it's enveloping warmth. All I wanted was to go home, have a hot bath and crawl into bed, but I still had a wake to host. I dropped my head back against the seat and closed my eyes as the limousine glided through the cemetery and back out into the streets of Calanais. I was thankful for Jordan's silence and his comforting hand holding mine.
I don't know what I would've done without him today. Normally it would've been Meredith propping me up, but due to the increased security risk she had been tasked somewhere else. Jordan's military background had meant that he could step in and be an extra protection if need be.
He gently squeezed my hand alerting me to our arrival at the palace. I lifted my head, opening my eyes and gave him a small smile of appreciation. The car came to a stop under the portico and my door was opened. I was helped out by the doorman and Jordan joined me, taking my elbow to escort me inside.
The large front doors stood open and were flanked by both security and footman. One of my lady's maids stood by to take my coat and gloves, while another one fussed with my unruly, windswept hair. With another coat of lipstick and a dusting of powder on my nose, I was released to face my waiting guests. My steps echoed on the marble tiles as we walked toward the room where the wake would be held. I took a deep breath, sliding my public facade into place as the doors opened and my arrival was announced.
Walking into the room was eerily similar to last night's reception, except today everyone wore black and the mood was quite a bit more sombre. I just wanted it to be over, I just wanted a minute to myself. But instead I greeted and glad-handed the titled and the landed and the close personal friends of my father's. I looked up at Jordan and pleaded with my eyes.
"Drink?" he asked in a whisper, to which I nodded.
"Something stronger than wine," I whispered back.
Aiden stepped up to take Jordan's place at my side as I continued into the room. The sentiments and sympathies offered to me were a blur and just when I thought I could not stand another moment a cool glass was pressed into my hands.
I sipped it gratefully tasting a very good craft ale. I looked up to thank Jordan, but it was Will standing in front of me. He also held a small plate of canapé's, an assortment of crackers and different cheeses.
"You seemed to enjoy the one you tried last night," he said haltingly, "I thought you might like to try the rest of our range."
"You produce all these?" I asked as I selected a creamy blue vein.
"Yes," he replied.
"I saw your cows," I said before biting into the cracker. "Oh my, this is divine," I mumbled.
One side of his mouth quirked up quickly before returning to it's previous downward position.
"Darkly," Jordan said as he arrived with a glass of what looked like scotch. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I see you found a drink in my absence," he said nodding at my glass.
"Yes," I replied swallowing the canapé and reaching for another, "Will brought it to me."
Jordan's lips thinned as he pressed them together. Will handed the plate of canapés to Aiden and bowed to me before walking away, once again leaving me to watch his back retreating from me.
"Jacob was like a brother to me," Will's deep voice filled the cathedral as he stood at the podium to deliver his speech. "We grew up together, spending many hours exploring the wonders of our beautiful countryside. He loved Merveille and everything it had to offer and would have been a wonderful King had he been given the chance." I watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed harshly and felt my eyes fill with unshed tears. "Jacob stood by me when I lost my mother and then again when I lost my father. He was there through all the many trials that I fought in the aftermath. His loyalty was unsurpassed and I treasured his friendship above all others. I will miss him
I don't know what I would've done without him today. Normally it would've been Meredith propping me up, but due to the increased security risk she had been tasked somewhere else. Jordan's military background had meant that he could step in and be an extra protection if need be.
He gently squeezed my hand alerting me to our arrival at the palace. I lifted my head, opening my eyes and gave him a small smile of appreciation. The car came to a stop under the portico and my door was opened. I was helped out by the doorman and Jordan joined me, taking my elbow to escort me inside.
The large front doors stood open and were flanked by both security and footman. One of my lady's maids stood by to take my coat and gloves, while another one fussed with my unruly, windswept hair. With another coat of lipstick and a dusting of powder on my nose, I was released to face my waiting guests. My steps echoed on the marble tiles as we walked toward the room where the wake would be held. I took a deep breath, sliding my public facade into place as the doors opened and my arrival was announced.
Walking into the room was eerily similar to last night's reception, except today everyone wore black and the mood was quite a bit more sombre. I just wanted it to be over, I just wanted a minute to myself. But instead I greeted and glad-handed the titled and the landed and the close personal friends of my father's. I looked up at Jordan and pleaded with my eyes.
"Drink?" he asked in a whisper, to which I nodded.
"Something stronger than wine," I whispered back.
Aiden stepped up to take Jordan's place at my side as I continued into the room. The sentiments and sympathies offered to me were a blur and just when I thought I could not stand another moment a cool glass was pressed into my hands.
I sipped it gratefully tasting a very good craft ale. I looked up to thank Jordan, but it was Will standing in front of me. He also held a small plate of canapé's, an assortment of crackers and different cheeses.
"You seemed to enjoy the one you tried last night," he said haltingly, "I thought you might like to try the rest of our range."
"You produce all these?" I asked as I selected a creamy blue vein.
"Yes," he replied.
"I saw your cows," I said before biting into the cracker. "Oh my, this is divine," I mumbled.
One side of his mouth quirked up quickly before returning to it's previous downward position.
"Darkly," Jordan said as he arrived with a glass of what looked like scotch. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I see you found a drink in my absence," he said nodding at my glass.
"Yes," I replied swallowing the canapé and reaching for another, "Will brought it to me."
Jordan's lips thinned as he pressed them together. Will handed the plate of canapés to Aiden and bowed to me before walking away, once again leaving me to watch his back retreating from me.
"Jacob was like a brother to me," Will's deep voice filled the cathedral as he stood at the podium to deliver his speech. "We grew up together, spending many hours exploring the wonders of our beautiful countryside. He loved Merveille and everything it had to offer and would have been a wonderful King had he been given the chance." I watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed harshly and felt my eyes fill with unshed tears. "Jacob stood by me when I lost my mother and then again when I lost my father. He was there through all the many trials that I fought in the aftermath. His loyalty was unsurpassed and I treasured his friendship above all others. I will miss him
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