Page 48 of The English Queen

“I’m just glad you were able to see someone. I am sure it will get better, Vanora. You’re strong.”

“It’s a season,” Rita said. “As all of them are. It will improve, Vanora. It will get better. I promise you that much, love. It always does.”

Vanna nodded, “Thank you all for being patient with me. I know your wedding is happening and I’m a downer.”

“Family is important to me,” Bruno said. “You’re Rita’s family so you’re my family. Family does the right thing. Weddings are a blip compared to the life we’re going to lead.”

“It’s true,” Robbie said. “That will serve you well when the tiny human arrives. It’s all a blip. Get used to one thing and it all changes. Life is a ride. It’s all we can do.”

After Sabine and Bruno left, Vanna handed Robbie a note.

“This came this morning,” she said.

“What?”

He looked down to see a note on his mother’s stationary.

“Just read it.”

Robbie read over the short note.

Vanora,

I am beyond appalled by my own behaviour. I know you’re cross with me, and you have every right to be. I should never have said the things about you I did. Also, as you have pointed out before, I’m not saying this just to avoid retribution because I got caught. The things I said were dreadful.

I have been at odds with you since the day I met you. It’s unfair. I don’t know why I feel this way. I think I’ve always been a fair bit jealous of you. People always love you from the minute they meet you. They want to be around you. I never had that ability to connect with people. We will never be friends, as you have said, but I want you to know I am sorry. You are a good mother. You are a good wife. People adore you. The things I said were unkind and wrong. Please do not take them to heart. I am no longer going to intervene. I have to trust you have the country’s best interest in mind, along with Robert.

I call a truce,

Margaux

Robbie looked over at his wife, confused.

“She sent it early this morning before you ever spoke with her, Robbie. It’s the most stunning admission she’s ever made. She didn’t ask for anything. Wild.”

“She’s losing her mind, baby.” Robbie scratched his head. “I never know who I will meet. Nor does Pappa, I guess. No more driving, no more speaking to the media, and she’s resting. I am sorry you may have been the last straw, my love.”

“It’s okay,” Vanna said. “This is strange. I felt lighter after reading this. It was strangely validating.”

Robbie kissed the top of her head.

The Viscount

For Immediate Release-

Today, Lady Mairead Ferguson, Countess of Lauderdale, will marry Mr. Bruno Sanchez at Marylebone Guildhall, officiated by the registrar. They will be known from this day as Countess and Viscount of Lauderdale. Attending the small ceremony at the guildhall will be the parents of the bride and groom, the sons of the bride, and close friends and cousins which include The Prince and Princess of Wales, The Duke and Duchess of York, and the Earl and Countess of Sussex who were married earlier this year in Windsor.

The Countess will wear a silk crepe dress by London designer, Galvan, to the ceremony. The tiara she will wear for this ceremony is a bandeau she received for her eighteenth birthday, worn as a hair ornament. The bride will also wear a mantilla veil, handmade with lace in the groom’s home country of Mexico. A reception will take place tomorrow night at London’s No-Mad for guests from home and abroad, as the groom’s family live primarily in Mexico and Switzerland. The Countess will don a dress made by Mexican American brand Illusion for the reception along with a ruby scroll tiara gifted to her by the groom. These events are private occasions.

?????

Rita looked in the mirror the morning of her wedding day to Bruno. The hair and makeup team surrounded her, stepping back to unveil their work and take in what they had done. Rita was a blank, porcelain canvas but they turned her into a work of art in a few hours’ time. It was late morning. She and Bruno, along with the boys, would soon head to the registry office. It was calm, relaxed, and felt like any other Friday. The photographer had been there, too, capturing glances of the quiet morning like a fly on the wall. A second shooter would be there for the ceremony, the dinner with parents and immediate family, and the big celebration tomorrow. Still, it felt intimate, the photographer almost invisible.

It was a simple morning. Rita wanted time to sit quietly for hair and makeup, change into her dress, and have a “first look” with the boys and, later, Bruno. She relished the time. It was a special day and she wanted them to know that no matter what, she would always love them. They’d had a breakfast with Bruno. If everything went to plan, the menfolk were all dressed. Bruno was insistent everyone have a job. Winston was charged with carrying the rings. They were buttoned in a pocket in his little jacket.

Rita’s boys entered to greet her first. Big hugs and tears abounded–mostly from Rita. However, Winston did get a bit bleary-eyed.

“You look lovely, Mummy,” he said, sweetly.

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