The Prince’s Unwilling Lover(16)

“Shall we give the public what they want?” Prince Louis whispered to Macee. Not giving her a chance to respond no, he stopped and pulled Macee into his arms. With one hand at the small of her back, he stepped forward pulling her against him as he bent her back and kissed her. This was not the same chaste kiss that he gave her inside. This one was filled with promise. When he let her back up, Macee was speechless. Blushing profusely, she hid her face against his shoulder as the spectators cheered and the cameras flashed. She rubbed his chest before putting some space between them.



Macee truly felt like Cinderella as they walked to their carriage. More than one hundred years old, their carriage was a truly beautiful piece of history drawn by four resplendent white horses. The footman opened the door and assisted Macee as she stepped up followed closely by the prince. As she sat down, she took a moment to relax. This was her first time riding in a carriage and she was too nervous to enjoy herself. To think that they still had the wedding reception. It was going to be a long day. “You are rather peculiar,” Prince Louis said. Macee turned to face him, as she asked why. It was a random statement.



“What girl does not dream of all this?” he asked.



“You are looking at her,” Macee replied. Prince Louis laughed. Macee was unlike any other woman he had met and a part of him was enjoying her discomfort.



“I saw Liane, is she feeling alright?”



“She is better, thank you for asking. According to her, she would never miss my big day.” Macee was caught off guard when he brought Liane up. She did not really want to discuss her sister with him and she hoped that he would not ask too much.



“Even she seems more beguiled about your wedding day than you are.”



Macee narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you that happy about marrying me that you want me to share your enthusiasm?”



The prince laughed. “I believe you are the lucky one here, not I.”



“Very lucky indeed! could you possibly be any more conceited,” Macee replied sardonically. The road they were traveling on was lined with public spectators eager to get a glimpse at the new couple. Macee smiled and waved to them as they rode past.



They finally reached the venue for the reception. The footman stepped up to assist them both down before the prince linked his arm with Macee’s and they walked inside.



They were allowed some time to freshen up whilst they waited for the guests to arrive. Macee felt better. It was good to relax for a moment without cameras flashing at her, people screaming for her and having to smile and wave continuously. She could not wait for this day to end.



“Are you alright?” Prince Louis asked her. She was sitting on the sofa with her head backwards and her face upwards.



“I can't wait to be done with it all,” she replied lazily.



“I am not that bad.”



“Not everything is about you. I don't like being the centre of attention and being around so many people is overwhelming.”



Prince Louis sat down next to her. He had no idea what he was meant to say next. He had been groomed for this his entire life and he was having trouble grasping Macee’s discomfort. They sat there in silence until it was time for them to rejoin everyone else. Macee frowned as she got to her feet.



“I present to you, the Crown Prince and Princess,” Charles announced as the couple entered the room to much applause. Prince Louis held her hand as they walked out to the dance floor for their first dance.



Macee had been rehearsing the dance with Charles over and over until she was seeing it in her sleep. It had to be perfect. Now would be the first time dancing with Prince Louis and Macee’s face turned red as they stepped out in front of everyone. He wrapped one arm around her waist, as she placed one hand on his shoulder and the other in his. Macee did her best to avoid eye contact, but the prince was looking her directly in the eye, which made her feel uncomfortable but she could not look away. Today was the most the prince had ever touched her and she found herself enjoying it. As they twirled and waltzed across the dance floor, she couldn’t ignore the increasing attraction she felt for Louis.



When the dance was over, Macee wanted to pat herself on the back. She’d managed to complete the dance without any mishaps. Bridgette must be shocked, she thought to herself.





Chapter 11



After what felt like days of endless mingling, smiling and head bowing, the day was finally drawing to a close and Macee couldn’t wait to take her shoes off. As she went to say good night to her family, her mother couldn’t resist reminding her how important it was for her to behave and not embarrass the family. Macee ignored her mother’s comments, as how the family looked would always be more important to her mother than her own daughter. Her father held her in a tight hug as he told her how proud he was of her. Francesca congratulated her and wished her luck despite feeling like the entire day had been wasted on Macee, as she didn’t appreciate any of it. Liane seemed the saddest to leave Macee behind. “You can annul the marriage,” Liane whispered to Macee before she left to return to North Creek.