Letters of Romeo and Juliet [On hold]

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

It was already dawn when the duke and duchess arrived back in Wellington. Gordon met them as they mounted down the carriage.

"Welcome back, my lord and lady. I pray that you had a pleasant journey," Gordon greeted with a bow.

"What had happened when we were away, Gordon?" the duchess asked as she headed towards the front stairs.

"Nothing of the ordinary, my lady, but the prince has arrived yesterday afternoon. Lady Cassandra and the prince had been well acquainted already," Gordon replied as he trailed behind them.

"Any other news?"

"Also an urgent letter from the queen, my lady. She said she will be here in a few days, to speak to you of the matters of marriage," Gordon replied.

An evil smile spread across the duchess' face. "Very well then Gordon, you may leave," she said and gestured him to leave with her hand.

Gordon bowed down and left the duke and duchess in the hall.

The duke and duchess were waiting for the queen's arrival. A black and gold carriage stopped in front of the duke's castle and the queen mounted down in her red dress ruffled with white fabric.

"Your highness."

"Your majesty."

The duke and duchess said in unison.

They entered the castle and entered the Great Hall. Gordon gestured the servants to prepare food for the queen.

"Have a seat your majesty," Gordon said as he helped the queen into her chair.

"Thank you," the queen replied.

"Your highness, the duke and I, propose -"

"Has my son arrived?" the queen asked a bit irritated.

"Yes your majesty," Gordon replied with a bow. "He hath arrived five days ago, he had been well acquainted with the people," he added.

"Hath not the duke and duchess been absent in this place?" the queen asked.

"Aye, your majesty, but the Lady Cassandra hath been of help to his majesty," Gordon replied.

"This, Lady Cassandra, be the duke and duchess daughter?"

"Yes your highness."

"And have they not met?"

"'Tis when the prince arrived have they been acquainted, your grace."

"Call for them," she ordered.

"Yes, your majesty," Gordon replied with a bow and went out to fetch the prince and Cassandra.

It was an agonizing wait for the duke and duchess, as they waited in silence, afraid to vex the queen. Both the duke and duchess presumed she was still in mourning for the king.

Gordon opened the door, Cassandra and the prince walked in, then bowed.

"My dear son," the queen said with a smile as she stood up from her seat, arms extending out.

"Mother," James said as he paced towards her and gave her a quick hug.

"Thank the heavens that ye are alive my boy. Alive and well, indeed," she said with a smile, as she looked his face.

"Aye, mother. 'Tis good that the heavens hath watched over me," James replied.

The queen turned to Cassandra, who was now beside the duke and duchess. "This must be the Lady Cassandra," she said and gestured her to move towards her.

"Your highness," she said and made a curtsy.

"Indeed, she is beautiful, a crown of jewels," the queen said with a smile as she took Cassandra's hand.

"Thank you, your highness. It is an honor to hear such praises from you," Cassandra replied.

The queen turned to the duke and duchess. "I will agree to your proposal, duke and duchess of Wellington. A marriage there shall be," she said in a serious, threatening tone.

"Marriage? What is this marriage we are talking about mother?" James asked worriedly.

"You are betrothed to Lady Cassandra of Wellington," the queen replied looking at him seriously.

"But mother -"

She held out a hand in front of him. "It is decided and final my son. I wish to hold a grandchild before my soul departs from this earth."

"Yes, mother."

"Leave us, that I may talk to the duke and duchess privately," she said.

Gordon accompanied the James and Cassandra out the Great Hall.

"I am accepting your proposal, duchess Katherine. But be ye warned, that if any harm and affliction that ye may put on mine son, it is your head that is at stake," she threatened.

"Of course, your majesty," the duchess replied with a bow.

"Very well, I will now leave you," the queen said and strode towards the door.

The queen stopped, almost out the open doors. She turned around and faced the duke and duchess.

"Mark my words, duke and duchess of Wellington," she said firmly and went out.