Beth truly was family. She took a deep breath and prepared to meet the queen. “Beth has no one in Miami since her husband of forty years died last year.” It had been a bad year for themboth.
Without hesitation he asked, “Do you want to ask her to move here? I have a nice property nearby. She could walk over every day or my driver could be of service toher.”
“Yes, that would be awesome.” She wrapped her hand aroundhis.
He glanced at their hands and smiled at her. He then led her toward the others. “Let’s find out ourdate.”
They walked closer to the group and Donna automatically curtsied. “YourMajesty.”
The queen smiled at her and Donna thought it seemed genuine as she said, “Your Grace. Miss Smith. Two of my daughters-in-law are also from Miami and they are hoping you’ll join them fortea.”
Yes, she’d read in the Miami Herald’s society section about how the insurance agent and the local teacher both ended up married to European nobility—she and Beth had laughed and insisted things like that didn’t happen in real life. She’d read a lot of things when she worked in the library. “I’d loveto.”
The queen nodded. “Perfect. I’ll let them know to send foryou.”
“Thank you.” Blackwell stood taller. “And Your Majesty, when can wemarry?”
The queen briefly met the gaze of Beth and Martina like they shared something in common then she tugged her white gloves on. “As you only want the chapel, you’ll have to post bans today, but you can have it for tomorrow or in threedays.”
“Three days,” Donna chose fast. There was no way she’d be ready tomorrow. It would beimpossible.
Beth’s eyes widened. “You want towait?”
“I want a dress.” Donna lowered her head. “I’ll need to shop for a few things though you know I’m not a greatshopper.”
The queen snapped her finger. “Come to tea with me this afternoon. We still have the latest designs from my daughters-in-law’s wedding samples. I have a room full of wedding dresses. Have anyone youlike.”
Overwhelmed by her generosity, Donna inched backwards, into the shade of an oak tree. “You don’t haveto…”
Beth stepped forward. “We’re both coming, Your Majesty. Thankyou.”
Donna’s skin pulsed with nerves. “Beth?”
Her friend walked over to her and said quietly, “If we find a dress today, you can marry tomorrow. Isn’t that what youwant?”
Now her face felt hot as she stared down at her black flats. She wanted to be married to Blackwell already. “I don’t want toimpose.”
The queen stayed still. “It’s no imposition. Please find one you like and our seamstress can tailor it foryou.”
None of this seemed real. Donna tugged her ear and met Blackwell’s gaze. “I wasn’tprepared-”
He placed his hand on her lower back and helped her come forward again. “Donna, go. I’ll post the bans and go riding with Remington. See you for a nicedinner?”
“Okay, sounds lovely.” She kissed his cheek. Soon it would just be the two of them, forever, and she’d create a new lifehere.
The queen gestured toward her black limo. “Follow and meet me at the palace, unless you want to, as you say in America, ‘hopin.’”
Her face went numb when Blackwell’s mother nodded her agreement. Donna stepped closer to Blackwell, who said, “We’ll follow but Lady Oakley will join you for theride.”
“Excellent.” His mother and the queen went inside her limo made private with tintedwindows.
They waved anyhow and waited until the limo passed through the open blackgate.
One of Blackwell’s cars came out for them and waited where the limo had justbeen.
Donna took his hand again and rested her forehead on his chest. “Blackwell, I’m scared—what if this is amistake?”
He massaged her back and waited till she looked up at him again. “Go. Meet the American princesses. You might make a few friends and feel more settledhere.”
