“I’ll go inside and get seated,” Aunt Maude said as she came around the front and placed a kiss on my cheek. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.”
Ever since the night of the duke’s ball, things had shifted between us. Any time she started to demand or dictate how things should be done, Alec or I had to remind her that she was no longer in control. If Alec was going to run the business, and I was going to be his wife, he would become the head of the family. Not Aunt Maude.
She had slowly accepted her position, though she still pushed back from time to time. Thankfully, she’d been so busy with her social life since returning to New York, she’d had little time to try to manipulate or cajole us.
Mrs. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor had paid a call on Aunt Maude within days of our arrival home from England. Word had quickly spread that the Prince of Wales would attend ourwedding, and Mrs. Astor did not want to be left out. She had accepted an invitation for a dinner party thrown in our honor at Aunt Maude’s home shortly thereafter and when it was time for the wedding invitations to go out, one had proudly arrived at Mrs. Astor’s home. She was waiting inside with all the other wealthy and influential people Aunt Maude had invited.
Alec and I had also invited Uncle Charlie and Aunt Orla, hoping to mend hurt feelings, but they had sent their regrets, written in Uncle Charlie’s handwriting. I suspected that it was Aunt Orla, and not Uncle Charlie, who had sold our story toTown Topics, but I held no ill will toward either of them. They’d raised me as best as they could, even if there had been pain along the way.
What surprised me the most in Uncle Charlie’s letter was his note of thanks to Alec for sending them a monthly stipend. They had moved away from Mulberry Street and were living in a nicer home close to Fiona. Imogen and Patrick were attending school and only the adults were doing piecework.
I thought I couldn’t love Alec more until that moment.
As I prepared to enter the church, the invitation foremost in my mind was the one I'd sent to my mother. I very much doubted she would attend. But, perhaps, it was better that way.
The prince offered me his arm, and I took it with ease. It had been nice to have a few days in his company before the wedding. He still felt like a stranger, and intimidated me because he was the prince, but I was starting to grow more comfortable in his presence. I wasn’t sure when I would see him again after today, but he’d told me he was great at correspondence and expected long, newsy letters from me as often as I could write them. In return, I should expect the same from him.
I took his arm, and we stepped into the narthex. The double doors into the nave were closed, but upon our entry, two footmen opened them, and we moved into place.
The “Bridal Chorus” began on the organ as the congregants rose to their feet.
My heart beat a quick, joyful pace as the prince patted my hand, laying on his arm.
“I’m very happy for you, Keira,” he said. “And I’m honored to be here today. I wish things could have been different, but I’m glad they’ve ended this way.”
“Thank you, for everything.” I smiled at him, my eyes awash in tears. “This is all because of you.”
“I think you had something to do with it.” He laughed and let out a contented sigh. “I’m only thankful I could be here to witness it. Shall we?”
With a nod, he began to lead me down the aisle.
Pleasant smiles greeted me as we walked toward the altar. I knew some of those in attendance, but many of them were strangers from Mrs. Astor’s Four Hundred. Alec’s parents were in attendance, and I had instantly loved them, quickly understanding from whom Alec had inherited his kindness. They’d been at the hotel all week and we’d spent many happy hours together.
As I was about to turn my gaze to the front, where Alec would be waiting, one face caught my attention, and I paused in surprise.
My mother had come.
I quickly regained my footing, but it was enough for the prince to look at me and then follow my line of sight.
I knew the moment he saw her, because he, too, faltered.
Nellie O’Day.
The three of us were in the same place together for the first time.
We continued toward the altar. There would be an opportunity for them to reunite later, if they so chose. But it was not my place to be there, or to even know if they did.
For now, all I wanted to think about was Alec.
He stood at the front of the church, attired in a beautifully tailored black suit, his face shining with love.
I broke into a smile as all other thoughts faded away.
The top was down as Alec and I sat side by side in the small buggy, a trunk strapped to the back. He managed the single horse with ease. My arm was wrapped around his and my head was on his shoulder.
Our wedding breakfast was held at The Prince of Wales Hotel dining room, and the prince had given a speech to a round of cheers. My mother sat in the back of the room, alone, watching us with pride. I had wanted to go to her, but there were so many things pressing for my attention, and when I finally had the opportunity, she and the prince were no longer in the dining room.
