2. James

James

" S he's exquisite," I breathe but quickly clear my throat. Reginald outdid himself with this one. The woman before me curtsies, but it's not as polished as the other women I've met these past few weeks. She isn't trying to impress me, which is refreshing, to say the least.

"May I present Miss Anna Thompson?"

Anna curtsies again, and as she rights her posture. As our eyes meet, my heart leaps into my throat. She's truly enchanting, and will easily pass as my wife to steal the crown from my brother.

I take a seat on the Chesterfield, her family sitting in unison after me. "How is it that I'm only now meeting your daughter?" I would've married this one months ago…

Her father announces, "Anna has been away, under the care of Mrs. Green."

"I have?" Miss Anna whispers to him, though she has an accent I can't quite place .

I stand and gesture for everyone to remain seated. As I approach Miss Anna, I offer my arm and ask, "Shall we take a turn about the room?" She glances at her father, who nods, before joining me. Once out of earshot, I admit, "I must make myself clear. You're to be my wife in name only. You will be required to make royal appearances, but that is where our relationship will end."

"This is definitely a case of ‘the book is better,'" she mutters, then raises her voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "Why, of course, I would love to be your queen in a loveless marriage. It would be a dream come true." Her tone is laced with insincerity, and for someone who has been studying under Mrs. Green, I'm surprised to hear such a brash tone. "It's fine," she whispers. "I know this is all a dream, and I'll wake up to my cat and books, with you nowhere to be found."

"Miss Anna, I assure you, this is quite serious. This arrangement isn't temporary, and this isn't a dream."

"Right, well, you should find yourself a wife who is a little more enthusiastic about your proposed servitude ." She then grumbles something I'm unable to make out. Pinching her brows, she looks away from me for a moment, shakes off a thought, and continues, "We can stop pretending now. I know this is all just an elaborate ruse."

"How did you know?"

"I'm well read, Your Highness… Your Majesty… James? What shall I call you?" Her hand flies to her mouth for a moment, but she quickly squares her shoulders as if it didn't happen .

"James will suffice," I chuckle. I'm not sure what to make of her. "Yes, none of this is real. It's no secret that I have no desire to marry."

"Then, don't." Anna says it so matter-of-factly, it gives me pause. Lowering her voice, she asks, "At what point do we stop pretending, though? Which chapter are we in? Thirty-two?"

"Chapter? I'm sorry, I'm not following…" I don't read, nor do I care to read; there isn't the time for fantasies.

"How long until you fall madly in love with me, James?" she whispers with a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. My eyes fixate on them, wondering exactly how they taste.

Realising my grave error in considering it, I reply, "There will be no love, Miss Anna." It comes out a decibel too loud, and it garners the attention of a few of her family members. "Shall we continue this conversation in private?"

"We'll adjourn to the library to discuss… literature," she announces, leading me out of the room. "Did that work?"

"Did what work?"

Anna guides me to a small library down the hall from the parlour. The moment the door shuts, I break the silence. "If this arrangement is to work, Miss Anna, emotions must be tabled. In no way are you to feel anything but tolerance towards me."

Her fingertips brush each book as she walks away from me. "So many classics. Why is there no smut in this library? "

"Pardon?" I'm unsure what smut is. She's quite a peculiar woman, too intriguing to ignore.

She corrects, "Why are there no love stories in this library?"

"How should I know?" I laugh, and she looks over her shoulder at me. "It's your home."

"Right, well, if I'm to live in this… establishment? Shit. Which book am I in? I swear, I thought I was in…" Anna gasps, then whispers my name as a question. Eyes wide and mouth agape, she asks, "Are we going to fuck in the library?"

Absolutely.

"What?" I laugh, though this is no laughing matter. This woman's language isn't fitting for a chambermaid, much less a princess or queen. This was a mistake. "I'm sorry. I have pressing matters to attend to. I must leave with haste." My cock does not want to leave with haste.

"Bullshit! You're supposed to fuck Miss—" The door opens, and we both turn to see who is encroaching on our conversation.

"Your Royal Highness, pardon me for intruding, sir. Miss Eliza is presentable for your arrival." The woman curtsies and leaves as quickly as she came in.

"Miss Eliza in the library," Anna finishes. "You have to go and see her, it's your destiny."

I remain immovable, despite the declaration. Miss Anna, while unconventional, has a magnetic pull to her that I can't ignore, regardless of the ridiculous and outlandish statements she has made since I met her. It's as if my soul is keeping me here. I take a step towards her. "Destiny for whom?"

"For you… Your Royal Highness . In this elaborate plan you've construed, you have to marry Eliza. If you don't, the entire book could?—"

A rumbling shakes the house, and books fall from the shelf, narrowly missing Anna. I rush to her aid, protecting her from anything that might harm her from the sorcery. After a minute, the house is silent, and she uncoils herself from my grasp.

"As I was saying, Prince James, the entire book could be in jeopardy."