Remarkably Obnoxious

Chapter 2

The ceremony was beautiful.

I understood now why Daphne had said no to Friedrich and married Simon. The love they held for each other was very clear to see and I knew now why Friedrich had let her go.

He would never be able to compete with Simon.

"Daphne, my darling, I wish to introduce you to Prince Ernest and Princess Elspeth, my life-long friends," Simon introduced, bringing his bride over to us.

"It is an honour," Daphne stated, dipping down into a curtsy. I shared a look with Ernest, the pair of us chuckling at the display. I think I had been curtsied and bowed to more in this one outing than I ever had at the palace.

"You need not bow to us, Duchess, you are family now," I said, taking her hand in mine and giving her a kind smile. "I wish not to bring up the past but I do understand why my cousin Freddie was so taken with you."

"Freddie?"

"She means Prince Friedrich," Ernest answered, taking her hand from me and pressing a kiss to it. "It is a delight to meet you Daphne, I am sure Simon will treat you with the love and respect you deserve."

"You are cousins with Prince Friedrich?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Our mothers were sisters, the younger sisters of King George," Ernest told her, a hint of a smile on his face as Daphne nodded her head slowly as if she couldn't believe it.

"I do believe that this wedding was perfect. Better than a royal wedding where you would not even know half your guests," I said, giving her a pointed look to let her know that we shared no hard feelings over her choice. "I understand that Simon has made a better husband for you?"

"I do love him, yes," she said hesitantly, sharing a look with Simon. "The Queen agreed to this marriage."

"We know," I assured her, giving them both another smile.

"Which is why I do not understand why she has sent her little spies," Anthony muttered from behind his sister, his dark eyes capturing mine.

"I do not believe I have ever been called a spy before, brother," I stated, giving Ernie a look, pondering how to continue this conversation. The dark look in Anthony's eyes begged me to argue with him. "It is most thrilling to be described as such by an obnoxious prick."

There was nothing more tantalising than shocking those around you. I could understand why Aunt Lottie enjoyed being so dramatic.

Daphne looked to be caught between surprised and satisfied. It was not hard to see that she agreed with me. Her brother was an obnoxious prick.

Simon snorted, shaking his head but expecting this sort of behaviour from me.

Lady Danbury gave a soft chuckle from behind me and I knew if I was to look at her she'd have a little twinkle in her eyes when she found something amusing even when it should not be.

Ernest, the poor man, could not keep a straight face as was holding onto the pew, trying to keep his balance while he laughed.

Anthony was another story.

I had seen men angry before. They screamed, became violent and allowed the whole world to know their anger. Gentlemen were no different, though they tried to refrain from presenting their anger to the public.

Anthony, it seemed, was trying to be a proper gentleman.

It might have helped that his brother, I assume it was a brother, placed his hand on Anthony's shoulder and muttered something into his ear.