The Lady of My Choosing Chapter Sixteen

 Chapter Sixteen

The Lady I Love

    John and Caroline had borne the news of their miraculous find to the king and queen who were overjoyed, not to mention overcome with impatience and anxiety. John had been careful not to let any details slip. For instance, although he told the king that he believed the Princess Incognita was found, he did not inform His Majesty that said Princess Incognita had been seen dancing in the fields just beyond the palace gates, and dressed like a commoner. That, John had decided, would have to be left to Edward. And he prayed that all would be well.

    "Dear sister, I just heard the news!" As the Duke of Montague made his characteristically exuberant entrance into the throne room, the king groaned aloud. But Caroline was overjoyed. All that day had been so beautiful and now to share the joy with her brother made it nearly complete.

    "May I wish you every happiness," Charles approached the newly-engaged couple who, having passed on the news of the mystery princess from the ball, had been discussing the details of their future with the king and queen. Having gotten over the initial shock, the monarchs found themselves rather satisfied with the match and relieved that their niece would have, at least, a title. That was a great comfort, indeed.

    "And you, Sir John," Charles continued, turning to his future brother-in-law, "My heartiest congratulations. Indeed, this is most exciting, most exciting! I simply cannot wait for the wedding. Indeed, I cannot."

    "I am so glad you are pleased!" Caroline cried happily. The blessing of her family was the most important thing to her... next to the assurance of John's love. But indeed, she had no need to doubt that. "Thank you so much, dear Charles." She paused. "Since father is unwell... would you give me away at the wedding?"

    Although it was perhaps not that surprising of a request, Charles seemed much taken aback. His eyes grew wide but then he clasped his hands with delight.

    "Truly, dear Caroline, I would be honored, simply honored! You know though, I really haven't the slightest idea what I should wear. Perhaps..."

    "Details later," Caroline laughed.

    "Indeed, you must go and speak with our dear father," Charles continued. "You know, he really has no idea. I thought perhaps you would want to tell him."

    "Poor father," Caroline sighed. "It really has been much to long since last I saw him. Shall we go, John?" she turned to him and he smiled down at her.

    "Of course, Darling. I do need to ask his blessing."

oOo

    And so it was that, not long afterwards, John and Caroline, accompanied by Charles, arrived back at Montague castle. The old duke had been an invalid for years now, barely able to rise from his bed. The loss of his beloved wife had left him devastated and he found he could barely go on without her. Nevertheless, he had hung on by a thread for the past six years, finding his only joy in his dear children.

    Caroline was not able to visit as much as she wished to, but nevertheless, many times in the past years since she had gone to the palace had she ridden home, accompanied by John. Indeed, the only factual knowledge the old duke had of the man who was soon to be his son-in-law was the fact that he was merely Caroline's escort and Edward's companion-at-arms. But he had taken a liking to the young man from the moment he was introduced to him and always was glad to see him.

    He was sitting up in bed, as he usually was, when Caroline entered the room, leaving John in the doorway. He had been reading but laid his book down with a smile and held his arms out for his daughter.

    "My dear Caroline!" he cried, happily. "How lovely to see you! I was so hoping you would come for a visit!"

    "Father!" Caroline sat on the edge of his bed as she embraced him, realizing suddenly how frail and weak and old he seemed. If he should... but no. She wouldn't think of such a dreadful prospect.

    "Father, I have something to tell you," she began, somewhat nervously. How did one go about bringing such news to one's parents? For a moment she was heartily glad that Charles had heard about this second-hand... at least she hadn't had to tell him.

    "Yes, dear, but isn't that John I see in the doorway? Do come in, John, you are always welcome!"

    At the invitation, John stepped forward and bowed respectfully. He, too, was uncertain what to say.

    "Father," Caroline began again. "Prince Edward has knighted John... He is now Sir John Stewart."

    "So," the old man smiled. "Sir John Stewart. You have my congratulations indeed, Sir John. And I believe there is something else you want to tell me?" By the rather significant look in his eyes, Caroline realized that he knew.

    "I have asked the Lady Caroline for her hand in marriage and would ask your blessing, Your Grace."

    "You love him, don't you?" the old duke turned to his daughter and she nodded, holding her breath. "I knew it. I knew it years ago. I could see it in your eyes." He nodded to John. "And you will take good care of her, will you not?"

    "I will do my best, Sir."

    "Then you most certainly have my blessing. And I am so happy for you both. May you love each other well and live long and happy."

    "Oh, Father!" Caroline threw her arms around her father, her eyes filled with happy tears for what she felt must be the hundredth time that day.

    "Easy, girl, easy!" he was laughing. "Take care or you'll smother me. I'm so glad to know that you love each other," he continued. "God blessed me much in my marriage. Your mother, you realize, was many a degree lower than me."

    "Truly!" Caroline cried in surprise. This she had never known.

    "Not quite as low as a servant would be. But she was the daughter of a minor nobleman and considered not entirely suitable for one second in line to the throne. But I wasn't going to let that stop me. I loved her well. And so we were married, though my parents did somewhat disapprove. It wasn't long, though, before they grew to love her also. She was the dearest and sweetest of all the women I have ever known. And you are the perfect image of her, my daughter.

    "My brother, though, the king... he accepted a political alliance with the Princess Elinor of Wildenstein. They were most unhappy for many years. But, I think, they did grow to love each other... a little, perhaps. Love, you see, has everything to do with being married. Love and respect... and faith in God."

oOo

    The court waited for the arrival of Prince Edward and the mysterious Princess Incognita in a state of feverish excitement. No one was certain quite what to say or how to act. John and Caroline both had been pressed with questions until they were driven to the point of distraction but neither had divulged more than they thought wise to share. It was early the next morning when the trumpets sounded from outside at the palace gates and a murmur of exultation rippled through the crowded throne room.

    "She most likely has a grand retinue of servants and footmen," the Lady Allison was confiding excitedly to Caroline. "Not to mention all her ladies-in-waiting and perhaps even members of her family will accompany her as well! Oh, isn't it so exciting!" Caroline smiled ruefully, not informing Allison that the mysterious princess had not even the slightest form of footman or lady-in-waiting. That the grand lady all were waiting to receive in protocoligorically correct state and pomp was nothing more than an impoverished doctor's daughter... and now an orphan.

    At last the great double doors of the throne room swung open and the entire court leaned forward, holding their collective breaths in suspense.

    It came as a great shock when Edward entered, not even properly dressed himself, as he had no coat, leading a young girl by the hand. A girl clad in the simplest of linen gowns with her dark hair hanging loose around her shoulders. But on her feet she wore the most beautiful and elegant of sparkling glass slippers.

    Hand in hand they advanced to the throne. Edward's eyes were shining with triumphant love and he looked down at her tenderly. But although the same love shone in her eyes, she looked back at him rather timidly as she clung to his hand tightly. Never once releasing her tight grip on his hand, she bent in a graceful curtsey before the king and queen. In spite of their astonishment at the plainly-dressed girl before them, a murmur of admiration swept over the court, for she was beautiful.

    "Father, Mother," Edward began, almost breathless in his joy. "This is the Princess Incognita... the lady that I love."

    "And what do they call you?" Queen Elinor peered sharply at the girl.

    "Cinderella, Your Majesty." she spoke in a sweet and simple voice, with a graceful nod of her head. "Cinderella Tremayne."

    "A most unusual name," replied the queen, frowning.

    "The name, Mother," interposed Edward quickly. "Is surely of no importance. All that matters is that I've made my choice and wait for your blessings."

    "You gave us a lot of trouble, you know, after the ball." the king leaned forward. "People looking for you everywhere. Vanished, you see. Did you go back to your own kingdom?"

    "No, Your Majesty. I went back to where I live."

    "And where is that, Child?"

    "Why, here, Your Majesty." Cinderella seemed slightly confused, but the king was even more so.

    "Here?" said he, incredulously. "In the castle?"

    "No, Father." Edward laughed. "As you've often remarked, love is blind, and we sometimes don't look under our noses. Cinderella lives in our own Euphrania, not twenty miles from here."

    "Who is this girl?" shrieked Queen Edith as Caroline hastened to her side. "Why doesn't somebody tell me what is going on?"

    "This is the girl that Edward wants to marry." said the king, in a rather loud voice.

    "Is going to marry, Father." Edward corrected.

    "I don't wish to seem offensive, but it does seem to me that she's most unsuitably dressed for such a solemn occasion." The elderly queen had voiced the thoughts of the entire court.

    "You're quite right, Grandmama," Edward gave his bride a loving glance. "It's something I shall correct immediately. Father, by your leave," he bowed and Cinderella curtseyed once again before he led her from the room.

    As they vanished through the doors, Queen Elinor shook her head. Nervously, Caroline glanced toward John. He was leaning toward Charles, saying something in a low voice. He, too, looked nervous.

    The king stepped down from the throne to speak to the chamberlain quietly.

    "Questions of precedent. Unprecedented questions of precedent." he murmured.

    "My own thought, Sire," the chamberlain acquiesced.

    "A meeting, I think." The king spoke decisively.

    "It has already been convened, Your Majesty."

    "Pity. Charming little thing." the king shook his head sadly. "In other circumstances... most appealing."

    From where he stood, John heard the quiet words and exchanged a worried glance with Charles. Caroline was curtseying to the queen, asking permission to withdraw. As she stepped forward, John offered his arm and together they left the throne room in troubled silence.