Winning the Queen's Heart: Contemporary Christian Romance (The Brides of Belles Montagnes Book 2)

by Moncado, Carol

  Alexander walked next to her. “What do you think?”

  What was the right way to say it?

  “It’s better than you feared based on the other events you’ve been to here?”

  Christiana turned to see the grin on his face. She blushed as she nodded. “Yes. I am afraid I did fear the worst.”

  He leaned closer to her, until he could whisper in her ear. “We know what we’re doing here, Your Majesty.” The warmth of his breath on her skin sent chills down her spine.

  But would he ever call her something else?

  Just once, she wanted someone to be comfortable enough with her to let their guard down, to lose the veil of formality, and be themselves with her. He never had, unless he was being snippy and rude. Would Alexander?

  “It is lovely, Alexander.” Not what she had pictured in her mind, but it was more than acceptable. “How will this work? The reception is to be held here as well, yes?”

  “It is. Unfortunately, the wedding coincided with some renovations to the main hall. They were already underway when it was scheduled. Try as we might, we are unable to have them completed by Saturday.”

  “How will that work?” She gestured to the room. “The entire room is taken up with seating. What will people do for the reception?”

  He reached for her hand and tucked it into his elbow as he escorted her around the perimeter of the room. “Only about half of those invited to the ceremony are invited to the reception, mostly friends and those considered more important. Like other heads of state, certain members of Parliament, ranking members in other parts of the government, people like that. Once the ceremony is over, we’ll be taken to the mainland for the parade around the city and the presentation on the balcony of the palace. Those invited to the reception will stay here. There will be several alternatives for them to choose from, but most will likely head over to the small ballroom for mingling and appetizers. By the time we return, this will have been transformed into a fairytale ball wonderland, and the guests will be waiting.”

  She nodded. “Very good.”

  “The reception will last until about seven-thirty. Dancing will be followed by dinner, toasts, and the cake, then more dancing. At that time, a carriage will be waiting to take us to the cottage on the east coast of the island.”

  Right.

  The cottage.

  Christiana had been looking forward to that night. Excitement and trepidation warred for control of her emotions whenever she thought about being a wife. Now, she did not know what to think. From under her lashes, she glanced up at the man walking beside her. What would he expect? What would she be able to give?

  The minister and several other people walked into the room, drawing her attention away from her questions. For the next half hour, they walked through the wedding ceremony. Melancholy swept over Christiana. Her parents were not here. Her father would not walk her down the aisle.

  She was queen of her country, but she had no one.

  No family.

  Only her people.

  In eighteen hours, she would become a part of Alexander’s family, but that still did not give her anyone on her side specifically. Her first meeting with his parents and brother over an early dinner had gone well. Stiff and formal, but well. Given several decades, perhaps they would warm toward her. Her fiancé’s slightly younger brother’s eyes twinkled when they met. Christopher was greatly amused by the whole situation.

  Once the rehearsal was over, she returned to the palace. Alexander and his family would stay at their home on the property, but he accompanied her. Rather than escorting her to her quarters, he asked if she would like to go for a walk.

  Her feet hurt in the heels she had worn for far too many consecutive hours, but she sensed he had something he wanted to say. The garden was cool, and Alexander shrugged out of his suit coat.

  “Here.” He wrapped it around her shoulders, its warmth enveloping her.

  “Thank you.”

  When they reached a concrete bench, he gestured for her to sit down. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  Wedding Venue Changed

  The venue for the royal wedding has changed. Due to damage done by the recent storm, the chapel on the Bianisola Island property is unavailable. Every monarch for hundreds of years has been married there, but Queen Christiana and her still-unnamed groom will be forced to hold the ceremony in the property's other venue - a barn. Pictures of wedding ceremonies in the barn are quite lovely, but it is believed she will be the first member of any of Europe's ruling families to be married in one in centuries, if ever.

  With just days to go before the big event, everything seems to be in place - except the groom's closely held identity and who will represent the queen's family. All local channels plan to cover the wedding for several hours. Several American news networks also plan to show the wedding, though it is not yet clear why. The Baicampo Property on the island is owned by an American family but it is not believed to be enough of a reason for them to do so. This has led to speculation that the new prince consort may be an American.

  Chapter 4

  She was marrying him in just over eighteen hours.

  He could do this.

  Queen Christiana sat primly on the bench, her back straight and legs tucked to the side as her hands clutched his coat around her. She looked up at him, expectant.

  Taking a deep breath, he reached into his pants’ pocket and dropped to one knee. “Queen Christiana, will you marry me?”

  Alexander popped the box open, showing her the ring nestled there.

  He could tell the moment she recognized the diamond and emerald ring. “Is that my mother’s?” she whispered.

  Removing it from the slot in the box, he nodded. “I talked to Diana to see if I could get it. She helped me.” He looked up, suddenly unsure. “I hope that’s okay.”

  She nodded, a tear slipping down one cheek. “It’s perfect.”

  He reached for her hand. “I just hope it fits. I haven’t had time to get it sized.” Sliding the ring on, he felt his heart constrict when it fit perfectly. Kissing the back of her hand just above where it nestled, he closed his eyes and breathed a prayer for her peace of mind.

  “The size is just right.” He let her pull her fingers from his hand. She used both to wipe her cheeks, causing the suit coat to fall to the bench behind her.

  Alexander stood and held out his hands. Queen Christiana took them and let him pull her to her feet. He wrapped the coat back around her and tugged her closer to him. Looking down into her soft blue eyes, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but something held him back. He wanted their second kiss to be perfect. It wouldn’t be with the thoughts running through his head: what the Prime Minister had told him earlier in the day, and how Christiana would react when he told her.

  Instead of kissing her, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her as she rested her head on his chest.

  “Thank you for thinking of my mother’s ring, Alexander.” She moved back and looked up at him again.

  The trust in her eyes almost made him want to tell her everything.

  A throat clearing from the other side of the hedgerow caused Alexander to take a step back.

  “Your Majesty, there is a phone call for you.” Diana stepped around the corner. “I am sorry, but it cannot wait.”

  Christiana nodded, but looked up at him. She looked like she regretted moving away.

  “I will see you in the morning.” Her soft voice drew him in. Tomorrow, she would be his wife.

  And this time tomorrow night, they would be in the cabin on the Mediterranean coastline of his family’s property. Where they would be expected to begin attempting to conceive an heir.

  As she walked away, one thought kept running through his mind. How am I going to tell her we’re expected to make love tomorrow night, though neither one of us is ready?

  * * *

  Christiana peered in the mirrors. Her reflection stared back. The multipaned
mirrors showed her in a gown very different from the one just two weeks earlier. She would need to find a way to thank the seamstress who spent every waking hour - and many when she should have been sleeping - designing and crafting an entirely new dress, this one full and with royal blue accents in the color of the Rensselaer family’s crest. In light of his betrayal, she could not bear to wear the original one he’d chosen. Or the crown he’d preferred. She hadn’t liked them anyway. Instead, she wore a simple tiara that had also belonged to her mother, given by her grandmother on her parents’ wedding day.

  She even took some comfort from marrying Alexander in a different venue, though it was still a barn.

  “Your Majesty?”

  Christiana turned around to see Diana standing there. “Yes?”

  “David and his family are here to see you.”

  “Show them in.”

  She stepped off the riser and maneuvered her way toward the door where they entered, Poppo leading his family. Immediately, his eyes filled with tears as he bowed.

  “You look lovely, Your Majesty.” As he straightened, she reached her hands toward him. He took them and she smiled.

  “Poppo, I have a favor to ask of you and your family.”

  “Anything, ma’am.”

  Christiana turned to the rest of the group. “As you all know, I have no family left. My only family is the people of my country. I would be honored if you would stand in for them.”

  Puzzled looks greeted her. “How would we do that, ma’am?” Poppo asked.

  She turned to his wife. “Mrs. Engel, would you stand in for the mother of the bride?” Then to his daughter and daughter-in-law. “Mrs. Sanderford, Mrs. Engel, would you do me the honor of being my bridesmaids, acting as sisters of the bride would?” They all nodded, dumbfounded. “Mr. Sanderford, if you would escort your mother-in-law, I would appreciate it.”

  He inclined his head her way. “It would be my honor.”

  She turned to Poppo’s son. “Mr. Engel, my groom’s brother will be his best man. Would you stand up with him as well?”

  Mr. Engel blinked twice, then nodded. “Of course.”

  Christiana rested her hands on her knees and bent over a bit. “David and Annie, would you be my ring bearer and flower girl? See? Your dress and your mama and aunt’s dresses match mine.” Her wedding party had been gutted with the change in the groom, though she had no idea who he had planned to stand with him. He’d even asked a friend of his to be her maid of honor. Earlier, she had forced herself not to think too much about it. Now, it struck her as odd.

  With the change in groom came an entirely new wedding party. Alexander did not have anyone close to him to fill any role but the best man. When she heard from Diana the make-up of David and Poppo’s family, the idea sprouted. Her assistant made sure they were all appropriately attired in the same blue from the family crest.

  Childish squeals filled the room, and Christiana laughed. “That is a ‘yes’ then?”

  She turned to Poppo. “Poppo, I would be honored if you would walk me down the aisle and give me away on behalf of my people?”

  The tears streaked down his cheeks as he bowed deeply. “It would be my honor, Your Majesty.”

  Diana came forward. “Thank you all for agreeing to be a part of Queen Christiana’s special day. If you would follow me, there are a few forms I need you to sign. Mainly agreeing not to profit off of your involvement.”

  Poppo looked indignant. “We would never do such a thing.”

  “I am sure you would not, sir.” She led them out of the room. “However, everyone involved with the wedding has to sign the agreements. It is for the queen’s protection.”

  Once again alone, Christiana settled carefully into a chair near the window. With the heavy tint, she could see out but no one could see in. Employees scurried about with last minute preparations. Poppo and his family had been asked to arrive extra early so she could request their participation. Soon, the rest of the guests would arrive. Somewhere nearby, Alexander was getting ready.

  A knock sounded at the door.

  “Come in,” she called.

  “Good morning, Christiana.”

  She turned to see her closest friend in the world walk in. Queen Adeline of Montevaro had been like a sister at times, her family the closest thing to her own family Christiana ever had. If not for her position as monarch of Montevaro, Christiana would gladly have asked her to be in the wedding.

  Addie sat in the chair next to Christiana. “How are you, my friend?”

  Christiana smiled. “Nervous.”

  “I would imagine so, what with the change in groom at such a late date.”

  The queen felt her smile falter. “I should have contacted you.”

  “I heard through the grapevine. I must say I am glad you are marrying Alexander rather than…”

  Christiana held up a hand. “Do not use his name. How did you find out about Alexander?” She did not think anyone outside of a select few had that knowledge.

  “I know it has not been announced, but I managed to get my hands on one of the programs and saw Alexander’s name.”

  Addie was one of the few who knew of Christiana’s relationship with her former fiancé. At his insistence, their relationship had been kept quiet. The press hounded her public affairs office until she promised all of the major news organizations individual interviews once the tour of the country began in a few days.

  “Would you like to tell me what happened?” Addie asked softly.

  “Not today. Perhaps some other time. Suffice it to say, there was plenty of reason to call off the wedding.”

  “Why not just cancel it? Why marry Alexander instead? Do you love him the way we always talked about? The way I love Charlie, and he loves me?”

  A sad Christiana looked over at her friend. Though not much older, Addie’s life had been much different than Christiana’s. “No. I do not love him like we discussed. I respect him. He is a good man, a kind man. But love? No.”

  “So why change grooms and not just call it off?”

  “I pray nothing similar ever happens to you, my friend, but when your country has just gone through the turmoil mine has and needs such an event to help the healing process, you would do the same thing. To cancel the wedding would have been a blow the monarchy may not have survived, and the alternatives being bandied about by fringe groups? I have no desire to see my people in such a place. If it means sacrificing the love we’ve always talked about, so be it.”

  Addie nodded. “I suppose I can understand that, but I am glad I was never faced with the choice.” She grimaced. “Parliament had to approve of Charlie, you know. It’s not just my father who had to decide if he was ‘good enough for a princess.’” She mimicked her father’s voice poorly enough to make Christiana smile. “Besides,” Addie went on. “Malachi and Jessabelle seem happy enough. I saw her the other day. She definitely looks pregnant.”

  Christiana knew someone was missing. She must be distracted not to have noticed sooner. “Where is your sweet baby boy?”

  “At home. We only came for the day and will return to Montevaro after the reception. He and Lindsey are with the nanny.”

  Of course. At just a few months old, Stephen Jedidiah Charlemagne Nicklaus would not do well at the wedding. Christiana did not let herself dwell on the small baby’s big name. Too much bitter and not enough sweet knowing he was named for her brother. “Are your parents here?”

  “No. Father is not feeling well. They wanted to be here, though. It is only the six of us here. Charlie, Rick, Ellie, Ana, and Jonah are here somewhere. You are very dear to all of us.” Addie stood. “What can I do to help you?”

  Christiana shook her head as the first guests walked along the sidewalk in front of the hay field. She did not recognize them, but it was a sign. Almost time.

  Diana walked in and nodded toward Addie. “Ma’am, the photographer is back and would like some more pictures.”

  “Of course.” Tedious as it was, C
hristiana knew she would appreciate them someday. Even if she did not, the people and posterity would. Diana handed her the long gloves. One loop went around a finger, and they extended past her elbow. She snagged the loop on one of the ridiculously long fingernails her stylist insisted on. Once they were in place, the photographer came in.

  After a few shots with Addie, the next forty-five minutes were spent in various locations around the property, careful to avoid the spots with Alexander and his family taking pictures of their own.

  Poppo, David, and the rest of the family joined her for many of the pictures, as did a number of her staff. No members of the government did, except the Prime Minister and Minority Leader. Though, the photos were generally tedious, before she knew it, the coordinator had moved her to the waiting room in the main building. From there, she and Poppo would walk to the barn. Everyone else was led to the other building where they would wait for her to arrive then precede her in.

  An assistant to the wedding coordinator nodded at them.

  Poppo looked down at her, a tender expression on his face. One she could imagine from her own father or grandfather.

  It was time.

  Wedding updates

  An examination of the program reveals several interesting tidbits:

  In order of their appearance in the program:

  Queen Christiana’s family will be represented by several of her subjects, said to be standing in as representatives of “the people of Ravenzario.”

  The groom is Alexander Bayfield, son of the owners of the wedding facility. Though he has lived in Ravenzario for the last several years, he was raised in both Serenity Landing, Missouri and Los Angeles, California in the United States. Speculation is running rampant as to how the queen and Mr. Bayfield met. His twin brother, Christopher, will stand up with him, along with another representative of the people of Ravenzario.

  Chapter 5

  Alexander walked in from the side door to the front of the barn-turned-wedding venue, near the center. He would meet Queen Christiana at the bottom of the stairs, and they would walk up them together. In moments, he would be a married man and the prince consort of his adopted country.