The Swan Prince Read online

  Magic happens when love is true

  Lena thought she'd found a prince when Charles rescued her four-year-old half-brother from the waters of the Serpentine. A simple boating accident sparks romance, but the man of her dreams seems to be hiding something. They're both unemployed — times are hard — but there's something else he's not telling her.

  One night, Lena sneaks back into Hyde Park to find out if Charles is secretly camping in the park and gets the surprise of her life!

  How far is Lena willing to go to rescue the man she's fallen for?

  THE SWAN PRINCE

  C. Margery Kempe

  Published by Tirgearr Publishing

  ISBN: 9781476215815

  Author Copyright 2012 C. Margery Kempe

  Covert Art: Amanda Stephanie

  Editor: Kemberlee Shortland

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away. If you would like to share this book, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please log into the publisher’s website and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  DEDICATION

  With thanks to Vic and Paula

  THE SWAN PRINCE

  C. Margery Kempe

  "Careful!" Lena grabbed Freddy's jumper for the umpteenth time as the little boat rocked. "Sit back down or you'll end up in the water."

  "Fish!" Freddy pointed into the depths of the Serpentine.

  "You promised to be good if we got a boat. Now sit down!"

  The day was too gorgeous to last, but Lena had been cajoled into the idea of renting the rowboat by the eager four year old, much against her inclination. Yet Freddy had hopped up and down so excitedly, she couldn't quite resist. Idle days called for whimsy. When I get a job, I'll miss these days.

  Freddy babbled on happily pointing at the ducks and a huge swan that glided by in the distance. Lena rowed on enjoying the feel of the sun on her shoulders. It had been raining non-stop for days, so the first warm afternoon suddenly made her remember how lovely London could be. She missed it living in the midlands.

  "Duckie!" Freddy cried, pointing at the swan.

  "Swan, love." Lena grinned.

  She had been reluctant to move in with her father and his wife when her job had been terminated. Much as she loved Rose, and much as her father loved having her home, Lena had been accustomed to living on her own for long enough that it was a wrench to find herself at home again like a child.

  "Swanduk!" Freddy grinned at her, pleased with himself. Lena smiled back. It was impossible to resist him: the "unexpected bonus" as her father always called his son. Her father had never imagined getting married again after her mother died, let alone having a new child. His surprise quickly turned to joy.

  "I had my fingers crossed it were early menopause," Rose had told her once, laughing at the memory. The soft vowels of her Yorkshire accent always delighting Lena's ears. "Imagine my astonishment."

  Maybe it was true that the little cherub got a wee bit too much spoiling from his doting parents, but it was impossible to be cross for long with the little charmer. Even on the most trying days of the last few jobless-and-no-hope-for-improvement months, Lena found herself cheered by the little babbling ray of sunshine. Not that she felt broody at all—she hoped children of her own were a good way off yet—but the simple happiness Freddy had every day made her desire a little of his bonny spirit.

  When she saw her father, Rose and Freddy together, Lena felt a stab of envy, too. She'd had dates and boyfriends both at university and at her job after. No one really serious, though Martin in accounts—unexpectedly—had been a good companion and they’d had a lot of fun together. However, there was no wrench in her heart saying farewell when they both went their separate ways after the company went pear shaped, though she missed having a regular date night. But it wasn't what she really needed. There was no magic.

  Lena sighed. She had often scolded herself for having unrealistic romantic expectations, but surely there had to be more to it than the pleasantness she had experienced so far. Sex with Martin had been adequate and had improved with experience, but her heart never skipped a beat. He didn't make her weak in the knees. She didn't yearn for him.

  Maybe that kind of silliness only existed in romance novels and pop songs. Lena sighed.

  A big splash woke her from her reverie. Freddy was in the water!

  "Freddy!" When Lena stood up the boat rocked wildly. She swayed back and forth then froze. The seconds seemed to pass as with painful slowness as she considered whether to try to stick the oar out to reach him or dive in herself, and how deep was the Serpentine anyway?

  Before she could move, there was another loud splash on the other side of her. Lena whipped her head around to see a young man plunging through the water and scooping up Freddy to place him back in the boat. She was relieved to see the water was only waist high here.

  "Thank you! Freddy, you mad little monkey!" She threw her arms around him, thinking he'd be terrified from his ordeal.

  "I swam, Lena! Duckie!"

  "Let me pull you over to the shore," the young man said. "We'll get your young man sorted."

  "Oh, thank you, thank you!" Lena hugged Freddy tight. "You gave me such a fright, Freddy."

  "I swim!" Freddy crowed.

  "Good man," their rescuer told the proud boy. "You'll be all ready for the Olympics, lad."

  "Maybe you shouldn't encourage him." Lena laughed. "He's all too-ready for another go." She noticed a strange white streak in the man's black hair. Although his face was turned away from them as he dragged the boat to shore, she noticed the broad expanse of his shoulders and the strength in his arms.

  "Cold," Freddy said, beginning to shiver.

  "We'll get you warm in no time, Freddy." And how would she do that? Lena cursed the fine weather that had persuaded them to leave their jackets at home today.

  "Here comes help," the young man said, nodding his head toward the boathouse man who jogged toward them.

  "Took a tumble, did we?" The spry old gentleman had two blankets over his arm. He handed one to Lena and the other to her rescuer, but the young man demurred until he had helped both Freddy and Lena out of the boat.

  "This calls for a cuppa," Lena said.

  "And cake!" Freddy said, jumping up and down in his blanket. They all laughed. The boathouse man offered to pull the boat back to its mooring, saying "I'm going that way after all." He nodded to Lena and told Freddy with mock seriousness, "When you pay for a boat ride, son, you want to get your money's worth."

  Lena smiled and turned to the young man trying to dry his clothes with the rough blanket. "Can I buy you a tea and cake? And maybe you’ll tell me your name?"

  When he laughed, Lena admired the easy smile he gave her, the deep blue eyes and the fine, strong features of his face. The startling white stripe in his hair didn't appear to be any indication of age, for his face looked as young as her own.

  "Charles Downing." He shook her hand. Even chilled by the waters of the Serpentine, the warmth of his grasp and the feeling of his skin against hers, sent familiar feelings shooting through her. His gaze held hers. Then they both flushed and looked away from each other. What is this?

  And with a grave seriousness, he turned his gaze to her brother and said, "Pleased to meet you, Freddy."

  "Let's have cakes!" Freddy exclaimed, nearly tripping over his blanket and immediately dragging his new friend toward the café. Charles grinned back at Lena and allowed himself to be jerked along.

  "Freddy, don't pull on Charles like that. He doesn't even know you."

  "It's all right, really." He laughed again.

  Charles’s voice had a wonderful warm tone that caused little vibrations along Lena’s skin, waking her senses. Oh my. She laughed, too. She found it rare to be so instantly at ease with someone, and so fascinated. It had been so long since she had felt that frisson of instant fascination—and attraction.

  Freddy jumped up and down at the counter, demanding hot chocolate and cake. Charles wanted to demur from anything, but Lena insisted he at least have a coffee. "If only to drive away the chill," she said with mock seriousness.

  They sipped their hot drinks and chatted between outbursts from Freddy, who saw the need to name everything he could in the café. In no time at all, Lena confessed her despair about her joblessness and Charles offered a sympathetic ear.

  "You moan that your life is so dull and then when something catastrophic occurs, you realise just how good things had been." He sighed and looked away.

  "Ah, you too?" Lena watched the faraway look in Charles’ eyes. A shadow crossed his face, as if a storm had blown in from the coast. "I'm glad I have my folks to rely on, but it's a bit miserable feeling, as if I have no say-so in my own life."

  Charles gave her a rueful smile. "I no longer have family to protect me. I suppose I should be happy enough on my own, but I envy your safety net."

  Lena put a hand over his. "How awful to be on your own!"

  Charles shrugged, but he didn't remove his hand from under hers. "We do what we can with the fate we've been handed."

  "Why don't you come to tea?" Lena asked, surprising even herself with the sudden inspiration. "We can always add one more place." Don't push, Lena, maybe he has a girl friend. Or boyfriend. Or somewhere to be.

  Charles smiled, but
with regret. "I can't do that. But tomorrow . . . would you like to meet up for lunch?"

  Lena balanced her initial regret against this new possibility. "Sure. Where shall we meet?"

  "Peter Pan?"

  Lena grinned. If there were anything that could make this handsome man even more appealing to her it would be a fondness for Pan and his statue, her favourite spot in Kensington Park.

  "What time?"

  When they returned home, Freddy paraded a dramatic rendition of his adventures for the rapt audience. His mother blanched at first, an anxious hand feeling his forehead for any hint of fever. His father clapped him on the back with enthusiasm. "Quite the lad!"

  "Now tell us more about this Charles Downing," Rose said, offering a conspiratorial smile to her step-daughter now that she knew the son and heir was safe.

  "There's not too much to tell, other than he's in the same boat as me—job-wise." Lena sighed. "I suppose that's a strike against him."

  Rose shrugged. "In this economy, you can't really hold it against anyone. There are just too many people out of work."

  "He doesn't seem to be a congenital slacker," Lena offered, although she couldn't say where she got that impression.

  "And handsome. And athletic," Rose added.

  "And willing to jump into the Serpentine to save a boy he didn't even know." Lena smiled. "Rather heroic, really."

  "Invite him back for tea tomorrow. I've got a nice beef roast that will be just lovely."

  Lena hugged her step-mother. "Thanks, love."

  The next day dawned brightly again. With relief, Lena remembered that Freddy had a play date with a neighbour. She loved the little scamp, but a lunch date with the scrumptious Charles, unencumbered by an irrepressible four year old, sounded much better than the alternative.

  Lena loaded up her canvas bag with sandwiches, apples and juice boxes. She had a wistful thought about a bottle of wine, but decided not to splurge any more than necessary. The sunshine remained and a fine perspiration covered her skin as she strode across Hyde Park. A lot of people had apparently decided on having their lunch al fresco and the park hummed with happy noises. Lena crossed the bridge over the Serpentine and in few minutes reached the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens.

  "Hello, Pan," she whispered to the bronze figure. He blew his pipe amid the fairies and mice and birds and squirrels circling the monument’s base, waiting to steal away the children who fell out of their prams. From childhood, Lena had loved this statue of the magical boy who never grew up. She took it as a sign about Charles wanting to meet here and eagerly looked for him.

  He arrived spot on time; another good sign. As Charles waved from the path, Lena took a bolder assessment of him. He had a fine shape, indeed—broad shoulders, strong hands, and long legs. And a very handsome face. Okay, admit it, Lena: he is gorgeous. And that shock of white hair only made him look more intriguing.

  Lena jumped up from her seat at the base of the statue and, without thinking, gave him a peck on the cheek. "Morning."

  Charles grinned and blushed slightly. "You look lovely." Another point in his favour.

  "You're a picture yourself."

  Charles regarded her face with interest as if he, too, found the boldness to make a proper assessment today. Lena felt self-conscious and wished she'd taken the time to tame her honey blonde curls a little more or wore something more dazzling than her favourite red top and her most comfortable pair of jeans.

  Then again, it was a picnic after all.

  "Where shall we spread our picnic blanket?" Lena looked around the clearing, which had swelled with more Pan devotees since she had first arrived.

  "Picnic?" Charles looked startled.

  "I thought it would be fun. S'alright, isn't it?"

  Charles shrugged but Lena caught another blush. Oh, I must have embarrassed him! Was he worried about taking me to lunch? Thinking fast she said, "My dad's wife, Rose, begged me to bring some of last night’s leftovers so they wouldn’t spoil. We're doing her a favour."

  "Well, that's all right then." Charles nodded, appeased. "How about in the next meadow over there?" He pointed just in time to mark a bright green bird's flight just where he indicated.

  "Oooh, a parakeet!" Lena crowed.

  Charles frowned. "A parakeet? Here?"

  Lena grinned. "They were brought back from India but escaped ages ago. They live here all year round now."

  "I'm not sure how they survive," Charles said with a little shiver, "it must get cold in the winter. Feathers aren't as warm as they are in a duvet."

  Lena laughed and linked arms with him. "Sounds like you've thought about that in depth."

  Charles shrugged, but Lena noticed some sort of trouble flicker across his features. What sorrow lay in his past? Was it more than just being out of work? She hoped she could cheer him up, if only for a few hours.

  "How about over there? That looks like a great picnic spot."

  Their al fresco lunch went well. Lena found herself delighted by Charles, who had a bright, curious mind and a good sense of humour. She loved how his laugh rumbled a little before its release. Gazing up at him, his eyes looked different in the sun than in the shade; the color of them sparkled in the light.

  He seemed to be equally comfortable with her, asking after Freddy as well as her father and step-mother with a certain wistfulness.

  "I'm so full!" Charles said at last with a groan. He flopped onto his back on the blanket.

  Lena grinned. The afternoon sun beat down with unexpected heat. She lay back on the blanket too, her arm just touching Charles'. What a lovely day!

  Lena awoke with a start. The warm day had worked its own kind of magic on the two of them. While they slept, Charles had rolled over and draped his arm around her waist. She welcomed its warm weight. As she lifted herself on her elbows, Lena looked down at his face and saw a trace of trouble there. Things must be so much harder for him, being alone.

  The sun had begun its downward journey to the horizon. It surely had to be later than four. How quickly the afternoon had flown. She hadn't yet had a chance to invite Charles for tea.

  Lena spoke his name softly. His eyes fluttered open. For a moment, his smile beamed warmly and then his brows drew in. "It's late."

  Lena pulled out her phone and checked the time. "Half four."

  Charles sat up. Lena instantly missed the sensation of his arm across her belly.

  "I—I have to go."

  "Oh, but Rose said to invite you to tea tonight. She has a nice roast on."

  Charles smiled but looked away, too. "I'm sorry, I can't really get away...in the evenings."

  This puzzled Lena. "Oh, but I bet you could use a good meal—I mean, we'd love to have you there," she amended. The words rang hollow in her own ears. I hope I haven't offended him!

  "I really can't, but please thank Rose for inviting me. Here, let me help you with that." Together they shook the crumbs from the blanket and packed up what was left of the food. "Shall I walk you back to your side of the park?"

  Lena smiled. "That would be lovely."

  The shouts from the boaters as they crossed the Serpentine Bridge reminded Lena of the rescue. Was it only yesterday? She squeezed Charles' hand. He had taken it without comment when they began walking and she thrilled to the feel of his warm fingers. He had large hands that were soft despite the recent scratches that adorned them.

  He must be new to this kind of life. Lena's heart melted again to think of the burden he bore. What was he doing at night that he couldn't tell her? Something that shamed him? Something that worried him? Could he be in some kind of trouble? Maybe he's living rough in the park!

  Once the idea had flown into her head, she couldn't chase it away. Surely he had to wait for darkness to fall and hide himself. Lena wondered if she could find a way to get him to reveal this secret, turning the thought over in her mind as they walked through the bright cheerfulness of the late afternoon sun.

  "I guess we should say good-bye," Charles said when they reached Clarendon Gate. He looked a little sheepish as he said so, gazing down at his feet.

  "Thank you for a lovely day," Lena said, stepping closer to him.