Christmas with the Queen

Chapter 50 Jack

Chapter 50

Jack

October 1956

T he final weeks of summer had turned to autumn, and now, in only two days’ time, I’d be leaving with the duke and his crew to sail to Australia. But first, there was a very happy occasion to celebrate: Mason and Rosie’s wedding.

Mason had fallen hard for Rosie after they’d met at his birthday dinner. He’d proposed shortly after, and the date was set. Nobody was surprised at how quickly it had all happened. Rosie and Mason were made for each other and, as he’d said to me, “When you know she’s the one, you know she’s the one.”

I had felt the same way about Andrea. The only difference now was that I knew there can be more than one love of your life. If you’re lucky.

We were both relieved, in part, to put the grand opening of Andrea’s on hold, until he’d honeymooned and enjoyed a few months of wedded bliss, and I’d returned from the royal tour.

And so, on a beautiful autumn day, I took the train to Cornwall to watch my dear friend and business partner marry the love of his life. But it was Olive my thoughts turned to as the train wound along the coast. This would be the last time I’d see her for several months, so I had to make it count.

With Peter finally sidelined, we’d spent a little more time together when our schedules had allowed: a few cooking lessons, a walk in the park, a trip to the zoo with Lucy. She was a sweet kid, easy to be around, and I wished I’d had more time to get to know her. I promised myself I’d do that, and more, as soon as I returned.

Now that I was about to head away for several months, I felt a sense of urgency to tell Olive what I’d slowly come to accept and could no longer deny: that I was in love with her, that she had stolen my heart, and that a part of me had always loved her.

One more day, and I could tell her everything.

The morning of the wedding dawned with clear skies and beautiful sunlight. I dressed in my nicest suit and met Ryan, Maggie, and the kids to walk to the church together.

Ryan gave me a warm hug. He looked sharp in his suit. “Can you believe my little brother is getting married?”

“Yes, I can! And thank God! He’s been a lovesick puppy these past weeks.”

Maggie kissed me on the cheek. She looked beautiful in a pale blue A-line dress with her red hair swept atop her head. “We’ve missed you, stranger!”

“I’ve missed you, too. Life has been a little crazy! And I can’t believe how much those two have grown!”

Maggie smiled as Ivy and Adam inspected their new surroundings. “Yes, and too quickly. The years go too fast. I’ve told Ryan it’ll be time for another soon!”

Ryan raised his eyebrows at me. “Right. Time to go!”

We laughed and set off down a narrow, cobbled lane.

It was to be a simple affair at the church and, afterward, champagne, cake, and finger food in the local pub—the perfect kind of wedding as far as I was concerned. The old Anglican church was draughty but beautiful with its towering stained-glass windows, flickering candles on the altar, and bouquets of white and pink flowers tied with ribbon at the end of each pew.

I joined Mason and the other groomsmen in the vestibule while the guests were seated and, soon, the bridesmaids joined us there. Rosie’s sister, another friend I didn’t recognize, and Olive, radiant in a pastel-pink chiffon dress that complemented her figure, her creamy skin, and the lush auburn waves around her face. My heart turned over in my chest as her eyes met mine.

“You’re stunning,” I said.

She fussed with her dress. “I look like a meringue.”

“A very pretty meringue!”

“You’re not too bad yourself, out of the chef’s whites for a change,” she said.

Lucy was a flower girl. She twirled for me. “Do you like my dress?”

“Oh, yours is the prettiest of all, Miss Lucy. You look like a princess.”

She beamed, revealing a gap in her teeth, and I thought her the most adorable kid I’d ever seen.

Just then, the organ pipes struck up.

When the service began, I escorted Olive down the aisle until we parted ways to stand on either side of the bride and groom. The service was touching, and as I watched Mason and Rosie exchange their vows, I couldn’t help thinking back to my own wedding day. Andrea and I had been so happy, so full of love and life and hope, just as Mason and Rosie were. Just as I wanted to be again. I looked from the happy couple to Olive. My stomach dipped as her lips curved into a small smile.

After the ceremony and the traditional confetti-throwing outside the church, we gathered at a local pub, filling the place to the rafters. A pianist began to play, and everyone was merry as we grazed on sandwiches and plenty of wedding cake, three tiers and beautifully decorated in sugar roses. All Mason’s own work.

As the day wore on, Rosie gathered the female guests for the traditional bouquet toss. She scanned the crowd, and I thought I caught a wink before she turned her back and launched her bouquet over her head. She threw it too high, and it ricocheted off the rafters, landing at Olive’s feet. Olive scooped it up and held it over her head, laughing as the other ladies clapped. Rosie stepped down from her perch on a chair and slung her arms around Olive, kissing her cheek. They laughed and shared a private comment, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it might be.

When the pianist began a slower number, I held out my hand to Olive. “Care to dance?”

She slipped her hand into mine. “Love to.”

I pulled her into the circle of my arms and, as the music continued, she drew closer, until only an inch or two remained between us.

“What a beautiful place Cornwall is,” I said. “There’s something wild and romantic about it. Have you spent much time here?”

She hesitated for a moment. “Cornwall is where Lucy was born. I hated it when I first came here, but I loved it by the time I left.” Her eyes misted over. “I haven’t been back since.”

I imagined she was picturing the event in her mind, thinking about Lucy’s father. “Ah. I see. It must be strange to be back.”

“A little,” she admitted, “especially since...” Her words trailed off.

“Especially since what?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head.

I didn’t press, but followed her gaze to Mason and Rosie, wrapped up in each other, moving slowly to the music.

“Do you really think there’s only one person for everyone?” she asked.

I hesitated for a moment and then told her the conclusion I’d come to in the last year, the words I’d been wanting to tell her.

“I used to believe that. Now, I think the heart is capable of much more.” I gathered her hand and held it to my lips. “You swept back into my life and made me happy in a way I never thought I could be happy again.”

Without hesitation, I cupped her face with my hands, peering into her beautiful eyes, inhaling the scent of her intoxicating perfume. In another breath, I pressed my lips against hers. I felt her respond, moving toward me as the other guests fell away around us, and it was just the two of us. Her eyes filled with so much hope I could hardly bear it. She felt the same way I did, I could see it all over her face, so why was there still this hesitation?

“Olive, I think... well, I know I’m—”

“I have to tell you something, Jack.” She gazed up at me, a look of fear in her eyes as she blurted out the words. “It can’t wait another minute.”

My smile hid my sense of trepidation. “Sounds serious!”

“Jack, please. Don’t joke. Not now.”

“Do you want to go somewhere more private?”

She hesitated. I saw her glance over to where Lucy was dancing with Ivy. “Yes,” she said.

I gathered our coats, my stomach shifting with unease at her tone, her serious expression. I couldn’t imagine what was so important that we needed to leave the wedding reception, but I tucked her hand in the crook of my arm and led her outside.