"Do you think I will have time to prepare for a visit to Scotland with you?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm sure you do."

"Yes," she said, furrowing her brows

We finished eating and strolled down the hallway near the great hall, pausing near my father's study.

The lights illuminated everything. I could see my father's mighty shadow from somewhere beyond my sight. My mother sat in a chair near the fire, while James leaned against the fireplace mantle. He held his head while my mother stared at the floor. My father's personal butler passed glasses of wine to the three people within the room.

I knocked on the door and waited for his personal groom to answer.

"Princess Evelyn."

"Henry."

He bowed while opening the door for us.

"Evelyn, wonderful. We were discussing the wedding."

"Oh wonderful. Would it be possible to visit Scotland prior to the wedding? I have never been there before."

"A visit?" Father asked.

"Yes, perhaps a progress through the English countryside to Scotlan?"

Mother and father exchanged knowing glances to one another.

"I think that's a wonderful idea."

I smiled at Charlene and elizabeth.

"What about Evelyn's safety?" father asked.

"Your kingdom isn't the only one with secrets, King Cassius."

"What is that supposed to mean?" my mother asked.

"I, too, have an elite guard. We can keep Evelyn safe."

"What if I send along Elizabeth?" the duchess Angeline, my mother's best friend, strode into view from somewhere.

"Mother!" Elizabeth exclaimed.

She kissed her daughter's cheek before sitting down near my mother.

"I wouldn't expect anything else, Angeline."

"Our guards would also accompany them."

"After last night, is there any question about James's ability to keep me safe? Or that I can protect myself?"

"You are like your mother. More than you know. You two could be identical if she were not so much older."

"I'm going to make sure that supper is being prepared."

"Majesty, your guests are arriving."

"Thank you, Henry."

"Princess, would you accompany me to the banquet hall?" James asked, holding out his arm to me.

I nodded my head and stood. We walked to the entrance and waited for the harold to announce us to the small crowd of lords and ladies. A majority of our nights had dinners filled with a lot of lords and ladies. They always wanted something from father and mother. I took my seat at the table with Jams to my right. A few of the ladies whispered and stared at James.

Charlene headed toward the kitchen to be sure the food was prepared properly and the vegetables not steamed to mush again. The minstrels began playing a harmonious melody as the courtiers arrived, taking their respective places at the large U-shaped table. As the night wore on everyone continued to wait for my parents. I could see everyone growing restless as they wondered where the king and queen could be.

"I think I should urge my parents to supper before people begin to rebel here."

"Good idea," Elizabeth mumbled.

As I stood to leave, the trumpets sounded as Angeline, along with my parents entered the room.

"Never mind."

My parents did their best to force a smile. I knew they were nervous about having so many people in the castle after the incident last evening.

"You're going to Scotland tomorrow."

"Excuse me?" I asked. "Tomorrow?"

"James, you were still planning on returning home tomorrow?"

"Yes," he replied.

Mother nodded. "Good. We shall go with you under the guise of a progress for peace and unity. It's for Evelyn's safety, but as far as everyone else is concerned, this will be her first royal duty as princess of England."

Father looked at me."After your stay there we will announce your engagement to the prince."

I nodded and stabbed a soggy carrot with my fork.

"Elizabeth and Charlene will join you."

"I understand."

"Nobody else will be joining you. We cannot trust anyone. Do you understand? Nobody is to know why you are really going there."

"I understand, mother."

I ate in silence as everyone continued talking in hushed voices. A few of the lords and ladies came around to offer greetings of joy to my parents, James, and Angeline. One lady in particular, a blonde with big blue eyes and about as dimwitted as they come flirted relevantly with the prince. I chewed my bottom lip, watching them from the corner of my eye, attempting not to look interested. Inside it bothered me a great deal. It seemed odd that I felt such a way after only meeting him.

I don't love him. It's so ridiculous for me to even the slightest bit of jealousy toward that girl for wanting to be near him. He is, after all, a prince. However, he's my prince. My future husband.

I slammed my fork down; everyone around me stopped what they were doing and stared. Including the horrible blonde-haired woman. I recognized her somewhat. I was fairly certain she was a baron's daughter from some farming town to the south.

"Evelyn? Is everything all right?" my mother questioned.

"Fine," I lied, forcing my best fake smile.

I stood and walked to James. "I would like to dance. Join me?"

I held my hand out to the man and waited, clenching my jaw, for his response. The blonde noblewoman huffed her annoyance with me. The impetuous tart had nerve doing such a thing to me, the princess. I glared at her, causing her to stand straight up and curtsy before fleeing my glare.

"Um, yes. I'd love to dance."

He took my hand and allowed me to lead him to the center of the dancing couples.

"Care to tell me what that was about?" James asked.

"What was what about?" I asked innocently.

"The way you acted around the young lady? I believe she said her name was Marissa?"

"She's a tart."

"Do you know her?" he asked.

"Only through reputation." He spun me around as I switched partners.

I groaned when I saw whom he ended up with, Marissa the tart. She giggled and smiled her big, blue eyes lit-up, as he got close. I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily.

"Are you quite all right, princess?" the man I danced with asked.

"Fine. Thank you." As the music changed, I stopped dancing. "Please excuse me. I believe I see a friend, the Duke of Norfolk, looking for me. Thank you for the dance."

I stormed from the dance floor to the spot where the elderly man stood. He walked with an intricately designed cane which I believed was all for show.

"Your grace."

"Is that dear sweet, Princess Evelyn?" he asked, kissing my cheek.

"It is good to see you again. How are you?"

"Fine, child. I am so glad that you're okay."" He stared at me with his distant stare. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything is well."

"I can hear it in your voice. Do tell what troubles the princess of England?"

"You hear right. I am troubled, and I'm not sure what to do."

"What troubles you?"

"I seem to be jealous of your nephew and that woman he's been dancing with," I said.

"What woman?" Norfolk asked. "I see him sitting at the table with the king and queen."

"What?" I spun around to see James back in his seat looking rather melancholy.

Interesting.

"It would seem that even when tempted he decides to sit."

"It does seem like that."

"I wonder why," Norfolk said.

"I wonder."

"I think perhaps my nephew is in love. But with who?" He looked at me and winked.

"How is it possible to fall in love with someone so fast? I don't even know him besides he's a prince in Scotland."

"Have you tried to get to know the young man?"

"We haven't had an opportunity to get to know one another."

"Make time."

"It's hard when there are ill reputable girls everywhere."

"Ahh, I see the problem. You are jealous."

"Of course I am not. Why would the princess of England be jealous of anyone?"

"Because you ae. Go talk to him. Get to know him. I don't see anyone trying to kill you right now."

I returned to my seat and poked at the remainder of my dinner. My stomach twisted in knots as I kept glancing at James.

"Your grace," the blonde said, curtsying in front of him again.

"Marissa, you're back."

"Would you care to dance again?" she asked.

"Oh, uh..."

"Forgive us, please. I believe you had asked about a stroll?" I asked.

"Yes. I would love that walk."

She pursed her lips and hurried away in a flurry of damask and ruffles. James stood and held his arm out to me.

"I suppose I should get used to that," I mumbled.

"To what?"

"Women fawning over you."

"Oh, no. I don't think so."

"Don't be modest, James. You're a handsome man."

"But I'm going to be your husband, Evelyn."

"I'm not naive, I know many kings in the European countries have mistresses."

He furrowed his brow and pouted a bit. "Not all kings."

"No?" I side-eyed him to watch his expressions.

A soft smile played at his lips. "Not all kings take mistresses."

"I suppose not. My father never did."

I looked at James as he rolled his eyes.

"What?" I asked.

He shook his head and sighed heavily. "Nothing. Where shall we walk?"

"The rose gardens are my favorite place."

I led him through the side doors and out to the hedges of flowers. They were in full bloom and covered every inch of the green. We walked arm in arm throughout the hedges. The guard presence around the castle had increased tenfold since the attack.

"Is this what you want, Evelyn?"

"What?"

"Marriage. With me."

"Oh. Well, of course. It's a smart match."

"That's not what I mean, Evelyn."

"Then what?" I asked quizzically.

"Is this what you want. Not what your parents want."

"Yes. We get along quite well. Our countries will prosper."

"Do you love me?"

"Love? We barely know each other, James."

His gaze diverted to his shoes.

I stopped and looked at him before placing my hand on his cheek. "Don't think of it as a bad thing. I enjoy time with you and I want to marry you. We just have to marry in order to get to know one another."

"It's not fair to us though."

"Perhaps not," I said. "But the heirs of two countries don't have such luxuries as falling in love before marriage."

"Your parents did," he said.

"My parents are the exception to everything."

"What does that mean?"

I shook my head while sighing heavily.

"No. Tell me. Please?"

"My mother...she wasn't an heir to an entire country. She was simply a lady born into the right family."

"Oh she is more than that."

I pursed my lips and nodded before walking on.

"You want to get married don't you?" he questioned, hurrying to catch up to me.

I nodded again.

"Evelyn?"

"What?"

"Do you want to marry me?"

"Of course."

"I don't believe you."

"James, I want to marry you. We are a smart match and you're a very wonderful man. Let's walk and enjoy the peace."

We walked about the gardens as music drifted out the windows. He reached over and intertwined his fingers with mine. His hand was warm and slightly damp.

Is he nervous?

I glanced over at James and could see his face flush as he chewed his lip. I smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. His lips twitched up at the corners as we made our way back to the ball.

"Evelyn!" Elizabeth called.

I glanced at her before hurrying away from my future husband. Elizabeth grabbed her skirts and ran after me.

"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked.

"Emotions. Confusing emotions."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not anymore. I'd rather just go to bed."

"Did something happen with James?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Why is he dancing with her?"

I spun on my heels to see him hand in hand with Marissa. I could feel my face flushing. My entire body felt like it was on fire.

We just came inside!

"He can do as he pleases," I muttered. "He's not my husband."

"Yet," Elizabeth said quietly.

I turned to my mother and kissed her cheek. "I'm retiring. I shall see you in the morning."

Mother nodded her head and waved her hand for me to go. I rolled my eyes as she returned to the conversation she had with father and who appeared to be the envoy from Italy. I stood and left the room without anyone noticing. At least I thought nobody noticed. I stood near the stairs leading to the second floor when someone grabbed my wrist. I turned around, prepared to hit them in the face.

"Stop!" James said.

"What are you doing? Why would you sneak up on me?" I asked.

"Why did you leave?"

"I am tired. I'm going to bed," I said, wrenching my arm out of his.

"What are you doing? Why are you acting in such a way?"

I glanced up and saw the baron's daughter standing near the doorway. I shook my head and proceeded up the stairs. "I believe Marissa is waiting for you, Prince James."

"What?" He turned and saw the green-clad girl standing there, waving to him like a little imp. "For the love of all things. I told her it was simply a dance in which we were partners for a few moments."

"Well she obviously finds you oh so attractive."

"Evelyn, you are completely blowing things out of proportion."

I shook my head and continued up the stairs.

"Please!"

"James, I will not be hurt. Not by a man. Not ever. If this is how you are, I don't want to go to Scotland or be your wife."

"What do I have to do to prove she is nothing to me?" He chased me up the stairs.

"I don't know."

He grasped me about the waist and spun me toward him. He stepped up to my stair and stared into my eyes with his beautiful, brooding gaze. He cupped my chin in his hands and caressed my cheek with his other. His fingers trailed down the side of my face to my neck. My attention drew to his lips. My heart sped up as James pulled me closer. I wanted to hate him.

"You have no right!"

I pushed against his chest, breaking his hold on me. His face twisted into the saddest expression I'd ever seen.

I felt bad.

He turned to walk away, his shoulders slumped.

I sighed and reached out for his arm. "Wait. I'm sorry."

He turned his head toward me a bit. "Evelyn, I know this is not an ideal situation. We don't know each other. I can assure you there are no romantic feelings towards Marissa. I'm not that kind of man. I wish you could understand that."

"I can try. I just hate having my parents always deciding everything in my life for me. It's like just because I'm a Princess I have no say over anything. I've been told since the day I was born to do this or do that. With marriage, I just don't want to end up like my cousin the Queen of Spain. So unhappy. So miserable and with a very unfaithful husband. He even has children with other women!"

James grasped my hand and held it close to his heart. "I can't promise that we'll have long lives or even that our countries will always be at peace with the world. But I can promise you, for as long as we are alive and wed, I will only have eyes for you. I will only love you."

I smiled lightly and kissed his cheek. He turned his head and caught my lips with his. It was but a few moments, but those moments were sweet.

"Okay," I said quietly.

He held my hand, leading me to my room. Inside Captain Blackstone waited.

"You're still here?"

"I'm to guard you at all times."

I rolled my eyes at him. "At least I had a guard free dinner."

"I'll stay again if you would like," James said, kissing the back of my hand.

My heart leapt to my throat and my throat went dry. "You don't have to if you don't want to."

Why did I say that? I want him to stay!

"I do want to. I never want to leave you again."

"Okay." I nodded my head and disappeared into my private room to change.

The fire had died down and the guards stood near all the doors. I shook my head at them once again and climbed into bed. James took up his post right next to my bed. I settled against the pillows and reached out for his hand. Smiling, he grabbed it and leaned against the back of the chair.

"When do we leave for Scotland?" I asked sleepily.

"In two days."

"That doesn't leave a lot of time for me to pack."

"It'll be managed," he replied.

My eyes slowly closed to thoughts of traveling to Scotland and the wedding that awaited. Another thing I had no control of in my life.