Page 114 of Christmas at the Castle
“I should buy a lottery ticket.”
“Or a plane ticket home,” Rowena mumbled.
Kat looked around. No one else seemed to have heard that.
The woman had issues with her, but the princess was a guest at the castle, like her, and Kat wasn’t going to call her out.
Talia, the wedding planner, had been clear about the wedding party’s behavior tonight—do not drink too much or make a scene.
But Kat couldn’t stay mute. “I beg your pardon?”
“Never mind. I’m just a little green-eyed.” Rowena stood in front of Kat. “The bridal bouquet is so lovely. Would you mind if I took a closer look?”
Kat held out the bouquet.
Rowena bent slightly and sniffed. “Lovely. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
As Rowena straightened, a wave of red wine flew out of her glass and hit the front of Kat’s bridesmaid gown.
Rowena covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry. I don’t know how that happened.”
“Oh, what a shame,” Queen Louise said in a compassionate tone as she joined them.
Kat hadn’t seen her come up, but she stood next to Rowena.
The queen shook her head. “That was such a lovely dress on you, too.”
Emphasis onwas.
Kat trembled with embarrassment.
Gill touched Kat’s arm. “What happened?”
“It was my fault,” Rowena said. “Someone bumped in to me and my wine went flying all over Kat. I feel dreadful. The dress is ruined.”
“It was an accident.” Kat said through gritted teeth and tried to ignore the stares from other guests.
Servers arrived to mop up the floor. One handed her a white towel.
“Thank you,” she managed.
Her dress was not only ruined, but also unwearable. The liquid made the fabric see through even though the white was now stained burgundy.
Kat crossed her arms over her chest. Thankfully, the bouquet provided extra coverage. “Please excuse me. I need to change.”
“Since Kat won’t be here…” Queen Louise said. “Dance with Rowena.”
It wasn’t a question but a command.
So much for luck.
Kat had lost.
This reaffirmed what she’d already known. No matter how much she cared for Gill or how much he wanted her to stay in Alistonia, Queen Louise would never accept Kat in her son’s life. His mother had chosen a woman for her son. And heaven knew Gill would do as his mother decreed.
A weight pressed down on Kat’s shoulders. She forced herself to stand tall and not to run out of the ballroom.
