Royal Pain in the Ass, page 6
“Hey, Lana?”
“What?” Lana asked, her head snapped to look at me.
“I’m in a lot of trouble, aren’t I?”
“Yes,”
“How much?”
“A lot.”
“Um, are you in trouble?”
“Yes,”
“How much,”
“A lot more.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I don’t know. I’m rambling, but I really want you to know I’m sorry.”
Lana sighed. “You don’t know. You really don’t. Are you hurt?”
“No,”
“That’s good. I heard the paparazzi got rough with you. I was worried. We all were.”
“I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
Lana shook her head. “You need to think things through next time.”
“I’m not good at that.”
“I noticed.”
I hung my head.
“But you can’t use that as an excuse anymore. I can’t say how things are run in America, where you’re from, but here we do things a certain way. Royalty does not behave that way. End of story.”
I felt really guilty. “I’ve only been here a week, and I’m already ruining lives, aren’t I?”
Lana sighed. “You aren’t ruining lives. You’re just making mine much more difficult. Ian’s too. He’s going to be in a lot of trouble. I hope you understand that.”
I shook my head. “I could say I do, but I really don’t. I don’t know what happens when a prince misbehaves.”
“You don’t hear much about that on the news do you?”
“Nope,”
“That’s because it’s not tolerated.”
“Oh, that’s a good reason.”
“Ian is twenty-three, if he was sixteen they could use the whole rebellious teenager excuse. He’s twenty-three. Twenty-three! He’s an adult and future ruler of this country. He must appear stable.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to do.
“If you ever want to see him again, you will have to schedule it through me, and I will accompany you at all times. Do I make myself clear?”
I nodded. “I really did have fun, he did too.”
Lana shook her head. “It’s not about fun.” Lana gave me a serious look. “I hope you can grasp what you did today.”
I shook my head. “I really didn’t, but I won’t let it happen again.”
“I hope not.”
“But I don’t know how . . .”
Lana sighed. “I’d suggest you start by getting an advisor.”
I laughed. “Are you,”
“NO! I have enough crap on my plate with Ian and Christine. I’m lucky Alex is still a little kid.”
“Do you know anyone?”
“I’ll make some phone calls.”
I nodded. “I really am sorry,”
“Unfortunately, sorry doesn’t fix this.”
I nodded. I had a lot of growing up to do. And it was going to have to happen fast. I didn’t want to be an embarrassment and I didn’t want to make anyone’s life more difficult. Whether I liked it or not, I was going to have to change.
Chapter X
I was sitting at the table in a straight back chair wearing a dress that Carolynn had purchased for me. It was a pastel blue sun dress that fell just below my knee. I was wearing closed toe heels and hose. I hated hose, they just weren’t comfortable to me.
“Juliet,” came a shrill scold.
I took in a long slow breath, as my jaw clenched and my lips pursed. “Yes, Madame Hubert?” I asked, sounding as polite as I could manage through clenched teeth.
“That is the wrong fork!” I sighed and felt myself slouch. “Sit up! Ladies do not slouch!”
I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t stop myself.
“Juliet! If you do not take this seriously, I cannot help you! You will never be a lady at this rate.” With that Madame Hubert left in a huff.
I made a face at the door as she left and let myself slouch all the way down in the chair. “Oh my god! I am never going to get this!”
“You really suck at this,” came a soft familiar voice. I turned to see Gwen.
“Ugh, did you see that? Why do you need three forks anyway?” I groaned.
Gwen smiled. “Would you like some help?”
“Oh god, yes,”
“Mum insisted on me going to finishing school. She figured it would help with the whole knowing how everything works. And she’s old fashioned on what she perceives as a lady.”
“Oh dear god, you are a godsend.” I got up and hugged her. Gwen let out a soft laugh.
By the grace of God and three hours later Gwen had taught me the different silverware and proper ways to eat. I didn’t have all of it down, but I had a good start, or at least I thought so.
“So, they’re going to announce you then?”
I nodded. “After the paparazzi there’s no choice now. The world knows about me.” I hung my head. “I really messed up. I got Ian and Lana in all sorts of trouble and I don’t want that to happen again. It’s one thing if I mess my own life up, it’s another if I start ruining other peoples.” I looked Gwen in the eye. “I won’t do that. I don’t want to be responsible for this. I have to figure this out.”
Gwen smiled. “It won’t come overnight, and you aren’t a natural.”
“Oh trust me, I know.”
“The finer points won’t come easy, but you’ve got heart. You’re a good person in general. That’s even rarer than any kind of noble blood.” Gwen pulled me into a hug. “You’ll get it.” Gwen held me at arm’s length. “Have you been out since the incident?”
I shook my head. Since ‘the incident,’ as everyone was referring to it now, I’d been on lockdown. I hadn’t been allowed outside without an escort, let alone off the grounds. I’m stuck on Eastgate estate until everything has been sorted out, by order of the king.
Gwen gave me a knowing look. “Come with me.” She led me through the servants’ quarters and out to her house. It was a modest two story with ivy and roses trailing up a trellis. “It’s not much in comparison, but it’s home.” She offered with a modest shrug.
“I love it. That house is too big.”
She ushered me inside and the house looked lived in. There was a fire going the smell of dinner permeated the air and I soaked it all in. There was a blanket strewn across the couch and a thin woman who had Gwen’s blonde hair was sitting in a chair reading.
“Gwen honey, oh, you brought company,”
“Mum, you haven’t properly met Juliet yet, Juliet, this is Mum.”
I offered a hand. “It’s a pleasure,” I smiled.
“So you’re the one we’ve been hearing about.” She smiled. “My name is Margaret.”
“I’m just kidnapping her for a while upstairs.” Gwen cooed.
“Don’t do anything foolish, darling.” Margaret called up the stairs as Gwen pulled me.
Gwen practically threw me into Ben with her dragging. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I muttered. I realized he wasn’t wearing a shirt and felt my face flush.
Ben laughed. “It’s alright. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I couldn’t help but notice the muscles on his chest as Gwen pulled me into her room.
“Watch where you’re going, Ben,” she called before sticking her tongue out and closing the door behind us. “Want to have some fun?”
“I do, but . . .”
“But?”
“Am I going to cause any trouble?”
“Not if you go with me.” Gwen gave me an impish grin.
“Gwen . . . “
“I will make you unrecognizable as Juliet Eastgate-Benn. You will become Jules, Gwen McElroy’s friend and wing girl for the night.”
“But . . .”
Gwen shrugged. “Or you can go to bed and be up bright and early to deal with Madame Hubert’s teachings.”
I sighed. “I could really use a drink.”
“Great! Just let me handle everything.” Gwen handed me in a backless black top and a pair of skintight jeans and shoved me into the bathroom. “I think that will look great on you!” she called through the door. I came back out. “Oh my god . . .”
“What?”
“That tattoo, they don’t know yet do they?”
I shook my head. “I don’t really get the big deal, but Christine warned me they’re not exactly acceptable. I figured I shouldn’t add fuel to the fire.”
Gwen nodded. “Probably right, what made you want that?”
I shrugged. “I got it for my mom. About two weeks after she died.”
Gwen nodded. “Is there a story behind it?” I nodded back. “Well, out with it.” She smiled. Something about her made me want to tell her. She was one of those people who actually listened when you spoke to them.
I sat on her bed. “Mom was sick for a while. Toward the end she had a lot trouble. That’s why I chose a macaw. It’s free. And Mom was always a colorful person. She was always so happy, even when she wasn’t she was, if that makes sense.” I felt the tears and I stared at the ceiling and took a deep breath. I realized I hadn’t ever explained that one to anyone yet. It was hard to think that she was really gone.
“I’m sorry,” Gwen pulled me into a hug.
I pushed her off. “It’s okay. It happens. Everything is temporary.” I sniffled. “Wow, I am such a buzz kill.”
Gwen shook her head. “No, you aren’t, but I do think another outfit would be better.” Gwen handed me a bright green dress and shoved me back in. “Much better.” Gwen did my hair and makeup and I looked into the mirror. She was right. I didn’t recognize myself. I still looked like myself, well the Juliet I had come here as, not the Juliet I was being forced to be. The eye makeup was much darker than I would have applied and my hair was done in a bunch of complicated curls and yet somehow was out of my face. Gwen was truly an artist. Ten minutes later she’d squeezed into a pair of jeans and the black top she’d first handed me and her hair and makeup were done flawlessly. “Are you ready for this?”
“I’m never ready for anything,” I smiled as she handed me heels and opened her window and started down the trellis.
Margaret was waiting for her, leaning against the front doorframe. “Girls,” she used that tone every mother knows. Gwen froze and turned around. “Where are you going?”
“To see Lee,”
“And how are you getting there?”
“Sam is picking us up.”
“And how are you getting home?”
“Sam,”
“And do you have money for a cab just in case?” Margaret handed Gwen a small black clutch bag. “I didn’t think so. Be safe, darling.” She kissed Gwen on the forehead and went back inside.
“Wow . . .” was all I could manage.
“Yeah,”
“You’re mom is really cool,”
Gwen nodded. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.” Then she looked at me. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I didn’t think, I mean,”
“It’s okay. Don’t apologize. Enjoy your mom. I miss mine, but I’ll be okay. Don’t walk on eggshells because of me.”
Gwen nodded. “Sam is waiting for us though, so, we have to hurry. Patience isn’t her strong suit. I should warn you, Sam is sweet as can be most of the time, except when she’s behind the wheel of a car. For some reason, she becomes a maniac. Just go with it.” Gwen led me to a shed and opened a trap door inside. “Being a servant has its benefits.” She smirked as she jumped down. “Stealth is one of them!” she called as I jumped down. I followed her to a blue car. She opened the passenger side and crawled in the back and ushered me in behind her.
“Who’s this?” the driver, I could only presume was Sam asked. Sam had dark hair in a pixie cut and it was styled into messy spikes. Her chocolaty brown eyes watched me like I was something disgusting.
“This is Jules,”
“And where do we know Jules from?”
“She’s new on the grounds.”
“Is she cool?”
“Would I have invited someone lame?”
Sam’s face brightened. “Well then, welcome aboard. I’m Sam and this is Tracy.”
Tracy was the girl in the passenger’s seat. She had bright blonde hair that was cut just below her shoulders and was wearing a crimson halter top with black jeans and heels.
“So, tell me everything.” Tracy smiled. “I love to know everything about everyone.”
“Why?”
“It’s her job to know” Gwen warned. “She’s a journalist. So, keep your mouth shut around her and Tracy, if you try to make this girl’s life harder by opening your big mouth I will have to personally kick your ass. I hate having to do that, so please, behave.”
Tracy hung her head. “I had to try.”
“Just don’t,” Gwen warned. “So, what’s going on tonight?”
“Harper’s band is playing,” Sam said simply. Everyone else seemed to know what was going on so I just sat there and figured I’d just go with it.
We pulled up to a little bar and there weren’t many people inside. Maybe thirty or so and we walked in like we owned the place. Sam went over to a boy with dark brown hair styled in a Mohawk and bright green eyes and gave him a hug then proceeded over to a blonde boy gave him a kiss on the cheek and sat next to him. The boy with dark brown hair came over.
“Gwen,” he pulled her into a hug. “How’s it going?”
“It all right, how about you?”
“I’m peachy, who’s your friend.”
Gwen laughed and smacked him on the back of the head. “Subtlety should be your middle name. And that is Jules.”
“Hey, I’m Harper, how’s it going?” He flashed me a dazzling smile.
“It’s all good,” I smiled back.
“Ever been here before?” I shook my head and I heard Gwen snicker. “You’ve got an American accent.”
“That’s because I am an American.”
“Interesting,”
“Harper! We’re up!” shouted the blonde boy Sam had gone over to.
“I hope you’re still here when I get done with my set.” Harper gave me a wink and I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel. He was definitely cute.
Gwen pulled me over to a table with Sam and Tracy and got us some beers. “Oh my god, Harper has the hots for you.” Tracy smirked. “He wants to go home with you tonight.”
“So not happening,” I shook my head.
“Maybe not tonight, but it will. Trust me,” Tracy added with a look of disgust. “That boy can get any girl he wants.”
I knew that look. Tracy had been one-night-standed and something told me she never got over it. I’ve known lots of Tracy’s in my life. They’re over dramatic, thrive off of gossip, and you can’t trust them as far as you can throw them. She kept giving me strange looks during the band’s set and I listened to everyone chatting.
After the band finished playing they all came back over. Harper squeezed in between Gwen and me. “So, I’d like to introduce you to Lee,” this was the blonde Sam cozied up to. “Tyson,” who was a tall boy with dark skin and darker hair and surprisingly light eyes. “and that’s Bryce,” he indicated the fourth member of the band who was a little on the scrawny side and was wearing glasses.
“Sup,” Lee greeted before paying all of his attention to Sam. “Where were we,” he whispered as he grabbed her hand and led her away.
Several hours and several drinks later Gwen and I were dancing to some song with a loud bass, Tracy was chatting Tyson up and Bryce had gone home and Harper was drinking at the bar. At the end we were laughing and spinning and Gwen led me back to the bar and ordered two more shots.
“Damn girl, you know how to hold your own.” I laughed at Gwen as she handed one to me and we shot them back.
“You too.” Gwen laughed.
“I’m going to interrupt,” Harper cut in, grabbed my hand and pulled me back to the dance floor.
“Hey!”
“What?”
“Who said I’d dance with you?”
A coy smile played across his lips. “Call it a hunch,”
“No,” I shook my head.
“One dance?”
I sighed. “Okay, one dance.”
Naturally a slow song would come on. Harper’s hands fell to my waist and mine went around his shoulders with a good six inches between us.
“But no funny business,” I warned him.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,”
I was feeling all the drinks, how many did I have? I lost count after seven, so at least eight with that last shot, but there had to be more. I felt dizzy and realized I was leaning on Harper.
“Sorry,” I mumbled as I stood back.
“It’s alright,” Harper laughed. “You’ve had a few drinks in you.”
I nodded. “A lot. I feel it a little bit.”
Harper let out a throaty laugh. “You’re cute,”
“Thank you, you have pretty eyes.” I looked around and the world was spinning. “We should stop spinning.”
“We have,”
“Uh oh,”
“What is it?”
I shook my head. “I don’t feel so good,”
“Oh, Gwen!” Harper realized what I meant and picked me up and carried me over to the ladies room. “Go check,” he indicated the door. Gwen darted inside then held the door open for Harper.
“Bad news bears,” I managed before I flailed out of Harper’s arms and puked in the sink. “I don’t feel so good, Gwen,” I groaned. She rubbed my back and made soothing noises.
“Harper, go get her a water,”
I washed my mouth out in the sink and felt really heavy and let myself sink down to the floor. I felt someone wrap my hand around a cup.
“Drink this,” Harper soothed rubbing my back. “I think her night is over. Sam left with Lee a little while ago, and it looks like Tyson is Tracy’s newest target. Want a ride home?”
“That would be lovely,” Gwen smiled.
“Come on, you.” Harper picked me up and I felt asleep in his arms. I woke up in a backseat.
“Where am I?”
