Free The Invitation by Samantha Hyde

Rupert
argued.
    “Along with a
lot of other more suitable, blue-blooded women. I had no idea you
were serious about any of them. Besides, you are not in the public
eye properly at the moment. I have a deal with the press, you know
this. You are to be left alone for your three years of study at
University to be normal and mingle with the riff raff. No offence
Jane.”
    “None taken
Your Royal High… Humphry. And there no ex-boyfriends,” Jane said
softly.
    The King raised
a disbelieving eyebrow. “Really? Are you honestly telling me that
you are a virgin at the age of nineteen, looking the way you do,
and being from the class you are from?”
    “My father is a
doctor,” she said primly, “I would hardly consider that working
class.”
    The King
snorted good naturedly. “He works. Of course he is working class. I
do not believe that you are a virgin.”
    When Jane
glanced at her boyfriend, he was a little red in the face.
    “Yes, I can
vouch for it,” Rupert muttered.
    “If you are
serious about this girl, she would have to undergo gynaecological
tests to ascertain if she is telling the truth.”
    “No Father, I
won’t let you put Jane through any such thing.”
    “Be quiet
Rupert. In fact, I think I would like a little alone time with your
would-be fiancé. Have someone drive you back to your University
digs, this no longer concerns you.”
    “No, I am not
leaving without her.”
    “It’s alright
Rupe, I’ll be fine,” Jane said reassuringly.
    “Jane is to
spend the rest of the day here at the Palace. If you are as serious
about her as you say you are, then you will not mind her spending
the day with me. I need to find out more about her without you
distracting her and answering for her. This is the biggest decision
of your life and one that will have great impact on this family.
You are the only child we have Rupert, therefore it is of even
greater importance that you make a good choice with regards to
marriage. You do trust me, don’t you? I trust you too want the best
for this family?”
    “You know I do
Father. You know I take my royal duties seriously.”
    “Then leave us.
Jane will be returned to you in short order, you have my word.”
    “Jane? Are you
sure you are OK with this?”
    He looked so
pathetic sitting there, his weak chin wobbling so much she thought
he might cry.
    “Yes, It’s
fine, your father only wants to do the right thing to honour his
family’s name. I do understand.”
    Rupert stood
up, his champagne untouched. “I’ll see you tonight. I love you
Jane.”
    Jane smiled in
reply. “Goodbye Rupert.”
    Rupert left the
room, leaving Jane and The King alone.
    “So, Jane,”
King Humphry The First said when they were alone. “Do you think you
have what it takes to be a Royal?”
    Jane fiddled
with the knee length hem of her royal blue dress, a demure yet
figure hugging outfit she hoped would impress her prospective
father-in-law.
    “I love your
son, Your Majesty. I mean Humphry. I think I do have what it
takes.”
    “Hmmm. You must
understand Jane, there are plenty of more appropriate women for my
son. Britain is positively teeming with blue bloods clamouring to
get their grubby paws on such a position, title and of course
wealth.”
    “I do not doubt
it.”
    “If, and this
is a very big if; if I were to approve this little love match, you
would have to undergo much training.”
    “Training?”
    “Yes, training.
You need elocution lessons for a start, I can distinctly hear
cockney shining through your public school accent. You possibly
have the raw material; looks, poise, elegance and not too shabby a
family from the sounds of things. And you must be bright to get
into Cobbold’s University. I wish the same could be said for
Rupert, the boy is as dim as a twenty watt light-bulb, he makes a
mockery of such an academically prestigious establishment. I trust
you are a natural blonde?”
    “Yes,” she
said, his gunfire questions and observations making her