Chapter Nine - A Featherington Meets A Finch

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"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister reads.

Philippa beams as she and Mr Finch lean in and kiss.

The room breaks out into light applause as they break apart, looping their arms together and beginning to walk down the aisle.

"Oh how wonderful," Mrs Finch says, watching as Philippa and her son walk down the aisle. She turns back towards Lady Featherington with a smile, "and to think, we are all one family now, Lady Featherington."

Lady Featherington chuckles weakly as she gazes down at the tissue she was holding, "yes. What a delightful thought."

"We must tell the new Lord Featherington," Mr Finch says, looking over at his wife who nods in agreement. "Where is the new Lord Featherington?"

Lady Featherington pauses before offering them a weak smile, "he is here somewhere, to be sure. Let me find him."

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"Philippa! The wedding was gorgeous! I'm so glad that I was able to come," I pull her into a quick hug before stepping and looking at her dress with wide eyes, "and your dress... it is so... unique! Perfectly you!"

"It means a lot that you were willing to come... especially since we decided to make it such a small event," Philippa said, looking over towards her now-husband with complete adoration.

"I cannot wait to see what you do next," I say, "I know that you both will make a wonderful family!"

"Um, Prudence?" I turn towards the eldest Featherington sister who hums in acknowledgment and looks up at me from her plate of sweets.

"Do you know anything about Charlotte Glendale?" I ask.

Prudence snorts and rolls her eyes, putting her plate to the side as she crossed her arms and looked over at me. "Know her? How could someone not?"

"I heard that she was trying to marry the Baron Conway...," Philippa added in, scurrying over towards us and taking a bite of cookie. "Not that it worked... she had to settle for Lord Glendale-"

"A mere Lord... not even a Baron. I'm sure that her mama was ecstatic about that," Prudence said, chuckling, "I heard that the wedding was done in three days... three! She had the baby not even a year later...."

I nod my head and let out a little hum, before offering them both another beaming smile and stepping back, "Well, I should most likely get going... but, again, I am so happy to have been able to witness your wedding, Philippa!"

Philippa nods her head in understanding, "of course, the life of a Duchess has many demands, I am sure! It was wonderful to see you!"

"Until we see each other again," I say, nodding my head to them and quickly leaving the house and stepping into the waiting carriage.

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"Florence, it is about time that you come to visit me."

I chuckle as I fall into a low curtsy, "it is an honor as always, Your Majesty."

"Oh, come along, we have many things to do today," Charlotte says, standing up and making her way over to me. "I saw dear Frederick a few days ago, I passed on a letter that Fredrich had written to him. Over the moon, he was to receive it."

I nod my head and hum, "I do think that I remember how excited he was when he arrived home that night."

"At heart, they are still children," Charlotte says, "I am hoping to host Friedrich again at some point in the near future... I hope that you and Frederick will be able to come and visit... perhaps you will even be able to stay over during his stay."

"We would be honored to, Your Majesty."

Charlotte huffs and waves me off, "you know that you can call me Charlotte in private... after all, you did marry one of my oldest family friends."

I nod my head, offering her a smile as we paused in a spacious hallway, watching as the doors to the terrace and gardens are pulled open. As Charlotte walks out, a smile appears on her face when she sees who was waiting.

Lady Danbury, Edwina, and Kate all fall into curtsy's at the sight of Charlotte, bowing their heads in respect.

"Your Majesty," Lady Danbury greets, peering up and winking toward me. "Your Grace."

"Lady Danbury," Charlotte returns nodding at her before turning to look at the two siblings. "Miss Sharma. And my diamond."

"This way. There is much to see," Charlotte says, motioning all three of them forwards.

We start off towards one of the staircases, with Kate and I following behind Charlotte and Edwina, while Lady Mary and Lady Danbury slow their pace slightly and fall to the back of our group.

"So, how have you been finding London, Miss Sharma?" I ask, glancing over at Kate and offering her a small smile.

"It has been... interesting," Kate says, looking around at the vast gardens before turning back towards me, "are you and Her Majesty close?"

"My husband is good friends with her, so, by marriage, I am," I explain, "although I would like to think that we have grown closer as the weeks and months have passed."

Kate nods her head and falls silent as she turns back towards her sister and the Queen, subtly listening in on their conversation with a raised brow.

"They are called 'zebra'," Charlotte explains, glancing at Edwina as she continues up the staircase, "striped horses from Africa, in fact. Seven more arrive next week. Though I can't think what to name them all."

We all peer over the railing at the animals in wonder. Their black and white stripes were a sharp contrast to the green, lush grass that they were eating.

"Eight," I whisper, staring at them in wonder, "eight zebra's."

"It is a sight," Kate mutters, her brow raising slightly at the sight.

"After 15 children, I seem to have run out of ideas," Charlotte continues.

"It is the most spectacular menagerie, Your Majesty," Lady Danbury says, looking around in wonder.

"Indeed, it is," Charlotte says, pausing before turning to look at Edwina, "Miss Edwina?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I do hope you have been enjoying the attention you have surely been receiving as the season's diamond."

Edwina nods her head bashfully, "very much so, ma'am. It has been an exceptional honor."

"It is not an easy mantle to take on, you realize," Charlotte continues, "to have so many eyes upon you at all times. Regardless of the truth, people... nay, gossips, they will contrive shameless falsehoods. Rumor can oftentimes be a great hardship to endure. Just ask your mother. Just ask me."

"My sister aspires to learn from your illustrious example, Your Majesty," Kate says, stepping beside Edwina and offering the Queen a charming smile. "Your marriage, the wonderous love you share with the King. Edwina desires the very same."

"And she shall receive it," Charlotte adds on, "should she know who to trust."

"Lady Danbury has been a steadfast guide for us this season," Kate says, "and my sister has me watching her as well."

"An inner circle, if there ever was one," Charlotte says. "Though you must know there will be many people trying to break it apart for their own ends. When those persons inevitably reveal themselves and their rather sly intentions, I simply ask that you tell me who they are so that I may decide if they are worthy, of course."

I quickly hum and rock back onto my heels as I watch Lady Danbury's brow raise higher than I have ever seen it.

"Miss Sharma, perhaps you would like to take your sister to see the rest of these splendid grounds," Lady Danbury offers.

"Yes. The cassowaries are just across the bridge," Charlotte informs, "but do not veer too close. They are quite irritable."

"I... shall join them," I say, stepping up and offering Edwina and Kate a reassuring smile.

"What a wonderful idea," Charlotte says, nodding her head at me.

Edwina, Kate, and I all fall into a curtsy before starting off towards the bridge.

"The cassowaries are not nearly as terrifying as you may think," I say, glancing over at Edwina, who was looking rather pale as we all got closer to the bridge. "As long as you do not try to go after them- and leave a reasonable amount of distance between you and them- then they should have no reason to go after you."

"A lesson it sounds like you know personally, Your Grace," Kate notes, a glint of teasing behind her deep brown eyes.

"A lesson that my husband had to learn," I confess, grinning over at them. "He wanted to try and pet them... apparently, he thought that they looked 'soft' and 'fluffy'. Needless to say, he learned of their rather strong kicks that day..."

"Is he okay?" Edwina asks, her eyes widening in horror.

I chuckle and nod my head, "oh, yes. Frederick is perfectly healthy now... I think that the only thing that was hurt was his ego... and perhaps his love for the cassowaries- although, I believe that I heard him talking about trying to win them over again, not too long ago."

Edwina visibly relaxes and chuckles as we cross over the bridge and start closer towards the cassowaries, making sure that she- along with Kate and I- kept a safe distance from the majestic birds the entire time.

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-T