Copyright © 2003 by Robin Sutton

Chapter 1

Mary had been out riding all afternoon. She loved riding around the palace grounds especially in the spring. The grass was turning green, the trees were budding and the air smelled fresh. There was one spot she loved to go to just to sit, think, read or enjoy the quiet. It was next to the lake that was near the palace. Today she was going to think, she had been doing that a lot lately, ever since her father told her he had arranged for her to be married. She had spent a lot of time trying to get out of it. She sat there all afternoon until she finally realized how late it was. Jumping on her horse she rode him as hard as she could back to the palace.

When Mary returned to the palace her hair was wind blown and her clothes were in disarray. She jumped off her horse and running toward the door she knew she was late and in trouble. As she ran through the door there was Marta standing with her arms crossed and a disappointed look on her face. Marta was a hefty woman, her gray hair was always pulled back and she had worn the same clothes for as long as Mary had known her. The years of tending the palace had taken their toll on her, she had always said ‘since Mary was able to walk Marta had aged ten years to Mary’s one’. Marta had helped to raise both Mary and Andrew, she had even helped raise their father. Marta knew every inch of the palace and every person that had been in or out.

Mary always seemed to be running late when it came to her royal duties. If it were up to her she would spend her time riding or sitting in the garden. All the pomp and protocol was not for her, especially today. She never minded being a Princess but all the ceremonies, receptions and the balls drove her crazy. She hated the way people treated her during these events introducing her to their sons and asking for favors that she couldn’t or wouldn’t do.

Mary was of average height, long black hair and a shapely figure. She was proud of how she looked and loved wearing the beautiful dresses she had. It was one of the few benefits of being a Princess. The drawback was not being able to be with people who liked her for the person she was and not because she was royalty. She wasn’t

allowed to do much for fear of getting hurt but she didn’t care, if it didn’t kill her let her do it is how she felt.

As she ran up the stairs Marta was close on her heals, "Don’t say it Marta, I know, I know". She knew her parents would have a few words to say to her if she arrived late again. When her parents had told her that she would marry Prince Richard she screamed. Prince Richard was rude, conceded and extremely demanding. She knew he despised her just as much.

She remembered the first time she met Richard at a ball in Cobury. They were both their for a royal wedding. She was never attracted to him. He was tall, brown hair, a smile that could break a mirror and overall not very handsome. When he asked her to dance she didn’t want to be rude. All he talked about was himself and how the ladies loved him. Mary thought of other things as he went on and on. It irritated Richard when Mary wouldn’t coddle him or support his ego.

This evening was the grand ball to announce their engagement. She had tried everything to get out of it short of killing herself. She remembered the last time she brought it up with her father, he was alone in his office. Mary knocked on the door he called for her to come in. Her father was surprised and happy to see her, he came around his desk, took her in his arms, and hugged her. Still holding her he said, "What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"Do I have to have a reason to visit my father?" Mary said with a coy smile. Her father gave her a sidewise look. They went over and sat on the love seat that was next to the window.

"Now Mary what is wrong?" Her father asked. He knew her too well and he had a feeling he knew why she was here. He hated the idea of forcing her to marry but he had to be sure she would be taken care of and it was vital to the two countries. The Ottomans were becoming too powerful to ignore, if their forces did not join it would be the end to both countries.

He made sure Mary received an education. Some days Mary didn’t care about what was going on in the country but it was spending time with her father that she enjoyed. He had taught her how to ride a horse instead of having someone else do it. Unlike many royal families her father spent a lot of time with her. There were many afternoons when they would have picnics by the lake.

Mary looked forward to going on the picnics with her father. She would dress in her riding clothes, and always made the picnic lunch. Having spent time with the servants, some of which was in the kitchen learning how to cook. Her father knew but didn’t seem to mind since he liked how she cooked.

The horses were ready when they went out through the back of the palace. The royal family had always bred their own horses from the very best stock. She had picked one that seemed to click with her. Even though they were on the royal property soldiers had to be near by. When he was spending time with Mary he had the soldiers keep a safe distance away. You never knew who might be hiding in the woods. There was always someone who didn’t like how the government ran things. The majority did respect the way her father ran things though. He respected the people and had always told Mary, ‘without the people you don’t have a country and without a country what do you have? If you treat the people with respect they will respect you and be there when their country needs them.’

They rode to the same spot on the other side of the lake. They had chosen this spot for the view, you could see the palace and the rolling hills that surrounded it. They would talk, eat, and just enjoy spending time together. Mary remembered the last time then went she spent part of the time crying, knowing this would be the last time they would have this time together.

Sitting with her father in his office now hoping for one last time to change his mind about this marriage, "Father I love you and would do anything for you but why do I have to do this?"

Her father stood up, he didn’t want to go over this again. Mary had to understand she was the only hope of keeping the country together. Richard was the best choice. He hated making Mary wed someone she didn’t love but there was no other way. Going to his desk and without looking at Mary, "Mary I wish you could understand, I am through discussing it. I think you have a lot to do?"

Mary was upset her father was giving her the brush off, standing up and going over to her father’s desk Mary said, "father please don’t make me marry Richard, he’s arrogant and not in love with me anymore then I am with him."

"Mary I have work to do, the conversation is now over you will have to leave," her father said in a slightly gruff voice. Mary was shocked he was dismissing her like one of their servants.

"You can’t just dismiss me I want to settle this," Mary said in the same tone of voice as her father’s.

"Mary," her father said with a stern look that told her she should go but Mary figured what did she have to loose other then the rest of her life.

"Father please call off this wedding, I can’t go through with this," Mary said. Just then the door opened and her mother came in. Mary took after her mother in looks, her mother never seemed to age.

"Mary I think that is enough and I don’t want to hear another word about it," her mother said sternly. Mary looked at her and her father and knew the subject was finally closed. She left and went upstairs, she lay on her bed and cried.

Mary had even asked her mother to help but found out that her parent’s marriage had been arranged. Everyone loved her mother. Her warmth and beauty was brought out in her smile and eyes. Her mother was the same height as Mary, brown eyes and brown hair. Her mother always wore her hair wound on top of her head. She also had her own opinion of how a Princess should act.

Like her father her mother made sure she was educated. Her mother educated her with etiquette and the proper way to conduct herself. This was the only time Mary and her mother spent time together.

They never were able to talk freely with each other as she could with her father.

Mary had learned a lot about her mother during their last conversation that she had never known. Her mother and brother were a lot alike, quiet, and full of secrets. Andrew didn’t look like their father. He was taller, and had a more muscular build, his black hair and some of his facial features he acquired from his mother. Her mother’s secret was that she had been deeply in love with another man that was not her father.

They had been out riding when the carriage wheel broke, several men happen to be riding by and stopped to assist. One of the man happen to catch her mother’s eye, he was tall, handsome and very charming.

Her mother found out he worked in their stables so then she started going to the stables a lot. First they started talking then it grew and grew from there. When her father the Duke told her she would be marrying a Prince her mother argued just like Mary had been doing and with no success. She married the Prince and grew to respect him.

She told Mary she could do the same. Mary disagreed, why should she be unhappy the rest of her life for her parents sake. Her brother Andrew agreed with Mary but had no influence with their father. Their father adored Mary but he never felt that Andrew was his son. He always believed that the Queen had had an affair with her stable boy. She could remember how they had treated each other after Andrew was born.

After Andrew was born the King took his own room. The King and Queen spent little time together unless it was necessary. The King had always loved the Queen and thought he could win her over but he was wrong. The King had first met the Queen at a royal ball and instantly fell in love with her. He courted her for months before asking for her hand. It wasn’t until after Mary was born that he found out that the Queen was in love with someone else.

When Andrew was born he had features that didn’t match their fathers. Mary found out one night when she went looking for her mother and heard them arguing in her father’s office. Her father told her about following her and seeing her with the man in the shack, her mother then admitted that she had. Mary was scared for her mother not knowing what their father would do. By law he could have her imprisoned or put to death, but he did neither. He said ‘for Mary’s sake and for the country he would not punish her by way of the law.’ That is why her father wanted her married so Andrew could not become King.

Mary and Andrew followed their parents into the ballroom. Everyone went quiet as they walked across the ballroom. Mary stood beside her mother while Andrew stood beside their father. The only time Andrew was allowed near their father was in public. King Edward, Queen Isabel and Prince Richard appeared at the far side and walked toward them. They bowed, her father and King Edward greeted each other with a handshake. They had been good friends since childhood and had looked forward to this day for a long time.

Her father then held out his hand toward Mary, she stepped down the stairs and took it, "I am proud to announce the engagement of Princess Mary to Prince Richard. Someday our countries will be joined as one." Her father gave her hand to Richard, he then escorted her to the center of the room as applause echoed throughout the room. They took the first dance, she then spent most of the evening dancing with every young and old man in the room.

Standing in the back watching the festivities was Jacob. He was tall, slender, black hair that went to just below the ears, and had eyes and a smile that could seduce any women. When the ladies were not dancing with the Prince they would come to Jacob. He never had a problem with one of the young ladies staying the night with him. His ultimate goal was the Princess. He had wanted her since they ere young. His father was the King’s assistant so he grew up in the palace with the Princess and the Prince.

Jacob was dancing with one of the young ladies and made sure when the song ended he was near the Princess. When it did end Jacob went to her, "your highness may I?"

Mary didn’t like the idea of dancing with Jacob but to dance with someone more her age would be nice. "I could get you out of this marriage if you want," Jacob said.

Mary looked up at him, "how?"

"We could run away somewhere and get married," Jacob said smiling at her. Watching for her reaction.

"Marry you," Mary said more like a question, with a grin on her face, "I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth." She could tell that was not what Jacob wanted to hear.

"I think once you’ve tasted a real man you will change your mind," Jacob said.

"And who would that real man be? You? Jacob I’ve tolerated you over the years but I have never had any feelings for you," Mary said.

"I think you do," he said.

He was really getting irritated with her. When the music had finished she walked off the dance floor leaving him standing there.

Jacob stormed off he went on one of the balconies to cool his temper. Jacob never liked how Mary did things, she was too friendly with the servants, and was too independent for a woman. Mary always took chances, there were many times when she dressed in servant clothes and went with one of the girls to the market. Since no one recognized her, she was able to talk with people and see things she wouldn’t otherwise get to see.

Mary looked at him confused, "unhand me sir," Mary demanded. His hand was tight on her arm right above the elbow. When he talked it was slightly slurred, she could smell the ale on his breath, he had apparently been drinking heavily.

Annie the servant girl who was with Mary came over, "we are not that kind sir." She took Mary’s other arm and they tried to move the other way.

The man wouldn’t let go, his grip became tighter, pulling her closer to him he said, "I’m sure a pretty girl like you could use some extra money?"

Mary figured out what he was talking about, "I could not sir. So unhand me or I will have you arrested," the man laughed. Mary was starting to get a little worried.

"You sure are mouthy for poor trash," the man said pulling her closer to his face. Mary slapped him and yanked her arm away. He grabbed her again and started dragging her down the street. Annie ran to find some soldiers.

Jacob happened by and noticed Mary, having heard part of the conversation and as the man pulled Mary down the street Jacob moved toward them. "Pardon me sir you must unhand her now," Jacob said in an authoritative voice with his hand near his pistol.

The man stopped and looked at him, "get your own this ones mine." The man started walking again, Jacob got off his horse and went up to him grabbing a hold of the mans coat turned him around then hit him so hard that he went into the wall. Mary went part of the way before he let go of her, then she went down hard on her back end.

Jacob came over and helped her up, "thank you Jacob." Jacob took her arm and escorted her back down the street leaving the man lying in the alley unconscious.

When they reached the street Jacob turned her to face him, "what the hell are you doing here?"

Mary answered the question in a nonchalant way, "helping Annie with the shopping." Mary turned to look for Annie not knowing she had gone for the soldiers.

Jacob followed, "how often do you do this?"

Mary stopped, turned and looked at him, "Jacob I’ve done this many times, no one knows who I am. This is the first time I’ve had any trouble."

Jacob smiled figuring out what was going on, "your father doesn’t know does he?" Thinking now he had a way to spend more time with her, it was blackmail but if it works.

Mary looked at him with a coy grin, "are you thinking of blackmailing me?"

Jacob put his face close to hers, "call it what you like but now I know your little secret and we both know what could happen if your father were to find out." Mary didn’t know what to say, she knew he would tell on her and she also knew what her father would do.

Before he could make his demands the soldiers came around the corner. Annie was with them, "your highness are you OK?" The people on the street were looking at them now, some had heard what the soldier had said.

"Yes I’m fine," Mary said, she could feel all the eyes on her.

"I will take you back to the palace now," the soldier then helped her onto his horse. The towns people were starting to whisper, she knew she was in trouble now. She caught Jacob’s smiling face as she was leaving, she had to think of something. The last thing in the world she wanted was to be indebted to Jacob knowing how he felt about her.

Her parents walked past her, "Mary come with me," her fathered said. They went to her father’s office then her father pointed to the chair in front of his desk. Mary sat without saying a word knowing better. Her mother stood beside her father’s desk looking at her. Her father looked at her for a few moments, "so Mary what have you been doing today?" Mary wasn’t sure what to say, her father noticed her reluctance, "we will be talking with the soldiers, and I would rather hear it from you."

Then Mary remembered Jacob’s threat, Mary sighed, "I went to town with Annie to help with the shopping." Her parent’s looked at each other, apparently that wasn’t what they were expecting.

"How long have you been doing this?" her father asked.

"Not long, I just wanted to get out and meet the people. They didn’t know who I was and treated me like a person and not a Princess." Mary didn’t tell them what had happened today, she knew that would be a mistake, she hoped they wouldn’t find out from the others.

"Mary you are a Princess, if someone were to recognize you there could be trouble," her father said.

Her mother finally spoke up, "Mary what if someone were to take advantage of you?" Her father went to the door, talked with the soldier and came back in. He went and sat in his chair and didn’t say anything he just looked at Mary. She felt nervous what was he up to.

The door opened and the soldier who had brought her back to the palace, came in. The King asked him, "Have you known about Mary going into town?"

The soldier answered, "no sir."

"Why were you bringing her home?" the King asked, Mary knew she was in trouble.

"Annie came to us that Mary was in trouble. By the time we arrived Mr. Jacob had taken care of it," the soldier answered.

Mary knew she was in trouble "thank you." The soldier left, "do you want to explain or do I have to call Jacob?"

Mary told them what happened, they didn’t say much after. Her parents were so upset she had a guard ordered to follow her for months. It drove Mary crazy.

Mary never thought herself better then anyone else because she was a Princess. She could only remember one time that she used her status was with Montcliff. He was yelling at one of the young servants, Mary explained some new rules on treating servants. She never did like or trust Montcliff.

Jacob was several years older then Mary, when Mary started to mature Jacob took notice. Mary wasn’t as impressed by him and was friendly as she had always been. Once he had found Mary in her favorite spot the rose garden. When he approached she got up to leave, "don’t leave," Jacob said.

Mary stopped with her back to him "Jacob I’m not in the mood."

They had had a fight, the day before he could tell she was still mad at him. "I’m sorry," Jacob said, even though he really wasn’t. He walked over to her and turned her around, she still didn’t look at him he lifted her face up so he could look into her eyes. "Do you forgive me?"

"I don’t know," Mary said. Before she could leave Jacob kissed her, starting out tender then harder. Her first kiss, it wasn’t what she expected. With Jacob it didn’t feel right, she wasn’t sure how it should feel having never been kissed before but there should be a desire to return it or want it. She finally was able to pull away, she headed toward the palace when Jacob caught up with her and grabbed her arm, "Mary wait." Mary stopped "don’t run from your feelings."

He turned her around and kissed her again, she pulled away "Jacob I don’t have feelings for you," Mary said and left. She avoided him as much as possible after that.

She barely gave Jacob a notice and now that she was going to marry Prince Richard most would think their chances gone. Now Jacob knew she didn’t love Richard as a mater of fact she couldn’t stand him and the feeling was mutual. Jacob had always prided himself on being able to get women to cheat on their husbands. This one would be no different.

The first chance she had Mary snuck out to the garden to her favorite part the rose garden. She didn’t have to worry about Richard or Jacob looking for her, she had seen them disappear with one of the ladies at the ball. This gave Mary hope that Richard would be busy with other ladies and not bother with her.

Suddenly there was someone beside her she turned to find Andrew sitting there. "They released you finally I see," Mary said Andrew smiled. One thing about her and Andrew they understood each other. They both dreaded balls for the way they were sought after by all the single men and women in the country and by the parents who wanted them to marry into royalty.

"So I guess you will be on your own from now on," Mary said with humor in her voice. Andrew had grown into a very handsome sure of himself man despite what their father said. Andrew was much taller than she was and kept himself fit. His black hair brought out his brown eyes and was enough to win over any women he wanted.

When it came to women though he was shy. Andrew smiled and said with the same humor, "I would love to come with you." Mary was going to miss him then she laid her head on his shoulder. Sometimes neither had to say anything to know what the other was feeling. They walked up to their rooms together.

When she had almost reached her room a hand grabbed her arm, and turned her around she looked up to find Richard. He was half undressed, she could smell liquor on his breath, "where have you been?" Mary didn’t answer, his grip on her arm became tighter, "answer me, I will not tolerate any secrets."

Mary jerked her arm free, "we are not married yet, and I do not have to answer to you."

Richard grabbed her throat with his hand, his face was an inch from hers "when we are married I will own you and know and control every move you make. I’m sure this marriage idea was yours and I will make you suffer for it."

Mary sternly looked at him, "I don’t want this any more then you, and you can go to hell."

Richard raised his hand but stopped, looking past her he took Mary’s hand and kissed it, "until morning my love." He then walked off. Mary turned to see Andrew standing there, Mary mouthed ‘thank you’.

For the next couple of week’s plans were made, her things were packed and she was prepared to be married. It would take several days some of it by train some by carriage to get there. It was a mutual decision between Andrew and their father that Andrew not go. Andrew didn’t like the way they were forcing Mary to marry Richard and his father used the excuse he needed to stay and watch over the affairs. Andrew wasn’t allowed to make any decisions but for looks his father wanted him to stay.

The train ride wasn’t too bad they had their own room. The carriage ride was the worst it would take several days, the first night they staid in a local Inn. It was the best they had, Mary hated to see the worst. They walked into the pub area, it looked like a dirty dog had come in and shook covering the walls and the people with dirt. The stairs were in the back, as they walked past the people Mary heard comments and remarks.

No one knew they were royalty, when traveling they would dress down a bit so they wouldn’t be recognized. This kept them from being confronted by unhappy citizens. It also helped to keep her parents from being assassinated. The stairs were dark, when they reached the next floor it was not much brighter. Her parents were shown to one room and Mary was put in the one next to it. As she stepped in she wondered if sleeping in the carriage would be so bad.

It had a strange odor as if it hadn’t been cleaned ever. The little bit of furniture looked old and beat up. The bed was small and also had that smell to it. She had a hard time sleeping that night anyway. She tried to blame it on the noise coming from downstairs but she knew that wasn’t it. In a couple of days she would marry Richard and spend her life in seclusion.

Richard would not allow her to do what she wanted such as riding and talking to the servants. Richard was the part of the royalty that she didn’t like or want to be. That night after the ball Mary was almost scared of Richard, she knew he would hit her if she didn’t do what he wanted. She would never be able to convince her father of how Richard really was. She would just have to be strong and do her best.