London
Saturday, 30 April
The first guests to arrive were Sir Geoffrey and his family. George and Antoinette soon followed, and so did other guests. People were ushered into the garden shortly after, and the party started. To Annalise's surprise, the queen and the crown princess were to attend tonight's engagement.
"I know our family is very wealthy and influential, but I am confused as to why Her Majesty the queen would honour this invitation?"
Alice gave Annalise a funny look, not wanting to believe her line of questioning. "Because of the garden." She stated simply.
Annalise furrowed her brows in confusion. "The garden?"
"Yes, the garden. The queen adores ornamental plants. Remember when aunt Helen mentioned a secret unveiling that would happen later tonight?"
"Yes…?"
"Well, she was referring to the bloom of the Titan Arum flower."
Annalise gasped, her hold on Henry, who was about to fall asleep in her arms, slightly loosened. "Are you certain?"
"Yes," Alice said excitedly.
"It blooms every seven to ten years. I have never seen one bloom before. I only read about them, and I certainly did not expect to come across such a wonderful sight tonight." Her eyes glistened with excitement.
"No, no, no, I do not care about some stupid flower. If the queen comes, so might the prince."
How could she compare meeting the prince to watching the Titan Arum flower bloom? Annalise did not care much for the prince. She was confident he would turn out as every pompous, obnoxious and conceited gentleman she had crossed paths week the past few weeks. Men who would place selfish interests or duty over her happiness. Annalise eventually handed Henry to his nanny, for the day's excitement had worn him out. When she returned, the hour for both couples to have their first dance finally came.
The music changed to a slow, soft, romantic one as they moved toward the dance floor. Seeing Josie and Sophie so happy and in love brought a tear to Annalise's eye. It made her wonder if maybe some people did marry for love rather than the arranged and predestined one she was sure would eventually be her fate. After all, George and Antoinette were in love. They married for love. Annalise saw that in how they cared for each other daily. Her uncles, too, seemed content, but what if her happiness lay elsewhere?
A couple of men had already proposed to the young heiress within the past week, and she still had an endless list of gentlemen who signified interest in her with each passing day.
"May I have this dance?" Malachi Shaw, the Duke of Muppleberry, drew her out from her thoughts. She noticed more people on the dance floor, and Alice, who was beside her a moment ago, was nowhere in sight.
He offered her his hand.
"Certainly." She gave him a strained smile yet accepted his hand and was instantly scooped unto the dance floor.
"You look very lovely, Miss Beacroft." He complimented. Her off-the-shoulder navy blue silk dress shimmered in every way the candle lights struck it."
"Thank you, your grace." She replied and thought of what to say to him in return.
Truth be told, the duke was a fine young man. When it came to looks, one must admit he suffered not poorly. He was not lacking. The reverse was the case, as he was immensely blessed in that department. He also had a great sense of style. His attire was pristine, immaculate and of very high quality. His facial hair was neatly cut and trimmed. Overall, he exuded poise and great confidence and had the charisma to charm any man or woman in the room. Well, except for herself.
"My lord looks very good as well."
"But of course," He teased. "How are you enjoying this lovely evening?"
"I was having-am having-what I mean to say is that I am having the most splendid time. It is my cousins' engagement party, after all."
"I am very pleased to hear that." He twirled her one more time, and the duke and Annalise, like the rest of the men and women, exchanged bows and curtsies.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening." He kissed her hand. "I hope you would grant me the privilege of accompanying you to the next dance. Or merely stepping into your shadow or stealing a moment of your time. That would make my evening all the more worthwhile."
"My Lord." Annalise dropped to a curtsy once more, not looking up to him as he left her dumbfounded.
She rose, heading for the food court to get something to drink and pacify her confused mind. Among the chatter of their guests, Annalise opted for some wine, so she picked up a glass and filled it halfway, emptying its content all at once.
While refilling, she saw a variety of pastries and finger food and her mouth watered. Antoinette would never let her have her fill. She had to
sneak treats all the time. Where was she anyway? Annalise had only laid eyes on her once since the evening began.
Annalise was drawn to the treats and was about to make her way over to the aisle flowing with milk and honey. Suddenly someone unexpectedly crashed into her, causing her wine glass to shatter and spill the sanguine-coloured liquid all over the bottom of her dress.
"Oh no, my apologies." The man apologized profusely, dropping to one knee to inspect the mess he had created.
"It is all right. No harm was done. It is just a dress, after all." Annalise said calmly, urging him to rise to his feet.
He refused. "I can get the stain out." He looked up briefly as he reached for his handkerchief.
"Hold on a minute." Her brows furrowed in thought. "You look somewhat familiar. Have we met before?" He raised his gaze to meet hers, and his emerald green eyes held hers for a moment. "Yes, I remember now...you are the royal scientist I met at the palace."
"Oh…Prince Louis!" She heard a high-pitched shriek. It came from Alice although she was at a distance she pointed at the man in front of Annalise.
"Prince Louis?" Annalise was mortified.
"Do not ask me if I am certain." Annalise heard her snap at her fellow comrades.
"What is he doing?" One of her friends asked.
"He seems to be proposing to your cousin." said another.
"Proposing?" Annalise was confused, but then she realized how it looked. The prince, on one knee, reached out for his pocket to get his handkerchief. This was bad, very, very bad.
"This is marvellous news." Antoinette appeared with George from nowhere.
"Yes, marvellous indeed." concurred the queen, who, until this moment, Annalise had not directly crossed paths with. She wanted to explain what had happened and let them know this was a huge misunderstanding, but her entire body was frozen.
Annalise could not bring herself to move nor force her lips to speak. All she felt was the heat. Her palms dripped with sweat, and she felt like all the air in her lungs had been extinguished. Then everything around her began to spiral and spin of their own accord. But before she went down and the world faded into darkness, her last thought was that she never got to the treats she wanted.