The Perfect Duchess (Completed)

Chapter 1. 1795 

The wedding of Prince Richard of England and Princess Genevieve of France was quite the spectacle. Westminster Abbey was filled to the brim with spectators wanting to catch a glimpse of the future king and queen of England. Everyone was in fervent agreement that the Prince of Wales had chosen the perfect bride.
Standing behind Genevieve, Camille Eau Claire smiled with pure pride. Her dearest friend was getting married to the most sought after bachelor London had to offer. And he was a prince on top of that. Not only was Genevieve her dearest friend, but her mistress as well. The young 19-year-old lady had been serving the princess for the last year. The two of them had become incredibly close.
Camille was quite lovely. She had golden brown curls, vibrant blue eyes, and a full figure that made gentlemen week. She had a smile that made every room she walked into glow with brilliance. She had a kind and compassionate heart. She was both English and French.
Genevieve was a spectacle of beauty as well. She possessed strawberry blonde curls, dark blue eyes, and a figure that could easily make any gentleman go mad. She was 21, and her future husband was 31.
As the service continued, Camille allowed her eyes to wander around the chapel. She noticed that several gentleman and ladies were staring at the prince and princess with wonder. As her eyes wandered back towards the altar, she caught sight of the first gentleman standing behind Richard.
He was very handsome. He was tall and muscular, with dark brown curls and dazzling dark green eyes. He had strong cheekbones and the perfect nose. Like the other two gentlemen beside him, he was wearing a three-piece black silk suit with a cream button up shirt matching cravat and black boots.
Camille felt her heart give a jolt as their eyes met. She blushed a soft pink, which matched her off the shoulder dusty pink silk gown perfectly. Her fingers moved nervously in her cream silk gloves, her toes curling in her matching dusty pink slippers. She had never seen anyone so beautiful in her life. He was unlike any of the other gentleman she had seen during her social season the previous year in France.
After 20 minutes, the service was finally over, and Richard and Genevieve were declared husband and wife. Exchanging a quick kiss, much to the dismay of the many spectators in the chapel, they turned and made their way out of the chapel and toward their carriage that would take them to Windsor Castle for the reception. They smiled at their guests who congratulated them on their way out.
Falling perfectly into step behind her mistress, Camille took hold of Genevieve's train to make sure it didn't get dirty. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the dashing young gentleman about 5 feet away from her, walking behind Richard. She was hoping she would have a moment to speak with him during the reception.
***
She was breathtaking, absolutely ravishing. At the age of 23, James Remington, the Duke of York, had never seen a young woman so beautiful in his life. And he had seen many young women before. But this particular young woman was much more so than any other he had seen. And he was going to make it a point to speak with her, to get to know her.
As the Prince and Princess of Wales made their way into their carriage, their entourage of three gentlemen and three ladies behind them, Camille felt a wave of happiness flow through her. Genevieve was married, and was going to be the queen of England within the week. The service of the wedding and the coronation had been decided to be held within days of each other. It was mostly Richard who wanted everything to be rushed and done with so that he could begin his reign as king. And to make sure that Genevieve was with child. She was hoping that Genevieve and Richard would fall in love and have a happy marriage.
When the carriage arrived to Windsor Castle half an hour later, the wedding party stepped out of the carriage and made their way inside. The bride and groom were greeted by more guests and given congratulations. The bridal party, and the gathering guests who had been invited, took a glass of wine or champagne that was offered to them by one of the servants. Then they moved into the dining room for dinner.
***
Five hours into the reception, Camille, feeling a little hot, stepped out onto the terrace for some fresh air. She gazed up into the brilliant star filled sky, watching as the stars danced across the horizon. The evening was beautiful and pleasant, not too hot or cold. She was surprised by the weather, considering that it was in the middle of September. Usually, it would be a little colder by that point.
Hearing the sound of footsteps coming up behind her, Camille turned her head and found herself staring into the brilliant green eyes of the gentleman she had seen earlier in the chapel. Her heart did a somersault. He was with her, right in front of her. She was alone with him.
The gentleman smiled at her softly. "Good evening, I do hope I didn't startle you.."
His sweet velvet tenor wrapped around Camille's heart like a ribbon. She had never heard a voice so angelic in her life. She continued staring at him for a moment, and then found her voice. "No, you didn't. I just came out here for some air. It was a bit stifling in that ballroom.."
The gentleman chuckled. "I agree, it was a bit stifling in there."
Camille giggled. "It certainly was. I'm glad his Royal Highness has found a lovely bride. Genevieve is going to make him very happy, and I hope he makes her happy."
The gentleman nodded. "I hope Richard makes her happy as well. He's rumored to have a very short temper when he doesn't get what he wants."
Camille. "I'm not surprised."
Her companion extended his hand. "Forgive me for being so rude, I never gave you my name. I am James Remington, the Duke of York."
Camille smiled, placing her hand into his. "It's a pleasure to meet you your grace, I am Camille Eau Claire."