Page 32 (2/2)

"That day will be difficult for her," Henry explains "She’ll do it because we both understand it’s expected, but there will be worry and anxiety But here, now, there will only be joy"

Sarah leans forward, eyes begging "Please understand, Your Majesty"

And Henry adds, "Please say yes"

She could easily say no Members of the royal family need the Queen’s permission to marry--it’s a law An outdated one, but still a law

But I’ve long suspected so about the Queen that no one else has: despite her steely exterior, Her Majesty, Queen Lenora of Wessco has a soft spot It er’s there

Her eyes shift between Henry and Sarah, then she puts her hand on each of their shoulders "It’s a fine idea Very romantic"

She folds her hands in front of her "Christopher, tell the Archbishop his services are needed now Do not tell him why"

Christopher bows and scurries off to fulfill the coaze to Lady Sarah "You will need a dress"

"I have one," she assures the Queen excitedly "It’s white and perfect, and I’ve never worn it"

"Good" Queen Lenora nods "Then all you need is a tiara Thankfully, I have a few to spare"

And that is how the future King and Queen of Wessco end up getting arden, beneath a clear sky after a rainstorus, the cantankerous butler who first served Nicholas and now Henry at Guthrie House, plays the violin as Lady Sarah walks herself down the lantern-lit aisle She’s holding a bouquet of wildflowers, her hair long and straight, her dress sleeveless and snug at the waist, with a short, puffy skirt

She looks like a fairy princess andered out of a storybook

And when the Archbishop asks her if she takes Henry as her husband, the answer sounds as if it bursts straight from her heart

"I doI do!"

Later, when Henry is told he may kiss his bride, and he takes her in his armsI’ve never seen such a look on aa star, a cherished, sacred piece of heaven, in his very hands

It’s in that moment that I realize and accept--when Ellie walks down the aisle to sI’ll be looking at her in exactly the same way

I look at her that way now

And I can’t reainst it--why I thought any of it ht

Ellie stands across the garden, watching the cereh to breathe her in, but not so close that it seeht" I whisper against her hair "If you don’t want that to happen, tell me now I can’t stop an Not ever" She turns around, her blue eyes shining in the "

I LIGHT THE CANDLES INivory sticks on the fireplace htstands beside the bed I dione side behind my ear I’d already switched oe got back to the palace, and I strip that off, leaving ne silk slip, bare and braless beneath it