Woman Hating Duke 43 - 44

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43 Julia Entangled: 

      My family and servants hugged me with happy faces on my arrival, but they watched nervously as James embraced me. My father nearly fainted from the sight. I saw him go blue from the corner of my eye.

He was already shocked by the letter from the Prince of Basseterre that arrived a few days before the Prince himself. And now said prince was embracing his unworthy daughter who had lost three fiancés!

‘I was going crazy not being able to see you. But I waited patiently, compliment me.’ (Zuben: ah so needy, gives me the heeb-jeebs)

He grinned like a dog who wanted his master’s love and approval. My mother blushed as she watched us, while my father was still pale. I had no choice but to laugh adoringly at James. James had pursued me to Hermiata on his own carriage and arrived an hour before I did. I later heard from Hans, our butler, that there had been quite some trouble preparing rooms for the Prince and his entourage. It was rare for such an esteemed guest to come to such a frontier.

 As I lay in my familiar bed resting from my journey, I was flummoxed that the Prince of Basseterre had chased me from the Capital all the way to the frontier.

      The next day, we sat for tea in my drawing room to escape the curious eyes of my household. My home’s décor and furnishings paled in comparison to the Bourbon Manor. Here, the once elegant wallpaper was peeling off from age. The stucco had cracked in places...In anticipation of James’ arrival, my father had ordered the worn and torn tapestries to be dusted and patched to minimise their miserable state, but this caused weird wrinkles and breaks and made the unnaturalness of it all more obvious. It was so vastly different from the Bourbon manor, I hoped that he would take one look at the dilapidation and give up on me…but from what I know of his character, he would not. Yet, it might be interesting.

James was fascinated by our table set; it seemed he had never come across such a simple presentation. But James turned to be the kind of person that was attracted to something different. He touched the china many times and clinked the silver against sturdy porcelain fascinated by the sound. Once he was satisfied, he turned to me.

‘Did you think you could turn down my proposal with such a letter?’ He began smugly, ‘I was shocked that you were returning to Hermiata. Nevertheless, the situation with Edward has been resolved, and here we can talk slowly without any disturbance.’

‘Hold on a moment, James, I refused your proposal. Many times.’

‘Yes, you were concerned about the difference in status. There is no need to worry, I have gotten permission from George, and he gave his blessing granted I support him. Next is to get permission from your parents, but I think the reply would be good. I wonder how they would take a son-in-law with a large dowry.’

I was taking a sip of my tea when James said his final sentence, I choked. I held my handkerchief to my mouth to cough. James was supporting George in exchange for permission to marry me?! How could he make such a trade for something so trivial? Didn’t the future of Basseterre hang on the balance?!

James rose from his seat and knelt before my chair. He patted my back. His eyes were smiling, but they held a carnivorous light; like a hunter beholding his prey. I appear to be the prey in this case.

‘Are you alright, Julia?’ he asked solicitously, ‘Were you delirious with happiness? I told you, you could not get away from me, but since you tried, I had to fill the outer moat. I knew this kind of hand would be most effective to catch you.’

‘Just…a-‘

‘I spoke to the King and Queen of Bosch; this marriage would be a union between our countries. It strengthen the political relations between Bosch and Basseterre. And it would not be a bad thing for the Hermiata Viscount for a royal of Basseterre to enter the family tree. Let’s make lots of children together, Julia.’ (Zuben: Like making lots of children with your brother)

‘James, just wait a minute, I need to gather my thoughts.’

I turned away from him trying to decipher what was going on. No matter how I thought about it, James had me well and truly. I felt like a rabbit on the verge of falling into a trap. With a paranoid sticky hunter nearby, there was no where left to escape except to get entangled.

I knew he was a great tactician, but I never thought he would go so far to have me. I find that I had been naïve to think that his clingy ardour would fade in the month apart.

James lightly chuckled as he took my hands. He ran his finger along my palm while staring into my eyes,

‘I noticed that you have cut your hair. And the wounds…it looks like there is still some scarring. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.’ His tone was full of sadness and filled me with some warmth.

He held my hand against his lips and licked the scars.

He gave me a bright smile and asked, ‘So when shall we get married? The Queen has given permission to use the Castle for the wedding. You don’t have to worry about the cost of the wedding. Now that Edward has been imprisoned, all his wealth and holdings have been transferred to me. I want you to wear the most beautiful wedding dress. I’m sure you would look breathtaking.’

Everything was developing too rapidly for me,

‘But James, I have someone…I like…’

Although, it ended with my heart broken, I didn’t think it was fair to James or any other man to be with them while I still felt this way. So I had been deceived by Henry. I had heard later on that Henry fled after taking Isabel’s virginity. The Earl Bourbon went to the King to demand the Duke take responsibility, which is why Henry could only marry Isabel. If the Duke was marrying Isabel, there was no reason not to marry James. It would not be bad to live here with my father and mother. As long as I stayed here in Hermiata, I would never have to see the Duke again.

‘I only see you, Julia. I don’t dally with other women like Henry. I swear to love you and make you happy, even if you still like Henry I don’t care. Rather, I’m sure you will come to love me as well.’

‘James…’

He rose while kneeling and pushed his face against mine so our foreheads and noses were touching. Because he was still lower than me I was slightly bowed over him,

‘I like feeling your body temperature the most; your warmth will warm my heart again. Forty eight days apart was too long. Let me stay here for a little while,’

He had his eyes closed with an expression of ultimate relaxation. His deep affection was sweet and touched me more than his words of love…although, I felt as though I did not like the overlapping of our bodies. Even though his head was only slightly warm against mine, I felt closer to James than if it were a full hug.

I realised James really loved me and did not want to let me go anymore. I began to think it might be good to forget everything and let myself be surrounded by his gentle yet intense affection as though I was being swaddled tightly in soft cotton. (Zuben: even if the cotton is soft it will still be uncomfortable)

‘James, it will be difficult to be married to me, are you sure about this?’

‘I know. You’re the kind of woman who escaped and came back to help me, incapacitating two Grusk men. You incited Edward to let me go and attack you. Even if I search all over the world, I would not find another like you. I want you to save me from the darkness; I want you to marry me.’ (Zuben: Save yourself! - Camp Henry*)

He held my hand tightly, his eyes were still closed. I realised his hands were trembling lightly.

I took a deep breath, sat up and leaned over again. I looked at James who had opened his eyes,

‘Very well, James. I will accept your proposal.’ 

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44 Julia is Getting Married?: 

      From then on, James did a good job of doing things appropriately. First, he spoke to my parents; my mother approved as expected, but my father was sceptical, and made many attempts to assure himself of James’ seriousness many times.

‘I’m sorry,’ my father said, ‘I find it hard to believe that his Highness would be willing to marry Julia and take on our family name. Isn’t there a little hesitation? Julia is certainly a beautiful girl, good natured and proud. But even as a father, I can’t imagine you would fall in love with her at first sight. Couldn’t you be a bit more patient before you settle on the idea of marriage?’

James and I were standing side by side, he was clutching my hand but he laughed as he replied, ‘I agree, I didn’t fall in love with her at first sight. But as time went on, I realised she understood me the most and I understand her well too. I love how different she is, I also like the parts of her that are still shrouded in mystery.’

Mother made a cry of excitement at James’ heated confession. She looked happy at the thought of a man who had ardent affection for her daughter and was willing to marry into the family,

‘Isn’t it wonderful, Julia? I’m so happy for you. Thank you for loving our daughter, James.’ (Zuben: What will they do about Henry?)

My mother had fallen for James’ pleasant young man visage. My father reluctantly accepted it, because of James’ well put together speech.

I turned to look at James; he looked down at me and smiled. I did not have the crazy upsurge of yearning I had with Henry, but with James the feelings were more relaxed and fun. There is a glimpse of obsession in James, but he wasn’t totally hopeless. If I was prepared to bear his heavy affection, our relationship will last. I will have to understand his fragile parts as well.

      ‘Julia, open your mouth…’ he commanded.

‘Hmm…’

I was stunned as James kissed me hard. After our reunion a few days ago, as soon as we were alone, James immediately wanted to kiss me. As I opened my mouth, he inserted his tongue twisting it around mine. He kissed me making me swallow his saliva as though he wanted to confirm I was his over and over.

We were in the garden behind our house, hidden behind hedges. Our garden was mostly a maze of hedges, which were easier to manage than flowers. This had become of James’ favourite places. James seemed to like our Hermiata lifestyle. He had surprisingly adapted to life here quickly, and had begun to get along with the servants of the house. Now he knew more than I knew about the private lives of our servants. But it was only to me he would show the darkness of his heart.

‘Julia, can I hold your hand before I sleep tonight again? When I do, I don’t have nightmares.’

He put his head on my shoulder looking like a spoiled child.

‘Alright. Shall I sing a lullaby as well?’ I replied as I put my hand on his back and patted him lightly. He took deep breaths as though he was relaxing, he wriggled as though he wanted to be stroked more. It was a complex sensation to be accustomed to the idea of treating one’s fiancé as though you are taming a wild animal.

‘Yes, that would be nice. Your voice feels so good I want to reach into the back of your throat and lick you. I imagine it would taste deliciously sweet.’ (Zuben: are there people in the world who like this kind of thing? What am I saying? Of course there are!)

‘Um...hm…!’

He kissed me without waiting for my reply. It was open mouthed and his tongue squirrelled down my mouth towards my throat, stirring my mouth as he searched. (Zuben: Choke her, why don’t you?) It went on so long, it stopped being a kiss, and our mouths were dampened with saliva.

‘Julia,’ he panted, ‘you’re such a child…making such a mess.’ He sucked on the skin around my jaw were saliva had dripped down.

‘Eh…I think it is your drool. I don’t kiss like that.’ I replied embarrassed putting my hand against my lips. (Zuben: Is this deliberately unsexy or am I not just feeling it?)

James smiled like a cat that had got the cream.

‘You only need to think of me like  that. I will make all the preparations for our wedding. Your wedding dress will be the most beautiful in the Kingdom. Before we get married, you will have to go with me to Basseterre to meet George, and we have to report to the King and Queen of Bosch as well. And tell Henry.’

‘His Grace…?’

Yes, the Duke and James were close friends it was impossible never to meet again.

‘Do you not want to see Henry? Are you worried?’

My expression must have been anxious. But I replied quietly my gaze on the hands on my shoulder, ‘No it’s not that. I’m just worried I would look like a light skirt marrying you. With your friendship, he might be opposed to us marrying.’

‘It’s alright, if he is, we can run away together. You will not be a noble. I will not be a Prince.’ He spoke lightly, but when I looked at him I could see the ghost of the Duke.

‘Yes? We can sell caramel together. You can help promote the brand and make a variety of products and sell our product all around the world.’

‘Can we take over the world with caramel? Such a role may be appropriate for a Prince in name only who has been used as a chess piece since he was a child.’ He said as he rubbed his cheek against my hair. I reached up and batted him on his head lightly,

‘Don’t be fool; no one is obsessed with your identity. First and foremost, you are James with a distorted personality; the position of Prince is an attachment. You grew up to be a national treasure class evil guy; you just need to use your status to your advantage.’

‘I see, the prince is not me, but I am the Prince. Julia has an interesting way of thinking.’ (Zuben: Sure if you say so)

‘What do you want? What kind of person do you want to be? That, you need to think about, James.’

‘I know…five years ago, the group that tried to use me for their ends abandoned me. They and the people that looked down on me in the aftermath, I want to line them up and make them kneel in cow dung to beg for forgiveness. Fortunately, Hermiata has cow dung.’ He said with a malicious grin, then immediately returned to his gentle smile. The strange switch made chills run down my spine.

Despite my discomfiture, I replied, ‘Is that what you want? Sounds like a fun plan. Know your enemy, look for their weaknesses and attack them thoroughly. But, it is important to remember your exit strategy because people fight hard when they are cornered. ‘

One could not let such an obsessive paranoid man loose. He needs to be taught moderation and where the limits are. James suddenly carried me in his arms, lifting me so high my jaw was hovering over his shoulders.

‘Julia, you always laugh and accept me. I love that about you. I wish you could live here in my arms forever…it looks like I am being disturbed at such a time. Hans^[1], what is going on?’

‘Huh?’

‘Prince James, Miss, I’m sorry to intrude but there is a bit of an emergency.’

Hans was the butler but also father’s friend. For him to come and look for us in this maze, was it very important?

‘There is an urgent missive from the royal castle; the message said a carriage was being sent to fetch you to come to the castle. The carriage will arrive in four hours. I thought it would be best to let you know so you would be prepared.’

James held me tight so I could not turn to look at Hans. I asked him to let me down but he would not.

‘That’s unfortunate. They knew I was coming to see Julia for a while.’

I tried to push off James but he would not budge, he seemed to have no regard at being seen in this position by Hans. I could not speak up due to embarrassment.

‘Actually, the carriage isn’t for you, Prince James, but for the Miss. The Queen wants to see her.’

‘What?!’ I twisted myself unnaturally to look at Hans in shock. 

[1] Continuity error: Hans and Boris: In chapter 43, Hans was the butler, in this chapter his name has changed to Boris, I have chosen to use Hans as his name appeared first; unless I’m making some kind of error here.

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