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The Kiss that Saved Her (Chapter 10, page 1 of 1)
Queen Joanna had been invited to a ball in honor of the Duke of Seine’s
birthday. The travel plans were like a military operation. It was understood that
safe passage would be given during special events so that the Royals could attend.
General Stuart was concerned because the eastern border had seen fighting that
spring. Most attacks had stopped since Joanna had signed an agreement with
Prince Samuel’s nation and the General believed that traveling with armed soldiers
would protect against any attacks. He had just gotten Queen Joanna back and
wasn’t about to lose her again.
After Joanna was informed Prince Samuel was on the guest list, she wrote to
him inviting him to stay at her villa. Prince Samuel had attended his cousin’s
wedding. Therefore, he had been away from Ott for a few months and she missed
him. She suggested that he break his long journey at her estate as his trip would be
nearly double the length of hers. Samuel wrote back and indicated he would attend
on his uncle’s behalf and was grateful for her offer. She knew there would be
gossip because of her bold invitation to him. However, she was certain that her
marriage to David had made her a target to those who liked to gossip anyway.
Inviting the Prince of Ott to rest from his journey at her estate was an act of
kindness to a gentleman who was worthy of her admiration.
As her carriage pulled up to the estate which had been her mother’s, she saw the
trellises and the harvested fields. After her stepmother married her father, trips to
the villa stopped.
The hills rolled along. The grasses were tall and the mountain in the distance
was rugged like a man. Rocks and trees formed the mountain — a single green
fortress above the hills. Joanna decided to spend more time in the timeless valley in
the future. She thought Samuel could be credited with making this region safe
again.
She took a stroll before Samuel arrived and forgot her wrap. She turned around
because she was cold and wanted to return to the warmth of the villa. She could
almost taste an earthiness in the air. The harvest was abundant and the staff had
worked especially long hours in the past few weeks. The house was in the process
of being closed for the winter months and half of the estate’s furnishings had
already been covered and rooms promptly closed off, then hastily reopened for her
visit. The hunters had worked all day to find game for the night’s dinner. The
smoke from the chimneys made the air seem apprehensive of the winter that would
begin before too long.
Joanna was walking toward the house when she saw Samuel in the distance
rapidly approaching. It had been a long time and she was full of joy at the sight of
him.
He waved, and she returned his wave. Joanna thought that he was the most unroyal
royal she had ever met in any kingdom, unless she considered herself.
Queen Joanna saw her soldiers bow and then Prince Samuel reached her. His
eyes glanced over her as if taking her in. She smiled broadly at him and if they
were alone she would surely have thrown her arms around him in greeting.
Samuel said, “Queen Joanna, how well you look. I hardly recognized you today.
You are so poised. You look like the queen you have become.”
“My dearest friend! How I missed you!” She settled for a compromised greeting.
Since she was in her eastern region, she would greet him in their fashion. She
kissed him on each cheek.
Samuel was surprised and pleased. His face displayed his merriment.
“I like this region!” he said.
Joanna laughed and added, “I am following custom.”
He knew that was an excuse but he didn’t mind. Her cheeks were rose colored
from the walking — which prompted him to admire her youth.
“It is a lovely day, are you returning to the house so early?” he asked.
“I am chilled, so yes, I am returning.”
Prince Samuel took off his wool coat to offer her its warmth. A sweet smile
appeared on her lips as he helped her with the coat, then he offered her his arm and
she took it. They proceeded back to the house, and passed the soldiers posted there
keeping watch over them.
*
Joanna insisted that the enlisted men that accompanied them should enjoy a fine
dinner. The Queen would allow generosity to rule in her kingdom instead of
protocol. The General, Samuel, and Joanna and her two ladies-in-waiting sat all
together. The oak table and chairs matched the beam that ran across the ceiling.
The white walls made the small room appear larger and the light oak tables
reminded Joanna of David. She could picture him shaving the wood smooth as he
made a table.
It was quiet in the end of the dining area where they sat. It was not proper for the
General to be seated with Royals; he at first declined Joanna’s offer to dine with
her and Samuel. She explained that given the fact that they were in a less formal
region away from prying eyes, nobody would know where he had been seated, and
he agreed at her urging. Prince Samuel seemed happy to have another military man
to converse with and he was at ease.
“Your Royal Highness, you are a kind soul! The men feast tonight,” General
Stuart proclaimed.
“The men deserve to eat well on a journey such as this,” she said.
“Are things quiet in the region?” Samuel asked as he folded his hands together.
The months of travel had not afforded him a true report.
“Yes, Your Highness, the peace has held,” General Stuart answered as a servant
took his plate.
“I do not believe our relations would attack us, especially as we journey,” Maria
said.
“I do not wish to rely on good will, Maria!” Joanna said.
The burst of laughter from the other dining room reminded them the armed
soldiers were close at hand.
“My Queen, I have only offered my best hope considering the Duke has
graciously invited us,” Maria said.
“Forgive my remarks,” Joanna said. “I forgot your brother is close to the Duke.”
She did not like Duke William, but Maria’s family held him in high regard,
although Maria seemed more interested in tales of his adventures than in defending
him.
“Yes, Your Highness, and my Papa,” Maria said.
“It is only a precaution to travel so heavily guarded, my lady,” General Stuart
told Maria.
“We are at peace and we hope it continues,” Prince Samuel said.
“Yes, Prince Samuel.” Maria said. “I only offer my observation that we are
going to a party with good will among kingdoms.”
After the meal was finished, Joanna retired. The journey was just halfway done
and they had to cross the ridge to get to Seine. Joanna remembered why she hated
to travel when she thought of the bumpy hills she had to pass through.
The General and Samuel lingered at the table discussing war strategy. They
discussed ancient battles and how the outcomes would have changed had the
generals tried a different tactic. It was a lively discussion but Joanna didn’t want to
discuss past wars; she had her own battle to fight with the Duke of Seine.
*
The Duchy of Seine was expansive. As her carriage pulled up to the castle she
took in the view of the lake. It reflected the autumn trees, which were as colorful as
the feathers of an exotic bird. The lake’s waters rippled in the breeze and made the
trees appear to dance on the water.
Duke William’s castle was made of sandstone and it looked like a big box with
its stones piled on top of the other. It was larger than Joanna’s castle and protected
by a moat, so the carriages had to stop and wait for the drawbridge to be lowered.
She strained to view Sable Castle. The bronze doors blended into the stones. She
exited the carriage and was greeted by the Grand Duchess. Duke Williams’s
Mother was of medium height and a bit round, although she had been the most
desired bride years ago, according to Maria. The Duchess greeted them with a
pleasant smile. Queen Joanna rather liked her despite her offspring.
The entrance hall contained a curved mahogany staircase. The staff escorted her
and her ladies-in-waiting to their bed chambers. The Duke’s staff made sure the
guests would feel at home.
The trip exhausted Joanna. She had hoped to see the lake and trees, but she had
arrived too late. There would be time later to see the leaves, she supposed.
The staff was extremely well organized and she appreciated their promptness
when she requested they draw up a bath for her.
As not all the guests had arrived, dinner would be served not in the Great Hall,
but rather in the breakfast area, and there was no expectation that their host would
dine with them that evening. After she had returned to the castle from living in the
cave, Joanna had wanted to get dressed by herself and to fix her own hair, but after
she was crowned Queen she found that every hour of every day was scheduled and
filled. Joanna had a romantic view of independence until reality of everyday life as
a monarch left her exhausted. Sometimes she only slept a few hours before she had
to get up. Queen Joanna hated the social aspects of her role as queen the most, yet
she was good at them just the same.
The next day arrived and she took a tour of Sable Castle. The tour group
climbed the mahogany stairs and the dark panels of wood surrounded them. The
tour twisted through the Duke of Seine’s home and it stopped in a private study.
Joanna was impressed with the castle’s opulence. Green marble adorned the
fireplace. An elegant painting of the castle sat on the mammoth mantle.
The tour included fourteen ladies. Six were young, including Joanna. The chatter
of women’s voices fluttered across the study and must have reached the private
gathering area of the Duke of Seine because a door opened and the Duke himself
appeared.
“Francois. I thought that I heard your exceptional dissertation about the fireplace
mantle,” quipped the Duke.
The man leading the tour bowed to the Duke. The young princesses giggled and
curtseyed when Duke William appeared.
“If you would permit me to continue, my lord, I was finished with this room and
want to move our guests on to the casemate, and then chapel area,” he responded.
“Certainly, continue, and I will join your group.” The Duke glanced at the
ladies.
“Very good, Your Royal Highness,” came the immediate reply.
Joanna thought the Duke seemed to find the attractive women wherever they
may be. The tour continued and the pretty princesses stayed at the back of the tour
near the Duke.
The tour moved through the casemate. The Duke whispered into the ear of a
very pretty young princess with dark curly hair. Joanna wondered who she was as
the girl glanced up at him. Clearly she enjoyed his attention. The Duke pointed out
the artwork as they traveled through a hall with many white arches making the
ceiling contrast with the wooden columns. The paintings in golden frames
delighted the viewer and Joanna wished she had paid more attention to her tutors
when she studied art. His collection was delightful. Duke William would need no
marriage to add to this wealth, she thought, for it was extensive.
The elderly ladies near Joanna asked countless questions which dragged the tour
on. Finally, the tour stopped before the double wooden doors that led into the
chapel.
The chapel was small and the group had to move in close to fit inside. The guide
remained in the back and commented on the origins of the stained glass windows
as the rear of the group squeezed into the room.
Joanna was surprised that the Duke took a spot beside her. His square jaw, dark
hair trimmed neatly, and dark day jacket impeccably tailored made him seem ideal
to most princesses, she supposed. His broad shoulders gave him an air of an
athlete. The other young princesses tried to stand near the Duke as the giggles and
whispers continued. Duke William ignored them and was silent. He looked up at
the window.
Joanna looked up at the window also and noticed that the red stained glass rose
up towards a descending dove. Sunlight tried to shine through the red glass but to
no avail. She traced the movement of the sun higher but still it could not be seen.
Then the sunlight reached the white dove and light shone through, illuminating the
group. The Duke seemed to drink in the light. Just as suddenly as the light
illuminated them, the sun moved under a cloud and the room darkened again.
The tour guide led the ladies out the doors. Duke William stepped toward
Joanna as the others passed by. His back brushed hers.
Joanna saw the pretty dark haired Princess move in front of the Duke and the
girl glanced at him as she exited the chapel. The Duke did not look at her.
Joanna watched with curiosity. The young woman clearly wanted his attention
and he refused to give it to her. The Princess was dressed in a white gown which
displayed her lovely figure but he did not appear drawn to her any longer. Her eyes
fluttered as she giggled, but he seemed indifferent, his eyes focused on the
window. Joanna knew he played a cruel game, yet she sensed his intentions were
honorable in the chapel. It was a curious thing. The girl almost sulked at his lack of
attention, and moved to the exit. Joanna noticed she looked back at him once more
before she left yet he remained aloof.
She glanced down at the stone floor and then she felt something brush her
shoulder again. It was the Duke’s arm which had brushed against her. Duke
William did not apologize, but rather he turned and looked directly at her and their
eyes locked. His gaze made her curious about his thoughts, which she only
imagined were unfavorable towards her. He turned and exited the chapel.
Joanna lingered a moment longer and she was the last one out. As she glanced
down the hallway she noticed the Duke had taken the arm of an elderly lady and
was chatting with her.
When Joanna reached the main gathering area that led to the guest quarters, she
saw the dark haired Princess again. Joanna was surprised that Prince Samuel was
engaged in an easy conversation with the Princess. Joanna had spent little time
with him the last two months and she wondered what had occupied his time.
*
The night’s dinner was overcrowded as the Duke was a popular host and it
seemed most Royals had accepted his invitation. Joanna imagined it would be
impossible to find anyone she knew there as the Duke traveled in much different
circles than she did.
She was a bit surprised Duke William invited the Prince of Ott, as he was not a
relation. Joanna supposed she had been invited because it was expected that family
would be included in any social event. Why William would invite a non-ruling
member of a distant kingdom she was not sure. At least their respective countries
were at peace.
Joanna’s hair was swept into an up do and her gown was blue like the ocean.
She wore a diamond studded crown which she only wore on special occasions.
Joanna and her lady-in-waiting, Maria, sat at a long table. They were beside
each other and whispered to one another. Dinner was served at seven o’clock and
the servants were exceptional at their jobs.
Joanna was seated near her elderly and distant relations who were hard of
hearing, so real conversation was nonexistent. The large room lacked any real
warmth and the white walls and paintings of foxes and deer seemed out of place in
a dining hall. The rectangular tables covered with white cloths added nothing to the
clumsy room.
The rest of the castle was grand except for this part and Joanna felt a room as
intimate as a dining room should reflect a quiet dignity, not a loud hallway. The
stone floor made the sounds echo. The banquet hall was so loud that no one could
hear each other and whispering into the ear was the only means to communicate
with Maria.
The elderly royals retired after dessert was served but Joanna was having a
merry time talking to Maria so she lingered. Joanna asked Maria to point out the
Royals that were strangers to her.
“See, Queen Joanna, the first table, on your far left, that is the Queen of Kane,
Diana. Do you see her? She is the round one with the brown hair,” Maria told her.
“And this is who Duke William will marry? I don’t believe that he will ever
marry her!” she confided to Maria.
“Oh yes, he saw her bank account, and he is very happy to marry her!” Maria
said with a giggle.
“Who is that seated next to her?” Joanna saw another royal who was perhaps her
own age.
“That is her brother, John Phillip; he is quite a handsome man. Are you
interested, my lady?”
“Oh no, I was just asking because I do not know him.”
Joanna never intended for Maria to take her curiosity in such a way. She was
hurt by Maria’s thoughts for a moment, and then she realized that Maria probably
didn’t know about her marriage to David. It was gossiped about, but Joanna hadn’t
admitted to it, at least not publicly. It felt untrue to David to be enjoying herself
and yet here she was at a party. Joanna had to remind herself, that she may be
enjoying the party, and yet the reason that she was there was to represent her