The Lady of My Choosing Chapter Eight

 Chapter Eight

Something In Her Eyes

    "How desolate everything looks today," Caroline murmured as she scanned the winter landscape. "And the funeral bell is tolling. I wonder who has died?"

    "Such a mournful, lonely sound," John reined his horse up beside her. "There's the funeral procession down below."

    'Twas a few days after Edward's disastrous return from Carolsfeld. The palace was a veritable hothouse of chaotic emotion. Carolsfeld was angry and was wasting no time in making said fact very clear to Euphrania. The king, likewise, was angry and was wasting no time in making said fact very clear to Edward. And so, to escape for a time the explosive atmosphere of the palace, Edward had all but dragged John and Caroline out for a ride. Unfortunately, the outside atmosphere was not all that better and drooping spirits can hardly be lifted by a funeral dirge.

    The three riders stood on the hill overlooking the graveyard as the lengthy procession came winding down the path. As was custom, all dismounted and the men removed their hats while the procession passed. The casket came first, born by the pallbearers dressed in black. The family of the deceased followed, wrapped in dark cloaks. Four women, one older, three younger. One of the women followed the casket more closely than the others and her head was bowed while the others walked with heads held high in proud disdain. As the procession neared the three bystanders, the girl looked up at them. At first she turned to Caroline, her big, dark eyes brimming with tears, then she glanced at the prince and quickly turned her head away again but Edward stared after her until she had moved from sight.

    As the procession moved on toward the little graveyard, one man, obviously recognizing the prince, stepped out of order and bowed.

    "Your Royal Highness," he began. "We are honored by your presence." The prince bowed in reply as the man continued. "The good doctor will be missed by all."

    "Doctor?" Caroline interposed. "Doctor Tremayne?"

    "Aye, milady," the man nodded towards her. "His heart just gave out. He always did have a weak heart but he never complained. He was a kind and generous man, loved by all who knew him." With another bow, the man stepped back to the road to rejoin the procession.

    As the mourners moved off into the distance, John helped Caroline remount Regina. As she picked up the reins, Caroline brushed a tear from her eye.

    "I can't believe that the doctor is really gone," she said softly. "He was such a good man. I wouldn't have ever gotten through those dreadful days after the accident if not for him."

    "Then I am grateful to him," John replied with a sad smile. "For he saved the life of my Lady Caroline."

    Caroline felt her heart skip a beat at his words "my Lady Caroline", but she answered calmly.

    "Nay, 'twas you who saved my life," she smiled. "And I will always be indebted to you. But... he certainly helped very much. That girl behind the casket must have been his daughter whom he spoke of. Poor little thing, she looked so sad and lonely. If only there was something I could do..."

    "There was something in her eyes," Edward murmured as if to himself, still staring in the direction the procession had taken. "I've never seen anyone like her before." Then he shook his head and sighed. "We'd better be returning. Hopefully my father has cooled down from his last outburst... or rather my last outburst. If only I could learn to control my tongue..."

oOo

    Winter melted away into spring. The agonizing issue of the prince's betrothal dragged on. All the chancellors were simply full of suggestions and the harried king, pressed on all sides, barely got a moment's rest. Edward spent as much time as absolutely possible outside the palace walls. It was on one such of these escapes that he asked John something that was rather unexpected.

    "John, tell me something. Have you ever wished you were in love?"

    Somewhat taken off guard and not entirely certain how to reply, John laughed.

    "Oh, yes."

    "Often?" Edward pressed. "I mean, as often as I wish it?"

    "Well..." John hesitated, wondering if there would be anything amiss in confiding in the prince. But, after all, they had been best friends as long as he could remember. So why not reveal his deepest secret? "Well, I am in love."

    "You are?" cried the prince. "How amazing. Who is she?"

    "The Lady Caroline, Sir, since you ask."

    "What? My cousin, Lady Caroline, the lady-in-waiting to my grandmother? That Lady Caroline?"

    John looked at Edward in surprise. Had he really not noticed?

    "Yes," he grinned, rather amused by the fact that Edward had never guessed anything, even though he knew how much time John and Caroline had spent together and what good friends they had been.

    "How amazing!"

    "Why?"

    "Well, it's extraordinary." Edward shook his head, then added quickly, "Not extraordinarily extraordinary, of course, but I never guessed."

    "I know," John laughed. That, at least, was rather obvious.

    "Well, I'm delighted. You have my blessing. I... I must congratulate her."

    "No!" John cried, alarmed. "No, please, Sir, don't do that. It's kind of you, but it wouldn't be seemly."

    "How so?"

    "Alas, my cause is a lost one." John sighed.

    "The lady does not return your affections?" Edward asked, puzzled.

    "Oh, indeed!" John said quickly. "But the fact remains that I am what I am... a servant." As Edward looked even more puzzled, John added, "Position, Sir. Position!"

    "John, I'm twice amazed." the prince shook his head. "I must be very dense. Am I?"

    "Of course not." John grinned ruefully. "You have your problems, I have mine."

oOo

    "A what?" shrieked Queen Edith. "What did he say?"

    "A bride-finding ball... I believe..." Caroline frowned. It seemed a rather ridiculous idea to her and she hoped that the queen agreed. She knew that Edward hated the idea and she wondered how on earth it would ever work.

    "Father," Edward was saying just then, trying desperately to persuade the king to drop the idea, "I have never questioned that it is my bounden duty to take a wife and ensure the royal succession. But that does not mean I have to be party to and judge a cattle show!"

    Caroline was only listening to the conversation halfway as she tried to explain to the distracted elderly queen. It was unfortunate that the duke of Montague happened by at that crucial moment. Although Caroline was usually thrilled to see her brother, he could have chosen a moment with less... tension. Really, he could have a little more tact.

    "Is it true, dear Uncle?" he was saying gleefully. "The tattle is that you're going to invite a whole nursery of nubile delicacies to a ball."

    "Some other time, nephew. We're busy now." the king waved him away.

    "Oh, but you can't keep me in suspense!" Charles cried desperately. "You just can't, Uncle. I mean, I realize that I won't have first pick, but that doesn't matter to me because I'm not proud. I'm just desperate!"

    "Charles!" Caroline broke protocol in a frantic attempt to stop her brother before the situation got any worse. "Please, Charles!"

    "Oh, but sister Caroline, isn't it wonderful? Perhaps you could find a husband as well! Wouldn't that just be perfect?"

    "We're all desperate!" the king cried as Edward rolled his eyes.

    "So it's true, then! Oh, how exciting! Now, I must decide what to wear. High heels, I think, to give me added stature." he turned to Edward. "The moment you've made your choice, I shall unleash myself."

    "Charles!" Caroline cried, miserably.

    "I've already made my choice, Cousin." Edward said drily. "As far as I'm concerned, you can have your pick of the lot."

    "Oh, but you can't do that!" Charles pleaded. "You can't be such a spoilsport! I mean... what can even compare to the thrill of a bride-finding ball?"

    "Your majesty," Caroline interrupted, surprised at her own audacity as she left Queen Edith's side and advanced to her brother. "Pray excuse us." Taking Charles' arm, she led him, protesting, from the room. Once they were safely in the hall, she turned to him, frowning.

    "How could you, Charles! Do you realize what is going on here?"

    "Of course I realize it, Caroline. And isn't it just the most exciting thing to aspire since Lady Mary ran off to marry that Earl of Neuburg?"

    "Really, Charles!" Caroline was towing him down the hall, hoping to get him as far away from poor Edward as possible. "The prince is really very upset about this entire situation, you must try to understand!"

    "What is there to be upset about?" Charles raised his eyebrows, puzzled. "I can't see anything to be upset about, indeed, I cannot!"

    "Edward feels as I do," Caroline sighed, bowing her head. "He doesn't want to marry, except for love."

    "My dear sister," Charles dropped his excitement in his concern for his sister. "You really must forgive me, indeed you must. I really am so thoughtless, indeed I am. It's just that this might finally be my chance. You know."

    "Yes, and I'm sorry I was upset with you." Caroline looked up at him and tried to smile. "I hope that you will find the love of your life and be very happy. I know I can never be."

    "How could you never be happy? Indeed, you must tell me what is wrong, dearest sister. Truly, I know that something is wrong."

    "I am in love." Caroline said simply. "In love with someone below my station and there is nothing I can do about it."

    Charles looked at her in stunned silence, his big eyes larger than ever. Why they nearly popped out of his head! For once, he could not find the words to say. His little sister, in love? And with someone she could never hope to marry?

    "I am so sorry, dear Caroline, truly I am so sorry. I really do not know what to say, indeed, I do not! I hope, truly I do, that it will turn out all right! I will pray for you, indeed I will. Don't lose hope, dearest sister." He put his arm around her, trying, in his own awkward way, to comfort her. And truly, nothing could have comforted her more. To know that her brother, who was one of the dearest ones in the world to her, understood and cared for her, was very comforting indeed.