To preserve the story of Lauchtenland and the House of Blue. To see thePrincess Louisa.
This was her first, in-person glance of the famous royal wedding dress. She’d been fascinated with the gown since reading about it in grammar school. When she wrote her master’s thesis, the gown had been on an around-the-world tour so she wasn’t able to inspect it firsthand.
Daffy told others that she loved theLouisafor its history, its unique beginning. The fact it was more art than clothing. Even the story of the designer, Taffron Björk, fascinated her.
But being in the Hall of Dresses…somehow affirmed her. Touched her with a sense of romance. Of distinctiveness. As if her dreams were within reach. That the girl who pennedMy Life with the Princewasn’t forgotten.
She had a wedding dress in her someday future. And while her gown would not be placed in the Hall of Dresses, she’d feel like a princess bride on her wedding day. Chosen. Special.
Daffy focused on her tablet. She was here to work, not daydream.
Reviewing her inventory and the map of the cabinets, she eyed the stack of boxes to be put together. She’d start with Queen Catherine II’s dress and work backward in time. The oldest gown belonged to Queen Aribella, wife of King Rein I, and weighed twenty-five pounds. Fashioned in 1510 from a heavy, damask textile—because the princess feared she’d catch a cold during her winter wedding—and decorated with a thousand diamonds and two thousand gold studs. Her extravagance put her father into debt from which he never recovered.
Daffy texted her counterpart, Lucy Melrose.
I’m here. Starting to assemble boxes.
“May I come in?” Daffy turned to see Lady Holland just inside the door.
“Yes, please.” Daffy bobbed in a quick curtsy. “How may I help you?”
“I wanted to see how you handle the dresses.” She stood straight, her shoulders back, her tall frame wrapped in a pink, light wool suit, the jacket cut to her waist, the skirt extending to mid-calf, just above a gorgeous pair of Louboutin heels.
The recessed lighting bounced off her golden hair and caught the sparkle in her glorious diamond engagement ring.
“I’m a bit in awe my gown will be here one day,” she said.
“We can’t wait to see it.” Daffy set one of the boxes on the worktable. “I expect it will set a new trend in bridal gowns. There’s no family more watched and documented than the royal family.”
“Goodness, I hadn’t thought of that.” Holland exhaled, a hand pressed to her stomach. “I mean I knew I’d be watched and followed. The Chamber Office said there are three hundred social media accounts about me. But being a part of history feels…awe-inspiring.”
“You’re making history by marrying a crown prince.” Daffy liked the future queen. She was both regal and everyday. She’d fit in with Daffy’s mates at Pub Clemency as easily as with world leaders during a state dinner.
“For me it’s just about marrying the man I love.” Lady Holland twisted her engagement ring around her finger. “It’s a conundrum—he’s a crown prince.”
“Aren’t you glad they’ve done away with old traditions like arranged marriages and bedding ceremonies?”
Holland laughed with a heavy exhale. “Yes. Very much so.” She extended her hand. “I’m Holland by the way.”
“Yes, of course you are,” Daffy said. “I’m—”
“Daffodil Caron. I know you.” Lady Holland joined hands with her. “And then I saw your Instagram post.”
“Not mine, I assure you. Leslie Ann Parker pirated my account.” She refused to go down for something Les did.
“I heard about it from John. He was quite angry at first. Said you used to be mates with the princes when you were children, but changes in palace policy put you below stairs.”
“Please tell him how sorry I am. I had no idea—”
Lady Holland’s smile offered her grace. “He knows. Gus set him straight. And he shared some fond memories of you.”
Gus defended her? “I have many fond memories of the princes—”
Just then Lucy barged into the room. “Daff, did you remember we need a gown for theUnknown Bride? Oh, hello.” Lucy stopped short and curtsied to Lady Holland with a side glance at Daffy.What’s she doing here?
“Lady Holland came to see the dresses,” Daffy said.
“I don’t want to take up your time,” Lady Holland said. “I know you have work to do. But would it be possible to see thePrincess Louisa? Do I even have the right to ask?” She glanced between Daffy and Lucy, stepping closer. “My designer modeled my gown like theLousiaand I’d like a peek at the original.”
