“At least you won’t have to worry about handling the media, Lara, which is good.” Kate continued her part of the conversation. “Did you see that press conference Jack gave?”
“Yes. The palace media office arranged it,” She thought back to the excellent press coverage Jack’s conference had received and suspected he had agreed to it to satisfy the clamoring of the world’s media and to take some of the pressure from her.
Jade jumped in, her hands waving in the air with excitement. “Honestly,” she chirped. “I fell for him right there and then and when some stupid journo asked about the rushed wedding and he replied that he loved you and so why wait, I just about fainted with ecstasy.”
Lara couldn’t help laughing and the three girls chatted on, teasing each other as if they were giggling schoolgirls once again.
“I’m ready.” Her statement brought them to a sudden hush as they stared at her. She held out her hands for the other two to grasp. “I’m so lucky you are here and that I have your love and support,” she said, her voice shaky, bringing instant tears to the eyes of her friends.
“When we started boarding school and became the three princesses, we promised we would always be there for each other, no matter what,” she continued. “And even though I’m getting married I promise you I’ll
still
be there for the two of you.”
The three of them hugged each other as the years suddenly rolled away and for precious moments, they were eleven years old again, new girls on their first day at boarding school, lonely and shy in a strange and different world.
There was a light tap on the bedroom door and the girls turned. Lara’s heart leapt into her throat. Surely, it wasn’t Jack? He wouldn’t come here, would he? She was aware anything was possible with this man who did exactly what he wanted. This man who was soon to be her husband, for better or worse.
The door opened to reveal Queen Francesca. The three young women gave bob curtseys as she approached. Both Jade and Kate knew Francesca well having spent several holidays at the palace when Lara had asked them to join her.
Francesca was in a great mood as could be seen by her broad smile as she surveyed them. “Ah, my favorite people,” she beamed. “It will indeed be a wonderful day.”
“I’m ready, Mummy, but there’s nearly an hour to go yet.” Her nerves tighten another agonizing notch.
“Yes, I know, dear. I have your dresser, makeup person and hairdresser all waiting outside to perform any last minute adjustments but, if Jade and Kate don’t mind, I’d like to speak to you alone.”
The two girls rapidly disappeared and after they had closed the door, Francesca indicated Lara should sit on the edge of the bed and she sat beside her.
“We haven’t had much personal time together in the past few weeks what with all the details of the wedding to organize,” Francesca began. Gazing into her mother’s beautiful face, Lara saw the signs of strain with prominent worry lines around her mouth and eyes. She looked tired and drained and Lara recognized much of this had to do with Carl.
Lara herself had been mortified when she had first been told of Carl’s addiction to gambling and the millions of dollars he had accumulated in debt. But, her distress was nothing compared with her parents and their awareness the royal family would be ruined if they couldn’t get financial help. Jack had provided that help. No wonder they thought the world of him.
Francesca caught and held her hand. “I wanted to tell you
before
your wedding how proud your father and I are at your decision to marry Jack.”
“But, ma’am...”
“Yes, I know what you’re going to say, that it wasn’t your decision. It was something forced on you and believe me Lara, I recognize that. I have never told you this before, but I entered into an arranged marriage with Johann. I was nervous and apprehensive, like you are now, but we have been so happy together, I can’t tell you how much I love and admire him.”
“I’m glad, Mummy. But you have known Daddy since you were a child. You moved in the same circles and you were both brought up to know what to expect. Jack is almost a stranger to me. He comes from a different world and I know he is marrying me, not just to bail Carl out of trouble, but because Challoner and I, in that order, are good investments.”
“That is probably true but I think you underestimate Jack, my darling. You may not have noticed it, but I can see how much he adores you.”
She grasped her mother’s hand. “That’s lust, pure lust, Mummy. We hardly know each other.”
Francesca gave her a knowing look. “Don’t you believe in love at first sight?”
Hesitating, Lara played with the elaborate lace trim at the waistline of her dress. As far as she was concerned, and as she had explained to Carl, she had fallen almost instantly in love with Jack but she hardly thought the same didn’t apply to him.
“I didn’t know you were such a romantic,” she replied, and if her mother noticed Lara had avoided her question, she didn’t comment.
“I had better let the hordes in to check you over,” Francesca said softly, her eyes glistening suspiciously as she hugged her daughter. “Not that you need them, Lara. You are lovely, absolutely lovely.”
She returned her mother’s hug. “Don’t worry. Jack and I will be okay,” she murmured, with more conviction than she felt.
Francesca opened the door with the first people to rush into the room being Kate and Jade, determined to support their best friend. The others followed to make final checks on Lara’s hair and makeup while the dresser ran expert eyes over her dress.
Lara had to admit she loved her wedding dress, even though it had to be adjusted twice as she had lost weight since the initial fitting. But, now it fitted perfectly and she smoothed a hand over the beautiful white satin which was embroidered with fine pearls and sequins interlaced with tiny pink roses. The long train, which flowed majestically behind her, was also heavily encrusted with pearls and sequins.
“We have to go,” Kate said as she handed Lara the bridal bouquet, an exquisite combination of cream and pale pink roses. “We’ll see you at the church.”
“Don’t forget to smile,” Jade added. “Remember, Jack will be waiting for you and because you’re being televised live around the world to millions of people, don’t let that worry you.”
Lara laughed at the cheeky expressions on the faces of her friends as they left to be escorted to their limousine, which would take them to the cathedral for the ceremony.
As the finishing touch to her appearance, the hairdresser placed a diamond tiara on Lara’s golden head setting it firmly in place. She touched the sparkling diamond necklace at her throat and the matching earrings, a wedding gift from Jack, which had been delivered to her this morning. She had been tempted to disregard them and then thought how ridiculous and insulting to Jack that would be. How she wished he had brought them to her personally. More and more she realized she was marrying a stranger who cared little for her.
Johann was waiting as she carefully descended the stairs and she could see by the expression on her father’s face that he was fighting to keep his emotions in check.
Outside, the ceremonial gold coach drawn by two palomino horses stood in all its glory ready to drive father and daughter to the cathedral. It was a perfect spring day. The snow had disappeared and had been replaced by early spring flowers of daffodils and tulips. My wedding day, she thought as she waved to the palace staff through the carriage window.
The beginning of the rest of my life. Oh help
.
“You are trembling nearly as much as me,” Johann said as if attempting to get his daughter to relax as they reached the cathedral. He tucked her arm in his ready for the long walk down the aisle.
“I wish the Bishop had refused to marry us, seeing Jack is divorced.”
“Well, he didn’t and I, for one, am very glad you’re getting married in our cathedral,” her father replied. “Besides, it’s a little late to think of such things now.”
“At least if I faint it will make for great news coverage.” She knew it was nerves making her chatter and say ridiculous things. She couldn’t stop. Her eyes widened as she looked ahead of her. Was the aisle really that long yesterday at the rehearsal?
“Your train is all correct and in place,” Jade announced from behind her as she and Kate moved into their places.
She tried to smile as they began the long walk but her face was stiff and strained with nervous tension. Her thoughts whirled as step-by-step they made their way to the altar.
I don’t mind the cameras and millions of people watching my every move but I do mind that I’ve agreed to marry Jack, this man who has taken over my life and turned it upside down
.
She wondered for a fleeting moment if she should turn and run. What a scene that would cause, fleeing in her golden coach like Cinderella at the ball. Then she saw him, her future husband waiting for her. He looked perfect. Tall and elegantly dressed in a deep gray morning suit and, at his side acting as Jack’s best man, Carl in ceremonial uniform. You have a lot to answer for Carl Albert Frederick Henri Challoner, she decided, gritting her teeth.
Mike and Joe also stood with Jack. Lara had learned they were friends of his from Port Margaret when she had met them last night, together with his parents, making her realize how little she knew of Jack’s family and his friends.
At last, she drew level with Jack and her father graciously passed her hand into that of her soon-to-be husband. She wished she had agreed to a veil to shield her from the scrutiny of those intensely blue eyes. It would have given her some protection, and she could have continued to hide her emotions from him. He must have sensed her tension as disregarding all protocols, he bent and rested his cheek against hers.
“Hang in there, princess. The deed is nearly done,” he whispered and she closed her eyes as the elusive scent of his aftershave assailing her nostrils.
His words and his hands holding hers had the desired effect. She had made this commitment and she had to get on with it, she decided, giving Jack a lingering smile as they turned to the Bishop to begin the ceremony.
~ * ~
“I understand there is an especially prepared bridal suite for us.”
Jack turned to his bride. She had grown even paler over the past few hours, but they were almost there now. They had made it through the long, drawn-out service when fortunately the parts where he had to respond were spoken in English. He knew a moment of intense satisfaction as he’d slipped his gold wedding band on Lara’s finger. The ring he’d had made, not another family heirloom.
Her hands had trembled as she had tried to place the matching ring on his finger and he had ended up helping her, slipping the ring firmly in place
. We belong together now, my love. You might have preferred to marry your Prince Michael but you are married to me.
The afternoon had taken on an ethereal quality as they had been greeted by thousands of enthusiastic well-wishers as they drove through the streets of Challoner in the open golden carriage. The exacting wedding photographs, the greeting of hundreds of wedding guests most of whom he didn’t know, the endless banquet, had taken their toll on him, let alone Lara. But, he had to acknowledge she had behaved with such grace and charm throughout the service and reception, she had literally taken his breath away. His parents had been enchanted with their new daughter-in-law and as he had watched, it seemed Lara had been similarly taken with them and his two friends.
Now, they were nearing the end of the reception and he and Lara would be able to politely take their leave. He glanced at her again wondering if she had heard his question. The only time he had been able to hold her was when they’d been required to perform the bridal waltz. He had been surprised at how fragile she had felt in his arms and how narrow her waist was as she had danced holding herself stiffly away from him. She had lost weight over the past weeks and a raw edge of concern worried at his gut.
“Lara? I think we can safely leave now,” he said, moving his head closer to hers.
“Yes. I think so,” she responded, her voice dull and lifeless.
He frowned.
Is this what it’s going to be like? I have married this lovely creature only to have
her transformed into the unhappiest woman on earth. Have I made such a terrible mistake?
He didn’t think so but…