Her mouth fell open as she stood back and took it all in.
“Amazing what a coat of paint can do for a place,” Emma said with a laugh. Caroline and Gareth had orchestrated far more than a simple paint job. The remodel included refurbished accents like stunning wood-frieze molding and Italian-lime-plastered vaulted ceilings, making the place fit for, well, royalty. “I don’t know how you knew to do any of this.”
Caroline shrugged. “I’ve watched a lot of decorating shows on television. I guess I absorbed some of the details.”
They both laughed.
“She’s baaaacck,” they heard Gareth say from around a corner.
He ran up to Caroline and gave her a kiss on either cheek. “Bella! So good to see you again. I knew we’d get you back soon.”
“That makes one of us,” Caroline said, so glad to be away from the traffic and crowds and antiseptic world she’d occupied for so long back in the States. “Never did I think I’d be back but for the wedding of the century.”
“Speaking of weddings and matchmaking,” Gareth said. “Have you heard from Darcy yet?”
Emma threw Gareth a sharp look.
“Gosh, no,” Caroline said. “Nor do I want to. I’ve moved on, so it’s all good. It wasn’t meant to be, and really, I’m so excited to be here on my own with no designs on some unattainable guy. That wasn’t like me to need someone like that, and now I’m just ready to forge my own path.”
Emma and Gareth looked at each other and frowned.
“But what if Darcy wanted to reach out to you?” Emma said.
“You know what? I just have no interest in bothering anymore,” Caroline said. “I know I’ll see him at the wedding, and that will be nice. But he’s got his thing going on, and I’m going to be so busy with my stuff that it’s just not something I’ve got the time for right now.”
“Well, in that case,” Gareth said, dusting his hands off, “guess you and I need to get to work. We’ve got a lot of finishing touches, and now that you’re back I’m making you work overtime to compensate for lost time.”
“You’ve got it,” Caroline said. “But first someone’s got to feed me. No way I can create on an empty stomach!”
Chapter Thirty-two
CAROLINE and Gareth had finished their work at Emma and Adrian’s estate. Months upon months of plans and oversight, and finally they stood in the entry hall and just took it all in.
“We’re a good team. You know that.” Gareth high-fived Caroline.
“It’s true. Too bad you don’t date women or I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”
“Too bad you aren’t a man or I’d be first in line,” Gareth said with a wide grin.
“Guess that puts us both back to square one.”
“In which case, let’s stop by the pub on our way back to town,” Gareth said. “Emma texted me that she and Adrian were going to be there.”
“Sounds perfect.”
~*~
They worked their way through the dark pub then out a back door and into a beautiful open-air biergarten awash in a riot of colors thanks to a multitude of hanging baskets draped around the periphery amongst strings of festive lights. Purple begonias, bright pink fuchsias, multicolored lantanas, periwinkle lobelias, and striped petunias competed for attention against the leafy backdrop where patrons in one corner played Ping-Pong and bocce while others gathered around long picnic tables to drink and laugh. It was one of those perfect autumn afternoons when the leaves were just beginning to turn and change was in the air.
Emma caught Caroline’s eye as she and Gareth navigated their way through the crowd, waving them to the full table.
“Sit,” Emma said, already seated next to Adrian and patting a spot on her other side. “I’ve been holding this spot for you. It’s about time you got here!”
Only after she took her seat did Caroline recognize who sat directly across from her at the table.
Adrian grabbed a nearby pitcher and poured beer into a mug for Caroline. “You remember Darcy, don’t you?”
Tight-lipped, she looked up at Darcy.
Darcy nodded, his eyes locking on hers. “Caroline,” he said, his smile almost shy. “You look wonderful. I guess life’s agreeing with you.”
Caroline felt her breath hitch as if that old love-struck girl she had been were knocking on her heart, asking to be let back in. But she’d promised herself not to go there, so she resisted. “Hey, Darcy,” she said with a nod, playing it casual. “How’s it going?”
“Oh, you know,” he said, not coming up with anything compelling to say. “It’s going. I hear you’ve launched a fine career for yourself though.”
Caroline smiled, excited to talk about her new business. “We’ve decided to call ourselves Studio C/G. C like in Caroline, G like in Gareth.”
Darcy nodded. “Yeah, I figured that one out.” He gave her a wink, a lone pick in a very large ice cave, trying to find a toehold in the conversation.
“You figure everything out with your father’s estate?”
“I’m making progress.” He shrugged. “Don’t think I’ll ever be done, really. More like making more paper trails for my kids to have to clean up after one day.”
Caroline smiled wistfully, thinking about how there was a time she’d have jumped on that comment as if she were riding a bronco in a rodeo. Having kids with Darcy would have been high on her list.
“I’m sure future Weltenham heirs wouldn’t mind my suggestion that you be sparing for their sake.”
They both laughed.
“Would you care to take a walk around the garden?” Darcy said.
That was about the last thing Caroline thought she should do; proximity to Darcy only made her legs go rubbery and her heartbeat race. But Darcy was going to be a part of her social circle here, so she needed to adjust to that.
“Sure.” She climbed up from the bench seat.
They wandered around, watching a soccer match on the big screen for a few minutes, then cheering on a beer pong team. As they got to a crowded section, Darcy pressed his hand to Caroline’s lower back, steering her through the crowd, causing her breath to catch in her throat.
He continued angling her toward a quiet corner at the back of the garden. Definitely the worst place for her to be: alone with her Achilles’ heel.
When there were no other people nearby, Darcy turned to face her. “Look, Caroline, I know I behaved terribly, and for that I need to apologize to you.” He took a deep breath. “I encouraged you, I mean you and me... I mean, I encouraged expectations. Well, I... I...” He ran his hands through his hair, trying to collect his words. “What I’m trying to say is it was me, not you. I know that I just turned so strange on you, and it was so unfair to you. I can’t explain it except to say it was a hard time for me and I felt a bit lost. Everything had been pulled out from beneath me. And some could argue that would have been a perfect time to lean on you. I, however, decided that was the time to push away those who were important to me.”
Caroline just nodded.
“Look, I know. Adrian and Emma told me that you aren’t interested in pursuing anything with me. And I’ll respect that. I had my chance and I blew it. But we’re going to be around each other: our best friends are getting married. So I hope you’ll be fine with me, and you’ll understand that I’m not going to make you uncomfortable or anything. Deal?”
Caroline nodded her head slowly as she took his words in. “Thanks, Darcy. I appreciate it, and I’m glad you understand. I think it’s for the best.”
Darcy nodded, but his smile had dissipated. “Let’s get back to the rest of them then and get on with the rest of our lives.”
Which somehow seemed so very permanent.
Chapter Thirty-three
CAROLINE chose Gareth to accompany her to the rehearsal dinner the night before the royal wedding. Emma of course would be otherwise occupied between royal duties, being with Adrian, and making sure her parents, who had arrived a few days earlier, were cared for. This w
ay Caroline was assured of being amongst amusing company who could also point out any social gaffes before she really embarrassed herself.
She’d been practicing for months to know how to walk properly as she passed the gauntlet of photographers poised to capture every public moment of the weekend. She’d learned how to eat properly—that is, not make a fool of herself when everyone else knew which fork to use for which course, and whom to address and how. Royal protocol was downright exhausting. But she was getting the hang of it at least.
Caroline was able to tap into Emma’s ever-growing wardrobe of amazingness and had on a an embellished, salmon-colored, tiered chiffon halter gown with an empire waist. She practically felt like a princess in it. When they arrived at the National Museum for the fete, Gareth, handsome in his designer tuxedo, got out first and came around to help her out of the limousine, reaching a hand in for her. They made their way through the cavalcade of flashbulbs and into the dazzling two-story Artists Hall, which was a-twinkle with thousands of candles burning. Two extremely long tables, dressed in formal finest, flanked either side of the hall, leaving the center open for dancing later. Each table would hold about a hundred and fifty guests. Candelabras and enormous floral arrangements dotted the lengths of each table.
Guests found their seats as the royal family was about to be introduced. First came Queen Ariana, resplendent in an empire-waisted lavender silk-chiffon strapless gown with a multicolored crystal-beaded bodice and sweetheart neckline, accompanied by her handsome tuxedo-clad husband, Crown Prince Enrico.
The crowd stood as Emma, sublimely beautiful in a champagne-colored formfitting crystal-beaded sleeveless column dress, arrived with Adrian, who beamed at her side in his custom-made tuxedo.
When dinner was served, an army of white-jacket-clad waiters descended upon the guests. Drinks were poured and food was served and guests settled in for the celebration while a twenty-piece orchestra played in the background.
Gareth kept Caroline on track throughout the meal, glancing at her if she was about to use the wrong utensil, or when she tried to pass her dirty plate to the waiter. She had to remind herself she wasn’t at Tio Gringo’s anymore.
Once the dessert had been served, the band picked up the tempo of the music and the dance floor filled with guests. Caroline held close to Gareth like a security blanket; the event was crowded enough that it was hard to find any of the few people she knew would be in attendance.
As it grew late and Caroline caught herself yawning more than once, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Darcy, so gorgeous in his tux, much as when she first laid eyes on him nearly a year ago at the event in Washington where their friendship had first germinated.
“Would you do me the honor?” He extended his arm, hand upturned, seeking Caroline’s.
When she placed her trembling fingers on his, he gently pulled her to her feet and toward him, crooking his arm with hers to walk onto the dance floor. Caroline could barely catch her breath, so happy was she to see him despite herself. Darcy reached for her right hand with his left and pulled her toward him, resting his right hand on her hip, settling his left with hers. Caroline’s mouth had gone dry, so even if she had thought of something to say, she wouldn’t have been able speak. Instead, she settled into the rhythm of their dance, “Someone to Watch Over Me” a lovely backdrop for this unexpected moment. Darcy could only fix his warm brown eyes on her sea-glass-green ones, and for what seemed like minutes, they both just stared at one another.
“I’ve missed you, Caroline,” he said, steering her away from the crowded dance floor and off to a corner where few people were still dancing. “More than you can imagine.”
Caroline cleared her throat. “I’m not sure if I’m allowed to miss you. Am I?”
Darcy laughed and tucked his face close to hers, their noses rubbing. “Of course you are, silly. When two people love each other and then they’re not together, they miss each other.”
Caroline looked up abruptly. “What do you mean by that?”
Darcy pulled her closer, their chests pressed together, her head nestled beneath his chin protectively. “I suppose I can be a bit ham-handed in demonstrating my emotions. Or so they tell me,” he said. “These past few months, the only thing that became abundantly clear to me was that I do love you. I love you so much it makes me ache to not have you near me.
“I knew it was a risk to approach you, Caro. But I watched you all night long, and it was practically torture to not be the one escorting you here, dining near you and sharing conversations and laughter and secrets. I know Gareth is only a friend, but I want to be that friend, and I want to be your lover.
“Caroline, I’m not the man I want to be when I’m not with you,” he said, pushing them apart slightly so he could again look into her eyes. “I suppose what I really want to know is, well, I know you said you don’t want me in your life anymore, but perhaps could you reconsider that and instead agree to marry me?”
Caroline’s knees buckled and Darcy had to hold her aloft while she regained her composure. She stared hard into his eyes, searching for answers or understanding. “Darcy, do you have any idea what you’re saying right now? I mean, you can’t make jokes about things like this. You could give a girl heart failure, you know.”
“But I’m not joking,” he said, his eyes not leaving hers. “Caroline, I want to spend the rest of my life making up for breaking your heart so callously.”
He got down on one knee, in full view of the many guests and completely not in keeping with protocol at a royal rehearsal dinner. “All right, my mother will kill me that I didn’t plan this better. I haven’t even got the ring on me. Here I have this family heirloom diamond ring that I’ve kept tucked away in my nightstand in the hopes I could persuade you. But then I was so afraid I’d blown it and lost you that I nearly gave up hope. But then I saw you tonight, so breathtakingly beautiful. Look at you”—he waved his hand up and down before her—“and I could no longer honor my promise to leave you alone. I needed you. I need you. I love you. Caroline, please, will you make me happy again and agree to spend your life with me? I promise I’ll never knowingly hurt you ever again.”
Caroline could barely see Darcy through her tears, which blended with the flickering of thousands of candles to make everything take on a particularly magical aura. She tugged on Darcy’s hands, pulling him up. They stood facing each other, hand in hand.
“I didn’t want to even let myself think it,” she said, “but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I thought a thousand times how much I wanted to share this event with you. You and I, we helped Emma and Adrian get here. I tried to pretend it was fine, but when you asked me to dance—”
“It was the smartest thing I ever did. I watched you all night, and it hurt so much, having to keep my distance, until finally I couldn’t hold back any longer,” he said. “And yet here you’re holding me in suspense.”
Caroline put her finger to his lips. “Come here,” she said, pulling him close, her mouth within an inch of his. “I couldn’t be truly happy in my life without you, Darcy Weltenham. And nothing would give me greater joy than to spend the rest of my years with you. If you really want me.”
Darcy completely forgot where he was and instead pressed his mouth to hers, his hands skating up and down her back, holding on to her for dear life as their tongues met and they groaned and sighed and reached for one another, making up for lost time, oblivious that a crowd had started to form around them.
As they paused to catch their breath, Caroline blew a tuft of hair out of her eyes and said, “Gareth is going to kill me. All that protocol training, out the damned window.”
Just then they heard a set of hands clapping, followed by a few more, and a few more, and then a lot of clapping.
Still face-to-face in an embrace, Caroline glanced out of the corner of her eye. “Oh, God. Don’t look,” she said to Darcy, who turned to see Gareth, front and center, leading the applause, Emma and Adrian right behind him, fo
llowed by Zander and Clementine and Lady Charlotte and Emma’s crazy mother and father, even people Caroline had never seen in her life.
Caroline slunk down, turning red, fanning her heated face.
But Emma reached for her and pulled her to a completely upright position. “No shame here, sister.”
“To the contrary,” Adrian said, turning to Darcy. “It’s about bloody damned time you two figured out you were meant for each other.”
“Right,” Darcy said, motioning them away. “Now, could you leave us to it then?”
They all laughed, moving in for hugs all around.
Chapter Thirty-four
EMMA could not have been more of a princess had she been born into it. When she entered the Royal Chapel of the cathedral there was a collective gasp among the six hundred guests in attendance.
Caroline and Darcy stood across from one another on either side of the altar and turned to watch Emma in her magnificent silk gown with the lace overlay. She had the queen’s delicate modern fringe diamond tiara, the one with flared uprights tipped in diamond points. She wore large diamond drop earrings and a diamond cuff bracelet. It was hard to believe this was Caro’s friend who had once practically lived in yoga pants and Uggs.
Emma’s eyes were fixed on Adrian, whose gaze was glued to her, tears in his eyes. Caroline glanced at Darcy and saw that his eyes, too, were damp. Of course Caroline was bawling, watching her beautiful friend in a moment of sublime wonder. Caroline gazed into the audience, at the princesses wearing tiaras and royal sashes and the men in royal uniforms and military medals, others in white tie and top hats. She had to pinch herself to assure herself it was real. For she was about to become a part of this world in a very real way.
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