Royal Love

Chapter 13

   I didn't want to get up the following morning. I stayed in my bed until my ladies came. They set up bath water and I took my time with all my other morning tasks, in hopes that if I wasn't ready, the day would go slow. I skipped breakfast and when I was ready to leave my chambers I took a deep breath.

   I first went to find my sisters. They were in the ballroom again. Alice was attempting a waltz. That had always been her favorite as well as mine. When she saw me she asked for help. "Can you dance it again? Please."

   "Do you want to dance it with me?"

   She shook her head. "No. I just want to watch."

   I shrugged. Once the music started I glided across the floor. I hadn't noticed anything or anyone. Until someone was dancing with me. I jerked away and came to a stop. He chuckled at my shock. "I'm sorry, Princess. I did not mean to frighten you." He bowed and brought my hand to his lips. "I am Emanuel, Duke of Spain." He held a strong Spanish accent.

   I immediately dropped into a curtsy to help hide my discomfort. "It is nice to meet you."

   "Yes." I didn't like the way his eyes slide over me. "Again I am sorry for interrupting your dance."

   "It is fine.'

   "Sarah, can you dance again? I didn't get to see it to the end," Alice asked.

   I turned to her. "Of course I can."

   Emanuel spoke behind me. "If you would like to have a partner, I am a very good dancer."

   I frowned. I tried to keep the coldness from my voice. "It is perfectly fine. Alice might learn better by just watching me."

   "I will also be watching," he said.

   I walked to the center of the ballroom, and nodded for the musicians to start playing. Once again I swept across the floor, this time without interruption. I was hardly out of breath when I finished. My sisters and Emanuel clapped.

   Alice jumped up. "My turn."

  I laughed. "Yes." I watched her for a bit.

  "You are a graceful dancer Princess." Emanuel whispered in my ear. Goosebumps covered my arms at the sound of his voice.

   I spun around. "Yes. Now if you are going to be in this castle you are going to have to be a gentleman."

   "I wouldn't think of being anything else."

   "Good." I turned back to my sisters. "Alice keep your form."

   We watched her dance a while longer, then I brought Emanuel on a tour of the castle. We were walking through the gallery, when my father found us. 

   "Sarah. Emanuel. I'm glad the two of you have met."

   "King Danielsen. Always a pleasure."  

   "I have great news," my father informed us. "I have made arrangements for the wedding to take place here, out in the gardens, Saturday."

   My heart dropped. Today was Tuesday. That would barely be enough time to plan a wedding, or get to now Emanuel, and it was certainty not enough time to come up with a plan. Suddenly I felt dizzy. The room spun. "Sarah? Are you alright?" Emanuel's face had concern on it.

   "I.. I feel like I'm going to faint."

   My father took my arm to help steady me. "Emanuel, help my get her to the sofa." I stumbled across the room. I kept thinking: We have four days. We had to convince my father to let me marry someone I love in four days.

  They had just got me to the sofa when I fainted.

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   When I woke I was in my chambers. Henry sat at the edge of my bed. I sat up. "What are you doing here? What if my father caught you?"

   "Shhh. Elizabeth had a servant bring me a letter. I came as soon as I heard that you had fainted. I had to make sure you were all right. Elizabeth had your ladies help sneak me in."

   "Really?"

   He slide over so that he sat beside me. "Yes."

   "How long have I been asleep?"

   "A day."

   The memories of earlier came flooding back. "Oh Henry! My father set the date for my wedding. It's going to be Saturday."

   He pulled me to him. "We can figure something out."

   "How?" My voice was small.

   "To be honest I'm not sure." We sat in silence. "You should get some sleep. I should go."

   I grabbed his hand before he left. "No. Please stay."

   He looked at me. He looked almost pained. "I can't. Being with you, kissing you, it's all to tempting! I don't want to force you into anything."

   I pulled him toward me a kissed him. "We won't have to wait much longer." I pulled him onto the bed.

   We fell asleep in each other's arms.