London
Friday night,
Four days passed by very quickly, and soon the sky grew into a darker, deeper shade on that particular Friday night. Lady Grace, Clara and Susan skillfully transformed their mistress into an epitome of beauty once more. Her hair was neatly put up elaborately and crowned with a bejewelled tiara. Antoinette chose for her a light pink dress which had several floral patterns etched on its bodice and also its short train. The dress held a sweet romantic appeal but retained its whimsical appearance. She paired them with simple rose gold jewellery, matching her tiara and the detailed embroidery on her dress.
About half an hour later, Prince Louis arrived. The young prince wished not to appear presumptuous, so instead of going in, he waited for Annalise outside Nirvana Hall. Informed of his arrival, Antoinette escorted her daughter to the house entrance, where the prince patiently awaited. Lady Grace followed behind silently.
They had almost reached the end of the short steps when she noticed something most unusual yet pleasing to her eyes. Prince Louis seemed so smitten and captivated by Annalise that he could not help but stare. His eyes were focused, unblinking, never leaving her as they approached, and she was only drawn out of his trance when they finally reached him. As expected, Annalise noticed nothing or cared very little for his feelings.
"Your highness." Antoinette curtsied, and Annalise followed suit.
"Lady Beacroft." He bowed. "Miss Beacroft." He acknowledged, but she looked away, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Do have a splendid evening." Antoinette smiled. "The Lady Grace here shall be Miss Beacroft's chaperone."
"Of course." The Prince nodded, and Antoinette gave her daughter a goodbye kiss on the cheek. "Behave yourself." She cautioned her with a whisper.
"Shall we?" Prince Louis said to her.
Although a footman was present, he offered his hand to help her climb into the luxurious coach. Annalise ignored his kind gesture and boarded with assistance from Lady Grace. As expected, the ride was tranquil as neither of them endeavoured to converse. The only sounds heard were the shuffling movement of the wheels of the coach and noises which could be heard indistinctly from outside.
A while later, they reached the most famous theatre in town, where people of different social classes gathered to watch the show. Among them, the elite aristocrats were present, some of which she could identify at a glance.
Their coach finally stopped, the doors were opened, and Prince Louis hesitated not to descend the vehicle for a minute. He held out his hand for her again. This time Annalise could not refuse, not out in the open. Not when they were surrounded by people, lest she be a subject of those ugly talk and rumours.
Annalise slipped her hand into his, surprised by its warmth and softness, while plastering a fake smile across her face to the surprise of the prince and the public. She heard their whispers and saw the different expressions of shock on their faces. Mostly it was cheers of approval. Her mama would be proud, she thought. Taking in the different reactions around her, she decided to give the public what they wanted. Not breaking her smile, she looked lovingly into Prince Louis's eyes. The poor lad was taken aback in shock. One moment she detested him so much that she
would not look at him. The next, she was clinging to him for dear life. This was why he would never understand women. Their minds were so complex that it was like trying to find one's way through a maze or a labyrinth. Thankfully he played along, not letting his true feelings show or become too evident to others. After all, he had his reputation and the reputation of the crown to maintain.
They walked hand in hand into the building with Lady Grace following ever so silently behind, and he led her to his box, among the ones reserved for the royal family. Annalise was uneasy yet relieved. She would rather not spend the evening in his box but was more relieved to know she would not be spending the evening in a box with his family. She did not wish for more attention to be drawn to her. Once both of them were seated in the safety of the prince's box, Annalise's smile fell instantly.
Opposite them, just four boxes below were Sir Geoffrey and Lady Alexandra's boxes. On the same line was Sir William's and a box upward, her parent's box, which was still empty. Annalise became fraught with worry. What would other family members think when they saw her in the prince's box? What would her cousins think? And Alice? She dreaded to think of her wrath and fury.
Everyone knew Alice never settled to watch these plays. Her sole aim in gatherings such as these was to socialize and, of course, gossip. Annalise was sure she would be the first to detect her noticeable absence as her parents, who had just recently arrived, filled their seats in their family box.
"I hope you are enjoying the play Miss Beacroft?" Prince Louis asked as the play commenced with dancers' movements which told the story on stage.
"Yes, I am." She replied curtly.
"The princess and the swan has always been my favourite play." He continued.
"I see." Annalise's eyes never left Alice and her extended family.
Prince Louis sighed, "Miss Beacroft..." He sounded frustrated, but Annalise's attention was fixed on Alice, who finally noticed them and stared at her perplexingly. Annalise saw her mouth something to Edward before pointing up at their box. The commotion soon spread, and they all stared at them with their mouths hung open in shock. Then what she dreaded most became the topic of their conversation.
"Your Highness." Annalise was worried. "I feel a bit drowsy. May we take a stroll?"
"Of course." He said with apparent hesitation, but he held out his hand, which she gratefully took. Annalise could not get out of the building fast enough, almost dragging the prince along with her till they were outside on the theatre grounds, and Prince Louis asked. "Are you alright, Miss Beacroft.?"
"Yes, yes, I am." She answered, letting go of his arm and moving away from him.
The prince pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I will have you know, Miss Beacroft, that as difficult as this is for you, it is the same for me."
She spun around and glared at him. "Is that supposed to make me feel any better?"
"No, but perhaps make you more understanding and less selfish. This is not all about you." He said with anger. "I know this courtship is not what you wanted, but the last thing I wanted in a few weeks of being back into town was to be paired with a woman I barely know, a total stranger who detests me with every fibre of her being like I am the one responsible for her fate and circumstance when we are both victims of it."
Annalise was speechless. He did have a point. Prince Louis was not totally to blame for all that had happened. Just like her, he opposed this courtship. Maybe she had been a little too hard on him.
"So why not make this a bit bearable? Could we at least be cordial towards one another and save whatever judgement we might have till we get to know each other?"
Annalise sincerely looked him in the eyes for the first time in the evening. "I will try." She answered.
"Please do ." He smiled and folded his hands behind him as they sauntered around the grounds.
"Other than watching plays, how do you spend your time? I know you share an uncanny interest in plants."
"I would not say uncanny, but I do love to read about them." She made attempts to be open.
"I see." His eyes twinkled with amusement.
"Yes." She said. "And I recall you having a laboratory full of these plants in question."
"Indeed I do."
"Well, I think that is fascinating." She spoke honestly, and they walked together in comfortable silence for a while as people slowly walked past them. The click of their heels sounded against the concrete.
"Miss Beacroft."
"Your Highness?" She faced him.
"As I am made aware of your deep passion for plants, would it interest you to a visit to my conservatory sometime?"
Annalise grinned widely from ear to ear. "I would love to, and it would be a great pleasure."
He looked at her and laughed. "This is the first smile I have gotten from you all evening."