Chapter 24

"No other event," the Queen stated in disbelief as she read the latest Whistledown. "But my luncheon."

"At least she did not say anything odious," Brimsley pointed out, and Charlotte, who was sitting next to her mother, nodded.

"It is far worse," she stated and put down the scandal sheet. "She wrote nothing."

"Only of the Princess' wedding to the Bridgerton man," Brimsley remarked, and the Queen glared at him. "Your Majesty..."

"Do not worry, Mama. Lady Whistledown only cares for scandal, or gossip. Despite the unexpected presence of the Featheringtons, nothing bad happened at your luncheon," she said.

"I presume," the Queen muttered and sighed. "Any plans for today, Daughter?"

"I am going to ask the Bridgerton girls to be my bridesmaids," she explained. "And that includes the Duchess of Hastings."

"All the Bridgerton girls?" The Queen asked.

"Of course," she chuckled and stood up from the sofa. "Besides, they are my family too."

"I know, I know," her mother nodded. "Remember to inform him of choosing a supporter. And you need a pageboy."

"I remember," Charlotte nodded with a small smile. "I am going to Hastings House before going to the Bridgertons'. Do you need anything else from me?"

"No, darling," the Queen said, the Princess kissed both of her mother's cheeks, and made a curtsy before walking out of the room.

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ

"Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Your Grace," Rose announced Charlotte's presence in the room Daphne was currently in.

"Thank you, Rose," Daphne smiled at the sight of her best friend. "And thank you for coming, Char. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please. Thank you," she nodded. Daphne told Rose to get them some tea, and once her maid walked out the door, Charlotte turned towards the duchess. "Something tells me we have lots to talk about."

"Indeed," she sighed.

"Why don't you start by you telling me of your life as a newlywed?" Charlotte suggested as the two sat down on the sofa. "I am to be one myself soon."

"Just two more weeks and you'll be married to my brother," she nodded with a tired smile, and took a deep breath. "Oh my, how do I start?"

"Perhaps by explaining why ''?" She asked. "If you want to, of course."

"We started off great. Our wedding night, it was so magical and special... I– I felt wonderful. He even confessed everything he told the Queen about us was true..." Daphne explained, and her smile faded. "But I cannot lie to you, Char. Since a few weeks ago my marriage has slowly fallen apart. He barely spares a glance at me, if that."

"Oh, Daph..." The Princess looked at her friend with sympathy.

"He told me he couldn't have children. And I was a fool to believe him. He lied to me. '', and '' are two completely different things," she stated and looked down at her lap. "I've always wanted to be a mother, and to have a large family like mine... I was willing to sacrifice all that for him, because he ''... I felt bad for him. He won't ever have the chance to be a father. But now I know...that the person I loved and trusted most, my husband...lied to me since day one."

In that moment, there was a knock on the door and Rose entered with a tray, and on it were a teapot, two cups of tea, and much to Charlotte's delight, macaroons.

"Thank you, Rose," the duchess nodded with a sincere smile, but it was hard for her to hide the look on distress on her face. Charlotte noticed, and Rose did too.

"Do you know the reason?" The Princess asked. "The reason why the Duke does not wishes to have children?"

"Do you?" Daphne wondered and took a sip of her tea. "Be honest, please."

"I will always be honest with you. But as much as I love you and wish to help you, Daph, it is not my place to tell," she said sincerely. "It is personal for him. Too personal. Just...give him time. You're his wife. I'm sure he will tell you, eventually... But I am sorry I cannot tell you, because you deserve to know."

"I understand why you are not telling me. I respect your loyalty to him," she sighed with a small nod. "Let us hope you are right."

"You and I have known each other for years now, and I can assure you...the reason will not justify his actions... But I am sure he will eventually realize it is not greater than what he feels for you," the Princess said with a small smile. "You are a Bridgerton. A diamond itself! Do you not remember what I once told you? '...'"

"'...'," Daphne sighed with a small nod. "I do remember."

"And better never forget it," the Princess nodded and took a sip of her tea.

"Let's speak of something else, please," she whispered, and Charlotte nodded in understanding, not wishing to make her more uncomfortable. "Do you know the army?"

"The army? Not quite. Just that the King...or my brother, is Head of the British Army," she said and took a sip of her tea. "Why do you ask?"

"The father of Miss Thompson's child is a soldier, and I thought I could speak to General Langham, or his wife, to have Sir George found," she explained, and sighed. "Sir George Crane. It appears he's in Spain."

"Oh..." The Princess sighed.

"Is the war that bad?" Daphne asked, and Charlotte scoffed as she set the small plate and cup of tea on the small table in front of her. "What? What's going on in Spain?"

"Every war is bad, Daph. No matter how big or small it is. This one's just... As far as I know, the war is between Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom, against the forces of France for control of the Iberian Peninsula," she explained, and sighed. "It is all a painful mess. I was there in Spain in a bad time, really. But I remember General Langham ensured my protection at all times. Too many lives have been lost, Daph. Far too many."

"Oh, God," Daphne breathed and looked down at her lap. "Do you think Sir George is...you know..."

"There is only one way to find out. You do not lose anything by trying," she said, and her friend nodded. "Speaking of ''... There is something I must ask of you."