By the River

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER 14:

Enrique tiled his head and wondered where to start. “Well, I do not know what you would like to know. I am from Spain and the eldest son of the Duke of Zaragoza. You know I have a sister and also a younger brother named Marco. I am eight and twenty, Isa is eight and ten, Marcos is one and twenty. I have grown up between here and Spain. Both my parents are in London waiting for my return. I am friends with your Lord Nicholas. Our families are remarkably close and have always been. I served in the Spanish Navy. I own a few ships and periodically like to captain them. I am unsure what else to tell.”

Dria smiled and replied, “We will learn more from each other as the days pass. That is a start though to getting to know each other. I am eight and ten like Isa. I have one older brother who is six and twenty. I have two other friends, Gemma, and Lily, who seem to be very enamored with your Lord Nicholas. Both my parents are no longer with me.” She whispered the last part as her heart filled with sadness thinking of her parents and how they would not see her get married and have children.

She did not notice that a small tear had made its way down her cheek until she felt someone wiping the tear from her cheek. She jerked back and looked up at Duke Enrique in surprise and sadness. She blushed at her silly actions and looked away towards the window where the sun seemed to be shining brightly as if in agreement with what was to come. She smiled a small smile as she felt the warmth from his fingers on her cheek as well as the sun that filled the room as they sat waiting.

She looked back at him when he murmured an apology. “This all right. It just is hard sometimes when I think of all the things they will miss in our lives. They missed seeing me grow, get married, and having children.”

She watched as he stiffened at the last part and his face became hooded almost like he was locking away the emotions. She lifted her head and tilted it to the side in curiosity. “Do you not wish to have children Milord?”

He stiffened even more, and she felt a rush of panic waiting for his answer. “Yes, I do wish to have children someday.” He waved away the question with his hand and seemingly vague answer.

She sucked in a breath as the panic seemed to spread quicker than wildfire throughout her. She tried to let it out slowly as she masked her feelings on her face and nodded her head. “That is very good.”

Enrique watches the look of panic sadness and horror then lastly confusion wash over her face before she fully masked it leaving it blank. He wondered what he said to cause such emotions. Perhaps she did not want children. If that were the case, she would have a rude awakening very soon when she realized she was going to be a mother. He prayed she would not be like those other ladies who had children but did not even acknowledge them but always left them with the nanny to care for.

He started to worry slightly as he thought more about it and dread filled him. He did not want his children to be raised by nannies. He was not raised that way and he refused to let his kids be raised in that manner.

The dread started to turn to anger as he thought more and more about it. His smile started to slide off his face. “Do you not wish children madam?”

She watched as his face changed and became angry. She was not sure what had caused it and frowned at him. “Of course, I want children. Who would not want sweet children of their own?” she asked a little peeved.

He slowly let out a breath he did not know he had been holding when she said sweet children. That did not sound like someone who would not want to be a part of her children’s life. “Pardon me. I was not sure how you felt about children. I very much want children someday and was slightly confused how you felt about it. Pardon my slight.”

She smiled after he said that and felt a little better knowing he wanted a child. Then she started to feel a little weary when he said someday. She thought of her child that she suspected she was with. She felt a little dread fill her knowing she had not said anything as she had realized it the day before when they were in the dress shop. She hoped he would not become upset knowing it was sooner than later.

She glanced up at him from her lashes and wondered what his reaction would be. She felt slightly anxious knowing that this was all uncharted territory. She wished Isa were here to talk to her. “That is understandable. You are forgiven. No need to apologize.”

There was a knock on the front door and Enrique stood as he watched John answer the door. Dria stood as well and clasped her hands together and waited for her friend to appear. She only had to wait a moment before her friend appeared in the doorway and gave a squeal and ran to her friend engulfing her in a large hug. Dria hugged her friend back and smiled happily that her friend was there.

“I am so glad to see you! I am so glad you did not go through this without me. I would never forgive you and you either Kike. You look amazing, Dria! I love this dress. Where did you get it?” Isa rambled as she held Dria at arm’s length and examined her beautiful gown. She had her spin around so she could further examine her gown.

“Oh goodness that reminds me! Duke Enrique, I forgot to thank you for the beautiful gown. It is so perfect I love it.” Dria said as she turned towards Enrique and smiled a blinding smile at him.

He sucked in his breath as he stared at her smile, getting lost in her shining eyes that he almost missed what she had said. He gave a mental shake and smiled at her. “You are most welcome. I just wanted you to feel beautiful on your day since you could not have a large wedding. Though we can have a party at a later date if you wish.” He replied.

She held her heart tighten again and held her breath for a moment and let it out to ease the weird feeling in her heart she was feeling. She was not sure how she was feeling, and she definitely needed some time with her friends and talk to them about it and figure out what was happening to her.

“That would be amazing. I would love that very much. Thank you.”

Isa watched her brother and Dria’s exchange and smirked at the looks they were giving each other. She knew in her heart this was going to work out wonderfully. Her smile faltered a little when she thought about the surprise her parents had waiting for Enrique at home and wondered how he would feel.

“How did you manage this so quickly brother? You truly never cease to amaze me. Did Vanna do the dress?” Isa asked.

Enrique looked at his sister and replied, “Yes, she did. I have my ways and she is truly an amazing gem. I know where we shall get your clothes from here on out. Well, I supposed both your dresses now.” He glanced over at Dria and smiled.

“You are a wonder for sure brother. You made a wonderful choice for sure. Good we would not want to take away from Vanna. She is the sweetest thing ever.” Replied Dria.

“Well shall we find the others and get this wedding under way? I am extremely excited to have you as my new sister.” Squealed Isa.

Dria laughed and linked her arm with Isa as they smiled and chatted more about the dress and walked out of the room completely forgetting about Enrique. Enrique chuckled and knew from here on out if he wanted time with his soon to be wife he would be competing with his very own sister. He almost feared the trouble they could get into, especially after hearing some of the stories Damien had talked about his little sister and her friends.

He followed them out of the drawing room and headed towards the ballroom where the new chapter would begin. He paused briefly and wondered if he would have set his hat for Dria if the circumstances had been different. He did not know her well but the little he had seen of her he knew she would definitely have caught his interest.

He sighed and knew dwelling on the what ifs of the past would get him nowhere. He started walking again listening to the two girls chatter and laughter. He smiled to himself and hoped that she would be happy in his household. He knew his sister would make sure of it.

He entered the ballroom and had to stop in amazement as he turned his head towards his sister and Dria at their gasp of awe. The ballroom looked magnificent with the white-like altar that had been placed in the middle of the ballroom. It was an arch shape and had little flowers woven onto the sides and down to the floor where there was a long white cloth that had been sprinkled with rose pedals.

Along the pedals a few chairs had been placed where the family and all could sit and watch. The chairs had been decorated with purple ribbons and roses on the back of the chair. He marveled at the small lanterns that had been strung up along the wall. The room seemed to have been transformed into a beautiful chapel in a matter of hours.

Dria stood in the doorway next to Isa marveling at the sight before her. She did not know how in the world everyone had managed to create such a spectacular creation with no time at all. She glanced over at her aunt and smiled with tears in her eyes.

“It is so beautiful. It is absolutely perfect! I could not have pictured a more beautiful sight if I had tried. You did splendidly. Thank you. Thank you everyone! This has made me so happy. It is almost like a real wedding minus a few key people.” Dria said emotions choking her throat.

“You mean like us?” A voice said as Dria whirled around at the sound. She clasped her hands over her mouth as more tears threatened to spill. She ran to her friends Lily and Gemma and buried her head on their shoulders as tears began to flow.

“Hey hey now. There is no need for tears. You should know we would never miss something like this. Though we will be having a long talk later tonight about this.” Lily said while they hugged their friend.

“However, did you know?” Dria asked her friends as she pulled away and wiped her eyes.

“We were sent an invite yesterday and left immediately. We would never have missed this for the world. I am so glad to see we made it on time. Though we arrived late last evening and have been waiting all day to see you.” Gemma said.

“Who sent the invite though? I am beyond happy you both are here. It makes this wedding more real and complete to me. I cannot believe you truly here. It will be perfect now.” Dria replied.

“I sent the invite with the help from Isabelle. She mentioned how it would have been nice to have everyone here. So, I sent the invites immediately while procuring the special license. I am glad it brightened the day.” Enrique piped up when the girls did not say anything to her question and smiled impishly.

Dria’s jaw dropped, and she burst into tears as she threw herself into his arms. She could not speak because of how clogged her throat became with emotions. She sobbed uncontrollably as he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to his chest. She could not even wrap her head around how kind a gesture it was for him to think of her friends and try to make this situation a little more real.

He held her as she sobbed and after a few minutes began to calm down. He looked down at her and smiled as she stepped back and wiped her eyes with the handkerchief, he had handed her. Her cheeks reddened slightly as she realized she had soaked his shirt with her tears. She felt like such a fool.

“I am so sorry for that. I am so grateful for you for the thought of my friends and brought them here today. It means the world to me. I greatly appreciate it. That was very thoughtful of you.” Dria said.

“You’re very welcome. I know I have caused a lot of damage and wanted to write what I could and make it more real for you. Not a quick hurried marriage but more of a traditional one.” Enrique kindly told her.

The girls sighed and smiled at him. “Are we going to have a wedding or not? That is what we came here for once and I know it needs to happen before too long. We cannot keep the vicar waiting forever.” Lily piped in. Cecilia walked over to the party and greeted the girls. She smiled and said, “She is right my dear the vicar does have other engagements today. We must not keep him waiting. Let us do this.”