Season's Feather

Chapter Fifty-Three

Delilah was looking for Williamson when she stumbled across Lady Danbury. On impulse, she reached for Anthony, but he wasn't there. She almost decided it wasn't worth it to talk without her support. But, her mother's voice was in her head.

Delilah took a breath and walked in, "Lady Danbury," She caught the eye of her mother's friend. Delilah took the chance and walked in further, "Whatever are you doing in here?"

"I assure you, it is for good reason that I am here and not out there." Lady Danbury replied.

Delilah nodded, "It is unlike you to be off somewhere, hiding."

"Well," Lady Danbury said, "We all require a modicum of self-reflection from time to time. Do you not think?"

Delilah hummed in agreement and stared out the window. She could see Felicity and Thomas conversing with the Bridgerton family. She could see Anthony. That was enough support while she was having this conversation.

"Lady Silvester. I must apologize for not sharing certain information with you. The business between the Sharma's and the Sheffields, well, it was not my place. But, I certainly did not wish it to be revealed as it was at that dinner. This entire scheme seems to have gotten out of hand."

Delilah looked over at Lady Danbury, "Indeed it has. Well, today has only been the tipping point for a situation that has been brewing for quite some time. I wouldn't count you a fool as to what I am talking about."

"Her Majesty," Lady Danbury said, "Wishes me to repair today's situation. And for what may very well be the first time in my life, I do not know what to do."

Delilah stood straighter at the confession. All her life, Lady Danbury and her mother had been on top of situations. They had a plan for everything. There was always a clear way to get through life. Maybe it turns out, Delilah was not the only one with clouded senses since the passing of Mary Silvester.

"You could always tell her there is nothing to be done?" She suggested.

Lady Danbury laughed, "The Queen of England? I would rather go out there and offer my hand to one of those birds. It would be less painful."

The two shared a quiet laugh. Delilah turned the woman beside her. A second mother, Lady Danbury, was. She smiled at her, before it dropped slightly, "Do you think the bride will return to that altar?"

"There is only one person who can answer that question." Lady Danbury answered.

Delilah and Lady Danbury stood before the queen. Delilah in truth, didn't know how she ended up there. But she was Williamson's host, and that was enough to get her alongside Lady Danbury in front of Her Majesty.

She smiled nervously, "I must thank Your Majesty for such a splendid event. Every detail. It simply takes one's breath away and-"

"While I quite enjoy the adulation, Lady Silvester, unless you are here to tell me that your ward and his bride are at present standing at that altar, I simply do not have the time. For this wedding to fail is unacceptable," The queen said, "Lady Danbury, what have you to say?"

Lady Danbury smiled at Her Majesty, "As always, Your Majesty, I am humbled by your generosity of spirit. Though, uh..."

Delilah looked over as Lady Danbury lost her words. Her eyes flashed back from her mothers friend to the queen.

But, it was the queen who spoke next, "It is unlike you to lose your words, Lady Danbury."

Lady Danbury nodded, "Though it pains us so, both Lady Silvester and I are in agreement that it is up to Miss Edwina to decide her fate."

The queen looked between the two women. Delilah smiled nervously in front of the queen. She wished it was her mother here instead of her. Mary had been in front of the queen before. She always knew what to say. It wasn't until last season that Delilah had truly been under Her Majesty's watchful eye.

"Well," The queen said, "I did not realize the diamond outweighed the Crown."

Then Miss Edwina walked in, "It does not, Your Majesty."

Delilah looked over as Miss Edwina Sharma and Lady Mary Sharma walked in. Her eyes flashed over to Lady Danbury. Then her eyes looked back over to where the two women bowed before the queen.

"Pardon our interruption, Your Majesty." Lady Mary bowed.

"It is noted. I do hope my efforts today have not been wasted." The queen laughed.

"It has not been a waste, Your Majesty." Edwina said, "But rather further proof of the love you have for your people, ma'am."

Lady Mary spoke up, "Miss Edwina and I before you humbly now in recognition of all that you-"

"Is there not a person alive who can think of something else to say to their queen other than sheer flattery? It is the obvious choice."

Delilah looked down at her hands. Truly she did not know what else to do other than flatter the Queen of England. It was what her mother said worked best. It was all she knew.

The queen looked at Miss Edwina, "Are you here to tell me you are going to marry him or not?"

Delilah looked at Miss Edwina. In her head she couldn't scream anything other than plead for the word "No". Williamson did not want her. He wanted Kate. She knew he wanted Kate, everyone around him knew he wanted Kate. She only hoped Edwina would free him.

And just as she was about to speak when the King of England barged in, "Did you see them?"

All of the ladies in the room immediately bowed to his presence. Delilah had never seen the king before.

"The fireworks! They were brilliant! Will there be more?"When he looked around at everyone's tense expressions, his smile fell, "Oh, dear. It seems I am late for the ceremony."

The queen called for servants, "Someone. Can someone come and assist?"

"I didn't mean to keep you waiting, Lottie."

Delilah looked up at him as he spoke to the queen.

"My bride," The king said happily, "My beautiful bride. Where is the archbishop? And, our congregation?"

The queen stood from her seat, "George."

"She is radiant, is she not?" King George asked.

Delilah watched in sadness as the king was hauled back. He was screaming in fear. She didn't know what to say. He broke out of his hold and looked back at the queen. She looked between him and the queen before turning to Edwina and nodding.

She wasn't quite sure about what she was going to do though.

"She will make a most excellent queen, Your Majesty." Delilah said.

The eyes in the room turned to her. But, Edwina caught on and she smiled walking forward to meet the king, "I heard the two of you faced many trials during your happy courtship. But today, today will make all of it well worth it, will it not?"

Delilah watched as every eye turned to Edwina then. And then a puzzle piece clicked. Edwina wasn't just a Lord's wife. She was a princess. She could be a princess.

The king nodded at her question. Edwina smiled wider, "Then perhaps you might find your rest, Your Majesty, before you both rule this kingdom with the kind of love, compassion, and kindness that the two of you undoubtedly share."

The king nodded his head and bowed, "My queen." he spoke, before turning and calmly returning to his chambers. Delilah watched sadly as the queen walked after her husband.

Edwina exited shortly.