Free Homage and Honour by Candy Rae Page B

the manor, not only Crown-Prince Elliot, his wife
the Crown-Princess Gemma and their four children, but also Prince
Elliot’s uncle Prince Brandon, his wife Princess Jennifer and their two children, Brandon and Jennifer. Also accompanying
them were ladies-in-waiting and gentlemen-of-the-bedchamber. When
you added the servants, no wonder Duchess Eloise had been hard-
pressed to fit them all into the manor. The old wing that had not
been used since King Elliot the Third’s time had been pressed into
service.
    Everyone in the
royal party was in boisterous high spirits at the prospect of an
extended visit away from the often stifling atmosphere at Court.
Lady Eloise too, had the reputation of being a fine hostess.
    The men led the
cavalcade mounted on the best riding horses the royal stables could
provide, followed by the carriages containing the ladies. They
pulled up inside the courtyard and the van Buren family watched as
their occupants began to spill out, the royal children with noisy
anticipation, their elders with more decorum.
    Count Wolfram
limped forward as the gentlemen began to dismount.
    “Welcome my
Lord Prince,” he began, “welcome to my nephew’s manor.”
    “No formality
Wolfram,” protested Elliot with a laugh, “Raoul promised me. Where
is the rascal anyway?”
    “Urgent call
from his Overseer,” Wolfram replied, his voice muffled somewhat as
he tried to prise himself up from the bow the Crown-Prince had
interrupted. That accomplished, he stood aside to let Elliot
precede him into the house, indicating to Duchess Eloise and the
other ladies not to come forward with the traditional curtsies.
    “Not this
time,” called out Elliot so all could hear, “this time we are your
welcome guests, no more, here to celebrate the nuptials of the
happy couples. Rank is of no import.”
    Duchess Eloise
bobbed a short bob, noticing that the Prince appeared to have
brought with him only three of his Gentlemen-of-the-Bedchamber
although the ladies (if the number of carriages were anything to go
by) had not seen fit to copy him. She thanked her foresight in
getting ready some more chambers in case of need.
    Wolfram ushered
the male guests inside as the fifth carriage began to empty. Out
stepped the Contessa Elisabeth Graham, the Royal Governess,
identical two-year-old girls by her side, the Princesses Susan and
Anne. Next to emerge was a jolly-faced nursemaid carrying the baby,
Princess Natalie. Finally the six-year-old Prince Elliot jumped
down. With a squeal of delight, he headed for the younger Eloise
van Buren, his cousin Brandon’s bride. Eloise had been at Court,
his mother’s youngest lady-in-waiting and Eloise told good stories.
He had missed her when she had returned home to prepare for her
wedding and was delighted that she was to join his family at
Court.
    Eloise bent
down to receive and give the hug expected on such a memorable
occasion.
    The boy was
bubbling over in his excitement as he launched himself at her.
    “Eloise, how I
have missed you.”
    “And I you
little one.”
    “I wish it was
me marrying you.”
    Eloise laughed,
“I’m too old for you sweetheart.”
    “But I love
you.”
    An embarrassed
Eloise looked up at Crown-Princess Gemma. Elliot hadn’t given her
any chance to curtsey her respect but young Elliot’s mother laughed
it off.
    The children
and female guests followed their menfolk through the great polished
doors in a chattering, happy throng.
    “I’m glad your
husband decided to hold the nuptials here and not at the castle,”
Gemma was telling Duchess Eloise as she surveyed the great
bedchamber the Duke and Duchess had vacated in her honour.
    “I much prefer
it here,” Duchess Eloise confided, “though it’s been difficult to
keep it cool in this heat. I hope you’ll be comfortable.”
    “I’m glad to be
with Elliot,” Gemma smiled, “court protocol is an insidious thing.
Our bedchambers at the palace are quite a distance apart. The
children?”
    “Eloise