Accepted
Angela held the door to Alice's drawing room open for me. The curtains were drawn and the fire lit. The deathly pale face of the Duchess weakly smiled up at her good friend.
"Alice, what are you doing out of bed? You do not look well at all."
Rushing forward, Bella fell to her knees in front of her. She lifted Alice's hands into her own. With heavy eyes, Alice patted Bella's hands.
"I need to speak with you."
"Of course, but you could have stayed in bed."
"I will not live in my bed any longer. Bella. I love you and respect you very much, however, there is something I must insist you keep to yourself. I must tell someone the truth but I cannot tell Jasper."
"I will do anything for you Alice. What is it?"
"My physician says that I will not make it to the end of the month."
Bella gasped before tears welled up in her eyes.
"I am so sorry Alice. Is there not anything that can be done?"
Tears in her own eyes, Alice shook her head back and forth only for her head to spin in dizziness.
"I have come to terms with my future and I need you to do the same."
"Oh, Alice."
"Please, I do not want you to be sad about this Bella. I know my fate and I am not going to take it lying down. I am going to tell Jasper that I want to return to the palace for the time being. I was not fortunate to be blessed with a family of my own, I want to spend my last few days with yours."
"Of course. Of course you can Alice. I will write to Edward immediately and let him know. The girls will be so excited to see you."
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to Mary or Beatrice's birthdays."
"No. No, it's okay. They understood. They'll just be glad that you are coming to visit now."
"You can't tell any of them that I am dying. Not until it's time."
"I know. I won't, I promise. Is there not something I can do?"
"Don't treat me like the dying woman I am. I want to enjoy the last few weeks of life I have left. And I do not want to be reminded of my impending death."
"Then, if I tell you to rest or return to your bed, will you?"
Reluctantly Alice agreed.
"Good. Then I shall inform Jasper that you will be joining us for dinner."
"Thank you, Bella."
"I'd do anything for you Alice, you know that."
Smiling up at her, Bella wiped the tears from her eyes.
"You go and get cleaned up. I will write to my husband. Why don't we meet on the lawn in an hour?"
"I'd like that."
Bella rose to her feet and pressed her lips to the top of Alice's head. Leaving the room, she hurried to the guest chambers she had taken up residence in. With sheets of parchment, she scrolled a long letter about William to her husband. In the last few lines, she spoke of Alice's intentions of visiting their home. Sealing it with her royal seal, she had it sent off with a messenger. She missed her husband very much but was glad she had the opportunity to meet their eldest daughter's love before their family got involved.
She had to decide what to do about her friend. It would not be right to hide the truth from either Edward or Jasper. But she had promised her friend that she would not say a word. She would have to find a way of convincing Alice to tell them.
Dinner that night was a tense and awkward affair. Bella found it difficult to see Alice acting as if she was not dying. She was very quiet and everyone could see it. Elisabeth questioned her health and was comforted by her response. Retiring to her chambers, the Queen climbed into bed early. With little sleep, she woke early in the morning and walked the gardens trying to clear her head. Lady Angela found her Queen sitting by the outhouse. She stepped into view and curtseyed. She could see the thoughts going through her mind.
"Bella? What is on your mind?"
Taking a breath, she looked up to her friend of many years now.
"It is nothing I can speak about."
"If it is something that you must keep secret then that is respectable. However, if it is going to cause you such stress and worry, then I must urge that you speak to someone about it. You know that you can turn to me with anything Bella."
"Of course. You have been a good friend for such a long-time Angela. I do not know what I would do without you. But this is something I will never be able to talk of. I will be quite alright. I just need time to think. I've also sent word to Edward that I will be returning home early with Alice and Jasper. Elisabeth will remain for a few days longer. It will be nice when I can see my husband again. I am certain you will be pleased to see your husband so soon again too."
"It is hard to be away from my child and the man I love."
"You should have said something. I would not have asked you to come with me if I had known."
"I am to be by your side though Bella. I do not mind so. I have enjoyed the time out of the palace. It is good to see something else for a change."
Sitting beside the Queen, Angela folded her fingers together.
"Perhaps I can bring some good news to lighten your thoughts Bella."
"What is it Angela?"
"Ben and I are expecting another child."
Bella gasped and smiled wildly at her friend.
"This is amazing news Angela. Oh, how wonderful. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I was waiting for the right time."
"How far along are you?"
"3 months, almost 4."
"I am so happy for you Angela."
"Thank you Bella."
They sat in silence for a few moments before deciding it time to return to the house. Bella bathed in steaming water, content for the time being. She moved her thoughts to meeting William's family. Her daughter was growing so old. It felt like just yesterday that she was a little babe in her arms.
Dressed as a commoner instead of the Queen, Bella began the 10 minute walk between her brother-in-law's home and the nearby town. Those she passed recognised her as their Queen but couldn't be certain. Why would she be dressed in such a way.
Standing outside William's family home, she knocked lightly and waited. When the door was pulled open she saw William smartly dressed. He bowed to his Queen and she raised her eyebrows at him.
"Hello William."
"Your Majesty."
"Please, call me Isabella."
"Of course Isabella. Come in. My family and Elisabeth are in the dining room. Lunch is ready."
"Thank you William."
She followed him into the small home and into the cosy dining room. Smiling round at the small family in front of her, she watched them curtsey down to her.
"Please, I will have none of that."
"Mother. Father. I'm sorry Isabella, I spoke of your wishes. It may take some time for us to get used to the terms you set."
"I understand. Mrs Bellhouse, Mr Bellhouse. It's a pleasure to you. And you must be Maggie."
William's younger sister gasped at the Queen's recognition of her.
"Your Majesty, please, call me Maria."
"And I, David."
"Then you must call me Isabella."
"Of course. Please, sit. Would you like something to drink?"
"Just some water please."
William's mother left for the kitchen as Isabella took a seat at the end of the table. Her daughter was sat beside William with Maggie across from him. David at the other end. With six people set around the table, it was rather squashed, normally there was no more than four people. Maria returned with the finest glassware she owned, cold water filling it.
Lunch was a formal affair. Bella expected it to be so. There was nothing she could do about that. But she liked William's family very much. They cared for each other and were respectful people. She spent the afternoon in their cosy living room. Bella and Maria were on the old sofa, David in the only arm chair and Maggie, William and Elisabeth on the floor. The Queen had announced that it was time for her to return home with her daughter. William felt that his chance of asking something was running out.
"Isabella?"
"Yes William?"
"I was hoping to ask something of you."
"Ask away."
"In three weeks there is an annual town dance for everyone to attend. Would you give me your permission to escort Elisabeth to the dance?"
"Well certainly William. I'd be more than happy for her to attend with you."
"Thank you Isabella."
"Maggie, are you going?"
The little girl shook her head disappointed.
"Why ever not?"
"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to find a dress for Maggie yet."
"That shouldn't stop any girl going to the dance. Come over Maggie."
She was pulled onto the Queen's lap and looked up at her.
"I didn't have a dress for my first dance, but my daddy gave me an old dress of my Mother's. I could find you a dress if you wanted?"
"Yes please."
"You will be the prettiest girl at the dance."
"Thank you Isabella."
She threw her arms around shoulders, hugging her in thanks.
"I really do have to be going now. I am travelling home tomorrow and need to sort arrangements. Elisabeth?"
"Yes Mother. I'm coming."
They bid each other goodbye before Elisabeth and her mother returned to the Duke's home. William visited his love the next morning before she climbed into her mother's carriage and they departed for home.