Prince and Single Mom (17 page)

It was all too much. She felt as if she were in the middle of some sort of drawing-room comedy. How could any of this get resolved? She’d heard Philip’s “I love you” tossed out casually as they’d been speeding toward the resort. And oh, how she wanted to grab onto that with both hands and hold on tight. But how could she? Hadn’t the last six years taught her
anything
? Hadn’t her life taught her anything? Her father had never really been emotionally available to her, Peter had deserted her, and that snake-in-men’s-clothing William Corey had said he loved her, promising her a shiny new life as his wife while all the time he’d already been married and only used her for sex. Once more the brass ring dangled in sight, and she didn’t think she had it in her to reach for it. Because if this time she ended up alone, it might destroy her completely. Her vision blurred, and all she wanted was to escape.

“Stop! Just…stop, will you?”

Taking Jamie’s hand, she fled the suite. And a part of her wished she could just go back home, and pretend the last week had never happened.

* * * *

“Well, hell!” Eugenia crossed her arms and gave the men in the king’s suite a good solid frown. The fact that none of them could see her didn’t bother her one bit.

“Sister! Such language!” Gwendolyn’s hands had flown to her reddening cheeks.

Eugenia sighed in disgust. “You’re right. We mustn’t forget who we are, even when matters seem most dire.”

“So, what do we do now?”

“Well,” Eugenia walked over and looked at Philip, her sympathy strong as he ran his hands through his hair then turned with anguished eyes to his father. “I think in times such as these there really is only one thing to do.”

“And that is?”

“Cross our fingers and hope. Magic has its limits. We brought everyone together. This last step is up to them.”

Gwendolyn’s own sigh sounded discouraged. “In that case, I think we should cross our toes, too.”

Hannah had lost count of the number of times in her life she’d been forced to swallow her pride and act in the best interests of her family. She supposed such behavior made up part of the definition of motherhood. Over all, she’d never minded. When the children had been young, life had been too full of the
doing
to find the time to resent what couldn’t be changed.

Her children might not be children any longer. But that didn’t mean her role as parent had ended. Truthfully, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

The last week had been filled with adventure, and she’d been given a taste of something wonderful. She’d forgotten the beauty of those first moments of being in love. With Jordan, that love had gradually evolved into a kind of friendship with definite limits. She’d given far more than she’d ever received in her marriage. She couldn’t change what had been, nor could she in any sense regret it.

With Alex, she’d been given so much—certainly more than she’d given him in return. Catharine had told her Alex felt very bad about lying. Maybe he did. That wasn’t something Hannah could think about at the moment. Perhaps later, when the sense of having been betrayed and played for a fool faded a bit.

She could only focus on her daughter right now. It would be hard, very hard, to return home alone. To know that if she wanted to see Catharine and Jamie, she would have to get on a plane and cross an ocean.

But oh, hadn’t her prayer for them been answered in a huge way? Philip was perfect for her daughter and grandson, in every way. Now she just needed to convince Catharine of that.

Even though both Catharine and Jamie slept soundly, she moved quietly as she left the suite. She wasn’t sure how to proceed. Perhaps she could call the hospital, find out when Philip would be on duty next, then go and talk to him. If she had to, she’d knock on Alex’s door. She knew if it meant her daughter’s happiness, she could set her pride aside and do that.

Maybe she really did have a fairy godmother, for as she closed the door and looked up, Philip approached.

“Hannah.”

“I was just going to come looking for you.”

Surprised and pleased when he hugged her, she hugged him back and led him to the sitting area next to the pool.

“My father erred, ah, under the circumstances, not revealing his identity to you. He acknowledges his error, and he’d like the chance to apologize to you. Face to face.”

“I don’t think I’m ready for that, Philip.” She saw the sadness in his eyes and touched his hand. “I’m going to ask you what your intentions are toward my daughter, and
that
feels very strange.”

Philip’s chuckle held no humor. “I love her, Hannah, and I want to marry her.”

“She comes as a package deal. Some men might resent the presence of another man’s son.”

Philip’s eyes widened. “No, oh no. I love Jamie! He’s a wonderful little boy. When I think of that bastard, refusing to even acknowledge his own son…”

Hannah had all the answers she needed.

“She has a hard head, my daughter. You’re going to have to find a way to drill through it.”

When Philip smiled, Hannah could see he would be difficult for even Catharine to resist.

“Well, as a matter of fact, I have a plan. It is, perhaps, over the top. But I honestly believe it is the only thing I can do. It…it will mean that you will have to come face to face with Papa.”

Well, she’d already been prepared to do just that, hadn’t she? Reaching over, she took Philip’s hand, and squeezed. “Tell me what I have to do.”

* * * *

The knocking awakened her.

Blinking, Catharine sat up slowly, trying to rub the grit out of her eyes at the same time she looked toward the bedside clock.

“Eleven-fifteen! Wow, talk about sleeping in!”

The sound of pounding came again. Frowning, she swept the blankets off, and grabbed her robe. Opening her bedroom door, she knew right away her mother and son had left. Tying her robe, she took a moment to check through the security viewer to see who was there.

Confused, she opened the door.

“Rachel?” At least she thought it was Rachel. Dressed in what appeared to be a medieval gown, she didn’t look too happy.

“Bonjour, Catharine. It’s about time you opened the door. I thought I would have to have Andre break it down.”

Catharine stepped back, because Rachel, followed by the stable master, also dressed in costume and carrying a large box, pushed into the room.

Coming to her senses she put her hands on her hips. “Look, if Philip has sent you here to plead his case, he’s wasting his time.”

“Do you think I love my brother so dearly that I would come pounding on your door dressed like this? Ha, you don’t know me very well. I am not here because of Philip. I am here by order of His Majesty, King Alexandre Michel Philippe Artur de la Croix, Sovereign King of Boisdemer. Andre, read the decree, if you will.”

Catharine wondered if she looked as confused as she felt. Andre, who also didn’t appear overjoyed to be dressed in what looked like doublet and tights, set down the large box, then pulled a scroll out of his pocket. Opening it, he began to read.

“Catharine Marie Jones, you are hereby commanded to present yourself forthwith to His Majesty, King Alexandre Michel Philippe Artur de la Croix, and a gathering of the just and noble of the Kingdom of Boisdemer, at the first Fortress, also known as the Citadel, dressed in appropriate garb, and there to give answer to a certain petition to be presented to His Majesty by a true and loyal vassal of the realm.”

“Is this some kind of joke? I’m not going anywhere.” Catharine didn’t know what Philip could be up to, but she’d be
damned
if she would go on display in any way, shape, or form.

“This seems like a joke,” Rachel agreed.

Then her expression sobered, and Catharine wondered again at the basic sadness she could see in the princess’ eyes.

“But it is not, Catharine. While I sympathize with your reluctance to comply, you cannot refuse. This is a true and valid order of the king. It has all the force of law. You must obey.”

Catharine ran her hands through her hair, her frustration so strong she wanted to scream.

So she did.

“Fine, I’ll obey. Wait a minute.” She was going to kick herself. For the second time in as many days her son had slipped her mind. “Where are Jamie and my mother?”

“Waiting for you at the Fortress.”

“Fine,” she said again. Even knowing it a petulant and mean spirited urge, she wanted to stomp her foot. Then she scooped up the box and marched toward her bedroom. She would shower, and dress, and play her role in this farce.

Then she would see what she could do about catching the next flight home.

* * * *

Philip knocked on the open door of the small room, and nodded to Hannah and Jamie. “Could you let me have a few moments alone with him, please?” he asked Hannah.

“Of course.” Hannah left the door open when she exited, making it clear she was going to wait in the hall, where she could hear every word.

That didn’t bother him one bit.

“Hey Philip, you’re dressed up too, just like Grandma and me. This is cool!”

Philip laughed and sat down on one of the chairs putting him at eye-level with Jamie. “Yeah, it is. Let’s hope your mom thinks so, too. Anyway, I got the idea from you.”

“From me?
Really
?”

“Really. I needed to talk to you, Jamie, because I know that it’s been just you and your mom for a long time now. You see, I love your mother. And I very much want to marry her, to be a husband to her, and a father to you. I need to know if that’s all right with you?”

Jamie considered the matter for a moment. “You’re going to have to kiss her all the time, because that’s what my Uncle Craig does to Auntie Pam, and they’re married.”

“I think I can manage that.”

The boy nodded solemnly, but his expression was still troubled. “But what if…” when he stopped, Philip reached over, and gently raised his lowered head.

“What if what, sweetheart?”

“What if you get tired of being my dad?”

“Oh, Jamie.” Philip pulled the boy into a hug. “I swear to you I will never
ever
get tired of being your dad. I love you just as I love your mother. And I promise, no matter what, I will always be there for you, and your mom.”

“Would it be okay if I called you Dad?”

“Yes.” Philip felt his eyes mist, and he knew that this was one of the most precious moments of his life, one he would never forget. “I would be very happy, and very honored, if you would call me Dad.”

“Okay.”

Philip’s heart soared when Jamie put his arms around him. He only prayed that things went as well with Kate.

* * * *

“Hannah.”

She looked up as she stepped out onto the balcony of the fortress. She might have been uncomfortable, dressed as she was, if everyone around her weren’t also in full medieval garb. She ran her hands down the royal blue velvet, enjoying the softness of the garment. The sun sparkled on the silver belt that circled her waist. The white linen of her wimple caught in the breeze.

Then her eye was drawn to Alex.

She tried not to think about how handsome he looked in robes of deep purple and a shining golden crown.

“Hello, Alex.”

“Thank you, for this.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips.

Her heart began to melt, but she steeled her resolve. “This is for my daughter, and your son. And Jamie.”

“Perhaps, you will find it in your heart to give me some of your time, later?”

“I’ll… I’ll think about it.”

It was the best she could do. The clarion call of trumpets saved her from saying anything more.

“Your daughter has arrived.” Alex offered her his arm in a courtly gesture made even more fitting by the costumes they wore, lady and sovereign
.
“Shall we?”

* * * *

Catharine knew her face was flushed. She’d not only had to put on this gown and boots, she’d had to ride in a horse-drawn carriage, for crying out loud. The gown, a simple straight cut garment with a slightly flared skirt was the strangest thing she’d ever worn. In a pretty shade of rose, it matched her coloring completely. A long gauzy white scarf draped over her hair.

She wasn’t surprised when the carriage arrived at the Medieval Fair. She was a bit perplexed when the gates opened, and she saw the main street lined on both sides by the men and women of the fair, who bowed or curtsied deeply as the carriage passed. The trumpet fanfare nearly made her jump out of her skin.

Navigating the stairs up into the fortress proved interesting. She wasn’t used to gathering her skirts as she walked. When she saw Alex, king or no, she would give him a piece of her mind.

Rachel led her down the corridor, with Andre following them. They turned the corner, and stepped outside to meet brilliant sunshine, and a boisterous cheer.

Catharine blinked as she took in the spectacle before her. Alex and her mother were there, standing, smiling, and joining in the applause. Jamie, cute and proper in a sized-down version of a lord's costume, stood next to Alex. She could see Michael with a beautiful blond woman she presumed to be his wife. Rachel had gone to stand beside another beauty, a tall willowy woman with long black hair and dark, somber eyes. Peter stood beside them, looking slightly embarrassed in his knight’s costume. And below the low-hung balcony, a crowd of onlookers had gathered, who continued to cheer as the trumpets sounded again.

She didn’t see Philip anywhere.

“My dear. Please, come and take your seat.”

At Alex’s invitation, her brother came forward and held out his arm. She’d already come this far, she thought, as she allowed herself to be led to a chair to the right of Alex’s.

Once seated, the trumpets sounded yet again, startling her. Then Michael stepped forward, bowed to his father, and said, “Sire, one of your vassals has a petition to bring before the king.”