Chapter 8 #2
“Which regiment will be trooping its colour today?” Clara asks. Her cheeks color. “I feel silly for not knowing this.”
“The second battalion Irish Guards,” I answer. “And you shouldn’t feel guilty for not knowing. You’ve been busy.” I’m careful not to mention Amanda’s suspicions about her expecting.
“I know, but I don’t like to make excuses,” Clara says.
“Can I let you two in on a little secret?” I start, hoping to lighten the mood. The girls both nod. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but Papa is a bit biased. His favorite regiment isn’t one of the footguard regiments. It’s the cavalry.”
“Because that was the division that he, Eddie, and David all served in?” Amanda guesses.
“Yup. His brother, my uncle Frank, is the odd one out in the family. He joined the navy.”
“And which division would you have joined?” Clara asks.
“Obviously the cavalry.” Amanda elbows her. “She’d keep the family tradition going.”
“Actually, no.” I fold my hands and set them on my lap. “Yes, I would’ve wanted to work with horses, but I would’ve wanted to make my own mark. If I’d joined the military, I’d have opted for the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery. No royal has ever served in their regiment.”
And it was something I seriously considered too.
Becoming a member of the military meant that I would’ve been treated just like everyone else.
I’d be able to do what I love, help care for horses, and serve my country.
The only thing that stopped me was that when I considered the future, I saw myself being more fulfilled in the long-term by solving problems with different buildings and structures.
“Wow. I never knew that,” Amanda exclaims.
“Now you do.”
Suddenly, the carriage hits a rut in the road, and we’re jostled in our seats. My breath catches in my throat as I hit the side of the carriage. It stings, but I’ll be able to shake it off in a few minutes.
“Apologies, ma’am,” the driver calls out from the front. “Everyone all right?”
“I think so,” I answer.
Amanda and I recover quickly, but Clara grips the edge of the door with one hand and holds her stomach with the other. Her face pales and then turns a shade of green. “Ugh.”
I exchange glances with Amanda. I really hope she’s not going to be sick. Especially when there are millions of people watching.
“Are you okay, C?” she asks.
“I will be.” Clara closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. “I’m ultra-sensitive to certain smells and sudden movements these days. I might as well tell you two now. I found out two days ago that I’m expecting.”
“I knew it!” Amanda exclaims.
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 Amanda gives 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 that if you did decide to go for a winter wedding this year, I’m not going to be busy dancing in The Nutcracker,” 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.