My wedding dress was delivered the next day. The seamstress removed it from the garment box and held it up for me, and my hand covered my mouth. I trembled so that I had to sit.
"Are you well, my lady?" Alona asked.
My hand shook as I touched the fabric.
"This is like my mother's dress. Some embellishments here and there," I said, pointing to rows of pearls and other very fine fabrics, "but it is otherwise an exact replica."
"His Majesty showed me a dress," the seamstress said. "He was quite insistent that I tell no one before it was given to you."
"It is beautiful."
She bowed. "Thank you, my lady. Shall we try it on?"
It was an almost perfect fit. A few well-placed pins would take care of it.
I lay in bed that night thinking of how my life turned as it did. I had resigned myself to a fate I did not truly want to accept, until my prince, a true Prince, came to my rescue. Harry was an unexpected joy and comfort, and I would love him always.
Our wedding ceremony was a blur. All I could remember after was Harry's face, and being brought out of my thoughts long enough to say my vows. The way he looked at me as we spoke the words brought tears to my eyes.
The feast afterward was a little better. Harry and I sat at the center of a long table. Though we still had to maintain some propriety, we were able to hold hands and kiss without someone interfering.
Harry pressed his forehead to mine and smiled.
"Are you happy, wife?"
"More than words can express, husband."
He closed his eyes and groaned.
We said goodbye to our guests as they left, then Harry took my hand and led me to his chambers. Warwick was two steps behind.
"Her Majesty's things have been moved into your chambers Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Warwick."
I nearly lost my footing at Warwick calling me such an honorable title, but I didn't object. I was the wife of the King. I was the Queen. The fact that it would be so had never occurred to me. I was only ever interested in becoming Harry's wife.
Once we were alone Harry wrapped his arms around me from behind and kissed my neck.
"Alone at last with my wife."
"Harry?"
"Yes, my love?"
"This dress..."
"Do you like it?"
I turned in his arms. "It is the best wedding gift you could have given me."
"And the best gift you could give to me is to allow me to remove this dress."
I blushed and he smiled. He walked behind me and began to undo the long line of lacing at my back.
"I hope you never stop blushing, my love. I want to keep you so bathed in love and compliments that the rose never leaves your cheeks."
He kissed my neck as he worked, and I sighed. All thought but the feel of Harry's lips and hands left me. His lips trailed after the lacing as he kissed the newly exposed skin down my spine. When the dress was loose enough, he stepped before me again and removed his clothes. My eyes explored his body before he caressed my cheek. He kissed my shoulders as he pushed the dress away and it pooled at my feet.
He sighed at the sight of my petticoat.
"I forgot about your many layers. And here I stand as the day I was born."
I laughed and pulled off the rest of my clothes. Harry scooped me up and put me into bed. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his face in my bosom with a groan.
"I missed this," he said.
The sound of his voice was muffled against my flesh. He mouthed at my breasts, pulling at the flesh gently as he kissed all over.
"I feel as if I have waited a lifetime for this," I whispered.
Harry kissed back to my mouth and slipped his tongue past my lips.
"It seems a long time, indeed. Time moves slowly when your desires are hindered."
"But no longer," I said with a smile.
"No longer."
His body joined with mine, and while the painful stretch was undeniable, so was the pleasure that followed. Harry moved slowly at first as a tear slipped from my eye and my body trembled. He kissed my face and whispered loving, reassuring words.
"You are the most beautiful woman in England."
I wanted to laugh, but found it would not come out. The moment was too sincere. Harry's eyes met mine and neither of us could look away until he buried his face in my neck. His thrusts came harder and we were soon panting and trembling in each other's arms.
Harry kissed my face. "My darling Elizabeth. You have made me the happiest man alive."
I could not respond other than to hold him tight and sigh.
"Do you like your new bed, my love?"
"I like the company within it," I said.
Harry smiled. "As do I."
I ran my finger along his arm. Just to be able to touch him was bliss. No chaperones. No worrying over whether it was proper or not. In the privacy of our chambers I could touch him however he allowed, and I doubted he would deny me much.
"What's this smile," he asked. "It looks full of mischief."
"I was just thinking of the fact that I get to touch you now whenever I wish."
"And when do you so wish?"
"Always."
Harry smiled and kissed me.
