Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 104: Quandary

Camilla found herself in a quandary and she didn’t feel like she could ask anyone for help, especially not her maids.

She was still dressed in the same apricot satin gown she’d donned in the morning, even though the skirt was slightly wrinkled at the front. She hadn’t even changed her chemise even though she’d spent part of the day uncomfortably wet between her legs.

She didn’t dare change into other garments however, as she didn’t know how to explain it to her maids. Not to mention if they helped dress her, they’d see not just the little pink marks all over her breasts but also the dark purple bite that William had left on her shoulder this morning.

She knew if she complained to William he’d just find her dilemma hilarious and never let her live it down.

"Truly, men have no idea how difficult it is to be a lady." Camilla complained under her breath. The apricot gown would have to remain.

She called Bonnie in and asked her to help with her hair instead. Camilla sat at her dressing table, staring blankly at the mirror in front of her while Bonnie carefully ran the comb through her locks.

Did she look different, like Elizabeth had commented? Camilla looked at her reflection. All she saw were the shadows under her eyes and the gaunt lines that had recently appeared under her cheekbones.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Bonnie whispered. "You look a little tired."

Camilla nodded. "I’m not sleeping well these days, Bonnie. I hope tonight will be better."

Bonnie nodded and said no more. Camilla watched her maid’s face in the mirror but there was nothing unusual in her expression. She continued arranging her hair in cascading waves down her back and slid on a pearl headband.

"Are you alright with how everything turned out with Sir Richard, Bonnie?" Camilla’s whisper was barely audible. "I know you cared for him."

The maid nodded and her eyes flashed with anger. "I’m well, Your Grace. In fact, I’m glad he’s gone. You were right when you said that he’d never have treated me how he did, if he actually cared about me. Did you have anything to do with him leaving, my lady? If so, then thank you."

"I had a word with Sir Richard several days ago about him needing to keep his distance from you and anyone in my household. But his departure from court was an event beyond my control." Camilla carefully murmured, telling herself that her reply wasn’t exactly a lie.

Bonnie nodded again and the two women’s eyes met in the mirror for the briefest moment in tacit understanding. They were distracted from further conversation by the arrival of the ladies-in-waiting, who sat in the armchairs and talked cheerfully while they waited for Camilla to finish getting ready.

Camilla stood up and Bonnie quickly scanned her. "My lady, let me fetch the hot press and I can smooth out your gown."

William happened to stroll into the presence chamber to see Camilla standing very still while Bonnie ran a small iron on the end of a long pole, down the flowing satin skirt.

Bonnie and the other ladies bowed to him as he glanced at Camilla.

"Good evening, ladies. Oh, Princess. Did you crease your gown?" William’s face was neutral but his eyes gleamed with mirth.

Camilla aimed a quick, furious look at him which made the corner of his beautiful mouth twitch.

He grinned and held out his hand to her, looking so heartbreakingly handsome that she had to smile back despite her annoyance.

"All done, my lady." Bonnie stepped away.

Camilla smiled her thanks and then took William’s hand, letting him lead her out to the corridor. The maids all stared agog at the prince’s gesture.

As they walked towards the banquet hall with her ladies a little way behind them, William’s voice was as uninterested as if they were discussing taxes. "I like this dress very much. It will always bring me fond memories."

Camilla pinched his hand subtly but hard. "I chose it because it’s one of the few dresses I have that I don’t need my maids’ help to lace up."

"Is that a problem?"

"Having to spend time and effort wrangling myself into a gown alone because I can’t let my maids see my skin that’s covered in the most indecent marks?" Camilla whispered. "You tell me, my lord. Does that sound like a problem to you?"

William looked at her incredulously for a moment, then threw his head back in boyish laughter.

"It isn’t funny, William!"

"Sorry..." he sputtered. "I truly never thought about that-" his words were cut off by another burst of laughter.

"Well I’d appreciate if you could think about these things a little more in future! It’s not easy being a girl as it is, without you adding more complications."

"You’re right." William managed to keep a reasonably straight face. "I’m sorry. You shouldn’t suffer more discomfort just because you happen to taste so delicious. I promise not to mark your skin again until our wedding night. I’ll take extreme care before then." He squeezed her hand and grinned again.

"About that-" Camilla started to speak but then realised they had almost reached the doors to the banquet hall. That particular conversation would have to wait until later.

William glanced at her as the guards were about to announce their arrival. "Ready to scandalise the court with our entry?" His eyes glowed.

Camilla smiled back and nodded. "You enjoy scandalising people far more than a prince should."

William laughed again and stroked the back of her hand reassuringly with his thumb.

- - -

William held her hand in a firm clasp as they walked through the busy banquet hall. He seemed to find pleasure in the cacophony of whispers and stares their entrance created. Camilla on the other hand, wanted to sink into the floor, especially at the number of jealous glares she received from the ladies.

When they reached the royal high table to perform their bows to the king and queen, King Edward gave them a small nod and a wry smile. Queen Celia beamed at the young couple.

Once the wine had been poured but before the servers started bringing out the platters of food, the betrothal was duly announced to the court by one of the king’s advisors. The king himself talked about the diplomatic benefits of the union and lead a congratulatory toast to wish the couple a fruitful life together.

Camilla was taken aback at how quickly the king announced the match, without any preamble. Perhaps he did it because he knew it wouldn’t necessarily be a popular match with his subjects. She looked around at the mixture of expressions as everyone obediently raised their glasses to her future, whether they were sincere or not.

William set next to her, looking coolly ahead. His smallest finger briefly tapped the side of her hand, so quickly that no one else would’ve noticed. He murmured without turning to face her. "Try and look a little less startled with the announcement, my dear."

"I didn’t think His Majesty would announce it quite so abruptly. Did you?" Camilla whispered back.

"I wasn’t completely sure but I thought it was a possibility. He’ll want everyone to think the betrothal was his clever idea, you see, not that his rebellious nephew forced his hand in any way. And if he was on the fence about announcing, I figured us walking in handclasped before his entire court would sway him."

Camilla gave him her fiercest side eye. "Do you really think goading the king is a wise move?"

"Why not? A little risk is worth it if it gives you the outcome you want." William tapped his goblet lightly to hers. "And now I suggest you smile and look pleased at marrying such a risk taker. Otherwise I may withdraw my proposal and you’ll be stuck marrying an old drunk Moraigthian lord after all."

"I wouldn’t make such threats if I were you." Camilla’s gaze placidly scanned the great hall. "Or I may be forced to tell your uncle to that despite giving him your word, you haven’t exactly followed his directions and kept your hands away from me."

"Ouch, beloved. That’s a terrible threat. The king would cut my cock off if you do that."

"Hmmm. I guess if that’s what happens, then I may have to rely on the old drunk Moraigthian lord as my backup option, after all." Camilla whispered sweetly.

A short laugh escaped William’s lips. "You’re a wicked creature. I’ll get you back for all this. There won’t be a single part of your skin that will be clear after our wedding night." He stood up lazily to greet the ambassadors heading in his direction.

As he walked behind her, Camilla felt his fingers graze the small of her hack for a brief moment. She sat ramrod straight, refusing to shiver at his touch.