“If you weren’t born royal, how did you become the queen?” Sharon asks.
“Alfred fell in love with me. Our courtship was incredibly challenging as both of his parents were against it. But my grandmother was born of nobility, so they finally accepted me when Alfred told them that he would step down if he wasn’t allowed to marry me.”
“Don’t your kids know that story?” Sharon asks. “`Cause it seems to me they should be allowed the same rights as their own father.”
Sharon asks, “So, if Claire had noble connections, your husband wouldn’t have a leg to stand on?”
Before Charlotte can answer, Tooty says, “I think between the three of us, we can get old Alfred to see reason.” She reaches out and takes the queen’s hand before giving it a squeeze. “Men don’t stand a chance when we gals put our heads together.”
Claire
I have no idea what Geoffrey meant when he said we’d figure things out after his family left. There’s nothing to figure out. All I know is that it felt wonderful to be in his arms and to not be mad at him. Don’t get me wrong, while I’m still miffed about his lying about his true identity, I’d way rather spend whatever time we have left not being angry with each other.
Ruby leads me into the ballroom and announces, “The florist sent the wrong flowers. They said that their shipment didn’t come in in time and that this was the best they could do.”
I look at white roses and lilies and say, “I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
“How can you say that? This is a royal wedding!” Ruby’s really worked up.
For once, I’m not the one feeling stressed about something going wrong. “What else can we do? The wedding is in four hours. We can’t drive to Portland, shop, and get back in that amount of time.”
“Should we warn the family?” my boss asks, clearly not reassured that this is a hiccup that’s out of our hands to fix.
“I’ll take care of it Ruby, I promise,” I tell her.
“Geoffrey is a prince! Why wouldn’t I have known something like that?”
“Are you a royal watcher?” I ask, confused that she thinks she should have figured this out when no one else knew.
“Of course I’m not a royal watcher. I live in rural Oregon. The only royals I know on sight are the British royal family, but only because they’re always in the news and, you know, on Netflix. But Geoffrey … he seems so normal.”
I nod my head. “Well, you know what they say, looks can be deceiving.”
“I wish you two weren’t fighting.”
“We’re not fighting anymore,” I tell her. “We made up.”
Ruby stops fussing the centerpiece in front of her and narrows her gaze in my direction. “Made up, how?”
“We’re friends again,” I tell her, not willing to share anything else.
“Friends, huh?”
It’s time to change the subject. “I’m going to rope off the great room at six to set up our dating event. Tooty obviously doesn’t have her band with her, so she’s going to play guitar and my mom is going to back her up on the banjo. They’ll need microphones.”
“I’ll have someone set them up. Do you think they’ll want one for the wedding?”
“The DJ we hired should have that covered,” I tell her. “He’ll be here soon to set up.” I push my boss toward the door. “All will be well as long as you and my mom stay out of the kitchen.”
The expression on her face is one of pure befuddlement. “We’re hosting a royal wedding! This is something we should have been warned about.”
“Well, it’s on them, then, if it’s not royal enough. We’re doing a lovely job here.”
I laugh to myself as Ruby walks away. I’ve never seen her this excited. I get busy arranging the flowers and setting up the makeshift altar for the ceremony when Geoffrey’s brother, Andrew, walks in.
“Claire?” he asks, holding himself very regally.
“Andrew. What can I do for you?” I ask him.
He walks toward me with a piece of paper. “I have the list of music for the DJ.”
I take the list. “Thank you.” I’m not sure what else to say. I haven’t exchanged more than two words with Andrew before now.
“Thank you for setting up this event for us. It means a lot.”
“You’re welcome.” I expect him to walk away but he doesn’t move.
“My father loves your aunt’s music. Do you think there’s any chance she could sing something at the wedding?”
“My aunt speaks so highly of your family; I’m sure she’d be delighted to sing. But she only has a guitar with her.”
“I was wondering if it was possible to rent a violin and piano on such short notice.”
“Do you want the instruments only, or are you looking for people to play them as well?”
“Just the instruments,” he tells me.
“I’ll do my best.”
He bows at the waist and clicks his heels. “Thank you for your efforts.” Then he walks away.
Andrew is every bit as handsome as Geoffrey, but he’s very formal. I guess that’s expected of him being the future king of his country.
I finish getting everything ready for the wedding and the speed dating event and go upstairs at five o’clock to get dressed. When I walk into my room, I’m surprised to see Lu there. “Hey,” I say to her.
“Mom thought I should stay with you for one night, but I can always go back to your house if you’re not okay with that.”
“No, you can stay. I’m hardly going to be up here though.”
“That’s fine. I have some work to do today.” Then she says, “I’m not sure I’m that interested in going to that wedding.”
“You have to go, please. Geoffrey’s parents were so excited that you all were going to attend.”
“They were excited Mom and Tooty were going. No one even knew I was coming before they met me.”
She has a point, but I still say, “Please, Lu.”
She clicks away on her laptop. “He means something to you, doesn’t he?”
“He’s my friend,” I tell her.
Never one to pull any punches, Lu replies, “The two of you are peas in a pod. Two lying peas in a pod.”
“What do you mean by that?” This is why my sister and I have never gotten on. She’s too blunt.
“Telling people you’re just friends doesn’t make it so.”
I go to the closet to pull out my dress for tonight. It’s a navy-blue silk slip dress with a fluttery navy organza hem. I feel all kinds of powerful in it, which I think I can use tonight.
“I have an extra dress in the closet if you’d like to borrow it,” I tell my sister before going into the bathroom for a quick shower. She is such a prickly pear, I don’t know how to talk to her.
Chapter Fifty
The Queen
Charlotte stands up in front of the family assembled for her daughter’s wedding. She looks to the back of the room where Chéri and Brigitte are standing hand-in-hand, both wearing tea-length wedding dresses. “Chéri,” she says, “your father and I are so proud of you.”
Then she looks at Brigitte. “Brigitte, you have been like a daughter to us and now you’re going to be a real daughter. I’m glad we live in a world where your love is accepted. You are both exceptional young women and we love you both very much.”
Holding back tears, she announces, “We are so honored that our friends Tooty and Sharon have agreed to share their talents with us on this special day. I will turn it over to them.”
Sharon starts the wedding processional on the piano, while Tooty strums her guitar. Once they start to sing harmony on Lady A’s, “Just a Kiss,” the brides start to process down the makeshift aisle.
There isn’t a dry eye to be found.
Geoffrey
I catch Claire’s eye across the room. I wish she was sitting next to me, but she said she needed to sit in the back in case she was needed. I
don’t know what she thinks she’ll be called to do, but I don’t fight her. Our truce is so new I don’t want to cause any waves.
The sight of my sister and Brigitte walking up the aisle brings a mixture of feelings. There’s joy and love, and if I were to be honest, a little envy starts to creep in. Chéri is marrying the woman she loves and she’s breaking all the rules to do it. More than that, she’s being allowed to do it.
I push all negativity away and watch as my sister starts the next part of her journey as wife and mother.
Brigitte’s brother Antoine is a priest and he’s officiating the ceremony. In French he welcomes everyone by saying, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. His love is unconditional, unmistakable, and unending.
“We are here to celebrate the love of two of God’s children and unite them in sacred vows. The brides have prepared their own declarations and will share them with each other now.”
Brigitte starts. Holding my sister’s hands, she says, “Chéri, I pledge all of my strength to you, my fidelity, my commitment, and my love. You are the other half of my soul. You are my heart.”
Chéri is crying like I’ve haven’t seen since the summer she tried to jump her bicycle over the edge of the brick fence around the rose garden. She landed in a rose bush and had to be sedated to be removed.
Between sobs and hiccups of emotion, my sister declares in French, “Life is not an easy journey. It’s full of bumps, bruises, judgment, and disappointment. I have known none of those things since you have come into my life, Brigitte. I have only known laughter, joy, love, and acceptance. I will love you for my whole life and then I will love you in the next life. Thank you for opening your heart to me.”
A sniffle of emotion bursts out of my father that’s so loud everyone turns around to look at him. He motions with his hands for the ceremony to carry on. Which it does, until it’s time for the rings to be exchanged. That’s when my dad lets out another cry of emotion that grinds things to a halt once more.
I don’t want to laugh because this is such a beautiful ceremony, but the King of Malquar is weeping like a child, which is not something I’ve ever seen him do. At his own parents’ funerals, he was stoic and sedate. This is such an unexpected reaction; I feel a burst of merriment bubble up in me.
I try to hide my reaction behind my hand, but it’s too late, I catch Aubrey’s eye and she appears to be having the same reaction to our father’s emotional display as I am. I look away from her so I can keep my composure when Alistair bursts out laughing. Once that happens, a free-for-all of merriment erupts.
Chéri turns and yells at us, “What’s so funny? I’m getting married here.”
I point to our father who has totally and completely come unglued. That’s when Chéri and Brigitte start laughing too.
Father Antoine tries to bring some order by saying, “This is an occasion for much joy!”
Our father chooses this moment to stand up and order, “Stop laughing. The priest is speaking.” That makes us laugh all the harder. Once my mother starts giggling, Dad joins in, and a collective cheer goes up through the crowd.
Chéri walks down the aisle and grabs the microphone from the DJ. After turning it on she says, “Antoine, go ahead and make us official, please.”
The priest loudly declares, “Chéri and Brigitte, your words are your oath given freely before God and this company. In His name I decree you partners in life. You may kiss.”
Chéri runs back up the aisle and as soon as my sister and her wife kiss, the DJ plays the recessional music, “I Kissed a Girl,” by Katy Perry.
While my family hits the dance floor only a few feet away, I hurry to the kitchen to start the dinner prep. Once their entrees are served, I’ll hand everything over to Henry and come back to the wedding.
I pass Claire on my way out and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Save me a dance later,” I say.
The smile on her face is so sweet and sad, I want to pull her right into my arms and promise that everything will work out for us.
My sister, through her courage and strength, has shown me that I need to make decisions for my own happiness, regardless of what my family says.
Before my parents leave, I’m going to tell them that I’m not going to honor my agreement and come home unless I’m allowed to pick my own partner in life. I can’t imagine that Claire would want to move to Malquar before we’re more certain of our relationship, so I’m going to request an extension, as well.
Chapter Fifty-One
Sharon
Sharon leaves the wedding reception to find a quiet spot. Pulling her phone out of her purse, she calls her husband.
“Hello, darling,” Phillipe answers.
“Heya sugar, I’ve got a question. Didn’t you once tell me that your great-great-great something or another married into the royal family of Monaco? I’m not making that up, am I?”
“I don’t have all the particulars, but my parents said something about that, why?”
“I’ll tell you later. How are you doing? I miss you dreadfully!”
“I miss you too and I’m doing just fine. How’s Claire?”
Sharon sighs. “Good. She’s good.”
“Uh-oh, it sounds like you have a story.”
“I have several,” she tells him, “but I’ll have to fill you in tomorrow. Tooty and Lu are both here and I need to get back to them.”
“Lutèce is there? I can’t wait to hear how that came about. Give the girls my love,” he says before adding. “I love you, Sharon.”
“Oh, honey, thank the good Lord for that. I love you too.” Sharon puts her phone back into her purse before going back into the reception. She can’t wait to fill Charlotte in on her news.
Claire
I hurry to leave the wedding reception to get the dating event up and running. To be honest, I’m glad for the reprieve. I really like Geoffrey’s family, but if nothing can happen between us—regardless of his pipe dream of thinking we can work everything out—what’s the point of getting to know them, let alone liking them?
The great room is gorgeous and very romantic with the fire in the fireplace and the tealights clustered on the individual tables. Maybe if I ever get married, I could have my reception right here. A wave of longing and sadness washes over me.
Before I start crying at the thought, Ruby comes running over to announce, “Everything is going spectacularly well! Don’t you think?” She’s running hot and cold, all over the place. Earlier today I thought she might need a sedative to get through all the festivities.
“I do,” I tell her. “Now all we have to do is make sure our singles’ mixer is a hit.”
“How could it not be? The last one was great. Plus, this time your aunt is going to sing a couple songs. Tonight’s event is going to be the talk of the Valley!”
Ruby hands me a printout. “Here’s the list of guests. I’m going to sneak into the wedding reception and see how things are going.”
“It’s your lodge, Ruby. I don’t think you have to sneak.” Looking like she’s about to burst from excitement, she shoots me a double thumbs up, then gives me an air fist bump before heading off in the direction of the ballroom.
After she leaves, I gather my serving staff for a quick meeting. By the time we’re done, the guests for the dating event start to arrive. Everyone seems to be in high spirits and excited about the possibility of finding love. Normally, I would be excited with them, but my current take on romance has recently been soured.
By eight o’clock, when I’m supposed to ring my bell and get things started, I realize I’m one man and one woman short. Luckily for me, I see my sister walk by. Actually, it’s more of a run than a walk. I wonder what’s up. “Lu!” I call out before gesturing for her to come over to me.
Looking highly displeased at being called away from her pursuit, she shifts her trajectory in my direction. “Wha
t?”
“Where are you going?” I ask her.
“To your room. I’m not enjoying the wedding reception in the least.” I’m not surprised. Lu is not good with strangers, which makes what I’m about to ask totally crazy.
“I’m in a real bind here,” I tell her. “And I desperately need your help.” Yes, I might be overstating things, but she doesn’t need to know that.
“What do you need?” she asks, like she can barely stand me.
“Promise you’ll help first,” I counter.
“How can I promise when I don’t know what you want?” Her hands are on her hips and her chin is tilted upward. You don’t have to be a body language expert to read belligerence in her pose.
“Lu, we’re sisters. I would do anything for you including jumping over a live volcano if I had to.” Drama, much?
“Point me to a volcano and I’ll jump over it for you,” she deadpans.
“Lu, please,” I resort to begging.
“Fine, what do you want?” She sounds like she’s just agreed to eat broken glass or swim in a pool with starving piranhas.
“I need you to go sit at the empty seat at table five.” I point the way should she not be able to see the card with the giant “5” on it propped up in the center of the table.
She looks around the great room before saying, “Yeah, no. I’m not going to be part of your dating event.”
“Lu, you promised!” I tell her. She looks behind me and whatever she sees causes her gaze to dart around like she’s searching for a hole to crawl into.
“Fine,” she concedes surprisingly easily. After she gets to table five, I watch as she orders one of the men to move so she can take the seat with her back facing the lobby.
I’m about to get the ball rolling when Geoffrey’s brother, Alistair, rushes by. “Claire, have you seen your sister?” Ah, so Alistair is the reason Lu was leaving the party.
It's My Party: A Royal Romantic Comedy (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers Book 3) Page 24