Chapter Sixteen

Chapter 16 Isobel paused to adjust the brim of the straw sun hat countess Valencia had given her, before continuing down the left-hand passage in the huge hedge maze. The early afternoon sun was fierce and she was glad the countess had gifted her with the hat. Lunch had been wonderful and the countess was charming as she was lovely. Valencia had praised Isobel’s skill as both an apothecary and an artist saying that she had purchased six copies of Isobel’s book and that she was hoping Isobel would release another one. They had discussed flowers and medicinal plants and the countess had asked if Isobel and her friends would like a tour of her estate. Sir Liam had offered to take Bridgette and Sasha to view the pasture where the mares were foaling, followed by a trip to the workhouse where two huge water-powered wheels crushed flowers and herbs to make them into ingredients for the lotions and soaps the countess sold. Isobel had wanted to go as well but the countess had asked if she would take a tour of the hedge maze and give t her opinion on the use of flowers inside it. Isobel could not refuse the countess’ request, especially not after all the gifts she’d lavished on Isobel and her friends. It was a lovely day, Isobel sighed wistfully thinking what would make the day perfect would be if Alex was with her to enjoy the gardens. Perhaps even now he was in one of the fields gathering flowers for tomorrow’s market day; he had told her that he knew the countess that she had known his mother. Isobel had believed him, his bearing and his manners spoke of an educated man. Isobel rounded a corner in the maze and found herself in a large hidden garden with a small fountain, and four benches along the walls each in the shade of the high hedge, around the fountain was a colorful border of pansies. The garden was a delight and the benches offered a welcome respite after walking for a good half hour. Isobel crossed to the closest bench in the shade and sat down removing her hat to fan herself with it, her new gown was beautiful but it was far heavier and hotter than her old cotton gowns. “Now that is a picture-perfect site, a beautiful maiden in a pretty garden, would you care for some company, or are you enjoying the solitude?” Isobel jumped in surprise and turned to see Alex a few feet away at the entrance to the next passage. “Alex.” She ran into his arms to have him crush her against him. After a moment she stepped back to look up at him thinking how handsome he looked in his loose white shirt, tan breeches, and tall black boots. “What are you doing here, not that I’m not delighted to see you?” Isobel asked. “I told you I knew the countess and that she has been supplying my flowers,” Alex replied taking Isobel’s hand to lead her back to the bench in the shade. “You did, but I did not expect to see you here in her garden,” Isobel replied as they dropped to the bench together. “I know, I asked the countess to arrange it so that we could have some time alone. There is something I must tell you and I needed privacy to do it.” Alex took Isobel’s small hand in his noting how rough and work warn it was. Once they were wed he would see that she never had to work again unless she wished to, he would see her pampered and cared for as she cared for others. Isobel sat back as she pondered what Alex had just said, he’d asked the countess to allow them time alone and she’d evidently not only agreed but had helped by suggesting Isobel go for a walk in the maze alone which meant that Alex knew the countess very well but how was that possible. “Exactly how well do you know the countess, and why would she help you?” Isobel demanded. “That is part of what I want to explain to you. Valencia had wanted me to wait till after the ball to explain everything but I can’t wait any longer, it eats at me that I have kept the truth from you. When I tell you who I am I hope you will understand and forgive me for keeping my secret from you, if I lost you now I think I would go mad.” Alex raised Isobel’s hand to his lips to place a gentle kiss on the back. “Just tell me, are you mad or a murder, have you a wife someplace?” Isobel demanded. “No, nothing like that, you were right I do come from wealth, great wealth. My full name is Alexander Magnus Thorbrand; my father is Rollo Thorbrand of Glomma.” Alex paused as he saw Isobel’s eyes widen in recognition. “But Rollo Thorbrand is the king of Glomma that would make you a prince,” Isobel murmured, she saw Alex smile and nod. “I am the crown prince of Glomma; Countess Valencia is my mother’s half-sister. Valencia is my aunt which is why she agreed to help me. What I told you in the garden is the truth I came here to find a bride, a woman that was as intelligent and lovely as my mother, a woman that shared my interests and liked me for myself, not because I am a prince. That woman is you; I liked you from the first moment I saw you and that turned liking to friendship and then love.” Alex slipped from the bench to get on his knee before Isobel; he pulled a small box out of his shirt and opening it revealed a large sapphire ring that he held out to her. “Would you marry me and make me the happiest man in all of Glomma. I promise you shall have the largest garden in three kingdoms and free reign to expand them as you wish. I will also not stop you from your studies or your painting, I will hire the best scholars in all the lands to come and converse with you if you wish. I shall give you anything you wish, you have but to name it if you say yes.” Isobel looked from Alex’s deep blue eyes to the sapphire and back again as his words sank in, he was a prince and he wished to wed her. “That all sounds wonderful but what I truly want is your love, I have been alone and afraid for so long what I truly desire is a man that loves me for who I am.” “You already have my love, you have had it for some time and I have discovered that every day I love you more deeply than the day before. I will never tire of you and I promise to be faithful to you for as long as I live. My father was faithful to my mother for as long as she lived and he still honors her memory. Will you marry me as a prince, I know it is asking a lot but you shall want for nothing.” Alex said beginning to get worried. “Yes, oh yes I shall marry you for I love you too, I have for some time. I was prepared to marry a flower merchant, to share my dowry with you, and to live simply as long as I had you, it is fine that you are a prince but that is not why I am marrying you.” Isobel replied. “You will, that is wonderful.” Alex pulled the ring from the box and taking Isobel’s hand slipped it onto her finger, then still on his knees he caught her face with his hands to kiss her. The kiss started gentle, a simple brush of his lips against her but when her mouth softened under his it turned into something more passionate, Alex teased Isobel’s mouth open with his tongue then slipped his tongue inside to gently circle her tongue with his. Isobel felt her quicken as heat and want flooded her and she tightened her hands about Alex’s broad shoulders as he deepened the kiss, she felt his hand slip up to cup her breast and her desire flared, what he was doing felt so wonderful she didn’t want him to stop. Alex’s left hand moved down to slip around her back pulling her closer as his right slipped around her back to tug at the laces of her fashionable gown when the wind brought them the sound of voices and she broke the kiss jerking back in embarrassment. “Forgive me; I lost my head I only meant to kiss you,” Alex replied sitting back and pulling his hands from Isobel’s delectable body. It had been too long since he’d had a woman, far too long, but he wasn’t going to slack his lust on Isobel like she was a common harlot, she was a gentle girl who soon, hopefully very soon would be his wife. “There is nothing to forgive, you are my betrothed and besides I enjoyed what you were doing,” Isobel replied earning a lopsided grin from Alex. “I did too, and I am delighted that you were willing to admit it, that you are not one of those prudish girls,” Alex said squeezing Isobel’s hand. “To deny my feeling for you would be lying, and I feel no shame for what is a natural and biological function. I am looking forward to exploring these feelings more and having you teach me about making love.” Isobel replied though she flushed at her boldness. “And I look forward to teaching you.” Alex gave her a quick kiss and then sat back on the bench. “Now I must tell you my plan so that we can be together. In two days there will be the ball, it shall be a masked ball, and at it, Valencia shall introduce her guests Count Magnus of Glomma and his companions, all lords, and noblemen. As guest of honor Valencia will ask me to pick a young lady from those gathered to be my partner in the opening waltz and I shall, of course pick you, Bowden shall follow me to ask Bridgette, and Giles and Ahern shall both ask Sasha to dance. After we dance I shall simply claim you for the rest of the night for every dance and the midnight supper. Then the day after the ball Valencia shall make the announcement that Count Magnus was so taken with his lovely companion that he has asked for her hand.” “But the girls from the school might still recognize you; you are hard to miss Alex,” Isobel replied thinking of Alex’s height, broad shoulders, midnight hair, and blue eyes. “Valencia is going to lighten my hair and I shall wear a mask, as shall the others,” Alex said. “And if anyone happens to notice a likeness between me and a certain flower seller they aren’t likely to say anything, and if they did I have but to deny their claim.” Alex gave Isobel a smile. “Besides I don’t care what people say as long as we are together.” “Do you truly think it shall work?” Isobel demanded. “Perhaps, but I no longer care all that matters is that you and I can be together. I was hoping that you would agree to a speedy wedding, in four weeks you shall earn your master’s certificate, I was hoping we could be wed the day after.” Alex asked and saw a range of emotions flit across Isobel’s face before she nodded. “That is fine, I have no family to ask no one to protest, do you think your aunt will mind?” Isobel asked feeling her stomach twist in excited knots at the thought of being Alex’s bride within a month’s time. “No, she shall be delighted to do it, I am her favorite nephew,” Alex replied. “And what of your father will he approve of me?” Isobel asked as the reality that she was going to marry a prince began to sink in. “My father shall not care as long as I am happy; he and his father were both warlords who killed the previous king of Glomma who had been a murderous tyrant. My grandfather was a warlord from the northern wastes; the nobles of Glomma approached him to rid them of their king who was killing them off to steal their estates. My father personally took the last king’s head, and then to cement his legitimacy to the throne married my mother who was the late king’s niece. My father had wanted to marry her older sister but fell for my mother instead.” Alex said “Oh, my,” Isobel replied. “My father shall adore you, though I warn you he has the manners of a bear and the appetite of one. He is big and loud and says what he thinks.” Alex said thinking of his huge gruff father. “I hope that does not make you want to change your mind.” “Not at all, I understand why you wished to hide your identity it would be dangerous for you if anyone discovered who you truly were,” Isobel said. “Speaking of danger, remember the day I was walking you home, and a man in black attacked us, and the day in the park when those three men accosted us?” Alex gave Isobel’s hand a squeeze as she nodded. “Yes, it is hard to forget; both times you fought most valiantly.” “Those men were there to take you to Lord Dagda, after I knocked the man in black unconscious my man took him away and questioned him. It seems lord Dagda is desperate to get his hands on you, another reason I want a speedy wedding so that I can protect you.” Alex said. “I see, he has made several demands that I return to wed him, but I don’t understand why, as my guardian, he has control of my lands until I wed.” Isobel gasped as she realized how foolish she’d been. “Oh what a fool I am he want’s control of my lands, they will return to me on my birthday or when I wed.” “That is what I believe too. On that account I have already drawn up a document saying that everything that is yours shall remain yours after we wed, I do not want your lands Isobel only you.” Alex gave her hand another squeeze. “I had not thought otherwise,” Isobel replied. “But what shall we do?” “After the ball, my men and I shall continue to watch you, though I shall be Count Magnus visiting scholar, while the others shall continue as simple merchants. Through Valencia, I have paid for you to have a private chamber at the college. I will not have you walk through the city anymore, nor have to get up at dawn to work in the bakery. I would have you safe and pampered.” Alex said. “That was kind of you, but in the future, I would appreciate you informing me if you do such things again, I am used to managing on my own,” Isobel replied though she was not truly angry with Alex. “Of course, I only wanted to keep you save,” Alex said. “Once we are wed no one shall dare to threaten you.” “If we cannot announce our engagement till after the ball then I cannot wear your ring till then, people will wonder. You must take it back till then.” Isobel reluctantly tugged the ring from her finger and held it out to Alex. Alex mumbled a curse knowing Isobel was right, he took it from her, dropping it back in the tiny box and then slipping it into his shirt for safety. “Only till midnight at the ball and then you shall have it back on this I am adamant about.” “Agreed, now tell me about your garden” Isobel gave Alex a smile and he laughed before pulling her into his arms. “That is one of the many reasons I love you, I have told you I am a prince and you ask me not about what jewels I shall buy you but my garden. You are an original and I promise I shall treasure you every day.” Alex caught Isobel’s eyes saw her smile and then he kissed her, savoring the softness of her lips and how she tasted of strawberries and honey. He deepened the kiss slipping his hands about her back as she slipped her hands about his neck to thread her fingers through his hair. “And that is enough Alex, I can see how much you care for her but I did not bring Lady Isobel here for you to ravage.” Valencia’s voice rang loudly and Isobel and Alex pulled apart. At the entrance to the hidden garden was Valencia, she gave Alex a scowl that turned into a smile. Alex rose then helped Isobel to her feet. “We were simply celebrating, I told Isobel everything and she agreed to marry me.” “Did you think she would not because you are a prince? She strikes me as a very intelligent young woman.” Valencia said giving Isobel a wink. “Well, I was a little worried.” Alex dragged his hand through his hair. “She is not like the others she does not care about wealth or status, I was afraid I might scare her off. But I was foolish, by the way why are you here auntie, not that I don’t adore you.” “I gave Isobel an hour to stroll through the maze and to encounter you, and for you to plead your case. As I said I did not bring her here for you to seduce you scamp, now off you go. I shall allow you both to meet later in my private work chamber after dinner.” Valencia said. “Till then my love.” Alex kissed Isobel quickly on the lips then gave Valencia a kiss on the cheek before hurrying past Valencia going the way she had come. “He really is a terrible scamp, but you shall not find a better man,” Valencia said. “Now my dear as we shall be family soon please call me Valencia, did Alex tell you he wishes that you wed here?” Valencia gave Isobel a smile and saw her nod as she placed her hat back on her head. “He did, I hope it will be no trouble,” Isobel replied. “Oh, no I look forward to it. I have always wanted to plan a wedding, I lost my daughter when she was only a baby to my great sorrow and I never had the chance to spoil her as a mother likes to spoil their daughter. Would you indulge me Isobel and let me spoil you instead.” Valencia caught Isobel’s hand in hers. “Oh, my lady I am so sorry for your loss I would be honored to let you throw my wedding.” Isobel saw a sad smile curl Valencia’s lips. “Excellent we shall begin with the location, I would suggest the rose garden but people would say we were peasants if we did that, so perhaps the family chapel it is large enough to hold a hundred people. But if you prefer somewhere else the choice is yours.” “I have not seen the chapel yet,” Isobel replied following Valencia. “We shall go there at once for you to inspect, and then the rose garden. You shall make a radiant bride. I am so glad that Alex chose you and not one of those foolish girls like Lady Laura. Now we take the turn ahead, and then I shall show you the secret path out of the maze.” Valencia pointed ahead. Isobel was also glad that Alex had not asked the hateful Laura to be his bride; oh my she was truly going to be married and to a prince no less. The fates had finally decided to smile on her.