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What if…what if Perry bailed? On our wedding day? What if he flat-out didn’t show up? No note, no call, just poof.
Gone.
Was it because he couldn’t talk to me? He could be making his own assumptions over what happened. Maybe I’m too much trouble. Too much drama. Too much…
Me.
“Hmm.”
My head snaps up at the sound Caroline makes when she stops to stand beside her daughter, her gaze narrowing as she studies me with that assessing gaze. I start to sweat the longer she looks at me, and I wonder what she sees.
Wonder more if she’s disappointed in her choice of bride for her precious son. Or maybe she knows he’s already left me, and she’s the one who’s going to tell me the wedding has been called off.
Nausea hits me, my stomach swimming. Oh God.
I think I’m going to faint.
“You’re stunning,” she finally proclaims and my shoulders sag with relief at her approval, which is ridiculous.
Only a few moments ago, I believed myself to be a queen, but I was wrong. I’m nothing but a mere princess. A mere lady in waiting when it comes to Caroline Constantine.
“It’s almost time,” the wedding planner announces as she waves her hands toward the door. “Everyone needs to get into their places! Now!”
I forget all about my worry over Perry abandoning me at the altar as we all fall into line and exit the room to wait at the entrance to the gardens. Everyone is ahead of me getting into line with me at the back. My father approaches, his expression stern, yet still handsome in his tuxedo.
“You look lovely,” he offers gruffly as he stands beside me.
“Thank you.” I keep my head bent, trying to fight the emotion that threatens to overtake. I don’t know why I feel the sudden need to cry, but I do. This is an important moment in my life. A day I’ll never forget, for all sorts of reasons.
And for whatever odd reason, I still want my father’s approval. His love.
Even though deep down, I know it’s a complete waste of my time.
“I want you to know…” My father’s voice drifts and my gaze jerks in his direction, watching as he seems to struggle with what to say next. I tighten my arm around his, my lips falling open, ready to ask if he’s all right when he finally speaks once more. “I recognize you’re making a sacrifice with your life. For the family.”
I’m quiet, sensing he needs to say more.
More like Ineedhim to say more. To acknowledge me and what I’m doing for him.
For the Lancasters.
“And while I don’t necessarily approve of Perry Constantine as your husband, I assume he won’t treat you badly. He seems to have—respect for you,” he continues.
His gaze finds mine and I watch him, still not speaking. The wedding planner is releasing people out into the garden. Caroline Constantine is escorted out on the arm of Winston and taken to her seat in the front row before he goes to stand beside Perry as his best man.
I hope Perry is out there. They wouldn’t start this without the groom being present, would they?
Grant leads Mother out next, Finn and Crew following behind them. Only Keaton and Tinsley remain, standing directly in front of us and the nerves clamp down, making me tremble.
The moment is finally here. I’m about to walk out there and pledge my love and loyalty to Perry in front of family and strangers. I’m going to repeat my vows to him, clutch his hands in mine and promise myself to him forever.
“Just—watch out, Charlotte. The Constantines are a ruthless bunch. I know Perry seems the softest of them all, but he is still a Constantine. You won’t want to cross him.”
He’s the one who wanted this arranged marriage. So why is he warning me?
A case of conscience? Too late for that.
“Let’s go,” Miranda the wedding planner murmurs to us, and I realize Tinsley and Keaton are already gone, halfway down the aisle and headed for the arbor to the strains of the delicate music playing.
