"A what?" shrieked Queen Edith. "What did he say?"
"A bride-finding ball… I believe…" Caroline frowned. It seemed a rather ridiculous idea to her and she hoped that the queen agreed. She knew that Edward hated the idea and she wondered how on earth it would ever work.
"Father," Edward was saying just then, trying desperately to persuade the king to drop the idea, "I have never questioned that it is my bounden duty to take a wife and ensure the royal succession. But that does not mean I have to be party to and judge a cattle show!"
Caroline was only listening to the conversation halfway as she tried to explain to the distracted elderly queen. It was unfortunate that the duke of Montague happened by at that crucial moment. Although Caroline was usually thrilled to see her brother, he could have chosen a moment with less… tension. Really, he could have a little more tact.
"Is it true, dear Uncle?" he was saying gleefully. "The tattle is that you're going to invite a whole nursery of nubile delicacies to a ball."
"Some other time, nephew. We're busy now." the king waved him away.
"Oh, but you can't keep me in suspense!" Charles cried desperately. "You just can't, Uncle. I mean, I realize that I won't have first pick, but that doesn't matter to me because I'm not proud. I'm just desperate!"
"Charles!" Caroline broke protocol in a frantic attempt to stop her brother before the situation got any worse. "Please, Charles!"
"Oh, but sister Caroline, isn't it wonderful? Perhaps you could find a husband as well! Wouldn't that just be perfect?"
"We're all desperate!" the king cried as Edward rolled his eyes.
"So it's true, then! Oh, how exciting! Now, I must decide what to wear. High heels, I think, to give me added stature." he turned to Edward. "The moment you've made your choice, I shall unleash myself."
"Charles!" Caroline cried, miserably.
"I've already made my choice, Cousin." Edward said drily. "As far as I'm concerned, you can have your pick of the lot."
"Oh, but you can't do that!" Charles pleaded. "You can't be such a spoilsport! I mean… what can even compare to the thrill of a bride-finding ball?"
"Your majesty," Caroline interrupted, surprised at her own audacity as she left Queen Edith's side and advanced to her brother. "Pray excuse us." Taking Charles' arm, she led him, protesting, from the room. Once they were safely in the hall, she turned to him, frowning.
"How could you, Charles! Do you realize what is going on here?"
"Of course I realize it, Caroline. And isn't it just the most exciting thing to aspire since Lady Mary ran off to marry that Earl of Neuburg?"
"Really, Charles!" Caroline was towing him down the hall, hoping to get him as far away from poor Edward as possible. "The prince is really very upset about this entire situation, you must try to understand!"
"What is there to be upset about?" Charles raised his eyebrows, puzzled. "I can't see anything to be upset about, indeed, I cannot!"
"Edward feels as I do," Caroline sighed, bowing her head. "He doesn't want to marry, except for love."
"My dear sister," Charles dropped his excitement in his concern for his sister. "You really must forgive me, indeed you must. I really am so thoughtless, indeed I am. It's just that this might finally be my chance. You know."
"Yes, and I'm sorry I was upset with you." Caroline looked up at him and tried to smile. "I hope that you will find the love of your life and be very happy. I know I can never be."
"How could you never be happy? Indeed, you must tell me what is wrong, dearest sister. Truly, I know that something is wrong."
"I am in love." Caroline said simply. "In love with someone below my station and there is nothing I can do about it."
Charles looked at her in stunned silence, his big eyes larger than ever. Why they nearly popped out of his head! For once, he could not find the words to say. His little sister, in love? And with someone she could never hope to marry?
"I am so sorry, dear Caroline, truly I am so sorry. I really do not know what to say, indeed, I do not! I hope, truly I do, that it will turn out all right! I will pray for you, indeed I will. Don't lose hope, dearest sister." He put his arm around her, trying, in his own awkward way, to comfort her. And truly, nothing could have comforted her more. To know that her brother, who was one of the dearest ones in the world to her, understood and cared for her, was very comforting indeed.
7ABC, Thank you so much for your review! "Uplifting reading material" is a great compliment, I very much appreciate your support!
Anna1, I'll have to see what I can do! Glad to see you all seem to be enjoying this as much as I am!