The Reluctant Wife: A Bodyguard – Princess Marriage of Convenience Romance (The Davenports Book 4)

I take in my surroundings. The magnificence of the cathedral, the crowded pews, the fact that I’m in my dress uniform… All of it is so different from the rushed wedding at City Hall the last time. It brings home the contrast between my old life and the one I’m embarking upon now.

Jane didn’t want to be tied down. She wanted to maintain her own identity, and I respected that. In retrospect, the warning signs that our union might not be everything we hoped for were there from the beginning. We were friends, decided to turn it into a friends-with-benefits situation, and then, she thought she was pregnant, so we decided to get married.

Not that it stopped her from going on the next mission. She messaged me a few weeks later to let me know it had been a false alarm. We should have annulled the marriage, but I foolishly thought we could work things out. Our married life—if you can call it that—was nothing like this connection I feel with my Empress.

Getting married to her, with half the world watching and my family in attendance? This is unexpected, and so very different from the last time. It makes me realize I’ve been given a chance to start over. I resolve to do everything differently this time. A lightness fills me. My thoughts no longer feel dark. I no longer feel like I’m being held back by my past. Perhaps, I’m finally breaking free? Perhaps, I’m ready to move on?

I sneak a glance at the light pouring in through the stained glass behind the altar. I’m not religious, but the beauty, and the hushed atmosphere of the space, make it easy to believe that Jane is resting in peace. Perhaps, she doesn’t begrudge me this chance at happiness, either. Perhaps, she’s forgiven me… Perhaps, I’m ready to forgive myself?

The archbishop gives a sermon about love being a choice and commitment needing dedication and effort, then something about the nature of marriage and the significance of our commitment in a public and private context.

I only half listen to his words, my attention on the gorgeous woman by my side.

As she glided down the aisle toward me in her beautiful white dress, I felt my world shift. She looked ethereal—an angel, a goddess from heaven sent down to rescue me. My Empress is every bit a queen. And it’s my privilege to be here next to her, to be able to protect her. My senses stay tuned for anything amiss in the audience watching us. My internal radar, so finely geared to spot danger, remains silent.

The specially chosen security personnel including my brothers and uncle have been positioned within and outside the cathedral, at strategic points to observe the crowd. They’re also embedded within the guests, the onlookers, and the press, and even within James Hamilton’s catering team. They’re ubiquitous and trained to blend in with the crowd, so their presence will not be noticed.

Trained snipers, hidden from view, have been positioned in elevated areas above the naves.

Tyler, himself, is by my side as my best man. This gives him a unique view to see direct threats to the princess.

After completing the homily, the archbishop turns to me. ‘Do you, Ryot Abraham Arthur Davenport, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto do you pledge yourself to her?”

“I do.” I nod.

He turns to her. ‘Do you, Aurelia Isabelle Verenza, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto do you pledge yourself to him.”

‘I do,’ she says softly.

Her blue eyes appear luminous, a tremulous smile playing around her lips.

I didn’t think I believed in wedding vows. When I married Jane, we dispensed with vows. These are the same words we used during the rehearsal. But they take on a much deeper meaning, now that we’re standing here in front of God, our family, our friends, and millions of people I don’t even know.

Her hand trembles in mine.

Tyler hands the rings to the bishop, who blesses them. I take the simple wedding band I bought for her and slide it onto her ring finger.

She does the same.

The bishop then folds a scarf over our joined palms. ‘As these hands are bound together, so may your lives be bound together in love and harmony.’ The bishop removes the scarf and declares us husband and wife. ‘You may now kiss the bride.’

It’s not traditional for the Royal Family of Verenza to have the bride and groom kiss at the end of the ceremony, but I insisted on it. Arthur took my side during the debate that ensued during the wedding rehearsal, and the king gave in.

I lean in, and she tips up her chin. I gaze into her eyes for a few seconds, and when her lips part, I bend and fit my mouth over hers. I kiss her tenderly, softly, gently, yet deeply enough to taste her mouth. The sweetness shivers through my veins, arrowing straight to my groin.

My cock twitches, and I realize I need to pull back or be seen sporting a chub on television screens around the world, and while I don’t give a shit, I don’t want my Empress to be embarrassed. I pull back. Her eyelids flutter open, the smile she gives me shy and dazed, and her gaze is tinged with lust. Good.noveldrama

Applause breaks out from the audience. I take her hand in mine, and we turn to face the crowd who are on their feet. As we begin the walk back up the aisle, the orchestra plays Taylor Swift’s Enchanted.

Surprise ripples through the audience. I arch an eyebrow at my Empress, and she laughs. This woman? She knows how to surprise me. Zoey picks up her train and Tyler joins her to follow my wife and me as we walk back down the aisle. The audience continues to applaud and smile. And as we reach the grand entrance of the cathedral, the bells ring out.

When we step out, Tyler walks past me. He takes his position next to the line of men who hold up their swords to form an arch for us to walk through.

‘That wasn’t in the rehearsal,’ my Empress muses.

I did it to differentiate this ceremony further from my last one. And because I wanted my Empress to be accorded that respect.

‘You’re not the only one who can surprise, Wife.’ I savor the word as it rolls off my tongue. It feels incredible to call her my wife. With Jane? She never wanted to be called that. She preferred we not refer to each other as husband and wife because it made her feel like a possession.

Tyler nods in my direction, and I acknowledge it. Then I lead my wife through the sword-arch. Familiar faces grin back at me: Brody, Nathan, Quentin, and other team-mates from my platoon who’ve flown here to attend the wedding. We emerge on the other side to more cheering from the crowds who’ve lined the square in front of the cathedral.

A gleaming carriage pulled by stately white stallions draws up.

I cringe at the thought of having to ride in it, but my Empress wanted to stick to tradition. She wanted to recreate the exact journey her mother and father made after they got married here, and her grandparents before that. She insisted that it makes for a better PR spectacle, and I realize, she’s right.

Besides, I aim to please her. And while it’s a security nightmare to ride through the streets of the city so exposed, I’ll be there to protect her. I pull on my gloves, take my bride’s bouquet, and help her in before following.

Another of my security team, doubling as a footman, shuts the door. I recognize the driver, too, as one of my men. Good. I also insisted on snipers being placed on the rooftops surrounding the square and along the route we’re going to take. I hand the bouquet to my wife, take her hand in mine, and the carriage sets off.

‘That might have been the most stressful hour of my life.’ Tyler sighs as he shrugs off his jacket and places it over the back of his chair.

‘You and me both, brother.’ I pour water from the jug and hand him a glass before taking one for myself. The crowds lining the streets seemed to number in the millions. Every inch of the sidewalks was overrun with people waving the flag of the country, with many shouting out congratulations as we passed them by. Tyler drove in the lead security car ahead of us, and Quentin followed in the car behind. Despite that, even knowing I had my personnel stationed along the route, I was unable to rest. The fact that my internal radar didn’t alert me told me that, likely, the person who targeted her saw the security and decided to pull back. Which made me more anxious. I refill my empty glass with water and toss it back before placing it on the counter with a thunk.

We are in the study in the cottage on the palace grounds which my wife and I will now share. Her father offered to lend it to us, but I insisted on buying it from him.

I wanted us to have a place that belongs to us, a space my wife could go to escape the influence of her father. Where she wouldn’t have to feel beholden to the people of this country. Where she could be herself, with me.

Of course, with the amount of money the Davenports are investing in the country, I could point out that I already own part of the Royal Palace itself, but I chose not to highlight that.

‘So, the Duke of Verenza, huh?’ Tyler sinks his bulk into the chair.

Yep, that’s the title I was granted, and the princess is now the Duchess of Verenza. The chair creaks as Tyler settles himself. ‘How does it feel?’

‘That I am married again? Or that I’m royalty?’ I shrug. ‘On the first, I’d say I’m surprised how good it feels. On the second, it’s notional, as far I’m concerned. But if it makes my wife happy…’ Hearing myself call her my wife sends my protective instincts into overdrive. I glance toward the door she disappeared behind, wondering how long she’s going to be. We have another hour until the wedding reception we’re expected to attend in the palace’s staterooms.

Hosted by the king, and with the rest of her family and mine in attendance, it promises to be an absolute shit-show. I’m not looking forward to it.

‘Hmm.’ He strokes his chin, as he watches me closely. ‘You’re worried that since the person targeting her didn’t show, he’s regrouping to come back in a more dangerous fashion?’ It’s as if he read my mind. Which is why I trust Tyler’s instincts almost as much as my own.

I shift my weight from foot to foot. I’m used to long days as a Marine, and functioning under enormous stress when on a mission, but none of it felt as personal as this need to keep her safe. It shows how entwined I am in this relationship with her. Something I’ll worry about after I’ve caught the guy who’s got her in his crosshairs. ‘I’ll be glad when today is over,’ I confess.

Though likely, the day after could be worse, since whoever is targeting her might think security will be lax and try something. So, it’s best to stay alert.

‘Preach.’ Tyler rolls his shoulders. ‘How are you doing, really?’ He peers into my eyes. ‘I was surprised when you agreed to Arthur’s scheme.’

Me too, bro, me too. ‘It was the only way to ensure she’s safe.’

‘You going to change your entire lifestyle for her?’ There’s no judgement in his voice. Only curiosity.

‘I’d turn my world upside down for her,’ I say with vehemence.

Before he can answer, his phone buzzes. His face lights up, and he answers the call, ‘Hello, poppet.’

Serene’s childish voice comes through, ‘Daddy. Look.’ She must show something to him, for he laughs.

‘You’re so clever, baby.’

‘Daddy, coming back soon?’

‘Soon, baby. Uncle Ryot needs me here, but I’ll be with you soon.’ He blows her a kiss. ‘You be a good girl for Aunty Summer now.’

I hear other voices in the background, then Summer comes on the line. “We love having Serene; she’s such a doll.”

‘Thanks for taking care of her; I appreciate it.” Tyler murmurs.

‘I owe you, Summer,’ I call out.

Tyler flips the phone.

I wave at her. ‘No really, thank you. It’s been a godsend to have Tyler here.’

Summer waves it off. ‘You keep the princess safe. And congratulations on the wedding. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but I’ll see the both of you in London soon.’ There are more voices in the background, then she signs off.

‘Summer’s been amazing, to step in and take care of Serene. But I need a permanent solution.’ He looks harried. ‘Why is it so difficult to find a nanny who Serene likes and who’ll stick with us?”

The door to the room opens. A vision in white steps into the room. She’s changed out of the wedding dress into an ivory satin gown with a square neckline and a fitted bodice that flares into a modest A-line skirt. The jeweled waistband accentuates her waist and shows off her curves.

She has her hair down with the tiara she wore earlier holding the strands back from her face. Other than her earrings, the only other piece of jewelry she has on is the wedding ring I placed on her finger.

I finger my own, remembering how it felt when she slipped it onto me. I felt connected to her in a fashion that rocked me to the bone. And when the bishop pronounced us husband and wife, a feeling of possessiveness—almost proprietary in nature—consumed me.

Seeing her standing there like an angel, I want to gather her in my arms, peer into her eyes and kiss her before I claim her all over again. I’m dimly aware of Tyler leaving us. The door snicks shut behind him, and I move toward her as if in a dream. When I reach her, I go down on one knee and take her hand in mine.