The Princess and I

Chapter XVII: Christina's secret

My father's official permission feels like something out of a dream. Finally, there was nothing standing in Liam's way to propose to me. He had my love from the very beginning. He received my family's blessing due to his hard work. And now all that was left for him to do, was to get the engagement from his aunt's house at Hastings and to get down on one knee. I was so close now to officially living my dream. I was to be a Duchess. I was to marry the most desirable bachelor of London. I was to start a family with the man I fell in love with. The more I think about it, the more it seems too good to be true. But it was true. I was to be the wife of Duke Liam Arlington! I was to be a Duchess!

For the rest of the evening I stay at Liam's side with an euphoric expression on my face constantly, while receiving congratulations from both my entire family. Nicholas is very proud of me, I see it in his eyes and his broad smiles. Although Elias keeps teasing the both of us, I still see in his expression the same pride as well. My mother on the other hand has lost it completely. She keeps smiling and crying at the same time, embracing me proudly every few minutes and patting Liam's cheeks fondly as well. Liam lets it happen meekly, but he never wavers. And when we are alone we only look at each other adoringly.

My father is, despite his former rejections, happy with my decision as well and he pretty soon orders one of our servants to collect his best wine to celebrate. The servant bows and leaves the room quickly. Within a few minutes he's back bringing with him my father's most expensive champagne and a tray full of glasses. My father opens the bottle spraying the foam over us, while we laugh at our soaked countenances. The remaining champagne he divides neatly over the glasses. He raises his glass after everyone has a glass of champagne and makes a toast: 'To the Duke and my beautiful daughter. May their lives be blessed and happy together.'

We clink our glasses above our heads and take a sip. My gaze falls upon Christina, who stares at her drink absently. She was the first to congratulate us with our imminent engagement, but since then she sits with us but doesn't really partake in the merriment. Yes, she talks and laughs, but I can see her eyes don't shine the way they used to. And this is not only, because she must be mad at Liam for keeping her in the dark.

I think I know what's really bothering her. Since Liam wasn't really keen on finding a proper marriage partner, she did not have to either. She is 23 and many people think a woman should be married by that age. Until now she could hide behind the responsibilities her brother neglected, but now Liam is about to take back his responsibilities and she has nowhere to hide. Now her brother is about to get married, she will have to marry as well or risk turning into an old maid in the end, who has missed her chance at true love.

When we have a minute to ourselves, I ask my future husband softly: 'Liam, did you forget to tell Christina about your plans tonight or was it deliberately?'

He stirs. 'Yes, I did not tell her on purpose. I guess I was afraid of her reaction, should I have failed tonight. She always looks at me like I am not able to do anything properly, so I didn't want to confirm that notion if your father would turn me down. She can't be blamed though. She has to get used to the idea of me being a responsible man.'

'She will. It's like you said: she will come around in the end.'

He kisses my head. 'But I am glad I did not fail in this. This feels like it's meant to be. I don't want to be too sentimental though, but I have not experienced anything like this before. It all feels so natural. This. You and me. Your family. Nothing feels out of place right now.'

'I am happy you say so, since I feel the same. It's like we've been a part of each other's life for longer than a bit over a month.'

He clicks his glass to mine. 'And there are still so many to come.'