The Princess Read online

  LORI WICK

  The Princess

  HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

  EUGENE, OREGON

  Except where otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

  Cover by Terry Dugan Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  Cover photo© Claudia Kunin / Stone / Getty Images

  The Author

  LORI WICK is a multifaceted author of Christian fiction. As comfortable writing period stories as she is penning contemporary works, Lori’s books (over 5 million in print) vary widely in location and time period. Lori’s faithful fans consistently put her series and standalone works on the bestseller lists. Lori and her husband, Bob, live with their swiftly growing familiy in the Midwest.

  THE PRINCESS

  Copyright © 1999 by Lori Wick

  Published by Harvest House Publishers

  Eugene, Oregon 97402

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Wick, Lori.

  The princess / Lori Wick

  p. cm.

  ISBN-13: 978-0-7369-1861-9

  ISBN-10: 0-7369-1861-2

  Product # 6918619

  I. Title.

  PS3573.I237P75 1999

  813’.54—dc21

  98-47195

  CIP

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  Printed in the United States of America.

  06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 / BC / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  I wish to dedicate this book to a young woman

  who resides deep within my heart,

  Holly Short.

  Thank you for your love,

  tender heart, sweet temperament,

  and your love for the Lord.

  I can’t tell you what an

  encouragement you are to me.

  I hope this small word gives you some idea.

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Epilogue

  Books by Lori Wick

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  This might be the first book I’ve written that did not sit in my mind for years before I wrote it. For this reason, my first word of thanks goes to Harvest House for supporting me in this project. Thank you for always being in my corner.

  I would also like to thank all my Hand and Foot compatriots from DuBay and elsewhere: Jess, Jules, Kate, Jo, Barb, Matt, Tim, Abby, Derek, Jane, and Margaret, just to name a few. I love you all.

  Thank you, Mary Vesperman, for always being there. You’re with me on every book, through thick and thin. Thank you for your skill, understanding, and insight. It’s a joy to work with you.

  Thank you, Steve and Becky Miller. Your enthusiasm and technical support were so valuable to me. Dearest Becky, I love to watch you sign.

  Thank you to my mother, Pearl Hayes, who loves this book. I think you must cheer the loudest. It’s so good having you as my biggest fan.

  And always last—because he remains in my heart the longest—thank you, Bob, for being my very own prince.

  PROLOGUE

  Henley, Wainwright

  Pendaran

  Pen in hand, Daria Parker bent over her personal journal, her eyes and mind intent. Unless she was very sleepy, she wrote in the leatherbound book every Saturday night. The entry for this day began:

  OCTOBER 11, 1988

  Is there any way to describe my joy, Father? I am thankful beyond words for what You have done. Long have we prayed for Shelby, and in Your great mercy, You have now reached down and made her Yours.

  Daria sat back in her chair, her eyes on a distant spot out the window. The moon hung in the sky like a huge white ball, making it seem earlier than 10:15. Her husband, Josiah, was already asleep in the bed they had shared for 19 years, but the soft sound of his breathing was a comfort to her.

  I knew that someday she would see the truth; I just didn’t know when. Who would have thought You would use a poor test grade to make her see her need of You.

  Daria set her pen down for a moment as she thought back to her own salvation seven years earlier. And not just hers, but Josiah’s as well. Shelby had been ten at the time, and their son, Brice, six. Her marriage to Josiah had been a bit rocky in those days. Then one of Josiah’s customers had invited them to his church. Daria balked, so Josiah began to attend on his own, and it wasn’t long until she noticed a difference in him. They began going as a family, a life-changing experience for both them and their son—but not for their daughter. Now, seven years later, Shelby had seen the truth for herself. Daria picked up her pen.

  We plan to go on a trip this summer, Lord, and I look forward to our time together as I never have before. I know Shelby will see things through new eyes and with a new heart. Thank You for the promises of Your Word and Your faithfulness to us. She’s been such a wonderful daughter, Lord, and this step of faith in her life will only enhance that.

  With a soft sigh, Daria sat back again. For a moment her mind ran to fanciful thoughts and suppositions about her 17-year-old, redheaded daughter. She knew it was normal for every mother to think that her children were the most talented and wonderful in the world, and she was no different, but a sudden thought occurred to her that was almost frightening, a moment of unsettledness that she couldn’t define.

  She’s so special already, Lord, Daria prayed. She’s obedient, warm, talented, intelligent, and so caring of others. Now she has You, and I can’t help but wonder if You might have something very remarkable and unfamiliar for our Shelby.

  Daria shook her head. Clearly she was growing tired, and her imagination was playing tricks on her. She closed the book, set the pen aside, and turned off the desk lamp while telling herself not to let her mind run away. As she slipped beneath the covers and cuddled the pillow against her cheek, a slight smile managed to turn up the corners of her mouth, a smile she couldn’t wipe away. It lingered until the moment she fell asleep.

  The

  Princess

  One

  Faraday, Wainwright

  June 1994

  The Palace

  Toby Newbury walked into the palace with comfortable familiarity, knowing he would be welcome but not certain he would find the monarch available. He wasn’t against talking to the queen alone, but the purpose of his visit made him hope he would find Pendaran’s king and queen together.

  “Mr. Newbury,” a voice greeted with utmost respect. Toby turned to find Wallace headed his way. Wallace was the king and queen’s house minister, a man of indistinguishable years who kept the east quadrant of the palace moving on well-oiled wheels.

  “Hello, Wallace. May I go up?”

  “Certainly, sir. I’ll just ring through and let the queen know you’re co
ming.”

  Now knowing the king was not available, Toby crossed the black-and-white-tiled foyer and started up the wide staircase that led to the second floor and the palace’s private chambers. The queen, he knew, would be in one of the salons, and because there was always someone hovering in the hallway nearby, finding her would be no effort. “Someone” turned out to be the queen herself. Having received the call, she was waiting just outside the double doors of her favorite salon. Dressed in a beautiful blue pantsuit that matched her eyes, she looked delighted to see him.

  “Hello, Toby,” she greeted, smiling as they embraced.

  “Good morning, Erica.” His own smile was warm as he kissed her cheek. “Alone this morning, are you?” he wasted no time in asking.

  “For another 15 minutes,” she said as she led the way to the plush yellow davenports that sat in a half circle and allowed a lovely view of the inner courtyard.

  “Good.”

  “Why is that good?” her eyes twinkled as she asked.

  “I have something to tell both of you. Do you think Rafe will have time?”

  “Yes. Unless something has come up, he’s free until this afternoon.”

  “Good,” Toby repeated, but Erica fell silent, watching as her guest’s gaze went to the windows. She had learned from childhood when to ask questions and when to keep silent. Toby clearly had something on his mind, but it wouldn’t have been fair to ask him to explain it twice.

  “Did you have a speaking engagement last night?” the queen, remembering suddenly, asked.

  “As a matter of fact, I was at a banquet, but I didn’t address the group.”

  “I’m surprised you’re here so early.”

  “It wasn’t a late night. The dinner was right here in Faraday.” His voice had grown rather soft while speaking, his eyes moving back to the windows, and for this reason Erica fell silent again.

  Without invitation the years fell away in her mind, back to the time she had met both Rafael Markham and Toby Newbury. Having grown up together, the two had been best friends for years. Not for a moment had Rafe seen a future as Pendaran’s king, but that was before meeting King Anton’s daughter, Erica. His view of a place in the palace had changed a great deal after that introduction, and with Toby’s encouragement, Rafe had courted Erica with an interest that turned her head. Very impressed with the young man who seemed ready to lay his life down on her behalf, King Anton and Queen Ketra, now King Regent and Queen Regent, had given the couple their blessing. In a month Rafe and Erica would celebrate their thirty-second wedding anniversary.

  “Wallace told me you were here,” the king said as he entered the room. “Hello, Toby.”

  “Good morning, Rafe.”

  Although he greeted his friend, the king made a beeline for his wife and bent to kiss her. “Hello, love,” he said softly before turning back to Toby. The men shook hands but didn’t exchange words. Rafe sat down and stared at Toby for a long moment. The other man looked back.

  “I think you have something on your mind, Toby.”

  “You’re right, I do, and since I hate beating about the bush, I’ll come right to it. It’s about our conversation two weeks ago concerning Nick.”

  Both men noticed the way Erica tensed, and Rafe, who had taken a seat on the davenport beside her, reached for her hand.

  “I’ve been praying about the situation, as I told you I would,” Toby explained, “but then last night I met a young woman whom you need to know about.”

  Rafe sat forward. Knowing how he and Erica felt about the marriage of their son, his friend would not have come on a whim.

  “What is her name?”

  “Shelby Parker. I met her at a banquet honoring her father, who has been deaf since he was ten. Shelby interpreted his speech.”

  “So he doesn’t speak?”

  “Actually he does.”

  “Why did she interpret?”

  “Protocol. Most of the room’s occupants were also deaf, so Mr. Parker signed his speech, and Shelby voiced for him. I met Shelby and her parents after we dismissed. I’ve never been so impressed with a family in my life.”

  “How old is she, Toby?” This came from Erica.

  “I didn’t ask. She looks young, but she’s out of school, so she must be in her early twenties.”

  “What was it about her that so impressed you?” Rafe asked his friend.

  “The first thing that catches your eye is her gracefulness. When she’s talking, signing, or even walking, she moves like a dancer. She’s tall and slim and extremely poised. Then after I met her, I noticed her relationship with her parents. The three of them adore each other. They laughed and shared secret smiles like the two of you. You can’t be with them and miss it.”

  “And she’s a believer?” Erica tried to keep the tenseness from her voice, but even she could hear the slight wobble.

  “Yes. Her father gave a brief testimony last night, and it included the salvation of his wife, son, and daughter.”

  “Do you know for a fact that she’s not spoken for?” Rafe asked now.

  “Positively? No. But I would be very surprised if there was any man in her life outside of her father.”

  The king and queen looked at each other.

  “I was just praying about it again this morning, Rafe,” Erica said in her soft, gentle manner. “I told God I knew He would show us, even if I didn’t know what that would look like.”

  Rafe smiled, his hand still holding his wife’s. “The Council dismissed early this morning, so Nicky and I had a few minutes to talk. I felt a burden to tell him again how proud we are of his decision to go through with this and to trust us. He told me that he knew it wouldn’t be easy but that God had been working on his heart. He has been asking for even greater trust, and he knows he’ll never need it more than when he marries again.”

  For some minutes the three fell silent, their thoughts going to Prince Nikolai, Rafe and Erica’s only child. Nikolai’s first wife had been a shy French woman. Her name was Yvette DuBois, and the prince had adored her. Still quite young, the two had met while Yvette’s family was visiting Pendaran. They corresponded for more than a year before Nikolai, accompanied by his parents, went to France to ask for her hand in marriage. She was two years older than he was, but that never mattered to the enamored couple. With the blessing of both families, they married in 1989, when Nikolai was 20 and Yvette was 22. Then without warning, Yvette died of a heart attack two years later, leaving Nikolai a widower.

  For Nikolai the loss was huge. Pendaran’s traditions were not worshiped, but they were honored and held in high regard. With a view to the beloved royal-family line, the heir to the throne was expected to be married by the time he or she was 26. Nikolai more than met this requirement until his wife was taken from him. Had the death been closer to his twenty-sixth birthday, the time would have been extended in accordance to his grief, but the Council, comprised of men who shared equal power and were required to come to unanimous agreement on every decision, decided that for Nikolai the tradition would be upheld. If effort was made and no wife could be found, the time would be extended, but as it stood, Pendaran’s prince now had just over 18 months to marry again.

  For a time courtship and remarriage were unthinkable to the still-grieving prince, but recently he’d come to his parents with a surprising request. It was for this reason they had asked Toby to pray, never dreaming that he would meet someone he found suitable to be the prince’s next wife.

  “Is there anything more I can do?” Toby asked.

  “Did your meeting with them go well? Were you well received?” Rafe questioned right back.

  “Very much so. Mrs. Parker heard me speak about two years ago, and Mr. Parker has read one of my books. He said he enjoyed it. They were very gracious and kind.”

  Rafe looked at Erica, whose brow was furrowed in thought.

  “Do you have any suggestions, Rica?”

  “Only that we find out a little more before anything is said. I cer
tainly have no desire to invade the privacy of this family, but neither do I want us to approach Shelby, upset her world, and then say, ‘I’m sorry, we’ve just found out you’re unsuitable for our son.’”

  Rafe nodded. “A point well taken. Is there any way to do this subtly, Toby?”

  “Yes, I believe there is. I think they would welcome a visit from me, and I can do so without deceit, because I genuinely liked them and would enjoy seeing them again. Beyond that, I can ask my man, Tyke, to make a few gentle inquiries. He’ll be very discreet. As Erica said, we need to respect the family’s privacy. It wouldn’t be fair to either Nick or Shelby to rush in and make a mess of things.”

  “Nick or Shelby,” Erica said softly. “It has a nice ring to it, but I’m afraid to hope.”

  “Not afraid to trust, however,” her husband said firmly, his eyes on his spouse.

  “No,” Erica agreed. “Not that.” Her eyes swung to her husband’s childhood friend. “Do go and see them, Toby, would you? And then come back and tell us if you think we should pursue this.”

  “I’ll do it. Just as soon as I can, I’ll visit their home.”

  Nothing more was said on the subject, but each one had it in mind. Erica went to freshen up for lunch as the men walked to the dining room, but before joining them downstairs, she took a pen and marked her calendar, using specific wording about Toby’s visit. She almost immediately regretted the action, knowing it might make her anxious until he had news. She made herself turn away from the page.

  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Erica’s mind was suddenly on Jesus’ words from a verse in Matthew 6. A question you would do well to remember, Erica, she said to herself. With a prayer to carry out the thought, she went downstairs to join the men.

  The king only glanced at the small photo provided for him before reading down through the school transcripts of Shelby Leigh Parker, his brows rising at the excellent grades. Toby’s man, Tyke, had certainly been thorough and fast. It had been just 11 days since Toby had come to see him. A part of Rafe’s mind rebelled at the whole idea of checking up on her, but his son’s face came to mind and he pressed on.