The Princess (5 page)

Henley

“He wrote back to you, Shelby,” her father said to her about two weeks later. She had just arrived home from work. “Your mother had to run next door and wanted me to tell you as soon as you got in.”

“Thank you,” Shelby replied softly as she sat down to read the missive. It wasn’t overly long but just as gracious and kind as his first. She could ask him anything she wished, and he wanted to know if she would welcome questions from him. Shelby had to sit for a moment to take it in. She didn’t know how it would all transpire, but somehow in her heart she knew she would be marrying the prince.

The Palace
April 30, 1995

Nikolai stood alone in his bedroom and told himself to breathe deeply. He had the window wide open, cool as it was, but still felt as if he were going to suffocate. This was his wedding day. Resplendent in his black tux, he looked taller than ever and very self-assured, but in truth, he was sick inside. Had he just been sitting in church that morning with his grandparents? The whole day was beginning to feel like a dream. The last months were taking on the same sensation.

Letters had not poured out of him in the months following his first correspondence with Shelby. Indeed, they had exchanged only about one letter a month, and those had been full of facts, not feelings. Those few letters, however, were enough to tell him that the woman he was marrying was a warm, caring woman who loved the Lord with all her heart. Still, one fact was glaringly clear—she was not Yvette. For that reason his heart felt broken inside.

Nikolai gave himself a little shake. He had much to be thankful for, and it was time to remember that. Shelby had been beyond gracious when it came to his requests not to have a large wedding or a reception. She had not expected to meet him, telling his parents that she was comfortable with their handling of things. But what about after the wedding? Would she understand that he
would need some time to adjust? He only hoped she would, as he had little of himself to give her at the moment.

A moment of stubborn anger rose in him that he was being forced into this. After all, it was only April. They could postpone the wedding until fall and still be well within the allotted time. A huge sigh lifted his chest. It was no use putting it off.

I told my father one time that when I married again, I would need to learn to trust You in a new way. I don’t think I really understood just how hard that would be. Please help me, Lord, and Shelby too. Help her to understand my need for time. Help her to be patient with me.

Nikolai’s prayer was interrupted by his father’s knock. He came in uninvited, but Nikolai didn’t mind. There wasn’t anyone else he wanted to see right now.

“How are you?” Rafe asked when he was close enough to see his son’s eyes.

“Not so good, but ready to go ahead.”

Rafe’s eyes were tender as they rested on his only child. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”

Nikolai gave his father a hug that was hugely returned. Both knew that God had been leading all of them in the last months and that eventually all would be well. So alike in height, the men shared a long look before heading for the door.

Daria glanced around the spacious bedroom and sitting room and then looked to Shelby with a raised brow.

“Did you know it was black?”

“Not until I visited at the beginning of the week. They told me I could change things.”

“Will you?”

“I don’t know.” She sounded as uncertain as she felt.

“But you hate black.”

“True, but if this was Yvette’s favorite room, I think I need to live with it for a time.”

Daria moved forward and hugged her. “I think you’re wonderful.” She stepped back and looked her daughter in the eye. “If the prince doesn’t figure out how precious you are, I might come back and tell him myself.”

“You might too.”

Daria smiled. In truth, she felt no such anxiety. Of this Daria was certain: At some point, the prince would fall for his new princess.

“Well, not much time now. Are you ready?”

“I think I am. I’m feeling a little nervous, but I think that will disappear when I put on my veil.”

Daria smiled. “You look beautiful. I’m so glad we chose this dress.”

Shelby was glad too. It was a simple gown of classic lines, high-necked and long-sleeved—not overly done with lace. It suited Shelby and made her feel special. The veil had lace to match the gown, but its most important feature was the dense lace that would cover Shelby’s face. She knew herself to be a woman who blushed easily, and the thought of standing with the prince, lit up like a beacon during the entire ceremony, was horrific to her.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about arranged marriages,” Daria said softly. “They’re so unusual, but one in particular keeps coming to mind.”

“Which one is that?”

“Isaac and Rebekah.”

Shelby nodded.

“I read that passage over several times this morning,” Daria continued, “and I guess because I’m a woman, and women tend to be emotional, I can’t get over the way she goes into his tent as soon as they’re married.”

“I’ve read that too. Do you suppose their intimacy began immediately after they were married?”

“It reads as if it did.”

“Are we wrong to wait, Mother?”

“Are you sure you will be waiting?” Daria asked. This possibility had never occurred to her until now.

“I wouldn’t swear to it,” Shelby said calmly, “but if you could have read his letters, Mother, you would see why I think we’ll wait. This man has not opened his heart to me. I know a good deal about him, but unless everyone has completely misrepresented to me how much he misses his first wife, our intimacy will wait.”

“Have I upset you, Shelby?” Daria asked, her face pale. “I never thought you would do anything but wait, and then suddenly I wasn’t certain.”

“I’m not upset at all, Mother. Please don’t worry about it. If I’m wrong,” she said pragmatically, giving a small shrug, “I hope we can talk about it and he’ll listen to me.”

Daria smiled at her.
She’s so special, Father. I know it’s more than my bias. She’s a precious girl, and I ache with love for her. Let her and the prince find that same love.

“Did Fa say he was coming here?”

“Yes. He should be along any minute.”

“I’m starting to feel nervous.” Shelby glanced around the room; the dark decor did little to cheer her. “I think if we could just get going, I’d be all right.”

Daria did not respond. She walked to the door, opened it, and peeked out, only to turn and shrug at her daughter.

Shelby nodded and went to the window. In a way she didn’t want to rush this. It was to be her only wedding day, and although not conventional in any sense of the word, she wanted to remember it.

At the window, she gazed out with a smile. She was sure to be homesick for the house in Henley, not to mention her parents,
but the view of the park from her bedroom window would certainly take her mind from it.

A moment later her father knocked. They were ready for her. Daria kissed her cheek and then helped her adjust her veil. A moment later she was alone with her father.

“Ready?”

Looking up at him, Shelby nodded. “I think I am. Are you ready?”

“To lose my girl? Never.”

It was said with a smile before he kissed her brow, waited for her to lower the blusher, and then offered his arm. They moved toward the door, both with a mix of emotions. The moment had arrived. Where would God take them from here?

Nikolai watched his bride come into the king’s ballroom on her father’s arm, almost sagging with relief when he saw her veil. He knew she could see him, but he wasn’t up to meeting her eyes. He wasn’t certain why he thought it would be easier to wait, but at the moment he knew he was the biggest coward alive.

Shelby, on the other hand, was anything but relieved. She knew the prince was tall—very tall—just like the king, but the man her father handed her over to towered above her. He glanced down at her, his look serious, as she suspected it would be, but just the sight of that tall frame and handsome face caused Shelby to blush alarmingly. She suddenly asked herself how she could have thought he needed someone to take care of him. He looked as self-possessed as any man could. She thought she might need a chair.

“Dearly beloved,” Pastor Allen began suddenly, and Shelby forced her mind back to why she was there. The mental effort
didn’t work for very long. She ended up having a ridiculous conversation with herself.

So he’s tall, Shelby. What do you care? At 5’8” you’re not exactly short. Okay, so I’m above average, but he’s even taller than my father and the king. He must be 6’3” at least.

“Marriage is not something to be taken lightly,” Pastor Allen said, and Shelby came back to the moment, her face still flaming. “It is to be entered into reverently, with a heart of commitment.”

Shelby heard the word commitment and felt herself grow calm. She was not unusual. She wanted love and romance as much as the next person, but from the time she gained a peace about marrying the prince, she knew she would be committed to this marriage. It was unconventional and a bit scary, but she had seen something in the king and queen, as well as in the prince’s letters, that told her she could honor God in this way. Would the prince be pleased to know she was doing it for that reason? At this point it was hard to say, but Shelby knew her own heart, and that heart was filled with commitment and peace.

“Do you, Shelby Leigh Parker, take Nikolai Rafael Markham to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Pastor Allen was saying to her.

“I do,” she said softly, listening as the pastor addressed the man beside her, and then as Nikolai’s deep voice said his own vow without a hint of hesitation. Not many minutes later, they were husband and wife. Shelby watched as the prince shook Pastor Allen’s hand, turned, briefly met her family, and then offered her his arm. The moment Shelby took it they began to walk from the room. Vaguely aware of her parents and her brother, Brice, she barely caught sight of the king, queen, king regent, queen regent, and even the slightly bent queen mother, all of whom stood on the prince’s side of the aisle.

Shelby was not completely familiar with the palace. She’d had only one tour. But she knew they were headed back toward the north quadrant. In seemingly no time at all they stood in the
spacious sitting room, the green sitting room as Murdock had called it, that was accessible from both of their bedrooms. Once there, the prince stopped and faced Shelby.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“I am, yes. Are you all right?”

She watched him hesitate; clearly he hadn’t expected her to return the question. He stood looking down at her, making no move to lift her veil.

“I believe I am,” he said at last. “I wanted to thank you for coming to the palace this way. If there’s anything you need, just ask. The staff is most helpful and will delight to serve you in any way.”

Shelby watched as he paused but made herself keep silent.

“I wish,” he began softly but stopped. “I’m sorry I can’t—” Again she watched him hesitate, his eyes looking like those of a wounded animal. Abruptly he turned and walked away. Shelby followed his progress, even going so far as to lift her veil to watch him. He did not turn back, but when he reached the door, he slipped quietly into the wide hallway.

The moment of doubt she’d had in the king’s ballroom was long gone. Confident air or not, it was again utterly clear to her that the prince needed great care.