“Spring would be better, just weather-wise,” Cat said. “And we need to think about clothes…we’ll need to coordinate and that takes time too.”
“I understand, but Papa shouldn’t have to wait that long for some rest,” Alex said, and understanding dawned on people’s faces. “Not to mention, we’ll want to time it after Charlie’s given birth, but beforeSarah and Lily do. In any case, we’re not announcing it yet, and won’t until maybe a month after the mourning period ends.”
In the excitement of new beginnings, they’d forgotten for a moment that someone wouldn’t be there to share it.
As the table went silent, Rebecca glanced down at her ring again. She straightened her fingers, then moved them so the ring could catch the light. The warmth of the amethyst comforted her and contrasted with the cool of the diamonds. Growing up, Rebecca had seen so many pictures and videos and even portraits of Victoria wearing this ring, even though Charles had died years prior. Victoria had loved this ring and had only given it up when Alex had asked for it for her.
When Alex squeezed Rebecca’s other hand, she looked up at him, her eyes wet but no tears falling. Part of it was the loss of Victoria, but she was overwhelmed by everything else too.
She knew she had to be strong, had to be the best and most perfect queen for the people. But she was only human, and she hadn’t grown up in a privileged life, prepared to lead. She might have grown up on the palace grounds, but her parents’ home was as far from the palace as one could get.
In Alex’s eyes, she saw some of the same emotions, so she took a deep breath to steady herself. She gave him a small smile, letting him know she was okay, and he nodded.
Alex glanced around the table. “There’s a lot to be sorted out, but we wanted you to know. We’ll take things one step at a time and, for now, let’s focus on the funeral first. We’ll go through the details tomorrow after breakfast. We’d like everyone to stay a few days after the funeral so we can sort out some of the abdication and coronation details, particularly to fix a date that works well for everyone here.”
“What about the Council?” Marcello asked as he crossed his arms. “Will they find out early? They won’t be happy about this change.”
“When are they ever happy?” Gabriel replied. “They’ll be informed the same time as the public. As far as the law is concerned,they don’t need to be informed ahead of time, though I’m sure they’ll say they do after the fact.”
“And the rest of the family?” Carolina asked as she adjusted one of her many bracelets. “Are we telling them early?”
“Only a few,” Alex answered. “I’ll be taking care of that. Most of them will find out with the public, so don’t share with anyone else, even your dependable cousins.”
More questions bubbled up around the table as they proceeded to eat, with Alex responding as best he could. Eventually, Rebecca interjected. If they kept up like this, they’d be here all night. “We know everyone still has questions, but perhaps we could wait until tomorrow. I think it’s best we finish up dinner and head to bed early.” She glanced at Gabriel, who gave her a thankful smile.
“I agree, Rebecca,” Genevieve said with a smile of her own. “It’s going to be a busy year and an even busier week ahead. Let’s finish up and get some rest. Carolina, dear, please ring to have the dessert brought in.”
As the conversation turned lighter again, Rebecca let out a breath. Everything had gone relatively well, and no one seemed to be upset at the thought of her and Alex taking over, but she wasn’t sure if everything had sunk in yet. Or maybe they wanted to express their disapproval on their own and not in front of the whole group.
Still, she’d take things one day at a time, and handle any detractors that came their way.
six
ALEXANDER
Alex straightened the top of his dress military uniform, stretching his neck to help it settle into the stiff half-collar. It never crossed his mind it wouldn’t fit him, so he hadn’t gotten it altered, and it was going to be a tight fit all around. Was he simply getting older? He’d been building up more muscle, so maybe that was why it fit differently. Or perhaps it was because he was a different man now than he was when he first—or even last—wore this uniform.
As he glanced at his reflection and kept adjusting various parts of his outfit, he second-guessed himself. When he was in the army, every part of the uniform was second nature. Yet now, years later, he had to think whether to wear his sword or not, or whether to wear these medals or those instead, and so many little things. There were so many rules to an army uniform, and he had to double-check he was doing everything correctly.
Things had been easier the last time he’d worn it, on his wedding day, as he’d used a valet to help dress him. He should have thought ofusing one today. Something else he’d missed or forgotten to do. He had to do better now that he was going to become king.
The last time he wore this uniform was a happy occasion, yet today was a sad one: his grandmother’s funeral.
After a few last adjustments, he grabbed his gloves, hat, and a small jewelry box, and left his dressing room and headed for his wife’s. He heard her gentle voice murmuring to her lady’s maid, so he paused outside instead of going straight in. “Darling?”
“Yes, come in.”
He entered and caught sight of the maid exiting the opposite way into the adjoining closet.
Rebecca turned this way and that in front of the mirror, then turned to face him. “All right?”
“You look lovely, as you always do.” She was dressed perfectly for the occasion in a knee-length, long-sleeved, boatneck black dress, black hose and heels, her hair in an elegant coil, and a wide-brimmed black hat already secured on her head.
“Lovely isn’t enough today. So many people will be watching, and I need to be perfect.”
“Well, in that case, you’ll need these.” The jewelry box made a soft crick as he opened it and glanced down at the glittering diamond and amethyst earrings, then handed the box to her.
“Oh, Alex.” She put one hand to her chest as she grasped the box with the other.
