“One would hope.”It seemed to take all Kate’s strength to speak.“GBS has its own rules.”
Scottie scooted closer.“I saw Emmanuel, Kate.”
“Ah, yes…” Kate drew a deep, weighted breath.
Edric rose from his chair in the corner.“I’ll ring the doctor.Kate, my darling, can you hear me?”
She stretched her eyes open.“I can hear you.Scottie saw Him.Emmanuel.”
“Well, how fine.You thought she might, no?”Edric returned to his corner while Scottie told the story of Emmanuel walking in and out of the woods.Now was not the time to speak of her and Michael’s discoveries.
“You can trust Him, Scottie,” Kate said softly.“Yes, Edric, I thought He’d reveal Himself to her.”
Arabella arrived with her husband Sir William, and Scottie retreated to the elegant Royal Waiting Room, where she sipped tea and collected herself from the highs and lows of the day.
If Emmanuel was interested in what Scottie and Michael were doing at the Wenthelen Chapel, He had to be—must be—interested in what took place in the room next door.Michael’s story about Purnell remained fresh in her memory.
Edric came into the waiting room with Sir William for a cup of tea, saying how Arabella had Kate laughing with a childhood memory.But Scottie tempered her enthusiasm.Purnell had rebounded too.Then died.
Cranston arrived with a spread from Chef George.Arabella joined Sir William while Edric returned to his wife.The aromas were so tempting, but Scottie texted Dad and Shug first, then a few friends at home.And finally, Michael.
Scottie: She’s doing better but I keep thinking of Purnell’s story.She has to be okay.
Michael: She will beat this, lass.It’s who she is.She’s not like Purnell, Scottie.She didn’t hide her illness.
Around eight, John and Gemma arrived with their baby prince, Magnus John Edric Titus Mac—for Gemma’s father—and everyone called him Mac.Princess Imani followed with Princess Rachel.Around midnight, an exhausted but happy Gus and Daffy walked in with Princess Tillie, so beautifully bright-eyed.And as concerned as they all were, the family reunion was warm and welcoming.Scottie’s brothers hugged and thanked her for “holding down the fort” and probed her opinion on their mother’s health.
One by one, the family took a turn with Kate, returning to the waiting room to dine on Chef George’s cuisine and exchange stories from their time apart.Scottie sank into the center of it all, surprised this company of royals she called family embraced her.
She’d grown up with the love of the O’Shays, but she’d also grown up alone, save for the family gatherings at holidays or a week in the summer.She believed she didn’t need siblings or cousins, aunts and uncles, because she had her real extended family—O’Shay Shirts.Wasn’t that enough?
Yet now, in this royal waiting room, she was part of a blood family with siblings and in-laws, nieces, and a nephew.She had an aunt and uncle, a cousin.A stepfather.It was suddenly enough to make her want what she constantly denied.To be a wholehearted Blue.
* * *
“So far, Tuppence, we’ve seen nothing of the royal ball gowns from the House of Blue.Sometimes Princess Daffodil gives us a sneak peek, but we’re two weeks out, so we’re speculating the gowns will be from Melinda House or Elnora, standard designers for our royal women.But Lady Royal?She’s a mystery.”
— Sharon Lee, fashion expert, Tuppence Corbyn & Friends
* * *
“The investigation continues into the riot at the Midlands Faire.MP Hamish Fickle has offered assistance in the investigation.The head of the RECO party has also apologized to the citizens of the Midlands but not to Lady Royal or the royal family.”
— Cable News PF @ 6:00
* * *
“Does it feel like the Rose Ball is going to be exciting this year?Who’s coming besides the usual royal set?Is Lady Royal planning to attend?Will she have a date?I’d go with her equerry Michael Cross to the edge of the earth.He’s dreamy.”
— @RoyalLoyalBlog
* * *
“The Chamber Office announced today that the Queen has been hospitalized due to ongoing GBS complications.She is reported to be in good spirits, and her medical team expects a full recovery.The King Consort, along with the princes, princesses, and Lady Royal, are currently with Her Majesty at Hadsby Castle.”
— CNC, Cable News Channel
* * *
