I’m suddenly petrified.
“Don’t cry, Charlotte.” Mother dashes her fingers under her eyes, smiling when Tinsley approaches her and gives her a comforting side hug, as if she’s been a part of our family her entire life.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she,” Tinsley says as she presses her head close to my mother’s, the both of them watching me. “The dress is absolutely gorgeous, Charlotte. Perry is going to be so pleased when he sees you.”
I don’t say anything. Just offer her a small smile as my answer. My hands are shaking as I clutch the bouquet, the heady scent of roses drifting up, filling my senses.
Everyone is ready for the wedding ceremony, including me.
So what are we waiting for? The groom?
Oh God.
What if…what if Perry bailed? On our wedding day? What if he flat-out didn’t show up? No note, no call, just poof.
Gone.
Was it because he couldn’t talk to me? He could be making his own assumptions over what happened. Maybe I’m too much trouble. Too much drama. Too much…
Me.
“Hmm.”
My head snaps up at the sound Caroline makes when she stops to stand beside her daughter, her gaze narrowing as she studies me with that assessing gaze. I start to sweat the longer she looks at me, and I wonder what she sees.
Wonder more if she’s disappointed in her choice of bride for her precious son. Or maybe she knows he’s already left me, and she’s the one who’s going to tell me the wedding has been called off.
Nausea hits me, my stomach swimming. Oh God.
I think I’m going to faint.
“You’re stunning,” she finally proclaims and my shoulders sag with relief at her approval, which is ridiculous.
Only a few moments ago, I believed myself to be a queen, but I was wrong. I’m nothing but a mere princess. A mere lady in waiting when it comes to Caroline Constantine.
“It’s almost time,” the wedding planner announces as she waves her hands toward the door. “Everyone needs to get into their places! Now!”
I forget all about my worry over Perry abandoning me at the altar as we all fall into line and exit the room to wait at the entrance to the gardens. Everyone is ahead of me getting into line with me at the back. My father approaches, his expression stern, yet still handsome in his tuxedo.
“You look lovely,” he offers gruffly as he stands beside me.
“Thank you.” I keep my head bent, trying to fight the emotion that threatens to overtake. I don’t know why I feel the sudden need to cry, but I do. This is an important moment in my life. A day I’ll never forget, for all sorts of reasons.
And for whatever odd reason, I still want my father’s approval. His love.
Even though deep down, I know it’s a complete waste of my time.
“I want you to know…” My father’s voice drifts and my gaze jerks in his direction, watching as he seems to struggle with what to say next. I tighten my arm around his, my lips falling open, ready to ask if he’s all right when he finally speaks once more. “I recognize you’re making a sacrifice with your life. For the family.”
I’m quiet, sensing he needs to say more.
More like Ineedhim to say more. To acknowledge me and what I’m doing for him.
For the Lancasters.
“And while I don’t necessarily approve of Perry Constantine as your husband, I assume he won’t treat you badly. He seems to have—respect for you,” he continues.
His gaze finds mine and I watch him, still not speaking. The wedding planner is releasing people out into the garden. Caroline Constantine is escorted out on the arm of Winston and taken to her seat in the front row before he goes to stand beside Perry as his best man.