in the chapel practically makes me lose my breath.
What a spectacular day, indeed!
I glance across the aisle to the bride’s section, and there, I see some of Clementine’s extended family. Her parents will come in right before the king and queen, and of course, her sister, Paisley, is her maid of honour.
Then I smile brightly. I see Jillian smiling at me across the aisle, looking absolutely smashing in a vibrant royal-purple dress and hat and sitting with Clive Lawler—Roman’s grandfather and her boyfriend—by her side. We exchange waves, and then I make my way towards my seat.
I sit down next to James, who smiles warmly at me.
“Good afternoon,” he says, his eyes shining bright.
“Good afternoon, James,” I reply, placing my clutch beside me and resting my programme in my lap. “Don’t you look dashing in your morning suit?”
James arches an eyebrow. “I’ll look even better when I’m in full military dress next year,” he says. “Xander won’t be the only one to pull that look off.”
I laugh. Xander told me how impatient James is to join the RAF and start learning how to fly, which has been his lifelong passion since he was a little boy.
“I have a feeling that you might be wearing that uniform to Liz’s wedding in the autumn,” I say.
“Or yours,” Helene adds, not even lifting her eyes from her programme.
I blush. James laughs.
“Not quite yet,” I say, studying the order of service.
We talk of other things, and James shares that Christian was not nervous this morning, but excited. He couldn’t wait to get going today and wed Clementine. I smile. I can see Xander being the same way when we get married one day.
Suddenly, the orchestra stops. Organ music takes its place, and then my heart pounds inside my chest as I watch Christian and Xander make their way towards our side of the chapel.
Christian is dressed in a black morning suit, so handsome and perfect for a groom. I smile as I see him, as he does look a little bit nervous now. But then I turn my attention to Xander. He’s in his Blues and Royals military uniform, and oh, I’m swooning all over again at the sight of Xander in it. He’s completely and utterly dashing in his frockcoat!
He and Christian sit side by side, and I hold my breath. Xander said that before the ceremony started, he would give me a sign that he is thinking of me, something only I would understand. He would rub the back of his neck three times, to symbolise him squeezing my hand three times to signify “I love you,” as if he were sitting next to me and could physically squeeze my hand. Then he would turn, and I would brush the edge of my fascinator three times to tell him I love him back.
Christian and Xander both turn around and look behind them. Xander sees me, and I see him, and love fills my heart when I see the affection for me in those deep inky- blue eyes.
The brothers turn back around, and sure enough, Xander lifts his hand to the back of his neck and rubs it three times.
Then he turns again, gazing at me with so much love in his eyes, my heart nearly bursts with joy. A large smile spreads across my face, and I brush my fascinator three times as he smiles back, the words unspoken but completely translated between us.
My heart soars. I love you, too, I think as I watch him.
On this day to celebrate Christian and Clementine, I also celebrate the love I have for the man in my heart. The man who I will marry one day and swear to love forever in front of the world.
Captain Wales.
The Prince of Wales.
Xander Wales.
And I can’t imagine a greater love story than that.
THE END
To find out how Xander proposes to his future queen, click here.
The next book in the series is Bella’s story. Will Bella find herself—and love—with an unlikely hero? Read a sneak peek of Pitch to Palace here.
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About the Author
Aven began her publishing career in 2013 with her debut release, Connectivity. She currently writes hockey, baseball, billionaire, and royal romantic comedies.
Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed.
Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. She is a huge fan of the Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, and Texas Rangers. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating specialty M&Ms, and watching reality TV shows.