Monarchy (9 page)

Tears ran over Gwen’s face. “Was leaving the palace to find myself such a big sin?”

“Only if yourself didn’t need finding” the Queen said softly.

“I didn’t know who I was back then.”

“And do you know who you are now?”

Gwen felt a little irritated at the Queen’s philosophic answers.
 
Her mother reached over and pulled open the bedside drawer.
 
She handed Gwen a book. “I’ve been meaning to give you this, years ago.”

Gwen recognized the title and laughed. “King Arthur…I actually read this on the recommendation of a friend in Britain.”

“That’s a first print. You’ll see that its rubber printed and that there are still ink blotches here and there. It used to be my favorite but the ending was somewhat disappointing.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Gwen’s mind started to clear.
 
“I have a meeting with the King, so you’ll have to excuse me.” Gwen got up from the bed. “Thank you for the talk, the book and the roses” she said and kissed the Queen on her forehead. “Don’t worry; I won’t betray the King like my namesake did.” she whispered.

“Princess Guinevere.” Dame Margaret rubbed her hands like a greedy rat when Gwen entered the office.

“Father. Dame Margaret” Gwen greeted.

“I’m going to jump right in and say it. I am really mad at you this morning” the King said folding his hands on the table.

“I reckoned you’d be and that’s why I’m here. I first want to express my disappointment that you for one went on to believe the word of a cheap tabloid magazine before hearing my side of the story.”

“It’s a picture that says a thousand words, Your Highness” the dame said.

“You really never kissed a girl, Dame Margaret? Not even your mother?” Gwen asked still looking at the King. “It may seem like a steamy embrace on the photo but it was only a friendly New Year’s kiss I shared with a girl I didn’t even know.”

The King leaned back in his chair and kept listening to Gwen’s explanation.

“I never had any kind of relationship with her after that and I’m assuming that she must’ve been paid well for her tale. Money, I hope, she’ll be spending wisely” she glared sideways at the dame.

“Well, it doesn’t look good in any case.” The dame waved her hand around as though she was trying to swat and invisible fly. “Here we have a very impromptu article about a 20-something, rough cut princess who has never been romantically linked to a gentleman….”

“Just because I don’t share the fine details of my love life with the rest of the world, doesn’t mean I don’t have one.”

“I haven’t heard you denying the lesbian accusation, yet?” the King said.

“Do tread carefully, Father.
 
That’s a very dangerous debate to enter. Hinting that you might be homophobic isn’t good for our image at all but no, I’m just a young independent woman that doesn’t like the idea of a chivalrous knight serenading her under her window. I’d rather be his friend first and treasure the relationship as it grows.”

Dame Margaret remained silent in the corner, waiting, expectantly, for her promised answer.

The King had a naughty twinkle in his eye. “Have you found that knight yet?” he asked.

“For now, most of the knights are just pursuing, how do mother call them, ‘damsels in distress’.
 
I’m still waiting for him to grow tired of them” Gwen said with a wink.

“Well, that’s that then. We’ll just let this story die a quiet death.
 
I’ll be off to breakfast in bed then. I’m ravished” the King said. “Oh, and Gwen, I want to remind you that the Earl of Struce’s memorial is tomorrow.
 
Please see to it that you and the stylist remain on the same page.
 
We don’t need a repeat of last time’s outing. Dame Margaret, care to join me and the Queen?”

“Excuse me, father, but if it’s no trouble I would like to have a word with her ladyship in private first.”

“Certainly” he said surprised.

The King closed the door behind him and for some time Gwen and the dame just stood glancing at each other.

“I’m guessing this means you’re declining the offer?” Dame Margaret said.

“As sharp as a pencil, aren’t you? Though I have come up with few creative ideas of what you could do with the money instead. We should discuss it over tea some time” Gwen kept her voice polite.

“Don’t come crying the day you leave this palace with only the clothes on your back. You can’t talk your way out of every scandal.”

“Therefore you can be sure I’ll be staying far from scandal’s way from now on. That’s unless you invent another one like this morning’s. Only then, I will unmask you for the traitor you are.”

“We’ll see. Off to the King and Queen’s chamber it is for me. Where will you be having breakfast?” the dame taunted.

“Enjoy it and take in as much of the view as you can.
 
Who knows when you’ll be able to see it again?” Gwen called after her.

Chapter 14

Elsie was busy adjusting her dress in the mirror when there was a knock at the door.

“Gwen, time for make-up” she called.

“Thanks, but I already did my own make-up and hair so I won’t be needing assistance” Gwen called from inside the bathroom.
 
Elsie felt a feeling of dread in anticipation of what Gwen might have done to her appearance this time. She sat down in front of her dressing table and the stylist’s assistants wasted no time going to work.

They were about done when the bathroom door opened. Elsie’s jaw dropped. Gwen looked stylish in a tight fitting black pencil jacket and pants. Her hair was combed out of her face and fastened with a diamond clip to the side.
 
She replaced her collection of ear piercings with a pair of dangling silver earrings that glided like a sliver of water down her cheek.

“Can you help me with this?” Gwen was struggling to fasten a diamond tennis bracelet around her wrist and wobbled a bit trying to walk with her high heel sandals.
 
“What?” she asked Elsie who just stared at her.

“Nothing” Elsie lied but she couldn’t hide her amazement. “Sure, let me help you.”

“I’m praying I won’t break my neck in these” Gwen said while Elsie put on the bracelet for her.

“Concentrate on placing your weight on your toes and practice a bit. You’ll do just fine” Elsie advised her.

“Well, I’m all done. Shall I wait for you?”

“No, go ahead. I heard Mother and Father in the garden just now and I’m sure they just can’t wait to see what you’ve whipped up this time.”

“Do I pass the inspection, Grace?” Gwen asked jokingly.

“With merit, Your Highness” Grace replied.

Gwen found her parents sitting on a bench in the garden.

“Who is this?” the King yelled and clap his hands.

Gwen laughed humbly. “Good morning.”

“You look beautiful, my dear” the Queen commented and kissed Gwen on the cheek as she sat down.

“It’s a funeral, mother, not a fashion show. I will say that most of this outfit is unfortunately my stylist taste. I would’ve preferred the support of my boots rather these death traps.”

“Urgh” the King groaned.

“I like the boots” the Queen whispered loud enough for the King to hear.

“Your Majesties” Sir Windsbury bowed behind them. He looked at Gwen and merely gave an impressed nod. “The cars are waiting. You, the Queen and Dame Margaret will be sharing while I’ll be riding with the princesses” he informed the King.

“Very well. Is Elsie done yet?” the King asked.

“Yes, I am” Elsie looked gorgeous herself in a lacey knee length dress with a small hat perched on her head.

“Doesn’t she look pretty?” The Queen awed.

“She does.
Your
Highness” Sir Windsbury agreed and bowed to Elsie.

They proceeded to the cars in front of the palace. Gwen, Elsie and Sir Windsbury took the first car. They drove along the same route they had just over a week ago to Seventh Manor. Rows of chairs had replaced the tables of the party. Black clad guests stood around waiting for the service to begin. They had to wait a few minutes for the King and Queen to arrive before they could get out.

“Forgive my bluntness, but I need to know?” Sir Windsbury suddenly said to Gwen.

“About what?” Elsie asked.

“I said no” Gwen answered looking out the window.

Sir Windsbury breathed a sigh of relief. “You know of course what the old hag’s plan is? She won’t stop trying. I saw the magazine.”

“You don’t strike me as somebody that reads the tabloids” Gwen laughed.

“I saw it on the King’s desk. I didn’t even bother to read. I knew immediately it was nonsense.”

“At least there’s one person that believed in me from the start” Gwen said and Elsie felt that familiar jab of guilt in her ribs.

“Is there something I need to know?” Elsie asked.

“The less you know at this time, Elsie, the better. I will tell you everything in due course.”

Sir Windsbury laughed. “I see. You have a few plans of your own, don’t you?”

Gwen winked at him.

Sir Windsbury excused himself when their parents arrived to have a word with the Countess’ servants.

He then returned to first open the doors for the King and Queen and then for the princesses.

A row of chairs was reserved for them in the front and as soon as they were seated, the Countess and her two daughters entered, holding each other, crying.
 
The minister started the ceremony with a text from the Bible and then read from his notes a short biography of the Earl. His wife and daughters gave the occasional wail and the sounds of sniffs drifted through the other mourners. When it all was done, they got up out of respect and watched the family walk towards the house.

“That’s us one of these days” Gwen said barely audible and the King gave small nod, tenderly taking the Queen’s hand in his.

Inside Seventh Manor only a few people remained to comfort the Countess. The royal family was among them.

“My Lady?”
Gwen knelt in front of the grieving widow and placed her hands sympathetically on her knees.

“Princess Guinevere” the Countess tried very hard to smile. “Where’s the hat?” she joked.

“Where it belongs. Hidden in the deepest corner of my wardrobe” Gwen said. “Please know that my deepest sympathies are with you in this time and if there’s anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to call on me?”

“Thank you” the Lady mouthed.

“And the same goes for you Muriel and Francesca. We should have lunch some time. I’ll have my assistant, Grace, contact you for arrangements.”

Gwen got up and joined the rest of her family.

“Shall we go? Your mother is tired” the King asked.

“Alright with me” Gwen said and they left the house.

“Could I borrow some of your time once we’re back at the palace, Father?” Gwen asked as he got into the car.

“I’m just going to attend to the Queen then I’ll meet you in my office.”

Dame Margaret directed Sir Windsbury to the Kings car and invited herself to the princesses’ company.

“Kneeling in front of a lesser royal?” she reprimanded Gwen as they drove off.

“She’s a woman in mourning. Have a heart” Gwen looked astounded at Dame Margaret.

“It’s unheard of even in death” the dame continued.

Gwen gave Elsie the look she usually would before saying ‘Cover your ears, Princess’
 
but she looked back at Dame Margaret and said: “Could we continue this discussion once we’re back at the palace? Maybe in the presence of His Majesty so that I can get both of your scolding’s at the same time?”