Safely deposited in the back of the limousine, Clarisse did not look at Mia until Joseph closed the door and they were underway.
"I'm very proud of what you did in there today, Amelia"
Silence from the opposite seat.
"Amelia, did you hear what I said?"
"Yes, Grandmother, I heard you."
Clarisse sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. "Amelia, I know what you were trying to do in there, and I appreciate it very much. But, what's done is done."
"Look, it's your life. You were the one who settled for 'fondness' over love. You were the one who just said Joseph is the only man you ever really loved. Why on earth did you throw away a chance to finally be happy?" Mia threw herself back against the plush leather seat cushions, arms folded across her chest.
Clarisse looked down at her folded gloved hands in her lap. "It's not meant to be, Mia, it's just not meant to be."
The limo rolled to a stop in front of the Palace. A footman held the door open for the two ladies. Mia alighted first, to find Charlotte waiting to help her with her train. The girls exchanged looks, Mia, noticing Charlotte's red eyes, gave her hand a squeeze as she made her way up the Palace steps. The Queen followed, walking alone, silently, lost in her own thoughts.
Joseph had come back to the Palace in the same car as Charlotte, and now stood beside it, watching the Queen enter the Palace. He wondered if he would ever see her again.