A/N: My second FF story- This is a historical FF based on mostly Chair with some other GG characters thrown in. I would like to provide a disclaimer at once that I have not really researched much on this story and hence many facts may be wrong. I have invented names of certain areas and moved some places across the globe to accommodate my story.
Here is the prologue- Let me know if I should continue it or shelve it?
…
The darling little estate Herrington was sparkling in its full glory. Its beauty was renowned in all of England but today the estate would have astonished the grandest of praises. The countryside was covered in the first flush of spring and the dwindling paths had been decorated with huge carnations of white and pink. Golden lamps blinked at the passing carriages and flower strewn maneuver brought the first view of Waldorf-Astoria- the beautiful mansion of Lord Harold Edward Pillius Waldorf and his gracious wife Lady Eleanor.
The mansion's décor matched the expectations of the masses of distinguished guests arriving and even astounded some of them. Clearly Lord Waldorf had not left a stone unturned to make the day as beautiful as possible. It was the wedding of his only beloved daughter-the heiress to the distinguished house of Waldorf-Astoria and the estate of Herrington-Blair Cornelia lady was generally spoken of as a virtuous, polite and traditional young woman- a ripe catch for many young men. They were all thwarted before they even attempted to captivate her as Ms. Waldorf had been betrothed to Nathaniel Archibald since the age of ten.
However, as a mere formality she came out last with the notorious Ms. Van der Woodson whose scandalous exploits provided weekly entertainment for many bored elderly ladies. The said Ms. Van der Woodson was now running amok in a sunshine yellow gown with sparkling beads as a low-cut neckline.
"Serena- oh thank the lord- I finally managed to locate you. Mother has grown frantic and Blair was asking for you too" said an impish blonde teenage boy. He stopped as he saw that they had an audience.
"Mr. Humphrey- I –I was not expecting to see you here" Eric Van der Woodson said, eyeing his dark haired lawyer.
The man bowed and gave him a grim smile.
"I merely had some business to talk to Ms. Van der Woodson about. I am sorry if I startled you, my lord"
Eric glanced at his sister, wondering what new ruckus she was creating when she suddenly spoke up.
"Let's go Eric- I am done talking with Mr. Humphrey" she said, pulling him away from there.
Eric shook his head.
"Serena what business did you have with him?"
Serena rounded on him
"Why do you ask?"
Eric shrugged
"I was merely curious as to what business you have with my lawyer"
Serena gave a snort but it came out as a muffled sob: "You may have inherited father's title but I am still older than you"
"Serena..." he began patiently
"..I can do whatever I please. You do not own my life, Lord Van der Woodson" Serena ranted " It seems like everyone has made it a profession to come interfere in my life- like I have no say in it- like my life is made to led by everyone but me..It is as if..."
He would have lost his temper if he had not noticed the desperation in her tone which steadily rose as her rant progressed. He caught her arms and made her sit down. It would do no good to take his unsteady sister back to a hall filled with wedding guests- It would harm her already fragile reputation. He wished he could get Blair to handle Serena now but it would be improper to march up to her demanding her attention moments before she wed the Archibald heir.
"This is about your engagement to Lord Rose?" he asked calmly
Serena laughed wildly
"Engagement? You mean sale..."
Eric shook his head
"You think this is about wealth,Serena?He may be a wealthy man but he is also a perfect gentleman- He is considered quite a catch and you should consider yourself lucky that he chose you.."
"I didn't want him to choose me and I mostly certainly didn't want mother to engage me to him without my consent" she said, staring at granite building
Eric swallowed hard: "It might not seem so presently but she is thinking of your best interests" He changed his tone and spoke sternly "Now what escape route were you planning with my lawyer, Serena? Please tell me you did not petition to the court saying the engagement was non-consensual or something equally scandalous as that. Not only it would be worthless – it would effectively ruin whatever reputation we managed to preserve"
Serena stared at him with glassy eyes for a moment before she said: "Sometimes I wish my little brother never grew up." She swallowed hard "Do not worry whatever escape I was planning- it didn't work."
With that she burst into tears. Eric sat next to her wishing he knew how to console her.
"Serena..." he began after a pause
But she looked up and shook her head
"Not today Eric- It's my best friend's wedding and I must go find Blair"
With that she left leaving Lord Van der Woodson wishing for his father to be alive or for an attentive mother- or a magical solution which could make his sister happy.
…
You will the most beautiful bride ever
That was the first thing Nathaniel Archibald had told her and she had believed him. Today she will be his bride and hence she needed to perfect. Standing in front of the mirror Ms. Waldorf eyed herself critically. She was dressed in a full-length white gown embroidered with white lace and pearls in the blouse. The hem was embedded with tiny solitaries. Her hair was braided up and her dark eyes sparkled underneath the veil with anticipation.
She looked like a princess- Her gown was made on the lines of the bridal wear of Princess Adriana when she wed the Prince of Wales last summer but it was a tad more traditional. Blair had lived life as a princess and dreamt of being a princess but she settled for being Lady Archibald of Hertfordshire quite happily. Nathaniel was handsome, polite and a true gentleman. He was also one of her oldest friend and her betrothed for almost nine years now.
"I do not believe this" announced the whiny voice of Isabel
Blair looked up watching the excitement on her face as she sat down next to Penelope and Charlotte and squeaked excitedly: "Prince Edward has graced the occasion. I just saw the royal procession. I did not know that His Royal Highness would come"
Blair smiled as she saw the quirk of jealousy and excitement on her friends' faces.
"The king is very fond of my father and Prince Edward dotes on me. It is only natural that he would show up" she said patiently
Penelope's mouth dropped open: "You always said that Blair. However never in my life have I seen the royal family attend a wedding"
Blair smiled sweetly "Maybe you should start acquainting yourself with prominent families, Penelope. My wedding would be a fine place to start. I assure you only the classy families of England and Europe are here today to celebrate my happiness"
Penelope flushed an ugly purple but then plunged on: "I actually saw Lord Bass when I was coming up"
Blair flushed and Penelope continued triumphantly: "And not only that I saw his son strutting around as well"
There was a gasp as the ladies started speaking in whispers: "The notorious Bass heir"
"The Chuck Bass?-" Isabel said wide-eyed
Blair grimaced, feeling slightly annoyed with Nate. She had requested him not to invite Charles Bass to their wedding but he had been firm. Nate had an unexplainable friendship with the notorious Chuck Bass but Blair did not understand the need to invite him even though he may be Nate's best friend.
Lord Charles William Bart Bass, more commonly known as the Chuck Bass, was the only the man who represented every vice imaginable. He was known to be a raging alcoholic – a wild man who was a famous rake and they said that he trapped unwilling women in the dungeons of the Bass Manor and did unimaginable things to them. He was the society most whispered about and scorned heir- Most people would like to strike off as outcasts but the unbelievable wealth and fortune of Lord Bass made them re-consider. Blair Waldorf wanted them struck out- whether they were unbelievably wealthy or not. It seemed that her fiancé has disrespected her wishes.
She did not join the scandalous gossip that the ladies started whispering about and the sight of Penelope's smug smirk made her want to scream at Nate- But she pasted a smile on her face-it was her wedding day and nothing shouldn't mar it.
Not a stupid smirk- Not Penelope or Chuck Bass.
….
Nathaniel Archibald was standing at the entrance staring out at the arriving carriages. It was the foyer that he first met his bride-to-be and he immediately liked her sweet smile and her polite curtsy. As the years passed he realized that Blair Waldorf was much more than the ever-polite persona she adopted. One thing he knew was that she was a perfectionist and their wedding day would be the epitome of perfection. He looked around and saw nothing that could doubt the validity of that pronouncement.
It was exactly as she had dreamed of-He could imagine her walking in her dream wedding gown and smiling at him as she took him for life. Suddenly a different vision intruded his mind- masses of golden hair shining like sunshine and a smile that charmed all-She wouldn't be dressed in white-No she won't- she would choose something decidedly improper to wear on her wedding day-She would not pretend for anyone- She would just be Serena.
As soon as the image intruded the longing that he subdued within himself for years flared inside him. It was impossible-Not only was he betrothed to Blair, Serena was Blair's bosom friend- He could not ever hurt Blair as such even though Serena captured his mind very frequently. He remembered the stolen glances and secret smiles-
He shook his head. He needed to get a hold of himself- Today was his wedding and from today onwards he needed to ensure that he never betrayed Blair-not even in his thoughts.
"You look as melancholy as only the groom should, Nathaniel"
Nate turned around and grinned. Chuck Bass stood smirking at him.
"You came? I thought you hate mingling with the society" Nathaniel said
"Now that isn't really true, is it Nathaniel?" Chuck asked raising his eyebrows
Nate laughed
"I meant polite society"
He quickly smoothed his face into a polite expression when Lord Bart Bass appeared at his side.
"I see that His Royal Highness himself is attending the wedding" he said in an awed voice "I must congratulate you on an excellent match"
Nate thanked him and Bart gave him an approving nod before turning to his son "Charles, come meet Viscount Grimalkin"
Chuck gave him a disgusted look before he followed his father. It was then he saw her and she rushed past the guests quickly. She looked beautiful as always-Her golden hair let down and a gorgeous yellow gown accentuating her stunning figure. However what caught his attention was the way her shoulders were bent as though she was crying.
He quickly excused himself and followed Serena, his heart beating rather fast. He saw her entering the alcove and he followed her. She was hunched on the corner of the room and when he closed the door she started.
She turned and he saw that her cheeks were trailed with tears and her eyes brimming with fresh ones. Without thinking he moved towards her and held her arms
"Serena- what's wrong? What happened?"
She stared at him for a moment and then collapsed in his arms sobbing. He was taken aback as she sobbed on his chest clinging onto his shirt. He had dreamed of holding her so many times and now that she was here-he couldn't bring himself to hug her back.
"Oh Natey" she hiccupped
"What is it Serena? Tell me please" he begged "Please tell me what happened-why are you crying?"
"Why am I crying? I am crying for my heart is breaking..." she said looking at him with her brilliant blue eyes. He felt his heart breaking as she spoke
"I am crying because my mother engaged me to Lord Rose and..."She said wiping her eyes.
His heart froze-She was engaged to Lord Rose- She will marry him and she will bear his children. Suddenly Nate couldn't breathe- not function properly. It shouldn't matter to him who she will marry but it did-
"I am crying because I have to marry him and he is not the one I love" She pressed her head against his chest while she said that
"You love someone?" Nate asked his throat dry
She looked up at him and a sob escaped her: "I could never tell...me- I…It was always from the sidelines, from the shadows – in secret-But I do love...But my love is not recipocrated"
His heart clenched. His love had been from the sidelines too- He never told her but he now knew that she felt the same way...that she felt the same stirrings that he had.
"Why do you think it is not reciprocated?" he asked
"It is proved today..." she said pressing a hand on her mouth. He had the urge to curse loudly. It pained him to see her ache but what could he do? He had familial obligations and he had his promises to Blair to be fulfilled but they all paled as he saw the pain in her eyes- the pain clenching his heart. If he was always in love with someone else how could he make Blair happy?
He was ruining three lives by following the dictates of his family
He cupped her face
"You do not want the wedding..."he began but she cut him across
"No- God no"
"Then it would not happen" he said firmly "Go to my house in Grosvenor Street and wait for me. I will sort this out"
She pulled back
"No –Nate- No- This is your wedding day –I couldn't ask you to..."
"You are not asking anything of me...I am doing this on my now" he said staring into her eyes
She looked down
"I cannot- Blair..."
He shook his head feeling a pang in his heart.
"Blair will be hurt now but she will understand one day"
There was a silence as they both stared at each other and then she nodded.
…