Free The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) by K.T. Fisher

could be there with you, spending more time with one another and seeing you walk around in your fine gowns,” his finger lazily caresses the side of my gown and my heart starts to beat faster.
    “James,” I warn him.
    “I know,” he nods, but our eyes connect and he keeps looking down to my mouth. “But I cannot help myself when you are near.”
    “I feel it too,” I admit to him, closing my eyes as his hand reaches my neck and brings me closer. “What are we doing?”
    “I want to kiss you,” he whispers against my mouth.
    “I want you to kiss me,” I answer and as soon as the words are out my mouth, his lips are on mine and I groan in delight. This is my first ever kiss and I never want it to end. Unfortunately, James pulls back and I gasp for air.
    “I’m scared,” I speak out loud and I am not sure whether I should have said that or not.
    James nods in agreement, “You are not the only one.”
    This time, it is me who leans in close and captures his mouth. I do what I have been dying to do and reach up to touch his face, letting my hands finally feel his strong jaw and the stubble of his beard scratches my fingers. I pull back, satisfied but still left wanting more. James has that effect on me.
    I do not know how much time passes, before I eventually decide it is time to head back to the castle. I walk back with a huge smile on my face and an elated mood. I do not want this spoilt, so on my walk I decide to not to attend the large dinner with the court and my parents, I want to eat alone with my Ladies. It might come across as rude, but I really need some private time with my friends. I haven’t had enough of that since we all came here.
     

     
    When my stomach is full of delicious foods, I lean back in my chair and sigh. If my mother could see me now she would be displeased and because of that, I enjoy it a little bit more.
    “Oh it is lovely to eat with just the four of you,” I smile around at my Ladies.
    “And for us too,” Jane smiles back.
    “I am able to relax so much more,” I continue.
    “Yes, we don’t get to dine so close to you when it’s the whole court,” Beatrice adds.
    “You should think yourself lucky,” I frown. “I’m not one to enjoy eating whilst the court looks up to the table. One tiny mistake as I eat could embarrass me for life.”
    The girls laugh, but they don’t realise how serious I am. I glance around the room, imaging my grandmother in here alone. Poor woman. The door opens, and I sit up straight as the servants clear the table.
    “Are you going to the ball?” Louisa asks.
    “No,” I quickly answer.
    “Why not?” She asks me, all four girls intently listening. I decide that it is time for me to tell them what my father had told me when he asked to speak to me in his study just a couple of days before.
    “My father told me that he does not want a union with France, so I will not be married to King Louis. I need to distance myself from him and he seems to enjoy being so close,” I tell them. “You are all welcome to go to the ball if you would like, but I am going to bed.”
    “I will come with you,” Jane adds. “I do not feel like dancing tonight.”
    “If you are sure Grace?” Asks Catherine.
    I smile towards her, “I am and I want you all to enjoy yourselves.”
    Jane and I separate from the rest of the girls, and when we are alone I decide there’s no better time than the present to ask her about George, “Did you talk things over with George?” I ask.
    “I did,” She nods. “But I cannot say it has put him off.”
    “Maybe the chase excites him,” I wonder.
    “I do not think so,” she argues. “He told me as soon as he saw me he wanted me and I’m afraid I’m falling for him Grace.”
    She looks a little panicked, and I’m about to try and calm her when I hear a noise which stops me.
    “Grace?” Jane asks but I quickly hold a hand up to quieten her.
    “Shh,” I whisper.
    I walk towards the corner as quietly as I can in my