Princess of Athelia: An Unfinished Fairy Tales Novella (11 page)

Well, there goes any hope of finding a substitute for Edward when I’m gone. But now I don’t feel any remorse. I promised Edward that we’d be the happiest couple in Athelia, and this time, I swear I will keep my promise.

“Well, although I am glad that Katriona is well,” Philip says, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth, “might I remind you, my dear cousin, that you are not married yet. Even though I can perfectly comprehend your feelings.”

“Not to mention that you aren’t even officially engaged,” Constance says. Her tone is more severe—not surprising, since she’s a stickler for propriety.

I sneeze just at that moment. Edward reaches into his pocket and gives me his handkerchief. “Send for the doctor immediately. I will not have Kat develop a cold.”

* * *

Our remaining few days at Northport are the happiest I have experienced since entering the palace. I caught a cold after all—not surprising, considering that I was standing for a while before a servant brought me a towel—and was ordered to stay in bed until His Royal Fussiness and the physician decided I was well enough to leave. It’s almost like being Jane Bennet, although however attentive Edward behaves, his manner will always seem more Darcy-ish to me.

Edward seems smugly content—which I soon discover why. After that public demonstration that borders on scandalous, my reputation is as good as ruined by my would-be fiancé. It also sent a message to the others: the prince was so overcome with relief that his beloved is safe that he couldn’t control himself in an irrational display of passion. It will be an ill-considered move to separate us.

I’m both embarrassed and pleased. To think that the best way to safeguard from being tricked into a compromising position is to simply engage in the compromising position ourselves.

“Are you sure it’s okay if you don’t go out with them?” I ask. Duke Philip and the men have just left for another grouse-shooting expedition in the moors. From the bed, I can see them astride their horses, the brass holsters of the guns poking from their hips.

Edward settles on a stool by the bed. “Perfectly sure. In fact, I have to thank you. This is the perfect excuse I need to not join the hunt. I always prefer to create a life rather than to extinguish one.”

There’s a rustle of skirts. Constance enters, followed by an array of servants. She waves a hand like a commander, and they go to work like well-trained soldiers. One stokes the fireplace, another clears the dishes on my breakfast tray, and yet another changes the hot water bottle.

“My dear Katriona! Do tell me that you are feeling better this morning. We were
so
concerned about you, and your presence at breakfast was sorely missed.”

“Um . . .” Considering that I rarely speak more than a sentence or two among them, I suppose she’s just being polite, especially since Edward’s also there. “I’m sorry. Actually, I’m almost recovered. I would have attended breakfast if
someone
”—I send Edward a meaningful look—“hadn’t insisted on treating me like a porcelain doll.”

“It is for the safety of others, as well,” Edward says with his emotionless face on. “To prevent them from being infected from your cold.”

I roll my eyes. “And you are immune?”

He doesn’t even blink. “Henry has always told me my constitution is as impregnable as a fortress.”

Constance looks between us, her beautiful brown eyes blinking. “Now, now—let us not have a tiff in the morning. Honestly, my dear”—she looks at me and shakes a slender finger that would look perfect on a piano—“you ought be more appreciative of such affection, not to mention that he is the prince. And you, young man, must be prepared to endure grudges and grumbling from the menfolk.”

Edward raises an eyebrow. He looks genuinely puzzled. “Why?”

“At breakfast, all the ladies could talk of nothing but how you refused to leave Katriona’s side. Now all the husbands will be nagged about how they should aspire to your level of attentiveness.”

I giggle. Edward chooses to turn to the window in dignified silence, but a telltale blush is spreading from his neck to his ears. I’m tempted to tease him, but I decide not to since Constance is still here.

“How is Thomas, by the way?”

Constance nods. “Lords bless him; he is doing all right. We gave him a right good scolding, and he’s forbidden to go out for the entire week.”

“Teach him how to swim,” Edward says, his tone frigid. “As well as Tristan and Liana.”

“
Rosie
? But—”

“Unless you prefer that she never walk near the lake or go rowing?”

Constance looks scandalized. “You cannot suggest that my only daughter, brought up with propriety and care, go
swimming
in the open air. Have you not considered her reputation? What will the neighbors think?”

“It is, of course, not my place to advise how you raise your children. Remember, however, that were Kat not present when Thomas fell in, he might have drowned.”

“Pardon me,” I add, straightening my spine. “But having talked to Rosie, I do believe that she wishes to learn more than simply the lessons you have assigned her.” I give an account of how Thomas bullied Rosie and how she preferred to work on math problems than her needlework. “I’m not saying that her . . . um . . . lady lessons are bad, but should we not respect her desire to broaden her knowledge?”

Constance purses her lips; obviously she’s conflicted between the conventional way of raising her daughter and the new information that I have presented. “But even if I allow Rosie to take different lessons, there are no resources. The governess knows very little other than literature and music. And it’s impossible that I send her to boarding school along with Tristan and Thomas.”

I fold my hands and give her my best imperial gaze, perfected by practice with Madame Dubois. “That you need not be worried about. I am already involved in the planning for a girls’ school. Both rich and poor will be allowed to attend, so girls can receive a practical education—not a superficial one that revolves around pleasing menfolk. Will you allow Rosie to be sent to the school when it opens?”

A brief look of surprise from Edward, but his reaction is just beautiful. “You may be assured that this girls’ school will receive full support from the crown.”

Silence ensues. “But . . . I don’t . . .” It’s the first time I’ve seen Constance stammer. “I must have time to think it over.”

“Certainly.” I smile at her encouragingly. “I look forward to a favorable reply.”

When Constance leaves us, Edward comes to my side and threads his fingers through mine. I look into his eyes, and my heart feels like bursting from the admiring, affectionate gaze in his face. It has been some time since he looked at me like that. “Now
that
is the Kat I know and love.”

15

Edward slips the engagement ring onto my finger. It is set with emeralds, diamonds, white topaz, amethysts, and rubies—gemstones that form his name. Somehow, the jeweler was able to fashion the gems in a pattern that doesn’t look too flashy, for which I’m thankful.

It’s the day that our engagement is officially announced. Edward and I stand in the center of a room, surrounded by close friends and relatives. They will witness the ceremony of the man presenting his engagement gift, which is typically a ring.

The king and queen wear simple but elegant crimson robes, both of them smiling broadly. Mr. Davenport has his arm around Poppy, who isn’t showing, but she has a hand over her stomach already. Elle stands near them, looking fresh and lovely in a pale, pink gown. I might have imagined it, but I catch her glance at Henry across the room and a smile, small but sweet, blossoms in her face. Edward told me that Henry, much to the duchess’s displeasure, offered to give biology lectures in the new girls’ school. Score one for Henry. This definitely means he is making progress in his relationship with Elle.

Lady Bradshaw, my “mother” in Story World, wears an uncertain, awkward smile. I think she still hasn’t gotten over the shock that it is I who caught the prince’s eye, not her other movie-star-gorgeous daughter. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpse Bianca—tall and regal and her lips formed in a tight smile. She disappeared when Duke Philip invited us to his mansion. Later, Meg informed me that my “sister” tried to seek the fairies, possibly in the hopes of getting a spell di amor, or something similar, to ensnare the prince. She was unsuccessful in her quest as few people actually knew where the fae resided. After days of searching in vain, she returned and resigned herself to an offer from Lord Mansfield’s nephew.

“This is heavier than I expected.” I hold up my hand; the jewels gleam in the light. “I won’t be able to hold a fan during future balls.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Edward smirks. “Your inability to command grace and elegance eliminates the need to carry a fan.”

I raise my eyebrows in mock anger. “How dare you insult me so! I suppose I shall have to withhold the gift I prepared for you.”

Now it’s his turn to raise his eyebrows, though it’s an expression of pure surprise. “A gift? For me?”

I signal to Amelie, who comes forward with a small, dark blue box wrapped in white ribbons. Edward opens the box and lifts out a silver watch chain with a heart-shaped fob attached to it. I motion for him to flip the fob over. Engraved on the back are our initials in long, loopy letters, entwined in an embrace.

Edward looks up, his gaze filled with affection. I swear, if there weren’t others present, he would kiss me on the spot.

“How did you acquire this?”

“Stole it when the shopkeeper wasn’t looking.” Nearby, the duchess deals me a glare. I smile and wink at her. “Well, actually . . . I bought it from the proceeds of my interview of the children. Mr. Wellesley wrote me a check.”

Edward smiles. “And you chose to spend it on me.” Carefully, he fastens his pocket watch to the chain and puts it in his pocket. Then he takes my hand. “Now, I daresay it is time that we face the public.”

Outside, reporters are gathered in the courtyard. A flash goes off, making me feel as though I’m in Hollywood. I was amazed when the king and queen told me that there would be a press conference after the gift ceremony, but if the papers can print my story on child labor, they can certainly cover a report on the royal engagement.

Edward leads me to the top of a flight of stairs that leads down to the courtyard. Bertram and several other palace guards stand at the foot of the stairs to prevent any unruly person from getting too close.

My palms start to sweat. I’ve rarely had any experience in public speaking—apart from that one-time outburst in the park, when I was so incensed by a stranger doubting my report on child labor. But this is different. I am now princess of Athelia and have to maintain a dignified presence in public.

“Your Highness!” a bushy-haired reporter yells. “I wager a hundred people have already asked you this question, but our readers really want to know—of all the girls in the ball, what made you choose Lady Katriona Bradshaw?”

Edward grins. “Believe it or not, I had been courting her before the ball. It took me a long time, but eventually she accepted my proposal.”

Murmurs of disbelief run through the crowd. A few people look at each other and shrug—obviously this was
not
the answer they were expecting.

“Er . . . Lady Katriona,” the same reporter asks. “Can you tell us the reason for your hesitation?” He doesn’t say it, but he could have added,
Normally any girl would be delighted to have the prince.

“I was an idiot.”

More noises from the crowd. Yeah, that was definitely not the answer they expected, either.

“But now that I’ve come to my senses”—I squeeze Edward’s hand—“I pledge you, Prince Edward of Athelia, my undivided devotion and eternal affection. Forever.”

Dear reader,

It’s not over yet! Kat will meet Edward again in the sequel,
Ever After,
which I plan to release in 2016.

In the meanwhile, you can check out my other books (see the next page), or if you haven’t done it yet, sign up for my newsletter:
http://www.ayaling.com/newsletter.html
. What you’ll get for joining the club:

1. Receive a bonus Kat/Edward scene, plus deleted scenes. I may add new material from time to time once I get the ideas.

2. Be the first to know when I have a new release. New releases are usually discounted for a limited time.

3. Be the first to know when I give away free stuff, call for advanced readers, run a poll, or other fun activities.

For more information, connect with me at my website:

http://www.ayaling.com

~Aya~

Books by Aya

UNFINISHED FAIRY TALES

The Ugly Stepsister

Princess of Athelia

Ever After
(coming in 2016!)