The conversation ended some two hours after it started, as everyone seemed fatigued and Shelby admitted needing some time to think. Rafe was more than happy to grant it to her. She didn’t linger downstairs long after the king and queen left but went to her room to think and read her Bible. She ended up doing nothing but praying.
Is it normal that the idea of this does not horrify me, Lord? I’m actually considering the possibility of marrying a stranger. I have questions certainly, but I feel very reasonable about the answers. I’ve never even seen the prince in person, but I remember when his wife died. I remember the picture of his grieving face in the newspaper. It sounds like he needs someone to take care of him. Is caring enough of a reason to be married?
Shelby suddenly stopped praying. She had more questions for the royal family, but the ones in her mind right now needed to be asked of her parents. That they were not in the living room didn’t stop her; she knocked on their bedroom door.
“Come in,” her mother called.
“Were you and Fa sleeping?” Shelby asked, even though their light was on.
“No. Come in, honey.”
Shelby sat at the end of the bed and stared at her parents for a moment. At last she said, “I want to know why you’re so comfortable with this. I want to know why you seem to be sitting back as spectators.”
“Because until just now you haven’t seemed to want to speak of it. When we first talked to you, you asked us a lot of questions we couldn’t answer, but then you wanted to be alone.”
Shelby nodded. She had done just that.
“What do you think of all of this, Fa?” she signed to her father.
“We think it’s a great honor, but all the honor in the world wouldn’t make me agree to this if Nikolai didn’t share our faith in Christ. On top of that, I would never have mentioned it to you if I felt you would be miserable or harmed. I’m not saying I think it will be easy, but I’ve kept track of the prince’s activities off and on over the years—he’s a fascinating and impressive young man. As the king said, I can’t be certain he’ll fall head-over-heels in love with you, but I do trust that he’ll honor you as his wife and take care of you for the rest of your life.”
“Do you agree, Mother?”
“Yes, Shelby, I do, but please understand that your father and I are not bound and determined in this. If you have any doubts—I don’t mean now . . . you’re bound to have questions right now—but if you can’t eventually gain a peace about this, you must not do it.”
Shelby nodded. “I was thinking about the reasons someone might have for getting married. I know the two of you married for love. Is it wrong of me to want to get married so I can take care of the prince?”
“I don’t believe it is,” her father spoke again. “Arranged marriages used to be common. Now, if you’re still not living as husband and wife two years after you’re married, I’ll be wondering why. When two people spend time together, they become attracted to each other. As husband and wife, it needs to be your choice to love each other.”
“But if I want to drop the whole thing right now, you won’t be upset with me?”
“Not at all. You’ll be 23 at the end of the month, Shelby. You’re no child. We trust you to be wise and discerning in this, and in case you need it, you have our permission to take all the time you need. I know the prince doesn’t have forever, but that’s not what you’re to be thinking about. You do what you feel is right and best before God.”
Shelby warmly hugged both her parents and was able to retire to bed and sleep. She didn’t honestly know what she should do, but as her father said, she mustn’t rush into this. She fell asleep believing that in time she would know the way to go.
“A letter came for you today, Shelby,” her mother said just two days later. Getting mail was nothing unusual, but Shelby approached the table slowly after hearing her mother’s tone. Understanding dawned when she saw the prince’s name, Nikolai Markham, in the corner of the envelope. Shelby opened it slowly, sat down at the table, and read in amazement.
Dear Miss Parker,
I hope you won’t find me presumptuous in writing, but my father told me about meeting you, and I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for your gracious manner in receiving my parents. I can well imagine the surprise it must have been to hear their request, but my father assured me that you could not have been more hospitable or kind.
Above all else, I would not wish for you to feel pressured, so this letter is simply to advise you that whatever your decision concerning the future, I appreciate your willingness to consider my father’s proposal. Should you ever desire assistance, the palace would be happy to help you in any way.
God bless you in the weeks to come,
Nikolai Markham
The moment Shelby finished the letter, she went to the kitchen desk for paper and a pen. After sitting back at the kitchen table, she began to write.
Dear Prince Nikolai,
After your kind letter, I hope you won’t find me bold in writing back, but in truth it never occurred to me that I could communicate with you in this way. The reason for my letter is to learn from you if I may ask some questions. I have no wish to pry into your private life or seem impertinent in any way, but I would wish to know a little more about you.
If I have been at all offensive, please disregard this letter. I will understand if you do not return my note.
Sincerely,
Shelby Parker
As soon as she was through, Shelby read both letters to her mother, who had deserted her dinner preparations to sit down at the table and listen.
“What do you think, Mother? Did I do the right thing in writing back?”
“I think you did. You didn’t pepper him with questions, but now the ball is in his court as to whether or not he’s willing to open up to you. I just have two questions for you: If he does get back to you, what will you ask, and what do you hope to learn?”
“I’ll ask him a little about his life and interests, but right now I want to hear his testimony. As to what I hope to learn, I’ve already learned quite a bit.”
“Meaning?”
Shelby picked up the prince’s letter. “This is very impressive, Mother; you must admit that. He’s still in love with his first wife, yet he thanks me, in so many words, for considering a position as his future wife. I can’t believe it was easy for him.”
Had Shelby been able to see into the palace just two days later, she’d have known how closely she hit the mark. Prince Nikolai sat at his desk and stared down at a photo of his wife. He didn’t regret that he’d written to Shelby Parker—he was just sorry that there had been a need to contact her at all.
“Oh, Yvette,” he said softly, “will I ever not miss you?”
Nikolai made himself set the photo aside. He was supposed to be putting together the finishing touches on a report that was to be presented to the Council. He had just researched the alarming number of dropouts in the local district’s school system and was ready to tell the members what he had learned.
If he was going to think of any woman right now, it needed to be his future wife, whoever she might be. His parents had been very impressed with Shelby Parker, and he could tell they were excited. It had taken everything within Nikolai not to let on how much he hurt inside. It wasn’t that his parents were insensitive—they loved him very much—but they had moved past Yvette’s death. In many ways he had not.
The phone on his desk rang, and he reached for it. It was his house minister.
“Prince Nikolai, Mr. Cumberland is here to see you. Are you available?”
“Yes, Murdock. Please tell him I’ll be right out.”
Nikolai knew he would have to put in some overtime to have the report ready by Monday morning, but not for anything would he miss a visit with his closest friend, Ryan Cumberland III.
“Nick!” Ryan came to his feet the moment Nikolai stepped into the small antechamber outside his office.
“Ryan.” Nikolai’
s greeting was just as warm as the two men embraced. “Do you want to sit in the office or walk in the courtyard?”
“I’m here on business, so it’ll have to be the office.”
“This sounds serious.”
“It is,” Ryan stated as he dropped into a comfortable chair. “You are in big trouble.”
“Me?” Nikolai questioned. He had sat down but not leaned back. “What have I done?”
“It’s what you haven’t done.”
Nikolai didn’t need to hear more. Moving rather deliberately, he let his back rest against the chair before asking, “How’s Beth?”
Ryan allowed the change in subject. “She’s starting to waddle.”
“How many weeks to go?”
“About seven if she’s on time, but the doctor won’t make any promises about that.”
“Be certain to give her my love.”
“You could come by and do that in person,” Ryan said softly, coming right back to the first subject.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been out much, Ryan.”
“Why haven’t you, Nick?” his friend asked gently. “It’s been at least two months since you visited.”
For a moment Nikolai didn’t answer. He glanced at Yvette’s picture before looking back at his friend. “Mother and Father are looking for a wife for me. I’m all right with it, but I haven’t felt very social since we started talking about it.”
Ryan sat forward in his chair. “They’ve actually found a particular woman, or they’re just making some inquiries?”
“They have found a woman, and although it’s highly unlikely, I fear running into her and having the whole thing be an awkward mess.”
“Who is it?”
“Her name is Shelby Parker.”
Ryan blinked. “Does she work at the hospital in Henley?”
“I’m not certain. Why?”
“When my mother was in for those tests a few months back, a woman named Shelby Parker came to see her. I think she’s a receptionist. Does she have red hair?”
“I think my mother said she did.”
Ryan’s brows rose. “She’s a lovely young woman and extremely kind. You haven’t met her?”
“No. My parents are handling it.”
The men fell quiet. Right after the princess died, many people had thought to be helpful. “You’ll go on, Nick,” they said. “Think of the way you would have wanted Yvette to go on if you had been the one to die.” Ryan had been the only person with whom Nikolai had been completely honest. “No one can picture themselves dead, Ryan, and I’m no different. Selfish as I am, I wouldn’t want Yvette to marry again. The thought of another man holding her drives me insane.” Remembering this, Ryan was not surprised that Nikolai did not question him about the woman from the hospital.
In his own heart, however, Nikolai knew the time had come. His parents were finding him a wife, and he must be married by the end of the following year. If he was going to do the right thing by the woman his parents chose, he would learn to care for her and, at least in time, make her his wife in every way. Where the strength to do that would come from, he did not know.
“Your situation is not going to be helped by your becoming a recluse,” Ryan said, choosing not to comment on anything else. “I won’t pretend to know how much you hurt, but it’s time you start circulating again. If you were already remarried, no one would expect to see you for months or even the first year, but you’re still single, and Beth and I feel as though you’ve dropped off the face of the earth. We have only a few more weeks before our time will be taken up with the baby. Come see us while we’re still just two adults.”
“I will,” Nikolai promised. “By the way, how is business? Will you have some time off once the baby is born?”
“Yes. I’ll be home for the first month. I can’t tell you how I’m looking forward to it.”
“And what happens to your clients in the practice?”
“I’ve handed off a few things and wrapped up some others. I’ve sent word to all my regulars, and I’m hoping they won’t forget my fine skills in the courtroom before I get back.”
The men talked for the next hour before saying their goodbyes, and when Ryan left, Nikolai determined to go and see him and Beth right after church the next morning. His friend was right. He was dropping out of existence. Knowing that Ryan was praying for him, and with his own prayer for strength to do as he knew he should, Nikolai went back to his report. He worked steadily for the next hour, his concentration breaking only when Murdock delivered the late post. Nikolai looked through it absently until he happened on a particular letter. The name in the upper corner caused him to set everything aside.
Henley
“He wrote back to you, Shelby,” her father said to her about two weeks later. She had just arrived home from work. “Your mother had to run next door and wanted me to tell you as soon as you got in.”
“Thank you,” Shelby replied softly as she sat down to read the missive. It wasn’t overly long but just as gracious and kind as his first. She could ask him anything she wished, and he wanted to know if she would welcome questions from him. Shelby had to sit for a moment to take it in. She didn’t know how it would all transpire, but somehow in her heart she knew she would be marrying the prince.
Three
The Palace
April 30, 1995
Nikolai stood alone in his bedroom and told himself to breathe deeply. He had the window wide open, cool as it was, but still felt as if he were going to suffocate. This was his wedding day. Resplendent in his black tux, he looked taller than ever and very self-assured, but in truth, he was sick inside. Had he just been sitting in church that morning with his grandparents? The whole day was beginning to feel like a dream. The last months were taking on the same sensation.
Letters had not poured out of him in the months following his first correspondence with Shelby. Indeed, they had exchanged only about one letter a month, and those had been full of facts, not feelings. Those few letters, however, were enough to tell him that the woman he was marrying was a warm, caring woman who loved the Lord with all her heart. Still, one fact was glaringly clear—she was not Yvette. For that reason his heart felt broken inside.
Nikolai gave himself a little shake. He had much to be thankful for, and it was time to remember that. Shelby had been beyond gracious when it came to his requests not to have a large wedding or a reception. She had not expected to meet him, telling his parents that she was comfortable with their handling of things. But what about after the wedding? Would she understand that he would need some time to adjust? He only hoped she would, as he had little of himself to give her at the moment.
A moment of stubborn anger rose in him that he was being forced into this. After all, it was only April. They could postpone the wedding until fall and still be well within the allotted time. A huge sigh lifted his chest. It was no use putting it off.
I told my father one time that when I married again, I would need to learn to trust You in a new way. I don’t think I really understood just how hard that would be. Please help me, Lord, and Shelby too. Help her to understand my need for time. Help her to be patient with me.
Nikolai’s prayer was interrupted by his father’s knock. He came in uninvited, but Nikolai didn’t mind. There wasn’t anyone else he wanted to see right now.
“How are you?” Rafe asked when he was close enough to see his son’s eyes.
“Not so good, but ready to go ahead.”
Rafe’s eyes were tender as they rested on his only child. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
Nikolai gave his father a hug that was hugely returned. Both knew that God had been leading all of them in the last months and that eventually all would be well. So alike in height, the men shared a long look before heading for the door.
Daria glanced around the spacious bedroom and sitting room and then looked to Shelby with a raised brow.
“Did you know it was black?”
“Not
until I visited at the beginning of the week. They told me I could change things.”
“Will you?”
“I don’t know.” She sounded as uncertain as she felt.
“But you hate black.”
“True, but if this was Yvette’s favorite room, I think I need to live with it for a time.”
Daria moved forward and hugged her. “I think you’re wonderful.” She stepped back and looked her daughter in the eye. “If the prince doesn’t figure out how precious you are, I might come back and tell him myself.”
“You might too.”
Daria smiled. In truth, she felt no such anxiety. Of this Daria was certain: At some point, the prince would fall for his new princess.
“Well, not much time now. Are you ready?”
“I think I am. I’m feeling a little nervous, but I think that will disappear when I put on my veil.”
Daria smiled. “You look beautiful. I’m so glad we chose this dress.”
Shelby was glad too. It was a simple gown of classic lines, high-necked and long-sleeved—not overly done with lace. It suited Shelby and made her feel special. The veil had lace to match the gown, but its most important feature was the dense lace that would cover Shelby’s face. She knew herself to be a woman who blushed easily, and the thought of standing with the prince, lit up like a beacon during the entire ceremony, was horrific to her.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about arranged marriages,” Daria said softly. “They’re so unusual, but one in particular keeps coming to mind.”
“Which one is that?”
“Isaac and Rebekah.”
Shelby nodded.
“I read that passage over several times this morning,” Daria continued, “and I guess because I’m a woman, and women tend to be emotional, I can’t get over the way she goes into his tent as soon as they’re married.”
“I’ve read that too. Do you suppose their intimacy began immediately after they were married?”