Page 109 of Christmas at the Castle
As Sophie and Jacques reached the halfway point, Gill saw Kat.
He gasped.
Something fluttered inside his stomach, and a ball of warmth settled at the center of his chest.
She looked spectacular in her white dress and tiara. She walked next to Lady Heloise, beautiful in her own right, but overshadowed by Kat. The young attendants, children of cousins dressed in fancy white suits and dresses, followed behind. The two women kept the four-to-seven-year-olds from stepping on the bride’s train.
He looked at Sophie and Jacques, but Gill’s gaze wanted to stay on Kat. She looked like a princess in her dress and sparkling tiara.
His princess.
In that moment, he could imagine himself standing in Bertrand’s spot and watching her walk down the aisle toward him.
A weight pressed down on him, so heavy he couldn’t breathe.
Kat. A bride. His bride.
He felt lightheaded.
“You okay?” Jamie whispered, putting his arm around Gill’s back to steady him.
The support allowed Gill to recover. He straightened. “I’m fine.”
He forced his gaze onto the bride and his brother. The two were almost to the front of the church.
But a voice sounded in his head.
You’re next.
The two words didn’t frighten him the way that they might have a week or two ago. He could imagine a future, a life, with his sister’s bridesmaid. His sister’s BFF.
Kat could make him a happy man.
But would he be able to do the same for her? Would she want him, too?
*
Outside the church,a crowd gathered to greet the princess bride and her groom. People shouted and cheered, much to Kat’s delight. Wearing the red cape and gloves, she climbed into one of the five horse-drawn carriages waiting outside the church. She dried the happy tears from her eyes.
Such a lovely wedding ceremony.
And now Sophie was a married woman.
Liv carefully placed the hood over Kat’s head before covering her with a heavy wool blanket. “It’s not that far to the castle. This will keep you warm during the ride.”
“Thank you.”
“Remember to wave as the queen instructed.”
Isaac had taught her that, so Kat had only had to spend an hour with the queen learning to wave. Queen Louise had scheduled three hours of lessons. The woman was meticulous.
“I won’t forget.”
“I’ll be at the castle when you arrive to get you ready for the ball.” With that, Liv scurried into the crowd.
Kat had spent the morning getting ready. She couldn’t imagine anything else being done.
Gill climbed into the carriage. “Is this seat taken?”
