One Look

Chapter 46

"Remember", Elaine hissed in my ear, "no more fooling around with Prince Oscar".

"Even if he wants to dance with me at the wedding?" I pouted. I was only teasing her but the look she sent my way made me shiver.

"Eloise, you were the one who told Margaretta and I that you were not interested in him". She reminded me sharply. Margaretta shot her a look and she fell silent.

"Have you two stopped bickering or do I need to remind you that we are attending a wedding?" she snapped quietly.

"It was Elaine who started it", I protested, and Elaine dug her elbow into my side. I glared at her before everyone rose out of their seats. I stood quickly and wiped down my gown. The organ rang throughout the church, a shrill sound that made me feel as though my ears may be about to bleed at any second. As everyone's eyes scanned down the aisle to where the bride would enter at any moment, my own roamed the pews. The church though huge, was still full to the brim with people. As the debutantes were the royal's guests we got to sit towards the front. The royal family were behind the bride's family and my eyes scanned the queen in her ridiculous purple hat with one too many flowers on it. She didn't seem to be bothered by it, unlike the princess who was glaring at her mother's hat with a horrified look on her face. Though to be honest Mary-Anne's hat was not any prettier. Oscar and Lucas were both standing on their tiptoes trying to get the first glimpse of the bride. The King was stood staring straight in front, not bothering to turn around, and when my eyes reached the man standing beside the King his eyes were already on me. Nathaniel raised his eyebrows at me in a way that caused me to fight a grin from spreading across my face.

I averted my gaze and my eyes landed on the bride as she made her way up the aisle, a smile on her face that made tears prick in the corner of eyes. I could only imagine how wonderful it must be to know you are about to marry someone you love, someone who makes you happy. I know not many get that, and marriage is more a union made of convenience or security reasons for others but it was still wonderful to see people genuinely happy at the prospect of spending the rest of their lives with one another. I glanced quickly at the groom who was beaming with a look of pure adoration on his face. Charles's sister looked magnificent in a cream satin gown. It spilled down at her waist into a skirt made of the same satin material. The sleeves were the only pieces of lace and patterns on the whole gown. Although simple, it was quite extraordinary how beautiful she looked. Like her younger brother she had the same light brown hair which she had pinned back into a complicated chignon at the bottom of her head, with a veil placed on top. 

My eyes trailed to Nathaniel again who was watching me with amusement. "Wow", I mouthed, and he turned his head quickly but not before I saw the beginnings of a smile.

"I do not like the dress", Elaine whispered from beside me. "The day you wait for your whole life, and she wears the simplest gown".

"I think she looks beautiful", I snapped quietly, and glared at her. "Now please keep your mouth shut so no one overhears you".

"At least she can wear the dress again I suppose", she sniggered.

 

"Elaine", Margaretta snapped, and thankfully Elaine shut her mouth.

__________________________

 

Shortly after the ceremony the guests arrived back at the palace. The Queen had insisted days ago that the celebrations must take place at the palace seeing as they had been long time family friends. If someone had asked my opinion on that, I would have had to disagree, now every friend of the Queen or rather person who thought they were friends of hers would expect her to throw them a party to celebrate.