Page 144 of Duchess Material

He smiled and squeezed her knee. “I love you, Nat. I also secretly love weddings even if I don’t love you at weddings?”

Natalie looked at him, surprised.

“You are constantly busy with people and I’m always two steps behind. You’re exhausting. I love you, but I want to see you more, my love.”

Lucy smiled at him. “I love you, Ed. I’m also a live wire. You will learn to keep up. I promise.”

The organ played. Everyone stood as the bridal party proceeded down the aisle. Flower girls skipped and page boys followed as Sheena came down the aisle, followed by Lucy and Nina, both playing ladies-in-waiting. Sheena’s father was in tears. Sheena looked beautiful in a big white dress topped with the same tiara that her mother-in-law wore on her wedding day to Gerry’s father. It had been a gift from Natalie’s grandmother to Rita. The marriage may not have lasted, but the Duchess still wore the piece frequently. It was impressive and altogether too much for the venue. However, when a normie married into the aristocracy, things got a bit mad.

“It’s a beautiful dress,” Kiersten said. “She looks magical.”

Sheena did. She was stunning. Gerry folded her veil back, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Sheena wiped a couple of tears, and the vicar began. The ceremony was sweet. It was slightly different from the English version, but a wedding was a wedding. There were vows, rings, and readings. Natalie agreed to do one. She read from a passage in Song of Solomon Sheena requested. It was the passage she had originally tasked Paul with, but he couldn’t get through it without getting all odd. Paul, though affable, didn’t like making speeches. This late change had required a re-printing of the program insert. Their planner no doubt wanted to throttle Paul.

The minister soon pronounced them husband and wife and they left the church. Everyone stood, happy for them. A crowd gathered outside the Parish church to gawk, along with photographers. No, this was not a royal wedding, but it was the biggest thing the small village saw in years. And, for royal watchers, it was a treat. Gerry’s godfather was King Robert. There was bound to be an appearance. As per usual, it was not The King they were after. Instead, the calls of the most beloved member of the family were to Natalie’s mother.

Natalie and Ed slid into a car to ride back to the reception, going with Patrick and Charlotte.

“Do you think your father ever minds she’s the popular one?” Ed asked.

“No. He is my mother’s greatest fan. He’s also happy to have a moment’s peace when he can.”

“Would it bother you if Ed was the popular one?” Patrick asked as he clipped Charlotte into her car seat.

“I would welcome it. We all know he’s the gorgeous one. We can appreciate it—even I can.”

Ed shook his head and Patrick let out a hearty laugh.

“He doesn’t want to be objectified, Natalie. He’s mad now.”

“Oh, he’s so abused,” Natalie pat Ed on the cheek. He turned away playfully before grabbing her hand and kissing it.

“You moon over me.”

“I love you,” Natalie said. “I fancy you and love you so much. Take the compliment. I could have had any man of my choosing. Well, any man who would put up with this. Which, if we are being honest, thins the pool a bit.”

“You’re so humble, baby.” Ed shook his head.

She batted her eyelashes playfully. “I love you and your baggage, and you love me and my baggage. It all works out.”

Patrick let out a long sigh. “Ain’t that the truth.”

“Oh, trouble with Georgie?” Natalie asked.

“No, I love him so much. It’s not that. He’s wonderful most of the time. The thing with Lucy is infuriating but he will calm down someday. No, it’s more all of this and realising we’re a part of all of this. It’s not your family. You all love Charlotte like your own. She has three sets of grandparents who adore her. I hope that’s enough to make up for her mother’s disregard. Nah. It’s just a little crazy. You look out and see people waiting outside to demand a wave or a handshake from one of you. It doesn’t square with the people I know and love.”

“There’s the public and the private,” Ed said. “It takes a lot of getting used to.”

“Do you ever think you’d move back?” Natalie asked Patrick. “If not, I wouldn’t really worry about it too much.”

“I don’t know. Part of me wants to. I liked it here. Part of me knows everyone is still angry at George and I worry how that would affect Charlotte. We have a nice life at home. Paul benefits from being out of the spotlight, too. He’s growing up a bit. It makes me sad we aren’t closer to you all.”

“There are planes,” Natalie told him. “Who doesn’t love a plane?”

Ed rolled his eyes. “Oh, here we go!”

“What?!”

“I would love to go an entire day and see you restrain yourself with the plane talk,” Ed said. “It’s impossible.”

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