Page 54 of A Queen's Match
“Of course, Father,” she said placatingly.
He was still angry, his rage coiling like a snake about to strike, but at least his ire was no longer directed at her.
“Perhaps we should return to the party?” she ventured. Francis grunted in assent, and she hurried back into the ballroom.
When May reappeared, the conversations nearest her broke off. A few guests cast her ingratiating smiles; others looked at her with something like surprise, as if they were still trying to puzzle out how she’d done it. May was too rattled from her father’s threats to enjoy their jealousy. She scanned the dance floor, rising on tiptoe to see through the crowds.
“Are you looking for Eddy?” Queen Victoria asked, coming to stand near May.
May must have been more flustered than she realized, because as she sank into a quick curtsy, she told the truth without a second thought. “For George.”
The queen blinked in surprise.
May hurried to fabricate an explanation. “I need to ask him something. I’m planning a gift for Eddy, and would like his advice.”
Victoria smiled wistfully. Thank heavens she was too sentimental to realize how illogical that was. Why would May seek George at an engagement party to discuss a wedding present, which was hardly an urgent problem?
“Albert gave me a lovely brooch when we were married,” Victoria reminisced. “He designed it himself. He commissioned dozens of pieces for me over the years—using the baby teeth of our children, pebbles we’d collected on the beach at Osborne, antlers from the first deer he hunted at Balmoral.”
“How lovely,” May replied, though it was ludicrous. The ruler of the entire British Empire, who had access to some of the most spectacular jewels in the world, wearing seaside pebbles around her neck?
Victoria nodded to the middle of the dance floor. “I’m afraid George is with Missy. They make a lovely pair, don’t you agree?”
May’s stomach soured as she watched the two of them. There was no denying that they looked handsome together. She saw George murmur something, at which Missy tipped her head back and laughed, before he spun Missy in an effortless twirl.
“I don’t know. Missy is so young,” May said daringly, over the hammering of her heart. “And a bit impetuous for such a great role.”
“She doesn’t have what it takes to be queen, of course,” Victoria observed, with her typical bluntness. “But it is hardly the same, marrying the younger son.”
The woman who married George would need to accept coming in second. Wearing the smaller crown jewels at state occasions, attending foreign weddings in the duller, more out-of-the-way countries while May and Eddy represented Britain at the big events. Taking on the obscure patronages that May had rejected.
Somehow May didn’t see Missy being totally content out of the spotlight.
“I think Missy could be good for George. He’s so withdrawn, so quiet,” Victoria went on. “Missy is headstrong, certainly; but she will push him to be bolder. Just as you will push Eddy to be more serious.”
“I’m worried they aren’t a good match.” May knew she was overstepping but couldn’t help herself; the words seemed to pour from her mouth of their own volition.
It wasn’t that May wanted George for herself. She was going to marry hisbrother.But she knew, with certainty, that Missy was wrong for him.
Everyone assumed George was shy, but he was really just wise in his choice of words, and careful to whom he spoke. He was so unlike his red-faced, spoiled, overgrown child of a father. So unlike May’s own father, with his petty vindictiveness and cruelty.
George needed a true partner, an equal. Someone who understood him, who listened to his thoughts and worries and helped him solve them. Not a seventeen-year-old who batted her eyes at every man in arm’s reach.
“I appreciate your concern, May, but I know what’s best for my grandchildren.” There was a new, testy note in the queen’s voice.
“Please, forgive me,” May said hastily. “Should we expect an engagement announcement soon?”
The queen chuckled. “Now I understand your concern! Fear not.” She reached for May’s hand and gave it what she probably thought was a reassuring pat. “I would never let Missy’s wedding overshadow yours. The heir must marryfirst, and then the nation can turn its attention to the spare.”
“I see.” May swallowed against a dryness in her throat.
“I think we can sell George and Missy as quite the love match. The nation could use one after all these complaintsabout grain prices and so on.” Perhaps the queen realized the implication—that Eddy and May werenota love match—because she added, “The marriage of a future king is different, of course. Your wedding to Eddy is an Act of State.”
“Of course,” May replied dutifully.
The queen murmured her goodbyes and turned to greet another guest, leaving May to stare out at the dance floor, where Missy was still spinning about in her pink dress with its endless flounces.
As if he felt her watching, George glanced up. His eyes locked on hers.
