"Fantastique!" She smiled and then gracefully gathered her skirts before walking out the door. "One moment, girls, I shall be back to pick out your jewellery, ma chérie ." The maid who just came in exited with her.
"George." She made her way to the parlour where her husband was seated, a servant helping him take off his coat. "You are back, mon amour."
"Yes, I am dearest." The Lord gave a warm smile to his wife.
"And how did your meeting go?" She sat next to him.
"It went well. My purpose for going was accomplished." George took her hands in his, drawing circles with his thumb over her palm.
"That is very good to hear." She replied.
"Oh, and Annalise, where is she anyway?" He looked around for his daughter.
"I am here, papa," Antoinette and George look up to see their daughter descending the stairs almost angelically. The ostrich feathers in her hair gave her a regal look, and the train of her ivory silk dress cascaded down behind her with every step she took.
Antoinette sprang up, immediately waiting at the base of the stairs as Annalise made her way down.
"My my, my dear, you look breathtaking." Her papa said as he stood up slowly.
"Oui breathtaking," Antoinette repeated with tears in her eyes. She inspected her look delicately, treating her like a fragile porcelain doll that needed to be handled with care.
"Annalise," George called.
"Yes, papa?" She answered.
"Step into my study." He walked toward Annalise, taking her hand and leading her away from everyone in the room.
Antoinette gave him a puzzling look, but his eyes conveyed that they would be back soon. They reached George's study quickly, and he shut the door behind them once they were inside. He motioned for her to sit across from him before doing the same.
"Is everything all right, papa.?" Her baby blue eyes questioned. She wondered what this closed-door meeting would be about.
"Yes, my dear, everything is all right." He gave her a warm smile. "I am not going to bore you into how special today is. I suspect your mother has done more than enough already." He chuckled, and she laughed because it was true.
Antoinette had been preparing her for this moment her entire life. "She's a very spirited woman, that one." He smiled and fell into a short reminisce. "But I will say this. I am proud of the woman you have become and more proud to have you as my daughter. I love you very much."
Annalise knew that George meant everything he said. "And I love you deeply, papa."
George smiled once more. "Anyway, I wanted to give you this." He revealed a bejewelled box from under his table. "It belonged to my mother."
Her eyes shone as he brought out a stunning set, a diamond necklace with matching earrings. "And I would like you to have it. Please wear it on this special day."
"Oh, papa." She stood to hug him. "It is beautiful."
"Turn around." He said, carefully placing it on her neck and clipping the earrings. "Perfect. Annalise, you look perfect." He said with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you, papa." She replied, overcome with emotion.
"Oh, before I forget." He handed her a small jar of cookies. "I managed to slip this past your mother." He whispered even though they were the only ones in the room. "Have some quickly and be on your way."
Annalise's smile grew wider. "And Annalise, try not to give your mother a hard time."
"I will try, but no promises." She gave her father a mischievous smile before hugging him tightly and kissing him on his cheek.
"Now off you go, my dear."