The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) (24 page)

“That is not creepy at all.” I laugh at him.

James kisses my shoulder. “Rise and shine my Princess, for today you shall meet the Scottish court and I want to show off my beautiful bride.”

“I am a bride no longer.” I point out, letting James cherish my body.

“Mmm.” He moans, kissing from my neck to my collar bone. “To the people, you are a bride again today but to me, you will forever be my bride.”

I close my eyes. “You have such a way with words.”

“Is this good?” He asks, reaching my nipple.

“Yes.” I sigh in bliss. “You are almost a poet.”

“Almost a poet.” He laughs, his fingers going lower.

My breath catches when his fingers find their place, finding a circular rhythm that has me squirming.

“I thought we needed to get out of bed?” I ask breathlessly.

“Not just yet.” James bites softly onto my ear.

Within seconds I am clutching onto his arm and making so much noise, anyone outside our door would know what we were up to. But we are a married couple now and I do not care. After James has made sure that I am happily looked after, we begin to get ready for the day. James’ bedchamber is quite large and has two entry doors which is useful now that we are sharing it. His servants enter through one door, so they do not see me dressing with my Ladies on the other side of the room. A few drapes hung around provide some privacy if it is needed. The Queen made sure I had an appropriate dressing table with a large mirror and places to hang my elegant gowns, now that James and I are sharing.

My Ladies enter through one door and begin to prepare me for the day. I need to look my best because the Scottish people will be meeting their new Princess and future Queen today, and I want to make a good impression. I made sure to bring my most fashionable gowns and headpieces with me to impress them all. We decide on my green satin gown with the high collar, I think it suits Scotland and the occasion best of all. Lady Catherine decides having my hair down with a small braid on top will suit, and I must say it looks rather lovely. I did notice yesterday that the Queen and Princess both had most of their hair down.

James then greets me. “Grace you look wonderful.”

“I want to look my best for you.” I admit once we are alone.

“You always look so beautiful, do not worry.” James assures me. “Everyone will love you as I do.”

“I hope so.” I admit, that really would be useful.

My Ladies are also ready for their first day at Scottish court, and we all leave to begin the events. I walk with my arm in James’ and my Ladies closely follow behind. One of the exciting sights for men in a new court is seeing the Princesses Ladies joint their court. So as we walk through the castle, men eye my attractive Ladies as we pass by, complementing them.

“Your Ladies are doing well to keep quiet.” James quietly complements.

“I shall reward them later.” I reply, earning a laugh from James.

I hear a sound, a sort of music flooding through the castle and the closer we get the louder they become.

“Bagpipes.” James sighs with a happy look.

“Bagpipes?” I ask. “Is that was that noise is?”

“Noise?” Laughs James, placing his hand over his heart. “It is the sound of a Scots man’s heart.”

We come to the open doors that lead outside, a pretty footpath guides us to the large outstretch of grass. Here two large men are blowing into an object I am assuming are the bagpipes and whilst the music echoes all around, men are jumping with their legs and arms in tune with each other.

“It is called the Highland jig.” James whispers into my ear.

I look around, a lot of people are out here. They talk to one another, laugh with each other and I notice the discussions of politics being spoken. All around us, and it feels a happy place.

“Princess Grace.” I hear from left and see Princess Mary making her way towards us. “This is in celebration of yours and James’ marriage.”

I look around at everyone and I feel honoured. “I am truly honoured by it all.”

“That is wonderful.” She smiles, her red hair mostly gathered on the top of her head. “Are these your Ladies?”

“Yes.” I nod, introducing my Ladies one by one and Mary returns sentiment with her own. Mary has five Ladies in total and she only knew two from childhood. Whether we all know our Ladies in waiting or not, they each help us and are with us to attract a wealthy and agreeable husband.

“We are all looking forward to the feast tonight.” She looks back to her Ladies. “We have all been waiting to show you our dance in honour of you joining my family.”

“You really did not have to Mary, but I am truly honoured. Thank you.” I then spot Queen Margaret walking in our direction.

“Oh it is nothing.” Mary jumps. She spots me looking back at the bagpipes and leans closer, laughing into my ear. “You will get used to the sound of them.”  And runs away with her Ladies to practice some more.

“I told you she loves the attention.” James speaks jokes.

“Do not be cruel.” I poke him, although I do slightly see his point but I do not voice this.

James’ mother then approaches us, asking how our night was, which is a little uncomfortable, and then she kindly introduces some council members and important people present at court.  Most of the morning is spent like this, but no matter where I go or who I talk to, James does not leave my side. He takes care of me and I am so very grateful. I am in a new place, where I will live out my life and become Queen. Today is the first day of many, and it is intimidating but I get through it, thanks to my doting husband.

The day is spent in much the same way, meeting lots of people at court, until the temperature drops and I decide to go and change for the feast. This time I chose a flamboyant red gown to symbolise my English heritage, with my hair up. James seem speechless when he sees me, he does not say a thing but only holds me.

“James?” I laugh.

We are alone at the moment because my Ladies are all helping each other prepare for the feast. They are my Ladies in waiting and are representing me, therefore I have to have them looking good.

“I am just enjoying my wife before I have to share her with everyone.” James grumbles.

“Everyone will have me to themselves tonight, will they?” I tease him.

James pulls me back. “Do you have to tease me so Grace?”

I laugh at his childish face. “I am afraid I do.”

My Ladies make their own way down to the feast because I am entering with my husband. They wish me luck before they do and I return to me handsome Prince.

“Are you settling in ok?” He asks me.

“I think so, it is different but this is my new home and I will learn to love it as much as England.” I swear.

“Believe me, after I show you some things you will be in love with Scotland.” James promises.

“I will look forward to it.” I hold him around the waist. We share a quick kiss and then it is time for us to join the feast.

I start to become nervous as I hear the chatter from the great hall. I grip onto James arm tighter and he gently squeezes back. Michael greets us before the royal announcer shouts, “Prince James and his new bride, Princess Grace of England!”

We then enter, everyone is looking to us and they cheer loudly. James chuckles to himself, it seems the Scottish court are a little more laid back than the English and I admit to myself that it is refreshing and I like it. Walking to our seats on the top table, where the Queen, Princess Mary and Prince Thomas sit waiting, we are stopped by different court members. They all congratulate us and wish us all the best. We eventually reach our seats, sitting either side of the Queen, and she stands to begin the feast.

“Thank you everyone for celebrating my son’s marriage to his beautiful wife, Princess Grace. I think we can all agree she is as beautiful as they say,” she looks down to me and my face burns from the complement. I was not expecting that. “Eat as much as you can and wish them on a happy marriage full of healthy children and many sons!”

Everybody cheers and claps as Queen Margaret takes her seat. “Thank you mother,” James leans over to her.

“Thank you Your Majesty,” I add. Queen Margaret turns to me.

“Grace, call me mother or Margaret but please do not call me Your Majesty again. We are family now,” she laughs. Just hearing those words makes me feel lighter and nod to her, thankful for her kindness.

When the food can no longer be ate, the servants clear it all away while the music begins and some people begin to dance. The Queen is quickly out of her seat and mingling with the guests and others take it upon themselves to approach James and I, wishing us on a happy marriage. All of a sudden, Princess Mary gathers her Ladies and they begin their dance but it is not at all what I was expecting. The bagpipes fill the hall and they begin, their toes and fingers pointing in time with each other as they jump to the sounds of Scotland. I am truly impressed and when it is all done.

“That was marvellous Mary!” I approach her. “You must teach me sometime.”

“It would be my pleasure,” she beams.

James then asks me to dance and I jump at the chance, dancing with James is one of my favourite activities. I would let him hold me for my entire lifetime and it would not be enough. My Ladies and I enjoy some much needed time together, and we gossip about the Scottish men.

“I have not set my eyes on anyone as handsome as Prince James, but there are some that have caught my eye,” Catherine whispers.

“Yes,” Louisa agrees. “These men are so rugged and manly.”

“Calm down Ladies,” I laugh. “We have plenty of time for that.”

They begin to gossip some more, but I see Lady Jane does not look to be enjoying herself, “Jane? Are you ok?”

I lead her away from the others for some privacy.

“I am feeling rather tired,” she admits.

“You do look slightly pale,” I observe. “Are you ill?”

“No, do not worry Grace. I will go to bed and will be fine in the morning, you will see,” Jane insists and walks from the hall. I order a guard to escort her to her chambers, I do not like to see a Lady walking by herself.

“Is everything ok?” James asks me, returning to my side.

“I am worried about Jane,” I confide.

“Check in on her in the morning,” James suggests. “She is most probably tired.”

We have done a lot of travelling and my Ladies have had hard work today making sure all my belongings were safe and sound and put away nicely. She also must be feeling the loss of George. I too miss my family already but my Lady Jane has fallen for my brother. I know that if I was to be separated from James like this, I too would be down.

Last night, James decided we would retire to bed earlier than I thought but I soon discovered he did not intend to sleep. Instead we stayed up most of the night getting to know one another’s bodies, but I still did not dare to lick James where I most desire.

I lie in bed, trying to recover from our late night activities when there’s a loud knock on the door. James is quickly out of bed, wrapping his robe around himself, “I am coming!”

He opens the door, and I hear his little brother Thomas from outside, “Come quick, it is father.”

At that my heart drops, something is wrong with King Alexander.

James turns to me, a desperate look on his face and my heart tears for him. “Go to him,” I urge him.

“Will you come?” He asks me and he quickly gets dressed.

“As soon as I am able,” I do the same, grabbing any suitable clothing for myself.

James then calls for the guard outside our room, “Alert Princess Grace’s Ladies that she needs them at once.”

The guards run away, “I do not need them.”

“No but you will be quicker and I need you with me Grace,” James pleads, and of course I will do anything to ease the pain he is going through. “Get dressed appropriately, if you are seen in distress then people will panic.”

“I will be there,” I promise and he kisses me quickly before leaving with his brother, Thomas.

I am fastening my corset when my Ladies enter and they get straight to assisting me. I fill them in as they do and when I reveal that it is the King as I have to help James, they speed up. I do not bother with collars or fancy hair, as soon as it is brushed correctly, I leave to find James.

As I reach the Kings bedchambers, I see Mary walking towards me. As soon as she spots me, she speeds up and I then notice her red puffy eyes. “Oh Grace,” she cries.

“What is it?” I desperately ask.

“They say father will not last the day,” she answers me quietly. “He will die.”

I hold her as she cries, making sure Mary is not to be seen like this, “Would you like to come with me?” I ask. “I am meeting James inside your father’s chambers.”

“I cannot go in there,” she cries.

“As long as you are sure?” I ask, not wanting her to regret her decision.

Mary takes a deep breath and takes hold of my hand, “I will come with you.”

Together we walk the rest of the way to King Alexander’s chambers, Mary holding my hand very tightly. We knock on the large doors and a devastated looking Michael answers, letting us in without a word. I see James straight away, kneeling by his father’s bed. As I slowly approach, my heart squeezes when I overhear what Alexander is saying to his son, “You will be a great King.”

James then notices me and jumps up, holding me tightly and Mary let’s go of my hand. I hear her talking to her father as James lets himself be comforted.

“Grace,” I hear Alexander speak quietly when Mary leaves his side.

James lets me go and I cautiously approach King Alexander. “Your Majesty,” I greet him.

“Alexander,” he corrects me.

“Alexander,” I repeat, kneeling down to listen to him better.

“Grace,” he whispers. “Will you take care of my boy?”

“With my life,” I promise him.

“You love him?” He asks me, and I look over to James as he watches us.

“I do,” I turn to Alexander. “With all my heart.”

“That is good,” Alexander smiles. “I have prayed you will have many children.”

“Thank you,” I honestly thank. “You should be focusing on your recovery.”

Alexander laughs, “I am dying Grace, all I care for are my children and future grandchildren.”

I lean in closer and whisper directly into his ear so only he can hear me, “I shall name our first son Alexander.”

I look back to him and see he has tears. I gently kiss him before standing and joining James as the Queen privately talks with her husband. “He cannot die Gigi. He is my father,” I hear the mourning in his voice already. I look around the room, his mother and siblings surrounding their father and I feel as if I am interrupting.

“I will be with my Ladies,” I gently tell him and I know he is going to ask me to stay, but I interrupt. “You need to be with your family, I will be with my Ladies, waiting for you.”

With a final kiss, I leave James with his family and return to the bedchamber where I know my Ladies are waiting. I would like to stay with him, but I believe he will be better without me there. I do not get to my Ladies as quickly as I had planned, as I bump into people that I had met last night at the feast. This is why James wanted me presentable as normal, if I had not then these people would know something is up and we cannot have that right now.

“How are you enjoying Scotland?” A local Lord asks me.

“Immensely,” I answer as calmly as possible.

We continue with small talk, all the while I have James on my mind but I have to do my duty. My mother always told me that a Princesses and a Queens job was to keep everyone calm around the castle. To talk to the people and keep them away from the truth when something is wrong. We cannot have them knowing how serious it is with King Alexander, when a King dies is can become dangerous but luckily Scotland have James ready and waiting to take over from his father. There will be even more importance to us having children if that does happen, especially for James to have a son because he will need an heir. Right now, because the royal family are with King Alexander spending precious time with him, I am the only one around court. They are suspicious as to what is happening, because rumours spread, especially in court. I have to protect my husband and his family from them finding out. They will soon enough, but the longer it goes undetected the better.

Eventually I am able to find my Ladies in Jane’s room and I update them all.

“So the King will die?” Asks Louisa.

“I am afraid so,” I nod. “But we must not let on.”

They all nod in understanding and we prepare ourselves. I did tell James that he could find me in the bedchambers so I will have to send a message to the guards outside Alexanders doors that I will be around the grounds instead. I need to been around the castle with my Ladies and not hiding in my bedchambers. When I send the message to the guards, we leave Jane’s room and begin on our walks. Outside it is raining, so we will stay indoors and keep on smiling. My Ladies and I take this time to explore our new home, but I am afraid it is not long until a wide eyes Michael finds me.

“Princess,” he gasps. “James needs you.”

I suddenly feel very cold and I already know what has happened. My Ladies grasp my hands.

“Go,” Catherine whispers. “We will stay.”

With a short, nervous nod I then follow Michael, trying not to cause some panic as we make our way to the Kings bedchambers. When we are alone in the hall closest to the Kings quarters, I quietly ask Michael, “How is he?”

Michael shakes his head and replies just as quietly, “Not good Princess.”

We then pass some guards, standing either side of the hall and now I know we have complete privacy. The guards do not let you any closer unless you are royal, or you have an invitation. Michael and I stay quiet as we pass another set of guards and then we are face to face with the Kings quarters, the large double doors facing us. James is pacing outside of them and as soon as he sees me, he runs towards me.

“He is dead,” he crumbles in my arms. “My father is dead.”

I hold him as tightly as possible as my husband lets his emotions break free, trying to guide us to a more private area away from the guards. I know James will not want to be seen like this, and while he breaks down I am the one looking after him. There’s a bench along one of the walls not too far from the double door, so we sit there and I let James recover a little.

“What has happened?” I ask him again.

“He was talking, just as when you were with us and he fell asleep but we were unable to wake him. As soon as he was announced as dead, I had to have you with me,” James explains.

My heart breaks, “Oh James, I am so sorry.”

I sit closer and James wraps his arms around me, “I am so glad I have you with me right now.”

“As am I,” I kiss his hand.

For the rest of the day, the Scottish council members are alerted to King Alexander’s death and James is busy all afternoon. Between announcing the death, signing documents and organising what happens next, I do not get to see him much. I put on my black cloak and sooth the court members as best as I can, along with Princess Mary and Prince Thomas. It is our job to give everyone the details they need to know while the Queen is in mourning.

I wait that night for James to come to bed, my Ladies have assisted me and are in bed themselves. I am tired from the events of today and I feel for everyone in the family. Alexander would have touched many hearts and I know he meant a lot to his family. He seemed like a good man to me, the little time I spent with him he only spoke nice words to me, and what he told me on his death bed will touch me for as long as I live and I will keep my promise. When the day comes for James and I to have a baby boy, he will be named Alexander.

I have written a letter to my mother, informing her of the events that have happened since I arrived and the tragic events of today. It would be wrong for me not to write to her about the death of the Scottish King.

My eyes become heavy, when I am alerted by the door opening and I see my husband slowly walk through. He leans back against the door when he closes it behind him and my heart breaks at the sight of him. He looks so lost.

“I thought you would be sleeping,” he speaks.

“I had to wait up for you,” I answer and James begins to walk towards me, falling onto the bed and I stroke his thick, dark hair. “How are you?”

James closes his eyes. “You know, you are the only person to ask me that. The entire day,” a tears rolls down his cheek. “Thank god I have you.”

I begin to help him undress, caring for the man that is mine and hoping he will get through this. He loved his dad, I can see that and I cannot imagine the pain he is going through. If it were me, I would be in pieces for I love my father too.

I hold James for the whole night, letting him feel my love for him and that he can see I am here for him. It is not until the morning that I realise what all of this means. James is now King and I am Queen.