Page 106 of Christmas at the Castle
Worth it, right?
Kat wished she knew.
She didn’t want to leave behind her heart in Alistonia, but with her growing feelings for Gill, that was a big possibility.
*
December twenty-third, theroyal wedding day, arrived with snow flurries. The perfect Christmassy day for a princess, or any bride in Kat’s opinion, to say “I do.” She sat in her room with Lady Heloise, the other bridesmaid. Both wore big, fluffy pink robes with their first initial embroidered in hot pink. A present given to them that morning from Sophie.
Kat studied the morning’s schedule. “I knew today would be a big day, but there’s a lot of stuff to do.”
“Typical royal wedding day prep.” Heloise was twenty-four with long, strawberry-blond hair, dark blue eyes, and freckles like her brothers. She resembled Bertrand more than Jamie. “Knowing my mother and the queen, though, this could be over the top. The boys will have a much easier time.”
Gill.
Thinking his name brought tingles.
So far, being together—or whatever they weren’t calling this thing between them—was working. Not that they were in anyone’s face, but during yesterday’s wedding rehearsal, Gill put his arm around Kat and the world didn’t end. No one noticed except for Queen Louise. That blood vessel in her forehead didn’t actually burst, so Kat called that a win. The queen also didn’t say anything, but that was most likely due to the film crew that was there. Those guys, especially the cameraman named Wes, cracked Kat up.
“This looks like the ultimate spa day. Only the spa comes to us.” She read the list on her schedule. “Pedicure, manicure, hair, makeup.”
“Be happy I convinced my mother that spray tans weren’t necessary.” Heloise brushed her hair. “Otherwise, we’d be orange.”
Kat grimaced. “That would stand out in our white dresses. Especially with the red sashes.”
“The pictures would be awful.” Heloise made a face. “But now we’ll look like princesses in our pretty dresses and sparkly tiaras.”
“Tiaras? I thought we’d wear flowers in our hair.”
Heloise placed the brush in the cosmetic bag she’d brought with her to Kat’s room. “The tiara was Sophie’s ideas, and, surprisingly, neither the queen nor my mother objected.”
Growing up, Kat’s only tiara had been a pink plastic one with fake jewels glued on the front. Nothing fancy, but she’d felt like Cinderella wearing the crown and drinking tea with her grandfather. She couldn’t wait to wear another one today.
There was a little bit of princess still inside her, and tonight she would get to dance with a prince.
“I cannot wait for the wedding ball. We’ll be fighting off the eligible bachelors tonight.” Heloise picked up her cup of tea. “Is there anyone you want to kiss under the mistletoe?”
Gill’s face appeared front and center in Kat’s mind. “I’ll have to think about it.”
“I have my eye on a duke.” Heloise drank.
“Good luck.” Kat hoped for some herself. She wanted a kiss from Gill, but she also didn’t want to lose her heart.
Liv knocked on the door and entered. “Princess Sophia and Queen Louise are finished with their pedicures. It’s your turn, ladies.”
“Time to get gorgeous,” Heloise said.
Kat wanted to look good. And not just for the pictures.
Three hours later, after more pampering and plucking than a show dog went through, Kat’s hair had been put in a gorgeous up-do by a fairy godmother of a hairstylist named Melinda and flawless makeup applied.
At least that was how everyone described what she was having done. Kat hadn’t been allowed to look in a mirror. Sophie wanted her bridesmaids to be surprised.
Liv helped Kat into the gorgeous white bridesmaid dress. She wrapped the red sash around Kat’s waist and tied the ends into a big bow at the small of her back. “So lovely, Miss Kat.”
She wriggled her toes—well, as much as she could in her bridesmaid shoes—in anticipation. “I can’t wait to see.”
“Soon.” Liv showed her a pair of pearl earrings. These were also a gift from Sophie. “Would you like me to put these on you?”
