Clara takes a few more deep breaths, then sits upright. “I was going to wait until I was further along in case there were any, er... complications before we told anybody, but the cat’s out of the bag now.”
“Congratulations,” I exclaim. “I’m so happy for you two.”
“Thank you.” She smiles. “Theoretically, you’ll have a new cousin early next spring.”
“I’m going to be Auntie Amanda!” Amanda says gleefully. “You can bet I’ll be spoiling your child rotten!” She places a hand on Clara’s lap. “I’d hug you, but I don’t want to jostle you again.”
“I appreciate that more than you know.”
Amanda’s expression shifts. “Can I tell Eddie?”
Clara considers her request for a moment. “Yes, as long as he doesn’t tell anyone else. We’re not planning to tell David’s mother or the king until I’m into the second trimester.”
“I promise.” She holds up her hand. “It’s just so we can discuss our wedding.”
Clara lights up, her normal color returning. “Finally! Have you set a date?”
“We aren’t ready to tell any parents yet either. We were thinking about next summer, but nothing’s set in stone. Now that I know I have a niece or nephew on the way, if we have to postpone a bit, it’s no biggie. Eddie and I can wait as long as needed. I want you to be my maid of honor! And I know Eddie wants David as his best man.”
Clara’s face grows stricken. “I don’t want you to have to wait because of me. If you want to choose someone else, I’ll understand.”
“Nope.” Amanda shakes her head. “We’ve waited this long. A couple more months won’t hurt us.”
Seeing the strong bonds of friendship between Clara and Amandagives me the sensation of a warm, fuzzy hug. These two have known one another for a long time. When I came into the picture, neither of them hesitated to bring me into their circle and treat me exactly as they treat one another. Even though it took me some time to warm up to them, they never gave up on me.
“Amanda?” I say.
“Hmm?” She directs her attention to me.
“Have you considered a Christmas or New Year’s wedding? I know when we were younger, it was something my brother talked about. He always thought it would be brilliant to have an ice palace as the backdrop.”
“Oh, I’d love that! But it would probably have to be for the reception.”
“I’m just putting it out there thatifyou did decide to go for a winter wedding this year, I’m not going to be busy dancing inTheNutcracker,” Clara says.“By December, I’ll be about seven and a half months along.”
The carriage makes a turn into the sandy parade grounds. Our conversation circles back to the present moment. The grandstands are packed full of people dressed in their Sunday best. There are three covered tents set up with chairs for us to watch from—one for my father, one for Eddie and Mum, and one for the rest of us.
I may be the daughter of the king, but there is no denying that my role in the family is changing. I’m not going to be as important in the coming years as Eddie and Amanda. They’re the future. The next king and queen. As they marry, start their family, and begin taking on public engagements, the public will focus on them. Not me.
As we climb out of the carriage and walk into the tents, a true smile graces my face. I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe escaping life from the public eye will be easier than I’d thought.
Nine
“You can relax a little,” I say to Art a few days later. “I highly doubt anyone who’s back here will try and attack me.” He’s standing with his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed and trained on the people gathered outside our tent.
“You don’t know that, ma’am.”
Angela rolls her eyes. “Art, come on. You have to admit she has a point. The lads Her Highness is about to meet are all members of the military.”
“They could still pose a threat.”
I shake my head and give Angela a shrug and anI’ve tried to reason with himlook. It’s no use. Until we’re back inside the safety of Windsor Castle, away from the members of the public and all the military personnel gathered here for the last day of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, he’ll be on high alert.
It’s the first week in July, and today I’m presenting an award to the winner of the Princess Alice Cup. No, it’s not named after me. It’s actually named after my grandmum, who was Princess Alice of Wales at the time.
Every year, the members of the two regiments of the Household Cavalry, the Life Guards and Blues and Royals, spend several monthspreparing their ceremonial uniforms and horses to the highest possible standard. My brother wanted to enter a few years ago, but he never made it past the preliminary round.
I’ve been told that the soldiers who participate don’t sleep much until the competition is over. And I believe it. From my own experience, I know that taking care of a horse and their tack alone is far from easy. And I don’t have a uniform to worry about!
