After accepting the congratulations and false smiles of several ambassadors, including the wily Haviettenese one, William returned to the high table and took his seat next to the most beautiful girl in the room. She was sitting straight and tall in her chair, but William could tell she was ill at ease with being the evening's centre of attention.
Camilla's fragile appearance worried him. He wondered if she was struggling to process the rapid change of events of the last several days. Counting back quickly, William realised, to his astonishment, that it had only been a week since he had stumbled on Camilla and her ladies bathing in the creek. They hadn't even been on speaking terms then and now they were betrothed.
Lord, I hope I can make her happy, he thought to himself. I hope I can be a good husband.
