Page 86 of Royally Wed
The queen stood still as stone, peering up at the camera situatedabove the sacrarium. For the first time in her life, she was powerless.
“I’m sorry,” Amelia said. “But this is wrong for everyone involved. I can’t do this.Wecan’t. Right?” She lifted a brow at Holden, prompting him to agree.
He glanced toward the third row of seats, where Lady Wentworth had begun quietly sobbing beside her thoroughly confused husband.
Holden took a deep breath and turnedto address the congregation, but before he could utter a word, Gregory Beckett sprinted toward the altar so quickly that his feet nearly slid out from under him. The queen was hot on his heels.
“I advise you most strongly not to say a word.” Gregory’s gaze dripped with disdain as it slid from Holden to Amelia. “Bothof you.”
If he thought he could force her to back down, he was delusional. Thehard part was over. Amelia had spoken up, and there wasn’t a thing Gregory or her mother could do to make her take it back. “Too late. I already said the only word necessary—no.”
“Amelia,” the queen said. But the authority had gone out of her demeanor. Amelia had never seen her mother look quite so human before.
She’s afraid. She’s been afraid all along.
Just like me.
Perhaps they had morein common than Amelia had ever realized.
“There will be consequences if you walk away from this wedding,” Gregory hissed. “I advise you to think long and hard about what you’re saying, young lady.”
Holden took a step toward him. “It’s over, brother. Maybe it’s even for the best. Let it go.”
“Never.” Gregory glared at Amelia.
She shot him her sweetest smile. “Have you forgotten protocol, Mr.Beckett? I’m the princess of England, and you are to address me as Your Royal Highness. Now and forever.”
She held out her fist and opened it to reveal the pocket watch. It flashed gold beneath the overhead chandeliers and lights from the camera crews, showcasing the intertwined initials with dramatic effect.
“Oh, dear.” Holden sighed.
“What is that?” Gregory demanded.
The queen gaped at thewatch. “Amelia, how did you...?”
“It doesn’t matter how. I have it now, and I won’t hesitate to hand it over to any one of the reporters here today.” Amelia looked at her mother and searched her gaze. “This gift meant exactly what I thought it meant. I can’t do this, Mother. I shouldn’t have to.”
“Is this true, Holden? Have you been lying to my daughter all along?” The queen’s voice hadturned to ice.
Holden bowed his head. Defeated.
Over her mother’s shoulder, Amelia could see Lady Wentworth’s hand lift slowly to the pendant around her neck. The older woman had gone white as a sheet.
She needn’t have worried. Amelia wasn’t going to publicly out Holden and Wilhelmina. Not unless she had to. And from the looks of things, it wouldn’t be necessary.
Holden turned toward the archbishop.“The wedding is canceled. We’re sorry.I’msorry.”
“Don’t!” Gregory’s nostrils flared. An angry vein throbbed to life on the side of his neck. He looked as if he might be on the verge of a heart attack, which would be about the only thing that would have upped the drama of the spectacle unfolding. “We had a deal. The Becketts deserve to be close to the throne. The crown is rightfully ours.”
Holden shook his head. “It’s over. If you want to fight that battle, you’re going to have to do it on your own. I gave it my best shot, but I’m finished.” He turned toward Amelia. “May I have my watch back?”
“No.” Amelia held it close to her heart. It was getting easier and easier to say that word.
The queen stepped forward and held out her hand. “Youcan give it to me if you like. I’ll keepit safe. I should have done so before. You have my word this time, daughter.”
Daughter.
Amelia’s breath caught in her throat. She nodded, and as she handed the watch to her mother, tears pricked her eyes. “Here. I trust you. From now on, do you think you can trust me?”
