Page 7 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

Rosamund didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. She merely granted the woman a smile and dipped a quick curtsy.

The queen was tall and regal and beautiful. Far too beautiful for the stodgy king. Her dark hair was pulled back in one long braid hanging down her back. She wore a matching gold crown on her head and dangling earrings that seemed to accentuate her long neck. Her gown was a deep purple muslin with lace at the elbows and she exuded a calm confidence, much like her mother.

Perhaps that was the requirement to be queen.

“It’s nice to make your acquaintance, your majesty,” Rosamund said, finding her voice at last.

Adele chuckled, then said to her mother, “She’s a darling girl.”

“But where is Phillip?” her father asked, peering into the empty carriage.

Reginald cleared his throat loudly. “Couldn’t make it this trip.”

“What my husband isn’t telling you is he’s off on some hunting expedition.” Adele gave a pinched expression, clearly unhappy with that idea. “He’ll be along in a few days.”

“Pardon me,” Rosamund said, “but who is Phillip?”

“Why, my dear, he’s our son, the prince,” Adele said with a grin. “Your betrothed.”

Chapter 3

Rosamundstaredinshockedsilence at the queen. “My what?”

Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her away from Queen Adele back into the castle. But Rosamund was having none of that. She shrugged out of her mother’s embrace and spun to face her. Her heart thudded against her chest.

Certainly, she understood what the wordbetrothedmeant. However, she never expected her future husband was the prince of their neighboring kingdom. A kingdom, she understood, that was their enemy.

No, enemy was too strong a word. Perhaps they were more of a rival kingdom.

“What does she mean my betrothed?”

“Just that,” Reginald said, following them inside. “You’re to marry my son, Prince Phillip.”

The heat of shock coiled through her, making her gut clench. She glanced from the rotund king back to her mother. “You never told me this.”

Adele didn’t bother to hide her gasp of surprise.

Her tone was accusatory. Her mother gave a half smile and reached for her again, but Rosamund stepped away.

“You never told her?” the queen asked. “Why ever not?”

Rosamund crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes. Why not, Mother?”

“Eleanor, please,” her father said, his tone hushed and urgent. It was a desperate plea to get her away from the visiting royals, no doubt.

“Come, Rosamund and we will discuss it.” Her mother held her hand out to her.

She stole a quick look at the other royals, then her father, who had a desperate look on his face. At last, she reached for her mother’s hand and took it. She grasped it, wrapping her fingers in her tight fist and pulling her along behind her. It was clear to Rosamund her mother wasn’t going to release her.

She led Rosamund from the great hall through the castle, up the winding stone staircase, to her private sitting room. The queen enjoyed this room daily with its balcony and the gossamer curtains billowing at the windows and open doors. She often had tea here in the afternoon with tiny sandwiches and lemon cakes.

The room was furnished in plush, comfortable chairs, a chaise, a luxurious rug in a floral pattern that came from Rothbridge in vibrant colors of red, yellow, green and blue. A fireplace was on one wall to warm the room in the chillier months. When they were safely inside the room, her mother closed the door and motioned for her to sit. Then she went to the gold cord and rang for tea.

Rosamund waited, watching with her breath in her throat as her mother pulled open the balcony doors. The fresh spring breeze trickled in, giving the stuffy room a breath of fresh air. She stood there a long moment, her back to Rosamund. She was stiff, the muscles pulled taught under her gown.

The princess perched on one of the chairs, her hands in her lap, her ankles crossed like a proper lady, and waited.

Finally, her mother turned to her, her face flushed. “I see it was a mistake not to tell you sooner. For that, I ask your forgiveness.”

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