Right, let's get this right this time. This is the one I posted last night, out of order, so later today, I'll post the right one... Honestly, today is going to hell already. My brother is back at the hospital, but we still don't know if there is enough staff/nurses to do the operation etc...
Victoria turned 18 on 24 May 1837, and a regency was avoided. On 20 June 1837, William IV died at the age of 71, and Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom. In her diary she wrote, "I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham were here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) and alone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that I am Queen.
Master Edward Cullen
I instantly saw Isabella flinch at Father's words, and I was quick to calm her as best as I could.
"Isabella, Alexandrina, as we know her, is a sweet and loving young woman and she will not worry about anything concerning yourself, be that your occupation or whether you are in mourning or not. You will see that she will treat you as a member of our family, so by extension, hers," I said soothingly as I took up her hand.
"I am not fit to see a queen, I am not. Oh, Edward, please do not make me go, I will make a fool out of myself and a fool out of all of you," Isabella stuttered, and it wasn't until Father came to her side that she finally did calm.
"Isabella, you will do no such thing. Alexandrina knows all too well of your situation and she has been very insistent on meeting you. Now where is all that courage and stubbornness that you have shown me so many times?" he chuckled.
Poor Isabella finally relented after a few more moments of deliberation and we were soon in the carriage to Kensington Palace.
"It is a beautiful place, but nothing like Buckingham Palace mind you," Mother mused while she held onto Isabella's arm on the journey.
"I am sure it is, but if I was nervous about eating with you the first time, it is nothing to how I feel now," she muttered out causing my parents to smile.
"Isabella, Alexandrina truly is one of a kind and I am sure that within moments of meeting her you will think of her as a friend and not the Queen," I said kindly.
It was not long before we were drawing up to the black and gold gates of the palace and I saw that Isabella's nerves had heightened.
"Calm." I gave her that one word and took up her hand again.
The carriage came to a stop and before we knew it, we were being permitted into the home of our cousin.
Although the walls were heavily painted and covered in art, the sconces on the walls made the air light and comfortable.
"I do not think I can do this, Edward. Please do not make me," Isabella whimpered a small noise after she spoke and, in that moment, I wanted to whisk her away from it all.
How on earth could I think that Isabella would be able to do this? She might have been strong, but this was way out of her depth.
"Very soon, as soon as we can leave, we will, I do not want you to be uncomfortable," I whispered as we were met by Alexandrina's servant.
We were escorted silently towards Alexandrina's private apartment and I made sure I had a hold of Isabella's hand the whole time in the crook of my arm.
Mother and Father were in front of us, as social etiquette dictated, and it gave me time to look at Isabella's features.
She was certainly flushed, but now her eyes were scanning everything almost showing an interest.
"Are you well?" I asked in a gentle whisper when we came to a stop outside the main door to Alexandrina's apartment.
"I am. Thank you, Edward," she replied, and we were soon announced into the room.
Isabella took in a deep breath and then it was us walking into the room to meet the Queen.
"Cousins, Isabella! Oh, how good it is to see and meet you all!" Alexandrina exclaimed as she stood up to meet us.
Isabella stiffened ever so slightly while she watched our cousin kiss and hug my parents and then myself before I had to extract myself from Alexandrina so she could hug Isabella, which I knew she would.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, your Highness," Isabella stumbled over her words when Alexandrina stood back, and Isabella gave her a small curtsy.
"Oh pfft, none of that business amongst family. We do not stand on ceremony here — unless the Prime Minister is here, of course." Alexandrina rolled her eyes as she clasped her hands together before showing us to the couches.
"Albert will be with us shortly; he is just putting young Victoria and Edward to bed. Poor Alice is with the wet nurse tonight because she has a small cold and is irritable at best," Alexandrina said softly, her voice full of love as we sat down.
"Yes, Prince Edward is named after me." I chuckled softly as Isabella gave me a look.
"And that is why we call our cousin Alexandrina, because she was so inconsiderate to name her firstborn after herself. Two Victorias in one household can be a little confusing," I teased my cousin dearly, but she laughed happily.
"Enough of the mocking, Edward," Alexandrina said with a smile before turning her attention toward Isabella.
…
Isabella Swan
I could not form the words to express how I felt, sitting in a borrowed dress and fine jewels in front of the Queen.
I also noticed that I was swallowing a great deal even though my mouth and throat were dry as a bone.
"Isabella, dear Carlisle and Esme have expressed in their letters that you are the caregiver to your younger brother. Where is he this evening?" she asked softly, and I could see that she was trying to be gentle with me and not overwhelm me.
"He is staying at Lord and Lady Cullen's home while I am in town," I all but whispered, nervously. I looked to her kind eyes and then to Edward, just to make sure that I had responded in the correct manner.
His smile said it all and I felt a small sigh of relief leave my body.
"You must miss him terribly. Esme, why do you not bring the children to town and they can play with Victoria and Edward? I am sure they will all get on with each other and you know that Victoria misses Charlotte terribly," she said, and I tensed again.
If I thought it was bad having Charles dine with the Cullen's, how on earth would I feel about him dining here?
Heaven help me.
"Oh, Alexandrina. You know how we do not like the children coming into town, the air can be so filthy sometimes," Esme sighed dramatically, but she still smiled.
"Well then, how about you all travel to the Isle of Wight in the new year? Albert has just purchased a small house there and will soon be tearing it down to make a bigger home, now that Alice has come," the Queen replied, and everyone nodded except for myself.
"I think that is a splendid idea," Carlisle finally spoke as Prince Albert walked in the door.
Prince Albert.
A prince, standing in front of me.
"What is? What have I missed?" he asked, his English perfect but heavily toned in a European accent.
"I was just explaining about the house on the island and how it would be good for them all to visit before you tear it down and start again, my dearest," Alexandrina replied holding her hand out to him, which he took.
Even in my very limited experience, I could not miss the affection the two of them shared.
"Oh, yes indeed. You must come, and soon," Prince Albert replied and then looked to me.
"Oh, good heavens! I have forgotten my manners. Dearest, this is Isabella Swan. A great family friend of our cousins," Alexandrina said with a smile in my direction.
I felt myself blanch at his appraisal of me, but he was kind and gentle when he talked.
"So how about we set a date for early January?" Alexandrina said once the prince had sat down next to her.
"Isabella is still in mourning for her mother, Alexandrina, but the vicar of our parish has given her leave to retire her mourning dress by Candlemas," Carlisle said ever so gently with a smile toward me, and Edward boldly took up my hand again.
There was a large part of me that knew this was a huge move on his part, especially as his father had just told the Queen and Prince of my mourning, but I could not pull away.
The calming effect he had with me was just too much and I knew I had to be careful and not show any emotions with the present company.
"Dinner will be served shortly. While we wait how about I show you the galleries, Isabella? I can teach you about our family," the Queen offered, and before I knew it, I was stood up in front of her and to my horror, she wrapped her arm in mine.
I threw Edward a desperate glance, but he just smiled at me and gave me a nod of his head.
"Esme, will you join us?" Alexandrina asked and I breathed a sigh of relief when Esme stood up and followed us toward the door.
What in heavens had I got myself into?
Where was the headstrong farm girl?
Up next, eating with the Queen... xxx