Hand-Me-Down Princess (29 page)

She enjoyed the visit. She liked the children and the workers, who were about her age. It was nice to get her hands dirty, planting vegetables they would use in the school cafeteria or donate to one of the local shelters.

The visit seemed all too short and before she knew it, Jessabelle weas headed back to the palace to get ready for her third event of the day. This time she would be joining Malachi at the big Adoption Option fundraiser he and Lizbeth had been working on for the last several months.

Though she had come to a truce with the other woman, and even seemed to be forming a friendship, Jessabelle wasn’t thrilled with going to a dinner where her husband and another woman would be the center of attention. Malachi was in the shower when Jessabelle and her entourage made it back to the apartment. They took all of the things she needed into one of the other bedrooms. Jessabelle took her own quick shower, and, wrapped in a luxurious robe, let Debbie work her magic. Five minutes before it was time to leave, she had slipped on the sea foam green chiffon gown and silver sandals.

Time to go.

Chapter 28

Jessabelle seemed to possess a new poise when she walked into the living room. Malachi couldn’t hold in the low whistle. “You look fabulous,
Mia Belle
.” He didn’t even care there were other people around to hear his nickname for her. People hired to work directly with the family had strict confidentiality clauses, but none would have been hired if they weren’t imminently trustworthy in the first place.

He rested his hands on her hips and pulled her close. “I’m going to be the envy of every man there tonight.”

She ducked her head and turned a most becoming shade of pink. “I happen to think I’ll be the envy of most of the women there.”

That was one way to stroke a guy’s ego. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead so he wouldn’t mess up her lipstick and let her go. He extended his elbow. “Shall we?”

Her hand slid inside, and he relished the feeling of it there. They’d come a long way in the last few months. In a couple of minutes, they were on their way. Jessabelle seemed nervous as they pulled up to the actual red carpet leading into the venue, but not as bad as she often had in the past. This time, rather than tucking her hand in his elbow, he held her hand. In some ways, it seemed more intimate, though they didn’t link fingers. They walked slowly up the carpet, stopping to wave several times and paused for official pictures. When they made it inside, they were shown to an ante room where they would wait until they were introduced.

“You did wonderful,” he told her when they were alone for a moment. “I’m very proud of you.”

“Thank you. I’m doing better at faking it until I really do feel confident.”

He slid an arm around her waist and tucked her into his side. “I pray you’ll be confident for real sooner rather than later.”

Before they could talk any more, the door opened again and Lizbeth entered accompanied by her father. Greetings were exchanged though Malachi noticed an undercurrent he never had before. When was the last time he’d seen the man? Before the wedding? Maybe that explained it. Had he really thought Malachi would marry his daughter?

He kept Jessabelle close to his side. She couldn’t be comfortable in the presence of the other man, not with this tension.

The event coordinator walked in and addressed Malachi. “Are you ready sir?”

He nodded and noted Mr. Bence’s increased annoyance. Really?

The coordinator went on. “Mr. Bence, Ms. Bence, you’ll enter first.”

Malachi hung back with Jessabelle and waited as Lizbeth was introduced and hid his smirk when her father was referred to as her escort. A bit of polite applause greeted them. A moment later, Malachi entered when he and Jessabelle were both announced by name. This time, those assembled rose to their feet. It was a greeting Malachi was used to, but it had to irk Mr. Bence.

He released Jessabelle’s hand to shake a few hands and kiss a few cheeks as they walked to the head table. He noticed Jessabelle doing the same, though she accepted cheek kisses from the men in the room. When they reached their seats, Malachi held his wife’s for her then seated himself between his wife and Lizbeth.

As expected dinner was excellent, but Malachi was a bit nervous about the dancing portion of the evening. The last several years, the first dance had been for the organizers of the event-Lizbeth and himself. They had never discussed what would happen this year. The hostess of ceremonies had done the job long before he and Lizbeth had taken over as co-coordinators.

He leaned over to whisper to Jessabelle. “The last several years, Lizbeth and I have had the first dance because we were the coordinators. I’m not sure what’s planned this year. If it hasn’t changed, you are my second dance.”

She nodded but didn’t reply. He wanted to kiss the side of her head, but settled for squeezing her hand. A few minutes later, the announcement was made and he stood, extending a hand to Lizbeth. When they made it to the dance floor, she seemed to automatically move as close to him as she used to.

“I’m married, Lizbeth,” he reminded her quietly and by the second set of steps, there was an appropriate distance between them. “Thank you.” They didn’t speak for the rest of the dance, and when it ended, he bowed politely before handing her off to her next partner. One of the women he’d met a number of times tried to solicit his next dance but he simply smiled. “Perhaps you will save a dance for me later? I believe my wife is next on my dance card.” She smiled, and that was the end of it. Word would get around he valued dances with his wife, and that would be a good thing.

He bowed to Jessabelle and held out a hand. “May I have the honor of this dance?”

“Of course.”

In just a moment, they were on the dance floor along with a number of other guests. This time he did hold his partner close, not just because he knew word would get around, but because he wanted to. He bent close until he could whisper in her ear. “You will have to dance with others tonight.”

“I know. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m proud of you.” This time he did kiss her temple. “You’re becoming the woman I know you can be. I’ve been praying for you for months, and I’m so glad to see it happening.”

Malachi couldn’t see the blush, but he was sure she did from the way she ducked her head. The dance came to an end, and they spent the next hour circulating. After a dance with a particularly trying, but very generous, donor, he decided a short break was in order. He used the men’s room but as he returned to the ball room, he heard his name mentioned.

“I’ve been given assurances by the king that, should the new princess fail to conceive by the deadline in June, Prince Malachi will be required to set her aside and find a new wife.”

Malachi’s blood began to boil. Had his father said that?

Another man chuckled. “I suppose you want the prince for a son-in-law?”

“I certainly wouldn’t object, even with his first marriage being an abject failure.” The two men laughed in a way that made Malachi uncomfortable. “I guarantee my daughter will be certain he won’t be a philanderer like his father.”

“So there’s no truth to the rumors that he and your daughter are already involved?”

“Do you really think Prince Malachi would violate those wedding vows?”

Another laugh, but no actual response to the suggestion. So others had noticed the lopsided vows. It shouldn’t have surprised him, but the implication that he was having an affair with Lizbeth infuriated him. He tugged first on one shirt sleeve where it came out from under his jacket then the other. Whatever the men said when he came into view, he couldn’t let them see his anger.

He stepped out from behind the plant and could see the shock and fear on the other man’s face. Malachi didn’t recognize him, but he knew who the other voice belonged to. Mr. Bence turned around, a smile plastered on his face.

“Good evening again, Your Royal Highness.”

Time to play dumb. “Good evening, gentlemen. I trust you’ve both made a sizable donation?”

“Of course.”

The three of them walked together to the ballroom, with Mr. Bence violating protocol and entering first. The other man had the good sense to look embarrassed and allowed Malachi to enter next.

Rather than waiting for the next dance, he found his wife. Despite this one just beginning, he tapped on the shoulder of her partner. “Pardon me, sir, may I cut in?”

Mr. Padovano smiled. “Of course, Your Highness.” He looked back at Jessabelle. “Save me another one if you can? If not, I will see you in a couple weeks.”

“I look forward to it. Give your wife my regards, and tell her I hope she feels better.”

Malachi pulled her close. “What’s in a couple weeks?”

“I have dinner plans with Mrs. Padovano that Saturday.”

He frowned regretted what he had to tell her. “I’m sorry,
Mia Belle
, but we already have plans. You’ll have to postpone.”

* * *

“Mrs. Padovano, I’m so glad we could reschedule.” Jessabelle stood as the other woman arrived at the bistro near the palace. She found herself enveloped in another hug like the ones she imagined her mother would have given.

“I’m sorry I’m late, dear,” Mrs. Padovano said as they sat at the table in the corner. “I am glad we could reschedule, too. You have plans that weekend?”

Jessabelle nodded. “The king’s birthday. We’re all going to another house for a few days along with some of his friends.”

“Oh, I had heard something about that. They go every year for his birthday, don’t they?”

She shrugged as she took a sip of her water. “I have no idea.”

They placed their orders, and Mrs. Padovano smiled at her. “Now, what would you like to know about your mother?”

“Oh, anything. I don’t remember much about her.”

The older woman thought for a minute then launched into a story about a trip they’d taken to the zoo as teens. Her mother had quite a few male admirers, and they tried to one up each other in showing their feelings. One had fallen in the duck pond in an effort to impress her with some skill Mrs. Padovano had forgotten over the years.

Jessabelle laughed and finally worked up the courage to ask a question. “What about my father?”

“What about him?”

“Anything. I know it hasn’t been nearly as long since he died, but I don’t feel like I knew him very well at all.”

A wistful smile crossed Mrs. Padovano’s face. “Your father was quite the catch. Handsome, charming. Every girl wanted him to look her way, but from the day he met her, he only had eyes for your mother. She loved him so much and he her. They were devastated when they found out she needed a hysterectomy. Before long, though, she took a metaphorical deep breath and decided there had to be at least one child out there who needed a family. They talked about taking in older children, but for whatever reason they didn’t. In fact, one day I got a phone call from her, and I heard this baby crying in the background. She refused to tell me how they found out about you, just that you were a blessing straight from God. She and your father were so excited, and they loved you so much. She told me one time about the deal your father had with the king.”

“Did she really think it would happen?”

Mrs. Padovano sipped her coffee as she thought about the question. “I don’t think she thought either one of you would be forced into anything, but that you might be introduced to each other. If you hit it off, fell in love, then maybe.”

Jessabelle turned that over in her mind. What would her life have been like if her mother had lived? Would she have met Prince Malachi? Would they have married? Would she be as painfully awkward if her mother had been there to guide her through the tumultuous teen years? “I guess we’ll never know,” she finally answered.

“No, we never will, but I know there’s a plan in all of it. God knew what He was doing when you and Prince Malachi married. None of us can know for sure what that plan is, but there is one. I guarantee it.”

“I know.” Jessabelle couldn’t see it just yet, either, but she had to believe a plan existed in there somewhere. She’d even noticed herself thinking a bit differently about Malachi, especially when he kissed her.

Mrs. Padovano checked her watch. “I’m sorry to do this, sugar, but I do need to get going. I have an appointment this afternoon.”

The waitress chose that moment to show up with the check. Mrs. Padovano reached for it, but Jessabelle covered it with her hand. “It’s my treat.”

“Oh, thank you.” She held Jessabelle’s face in her hands. “I am so glad to have some time with you, dear. Please call me anytime.”

“I will.” After another hug, Mrs. Padovano left. Jessabelle paid the bill with her own debit card from before she married Malachi. She couldn’t explain it but it was important to her to do so. After adding a generous tip, she left the bistro, security in tow. She returned to the palace to discuss the trip with her new stylist, Debbie. Together, they picked out the clothes she would need for the different events, including two formal dinners and a multi-generational horseback ride.

One of the few bright spots was that the king’s former mistress had been seen boarding a plane early in the morning the day after she was presumed to have met with the king. There had long been rumors of secret tunnels, used in ancient times to escape from invading armies, but in times of peace as a way to sneak paramours in and out of the palace unnoticed. If they did exist, their actual locations were a very, very well-kept secret and could have been used for this meeting between the two of them.