Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-three
Scottie
Tonight, in this magical place, she allowed herself to feel like a princess in her purple layered gown with the fitted bodice and handsewn embroidery, complemented by Eloise’s velvet cape with the Snow White collar.
Choko set a delicate House of Blue diamond tiara in Scottie’s updo, pairing it with a sapphire pendant and earrings from her mother’s personal collection.
“They were my grandmother’s,” Kate said, her voice soft when she settled the necklace on Scottie. “One day, they will be yours.”
Kate’s declaration awakened something in Scottie. The truth of who she was and perhaps, who she’d always been.
Last night, the family had dined with a changed Hamish Fickle, his parents, and sister. He arrived at the dinner clothed in gratitude.
Queen Catherine of Lauchtenland changed the fate and history of the Fickle family with her wisdom, embracing the truth and correcting wrongs.
While they lingered for hours over an eight-course meal, Dad called twice. By the time Scottie noticed, she was falling into bed, exhausted.
She awoke late this morning, hurrying off to brunch with the family, melting like butter in the hot Tennessee sun when Gus’s daughter, little Princess Mathilde, spotted her and ran into her arms singing, “Auntie.”
Brunch led to a walk along the cliffs with John and Gemma, Gus and Daffy, Kate and Edric, while the kids napped.
They arrived back at the castle in time to change for tea with arriving guests, dignitaries, and extended family.
Cell reception was horrible by the sea at times, and Scottie missed another call from Hearts Bend.
She was stepping into her gown with Choko’s help when her phone had chimed from her bedroom. The maid stocking clean towels and refilling bath salts appeared in the doorway.
“The caller ID says Dad. Shall I answer?”
No. But while Choko styled her hair, Scottie had shot off a quick text.
Scottie: Hey, sorry to miss your calls. It’s been a crazy few days. I’m off to the Rose Ball. Call you tomorrow? Even better, I’ll come on the day after and talk to you face-to-face. I have lots to tell you. Love you.
Dad: Have fun at the ball but call when you can, please.
Now she walked into the ballroom with her heart and soul full. Where to begin her story of time in Lauchtenland? Perhaps with this moment right here, right now.
A sentry of ten thousand candles and lamps created the ambiance through which stringed music flowed, the genius notes of Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and Beethoven.
Men dressed in white-tie and polished shoes, their hair coiffed into place, their jaws shaven or beards trimmed, some with medals on their chests, others with sashes, watched as the women paraded in from the north side of the ballroom.
Their eyes were sincerely delighted at the sight of such beautiful women in their flowing gowns, hair swept away from their glowing faces.
The Kongelig Herrer stood on the mezzanine, surrounding the royal Family as they gathered. Below the doors to Whistlecrag Bluff and the old portico stood open letting in the fragrance of the sea and the perfume of summer fauna.
Scottie leaned against the mezzanine railing and scanned the faces of the security team dressed in dark tuxedos and milling about, casually inspecting the guests. She looked for Michael and the face she was beginning to see in her sleep.
“It’s pretty spectacular, isn’t it?”
Scottie turned to see Gemma approaching. “Otherworldly,” she said.
Gemma wore a pale blue dress with a silver underlay, fitted bodice, and wide skirt, her long hair swept away from her face, a diamond pendant around her neck and teardrops dangling from her ears.
A warm affinity filled Scottie. She and Gemma were more than sisters-in-law, they were hometown sisters.
“Can you imagine ole Hooley in white-tie trying to dance a waltz?” Gemma said. “I’m sure he’d insist on bringing his bullhorn to organize everyone.”
Scottie laughed. Hooley ran the three-legged race every year at the Scott farm’s Fourth of July bash, and he was as fun as he was militant. “Or Jeb Kornowsky who always has a critter or two in his pockets.”
In his early seventies, Jeb grew up running through the woods and canoeing up and down the Cumberland. Never met a creature he didn’t like.
Gemma laughed softly. “Remember the time he came to the barn dance with a snake?”
“Which got away. You never heard so much screaming,” Scottie said. “Most of it from me.”
I’m glad you’re here.” Gemma slipped her arm through Scottie’s.
“You bring home to me. Even more, you brought peace to us—John and me, Imani and our little prince, Max. Knowing you were with the queen allowed John to unplug and relax, even heal from the attempt on his life. He’d randomly declare, ‘I’m so glad Scottie’s with Mum.
I don’t have to worry.’ Same with Gus and Edric.
” She gave Scottie a squeeze. “And me. I needed the holiday for our family.”
“Believe it or not, Gemma, I needed to be here. I just didn’t know it.
I resisted being a Blue for the first year after the news got out.
I didn’t even want to think about it. Then John showed up with an invitation from the queen, which I could’ve resisted until you fell in love with him and begged me to go with you to meet Kate. ”
“I like to think everything worked out for our good. I know it’s a lot to take in, Scottie,” Gemma said.
“It’s one thing to learn your dead mother was alive but even more to discover she was a living queen.
” She nodded toward a tall, stunning and regal-looking woman who passed by, heading toward Kate and Edric.
“Have you met Princess Corina from Brighton Kingdom? She’s another piece of home in these North Sea Island Nations.
She grew up in Georgia. Oh Scottie, is there any possibility of you, well, staying? Or at least visiting more often?”
“Stay?” Yes, a thousand times yes. She loved Michael, but was it enough to break her promise to Dad? “Gemma, you know what’s on my shoulders with O’Shay Shirts. But I’ll do all I can to fly over more. If I contract with Eloise Ltd., I’ll have to come back.”
“Then that will do,” Gemma said. “Tell me, how was your time with Mum the queen?”
“Amazing. When Cap broke up with me, all I wanted was to talk to Kate. It was the first time I truly felt like she was my mother.”
“She loves you very much. The boys tease her, saying you’re her favorite. But they don’t mind. You were the revelation that added a piece to the puzzle they never knew was missing.”
“Same for me, and now I’m in this room that’s like something from two hundred years ago. Eighteen twenty-five or eighteen forty. Before the hoop skirt.”
Gemma agreed with a sighing laugh. “Maybe that’s what this ball is about. For us to step into another time and remember the splendor of days gone by.”
“As well as the ills,” Scottie said. “Every century, every decade, every year—shoot, every day—comes with some sort of injustice or backward thinking along with the good, the progress, the advancements.”
“John told me about what you and Michael did for MP Fickle, Scottie. He was convicted by your actions. He could’ve done the same thing—gone to see Fickle—but never bothered.”
“Except I stepped out of line, Gemma. I’m darn lucky it worked out. But after being caught up in that RECO mob, I sort of felt like I had nothing to lose.”
“You showed MP Fickle the Family cares about understanding the ideologies that differ from theirs. They want to hear the voice of the people. John’s talking with his team about a citizen council to open critical dialogue between the palace and political opponents.”
“What’s going on here?” John approached, champagne flutes in hand. “Call the Kongelig Herrer. I smell a conspiracy.” He leaned to kiss his wife.
“A conspiracy to keep the Rose Ball going forever and ever,” Scottie said with a glance at Gemma.
“It is rather magical, isn’t it?” John handed Gemma and Scottie the flutes of bubbly.
“Speaking of magic.” He nodded toward a dark-headed gentleman in uniform, medals decorating his chest, and moving head and shoulders through the dancers.
“I think he’s looking for you. Gemma, darling, is that love in his eyes? ”
“Why, John, you’re so clever. I believe it is.”
“Hush, you two. Mr. Cross is my equerry and protection officer. He’s on duty tonight.”
“Notice, Gemma darling, she did not deny the magic?” John took his wife’s hand. “Come on, we’ve a night together without our little crown prince. I want to hold you in my arms and dance all night.”
Below the mezzanine, couples swayed together, hands clasped over their heads in the folk dance S?lvkring, the Silver Circle.
It was slow and romantic, like Ildys, but with a sense of purpose.
The men turned the women away from them, hands still clasped, and stomped.
The women moved back to their sides then out again and stomped.
Then they box stepped to the next position, where the movements began again.
Kate and Edric joined the floor. The queen was strong tonight, the lost hope gone from her eyes. Day by day, her pain lessened. At the moment, she was openly kissing her husband as he roped her to him, encompassing her with both arms.
Scottie shifted her gaze away, feeling as if she were spying on a private moment. But there was Gus and Daffy, also kissing, and Princess Corina and her husband, Prince Stephen.
“Lady Royal,” Michael said with a nod and sly grin.
“Officer Cross. On duty, I see?”
“Yes, I have a very special charge.” He lifted one of the tendrils of hair around her neck with the crook of his finger. “I can’t take my eyes off of her.”
His touched grazed her skin, causing her to shiver. “I’m sure she considers you handsome and sexy with your dark hair and deep-set eyes and row of medals on your chest.”