in debt. But, her distress was nothing compared with her parents and their awareness the royal family would be ruined if they couldn’t get financial help. Jack had provided that help. No wonder they thought the world of him.
Francesca caught and held her hand. “I wanted to tell you before your wedding how proud your father and I are at your decision to marry Jack.”
“But, ma’am...”
“Yes, I know what you’re going to say, that it wasn’t your decision. It was something forced on you and believe me Lara, I recognize that. I have never told you this before, but I entered into an arranged marriage with Johann. I was nervous and apprehensive, like you are now, but we have been so happy together, I can’t tell you how much I love and admire him.”
“I’m glad, Mummy. But you have known Daddy since you were a child. You moved in the same circles and you were both brought up to know what to expect. Jack is almost a stranger to me. He comes from a different world and I know he is marrying me, not just to bail Carl out of trouble, but because Challoner and I, in that order, are good investments.”
“That is probably true but I think you underestimate Jack, my darling. You may not have noticed it, but I can see how much he adores you.”
She grasped her mother’s hand. “That’s lust, pure lust, Mummy. We hardly know each other.”
Francesca gave her a knowing look. “Don’t you believe in love at first sight?”
Hesitating, Lara played with the elaborate lace trim at the waistline of her dress. As far as she was concerned, and as she had explained to Carl, she had fallen almost instantly in love with Jack but she hardly thought the same didn’t apply to him.
“I didn’t know you were such a romantic,” she replied, and if her mother noticed Lara had avoided her question, she didn’t comment.
“I had better let the hordes in to check you over,” Francesca said softly, her eyes glistening suspiciously as she hugged her daughter. “Not that you need them, Lara. You are lovely, absolutely lovely.”
She returned her mother’s hug. “Don’t worry. Jack and I will be okay,” she murmured, with more conviction than she felt.
Francesca opened the door with the first people to rush into the room being Kate and Jade, determined to support their best friend. The others followed to make final checks on Lara’s hair and makeup while the dresser ran expert eyes over her dress.
Lara had to admit she loved her wedding dress, even though it had to be adjusted twice as she had lost weight since the initial fitting. But, now it fitted perfectly and she smoothed a hand over the beautiful white satin which was embroidered with fine pearls and sequins interlaced with tiny pink roses. The long train, which flowed majestically behind her, was also heavily encrusted with pearls and sequins.
“We have to go,” Kate said as she handed Lara the bridal bouquet, an exquisite combination of cream and pale pink roses. “We’ll see you at the church.”
“Don’t forget to smile,” Jade added. “Remember, Jack will be waiting for you and because you’re being televised live around the world to millions of people, don’t let that worry you.”
Lara laughed at the cheeky expressions on the faces of her friends as they left to be escorted to their limousine, which would take them to the cathedral for the ceremony.
As the finishing touch to her appearance, the hairdresser placed a diamond tiara on Lara’s golden head setting it firmly in place. She touched the sparkling diamond necklace at her throat and the matching earrings, a wedding gift from Jack, which had been delivered to her this morning. She had been tempted to disregard them and then thought how ridiculous and insulting to Jack that would be. How she wished he had brought them to her personally. More and more she realized she was marrying a stranger who cared little for her.
Johann was waiting as she carefully descended the stairs and she could see by the expression on her father’s face that he was fighting to keep his emotions in check.
Outside, the ceremonial gold coach drawn by two palomino horses stood in all its glory ready to drive father and daughter to the cathedral. It was a perfect spring day. The snow had disappeared and had been replaced by early spring flowers of daffodils and tulips. My wedding day, she thought as she waved to the palace