Page 83 of Second Chance Prince
“You can’t always be at my side,” she reminded him. “I will have my own duties to perform.” She paused and then said thoughtfully, “Do you know, I don’t mind being a princess after all. In fact, I think I will manage quite well.”
He lifted his head to look down at her, as if he was not sure whether to laugh or kiss her. “Will you? Are you intending to be one of those formidable wives?”
She kissed him back, enjoying every moment of the contact. “When I thought I was going to die, I decided it was silly to be afraid to be myself. Who cares what other people think? I am me, and I should be proud of who I am. Roberta Ashton,illegitimate daughter of a duke, sister of a wonderful brother and five sisters, and now wife of the man I love.”
“When you put it like that…” Niki murmured, nuzzling against her throat before he restrained himself. “You are the perfect lady for me, and for my country. The people already love you. I am sure they will ignore any faux pas. Indeed, they will probably love you all the more because you are capable of mistakes, just as we all are.”
“I’m not sure if that is a compliment or not,” Roberta mused, but her eyes were sparkling.
“Enough.” Niki took her in his arms again. “It is our wedding night.”
“Yes, it is.”
Their kisses grew deeper and more passionate, and Niki removed his robe and pressed his body to hers. Roberta made her wish come true and kissed every inch of him. Well, nearly. He couldn’t keep still for the last bit, or quiet, so she let him take command. And when he pressed inside her, they both groaned, and she really did feel as if she was flying.
Afterward, Roberta lay in his arms, replete. She was almost asleep when she noticed something that made her suddenly sit up. “There are swans painted on the canopy above us!” she declared loudly. “And yes, yes, swans carved into the bedposts!”
Niki started—he had been half asleep himself. “What of it?”
“No, just no. There are too many swans, Niki. I know they are your national emblem but some of them will have to go.”
He tried to be serious, but she could see he found her hilarious. His mouth twitched, and then he began to chuckle. Roberta wanted to be insulted but it was difficult when he was shaking with laughter. After all, that was all she had really wanted, wasn’tit? To make the somber and serious Prince Nikolai of Holtswig happy.
Epilogue
One Year Later
The journey had been a long one, but they were not far from Grantham now. Roberta had begun to think it would never end, particularly the part where they were on board the ship. It would have been so much easier if she had Pegasus and could fly. But now they were nearly there, and she couldn’t wait. It had been forever since she had seen her sisters, and their children, and Gabriel and Vivienne, and Grandmama.
She was looking forward to seeing Estelle too. Her friend would be there with her new beau. Estelle said he knew all about her past and still loved her. She had also promised to pay a visit to Holtswig very soon, as long as Karl wouldn’t be there.
Karl wasn’t there. He was still in Paris, although he had been involved in positive negotiations between the new chamberlain and Lady Henrietta’s council. The new chamberlain seemed very good at persuading people to do things that were in the interests of Holtswig and its royal family. Count Becker—or Chamberlain Leo—said he was so grateful for being saved from Francis’s clutches that he could never repay them, and Countess Becker had become one of Roberta’s best friends.
“Francis could not make me join his band of followers,” thecount had said when he had recovered from his kidnapping. “I swore I would never do anything to harm the prince.”
Niki had said that loyalty like that deserved to be rewarded and announced him as the new chamberlain on the spot. Most of his old council had been dismissed—they still didn’t know which one of them had been ranting in the drinking den that night—and replaced with worthy men he trusted. He had swept the broom of change through his country, and the disturbances of the past had begun to settle as everyone saw the benefits.
The road made a turn, and there was Grantham, peeking through the trees. Roberta could hardly sit still in her seat.
Niki smiled and reached to take her hand in his. He had so many different smiles, and this was a gentle one. He smiled a great deal these days, as did everyone in Holtswig. Niki often told her she had brought happiness to his country, and she was loved by everyone for her generosity and her liveliness. She had become the patron of Holtswig’s equestrian sports, spending her time encouraging and offering advice to fellow enthusiasts. She also visited hospitals and orphanages. Children followed her about, laughing and chatting, and the story of her escape from Francis was whispered in amazement around dinner tables.
As much as Roberta enjoyed her duties as princess, official and unofficial, lately she had had to reduce them.
“Will you tell them?” Niki asked her.
“Yes. Though not straightaway. They will only fuss,especially Olivia, and I want to enjoy our stay without being fussed over.”
Antonia had left London before them and was already at Grantham. She was to have her coming-out while they were in England and was caught up in the usual excitement. She had had fittings for her dress, and the invitations had been sent out.
“You must ask Matilda and Freddie, and the twins and Tomas,” Roberta had reminded her. She’d done it just to see Antonia’s eyes flash.
They had flashed then. “I am not inviting Tomas.”
“I thought you had forgiven him.”
“I have, I just don’t like him, Robbie.”
Niki was speaking, and Roberta brought herself back to the present.
