation in his deep- set brown eyes, and though he was at least a decade older than her, he was rather a handsome and distinguished gentleman. His overt appreciative gaze flattered her, and she blushed prettily as he took her hand.

She greeted him in French and made small talk with him, trying to keep her composure, despite the fact Henry's hand had come to rest on her hand on his arm and the addled prince was absently stroking her knuckles as she tried to converse.