Page 58 of Expecting Royal Twins!
“Is something wrong?” Niko asked in a low voice that seeped through her like warm caramel sauce.
“No.” She remembered being one of the single ladies called to the dance floor at a friend’s wedding last summer. No matter their station in life, royal or commoner, women wanted to catch the bouquet. “Just taking it all in.”
“Savor the moment,” Niko whispered. “But you may want to put the women out of their misery sooner rather than later.”
With a smile, Isabel turned her back to the railing. On three, she let the flowers soar into the air behind her. She whipped around.
Women reached for flowers. A few missed by mere inches. The petals grazed another’s fingertips. The bouquet landed in Jules’s hands. The lovely princess stared down at the roses in wide-eyed dismay and promptly dropped them.
Izzy laughed, but no one else seemed amused.
The wedding coordinator rushed to Jules’s side, scooped up the bouquet and placed them in the stunned princess’s hands. The royal photographer corralled Jules for a picture with the bride.
Izzy stared at the camera. “You’re smiling, but your eyes don’t look happy.”
“Catching the bouquet might be a sign,” Jules admitted. “I fear I may find myself matched to another royal in need of a wife before I return home to Aliestle.”
The camera flash made Izzy blink. They struck a different pose for the photographer. “Stay here.”
Jules sighed. “I wish I could.”
“I’m serious,” Izzy said. “We’re spending tonight at the castle, but then we leave on our honeymoon. The king and queen won’t mind. They like having guests.”
“My father might mind.”
“At least think about it,” Izzy urged.
“I will,” Jules said. “Thank you.”
Hours later in the suite that would be the bedroom Izzy shared with her husband, servants helped her out of her wedding gown. All the while, she wondered why Niko wasn’t doing this. Wasn’t a husband supposed to undress his wife on their wedding night?
Mare combed out her hair. Another woman ran a warm bath. A third lay out Izzy’s peignoir set. The lovely confection of thin white fabric, lace and ribbon had been a gift from Jules.
Izzy appreciated the women’s efforts. They were just trying to do their jobs, but what was next? A mug of warm milk and a plate of cookies?
All this pampering felt odd. Off. The most important part of tonight was missing. Where could Niko be? The future of their marriage didn’t bode well when a husband blew off his wife on their wedding night.
Izzy dismissed the women. She didn’t need anyone to add to her growing anxiety. She could put on her own nightgown. But after bathing and re-tying the satin ribbon on the robe for the third time, she wondered if she’d made the right decision. The bow was still lopsided.
Not that Niko would probably even notice.
Izzy paced barefoot across the large room. She noticed a television set inside an armoire and a bookshelf full of books. But she was not in the mood to watch TV or read.
She glanced at the clock.
I cannot wait for tonight.
His words during the ceremony had made her think of what would be happening when they were alone, not at their reception.
The flames of the lit candles flickered. Shadows danced on the wall. He was coming to their room, wasn’t he?
Izzy walked to the French doors, opened them and stepped onto the balcony. Stars twinkled in the inky sky. A breeze, carrying the scent of roses from the garden below, ruffled her hair and nightgown.
This was her new home.
She wanted to be with her new husband.
She just wished he’d get his butt up here.
CHAPTER TEN
NIKO entered the suite with the bride box in his hands. He placed the wedding gift on the table next to two crystal flutes and a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket. The box belonged to Isabel once again. The archaic custom had been fulfilled. He only hoped she felt like his wife now. If not, he would do his best to make sure she did by morning.
He was prepared. The kiss during the ceremony had only whetted his appetite and made him want to skip the reception. The room appeared ready, too.
Soft music played from an iPod docking sound system. Flickering candles provided a romantic atmosphere. The duvet and sheets had been turned down, ready for him to carry his virgin princess bride to their bed.
