Chapter 24

She embraced the man of her dreams and tried to shout over the busy crowds.

'I half expected you not to turn up. I highly doubt this is your scene.' Anne sniggered.

'Well, you live and learn young Anne. I have learnt to be somewhat appreciative of our dear royal family.' George replied.

Mildred gave her usual look of disapproval. She had told her friend several times to pick Sheldon over a middle-aged man. But Anne chose to follow her heart and what was right.

'Do not look so miserable, Mildred. You have your husband and I have my husband to be. We both chose well.' Anne told her.

Mildred turned her nose up at her friend and how in love she was. She wished she could feel the same about her husband. Anne ignored her judgemental looks, she knew it was only out of envy that she was acting that way.

'You are still young, Mildred. Your time for true love will come. I thought my first marriage would be the end of my life, but now I have a new beginning. You may be lucky enough to experience the same one day. Not that I am wishing your husband to perish or anything of that sort, I just mean never give up hope.' George explained to Mildred.

'Wow...You never told me he was a romantic, Anne! With how old my husband is, I hope he perishes sooner rather than later!' Mildred giggled to herself, but she was the only one laughing.

Anne and George exchanged an unfavourable look and remained silent.

'I think we should get off now before everybody tries to leave at once and the streets become overly cluttered.' George suggested.

'Good idea. At least I saw the royal dress before she went into the chapel. It has made me rather excited for our wedding. Although it will not be as grand as a royal wedding, it will be grand all the same.' Anne said as they all stepped into the carriage.

Quite a long time later, they arrived back in Oxford and they were greeted by Sheldon at the Winchester gates.

'Ah. I wondered what time you would all be back. I have had the servants make some lunch for you all, though, admittedly, it is a little late to be having lunch.' Sheldon announced with an overwhelmingly bright smile.

Anne shuddered at his constant and sudden kindness.

'That is very kind of you, my son. How awfully thoughtful of you to think of us after such a long journey.' George replied.

George got out of the carriage first and held his hand out to both ladies in order to escort them out safely.

George and Sheldon walked into the house, talking amongst themselves whilst Mildred and Anne hung back a little.

'See? I do not know why you think him to be unkind. Who could resist those dreamy eyes? You picked the wrong Winchester, that's for sure!' Mildred mocked her friend as they slowly walked behind George and Sheldon.

'Please Mildred, not this nonsense again. I chose what was best for me and I am more than happy with my decision. Even if it did prove to be a difficult one.' Anne answered truthfully.

Mildred smiled as she could tell that Anne liked both Sheldon and George, but she respected her decision even if she didn't agree with it.

They got into the dining room and sat at the table to eat the food that had been left for them. Anne ate awkwardly as she was sat next to George but across from Sheldon.

'I must say, this place is grand! I am excited to finally be here.' Mildred shouted across the table and her voice echoed.

'It is our pleasure. You are, after all a close friend to my future bride, we must get to know each other.' George answered her politely.

She smiled back at him to be polite but her full attention was on Sheldon. The way he swished his hair in the same direction each time, the way he ate so delicately and the way he stared mysteriously around the room. Even after all this time, she was still in awe with him. Anne looked over at her friend casually and noticed how she was staring at Sheldon. A feeling came over her and she couldn't tell exactly what it was.

'Are you alright there my dear Anne? You look somewhat distracted?' George asked her with a warming smile.

'I apologise, I was miles away. I am quite alright thank you. Just wedding thoughts again!' Anne laughed it off. Sheldon give Anne a mysterious look as she spoke, almost as though he knew what she was thinking and feeling before she did.

'So, Mildred. This husband of yours. Does he...satisfy you enough?' Sheldon randomly splurted out.

The dining room fell completely silent, only Mildred looked amused by his intensely intruding question.

'Sheldon! You are to act as a gentleman at all times, especially when we have guests! We have talked about this endless times! Do not be so vulgar in the prescence of ladies!' George yelled at him across from the table.

'Calm yourself, father. I was not refering to what you may have been thinking, I was asking if he satisfies her as a husband not...that.' Sheldon said, trying to keep a straight face. Anne knew exactly what he was trying to say, but she admired him for digging himself out of a hole.

'It is fine of you to ask, I am pleased to know you have an interest in my life, even if it is just out of curiousity. He does not satisfy me, not even a little. That goes for every part of my married life. I am afraid I will grow as old and as boring as him if I spend all my days with him as I have been.' Mildred opened up.

'Mildred, speak as you may in my house, I encourage everybody to speak freely. But what you are saying is hardly fair on your poor chap. He is probably not used to having a young lady around his house, not to mention the several generations between you both. You may not be the same age nor have the same interests but you did marry the gentleman. It does not put you in a good light to mock him at somebody else's table.' George told her.

Anne sipped her tiny cup of tea awkwardly and chose to remain silent. Mildred stared at George with her mouth open and wondered how to respond and Sheldon sat smiling at Mildred with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

'Excuse my friend here, she is used to being overly open, even with strangers. I am sure she will grow to love her new husband just as much as he loves her. Marriage is sometimes a difficult thing.' Anne stepped in eventually.

'Very well, I shall say no more on the matter.' George replied politely.

'What of your wedding, Anne? Have you made anymore plans lately? Are you sure you are happy with me being your new step-son? Or are you starting to regret choosing the wrong Winchester? You may be in the same boat as Mildred once you start your new life.' Sheldon told Anne sarcastically.

'Sheldon, please. That is an awful thing to say! We are in love and we will be wed soon enough, get used to it!' George yelled. He quickly got up from his chair and left the room.

'Looks like he could not handle the truth. What about you Anne? When will you tell him that you love me just as much as him? And not as a step son.' Sheldon sniggered.

Anne gave him a look of fury. But somewhere deep, burning with the fury was desire.