Chapter 23

A few weeks later…

‘Mildred? Are you here? We do not have long!’ Anne yelled as she pelted up the stairs of Mildred’s new grand home.

She stopped when Mildred walked down the stairs in a stunning golden gown.

‘To say you dislike your husband, he does take care of all of your needs I see?’ Anne sniggered with her hands on her hips. Mildred gave her a look of shock.

‘Do not be silly Anne! He could not possibly take care of all of my needs! Now, will I do? I do not want to make a show of myself when attending Princess Louise’s wedding.’ Mildred said.

Anne smiled and hooked into her as she came down the stairs. They left the house together.

‘We are not attending my dear friend, we are observing from afar. But yes, your dress is astonishing. I cannot believe the day is finally here. 27th July 1900. The day the Queen’s granddaughter is finally married.’ Anne told her.

‘I want to know where on Earth seven months have gone of the new century! Since I got married myself, I feel time has passed and I have aged intensely.’ Mildred said dramatically.

‘This year is going by quickly, I will not argue with you on that. But life is all about enjoying the moment, not missing moments that have passed.’ Anne told her.

Mildred sniggered at how wise her young friend was becoming. They stepped into the lushious carriage that waited for them outside. As they were travelling from Oxford to London, they prepared for a lengthy ride.

‘So, who else will be at the princess’ wedding? Anyone…special?’ Mildred teased.

Anne laughed and looked away awkwardly.

‘I told you! I do not wish to talk of him, especially not today. I am so happy right now that I do not want to tempt fate.’ Anne smiled as she spoke. Mildred felt lucky to witness her best friend being so happy.

‘I believe you will be happy with a Winchester. What I would give to marry into that family! In a way, I envy you.’ Mildred said miserably.

‘Oh? And why is that? You are already married to a man, a fine gentleman so I hear.’ Anne replied.

‘Some may say that, but being married to him is a different story. He is not a bad man, far from it. He does take exceedingly good care of me and for that, I am grateful. But there is no love there. And he is much too old for me, we have nothing in common. He keeps going on about making an heir but so far, we have had no luck.’ Mildred explained.

Anne could see the frustration on her face. She knew she wanted to get pregnant to get her new husband off her back and have a break.

‘Yes, well being pregnant is not all it's cracked up to be. You are sick daily and the pains are awful.’ Anne replied as she rubbed her stomach.

‘You are really starting to show now! I cannot believe my best friend is having a baby. I will be Auntie Mildred!' Mildred cried with happiness.

'There is still a while to go yet. I cannot wait for the birth to be over with. My Aunt Bertha is still furious with me for being with child before marriage. But once I am married, she cannot control me anymore.' Anne explained. She seemed confident with her own words as though she truly believed that she would be free.

'Have you got any closer to claiming the Spenbourne wealth back off your Aunt? Things really cannot carry on the way they have been.' Mildred said.

'Do not worry, I have been working on a smooth plan. If it does go ahead, she will not even know it was me that caused her downfall. I hate to mess with family like this but she did start all of this by faking his will. She can never get away with that.' Anne declared.

Around an hour later, they arrived in London. Somewhere that neither of them went to very often except for special occasions. They gathered on the crowded streets to watch the Princess walk into Buckingham Palace.

'Look at her wedding dress! She looks amazing! I cannot believe the wedding will be in a private Chapel, away from the public but I love to be here all the same. So, where is he? Did he say he would be meeting you here?' Mildred asked.

'Yes, he stayed in London over night so he did not have to rush to get here this early. He should be here any moment now.' Anne said with anticipation.

'Speaking of your special man, here he is now.' Mildred said with a giant grin on her face.

Anne turned around swiftly to face him. She smiled at him brightly when their eyes locked in place.

'Hello.' He said.