“I'm quite serious, my friend,” insisted Le Duc.
“It is shocking how quickly the utterly divine can fall out of fashion any more,” Saint-Cyr replied, dejected.
“True, but it can't be helped. The world moves forward with or without us,” Alejandro said.
“Alors! Valentinois! Do you speak Spanish? Ask that young lady where she purchased that sheer fabric. The ruffles would look quite elegant on my chairs,” Saint-Cyr exclaimed as he wandered off. “Young lady, put your skirt down, it's indecent! Valentinois! Give her some candy.”
“Thank you, love,” Nicolette sighed.
“I have arranged some Spanish music for you, mi cielita.” Alejandro bent towards her.
Nicolette smiled. Alejandro had thought of every detail, and she had only to dress for the wedding, carry her roses and enjoy her guests.
As the flamenco dancers performed for her and the guitarist played and sang, she watched wide-eyed, feeling absolutely invigorated by it. It was fiercely emotional music with a strong rhythm. There was much rhythmic hand clapping and encouraging shouts from fellow performers, and the dancers came down heavily on the brick patio emphasizing the beat.
The execution was brilliant, noisy, and savage. She wondered that there must be some metal attached to their shoes.
The male dancer wore a white ruffled shirt and very form-fitting black clothing, dressed much like the matador, and the rippling of every muscle was evident to her. Likewise, the female dancer was dressed provocatively, with one side of her low-cut, highly ruffled dress reaching up to her thigh. The combination of music, dance, and rhythm created a wildly focused, almost trancelike state of emotion.
“What is this flamenco dance, Alejandro?” she asked breathlessly, clapping vigorously even as she turned to Alejandro.
“Traveling troupes perform it and are increasing in popularity through-out Spain.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
Alejandro laughed as he smiled down at her, noticeably pleased that she enjoyed the show.
“What is the origin of this music…this dance?” Nicolette asked.
“There is some mystery around the flamenco, which seems fitting.” His mouth formed a half-smile as he shook his head. “We first saw the flamenco performed by the Andalusian Gypsies of southern Spain. The Roma, as they are called, migrated from Rajasthan in Northwest India to Spain between the ninth and fourteenth centuries.”
“This marvelous dance has its origins in India?”
“It is the blend of two cultures, possibly more,” he nodded. “Indians, Spaniards, and Gypsies.”
“I must learn this dance,” Nicolette resolved.
“Nothing would please me more, my Queen,” he whispered in her ear.
“Nothing?” she asked slyly.
“Did you have the wedding you dreamed of, my love?” he asked Nicolette when they returned to the bridal suite after one of the most wonderful evenings of her life.
“Yes. And I have the husband I could never have dreamed of.” Nicolette slowly sunk into a bed of rose petals where her husband made tender love to her.
Gently his lips claimed hers, and time stood still as he kissed her, running his hands along her hips and then her thighs, pulling her closer to him. He coaxed and teased her, waiting to enter her until she begged him to do so.
In the weeks which followed their first night together, he utilized every method known to him to tantalize and amaze her. And she, in her turn, took it upon herself to break his resolve and control at every opportunity, teaching him to forfeit his designs and to receive her love.
For a brief time, there was no one but each other, no countries to rule, no insurmountable problems to solve, no duties, no calling. There was only each other and pure happiness. Nicolette never imagined she could experience anything so encompassing outside of her music, but she had found it in love.
Alejandro's attentiveness and the memory of the tranquil scene returned to her many times. They were very much in love, and they would return to the world and to their very real duties all too soon.
69
Darkness turns to Day
“Last night a poor man
Wealthy today!
And all my darkness
Turns into day”
- The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini
“Odd, don't you think, Elly?” Walking the quaint cobblestone streets of San Idelfonso, Dr. Stanton turned to his wife. His slightly greying temples gave his coal black hair a decided distinction.
“What is that, Jon?” Lady Elaina asked, studying her husband. Even after all these years she couldn't determine if he was in the scientific mindset which had assisted in ushering in the industrial age, forever changing the face of the world—or if he was in one of his more whimsical moods.
“Oh, the twists and turns of life, the utter fluidity of it. No one fully grasps it.”
“You don't say, dearest?” She was sure she didn't grasp it, nor the direction he was taking.
“Do you know the mistake most people make?”
“Hmmm…the mistake. Trusting the banking system?”
“Ah. I should say the mistake most people make is believing the message they are taught at birth. They hold onto it, and they set the idea of themselves in stone.” He shook his head. “Nothing about us is set in stone. We have infinite possibilities in every moment.”
“What are you referring to, in particular, Jon?” Lady Elaina asked cautiously as she squeezed her husband's hand. She had an exceptional grasp on mathematics, but she hoped this was not one of those occasions when she would have to utilize it, preferring a simple relaxing stroll in the early evening light.
“Oh, nothing too dramatic.” Dr. Stanton shrugged. “Simply that I was a stable boy who shoveled manure on your estate. And now my granddaughter is married to the king of Spain.”
“Yes indeed, an odd turn of events.” Lady Elaina grew reflective. “It is highly probable you will have a great-grandson who will carry your blood to the throne of Spain.”
Jonathan Stanton laughed heartily, enjoying the joke. “Do you ever wish, Elly, you could travel back in time and speak to the person you were? To offer them comfort?”
“Yes, I do, Jon,” agreed Lady Elaina thoughtfully. “To ease the suffering of that long-ago person, a suffering one can still access.”
“I suppose it's all for the best, Elly.” Jon shook his head. “The shock might have killed me.”
“Dr. Stanton, please! We are in public!” Lady Elaina smiled, even as he took her in his strong arms and hugged her. She felt a rush of warmth through her body as they resumed their walking hand in hand.
“It is encouraging such drastic changes can occur without my even being privy to them.” He laughed wholeheartedly. Dr. Jonathan Stanton turned to his wife, a sudden twinkle in his eye. “Would you like to walk back to the palace through the park and stop for an ice along the way, Elly?”
“Let's,” she replied softly. Lady Elaina smiled up into her husband's sapphire blue eyes, striking against the grey temples. He was so…dashing.
Jon took his wife's arm into his. Together they walked the streets of San Idelfonso, lost in the reverie of what their next adventure would hold.
70
Sophia
“What JOY
That will be
If the Gods think of us
and give us children of our love”
- THE MAGIC FLUTE by Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart
Princess Sophia Celeste Isabella Yazmin Genevieve de Bonifácio, the first child of the king and queen of Spain was born December 8, 1905.
King Alejandro held his baby daughter with fascination and love, unable to believe she was his.
She does not belong to Spain but to me.
For the second time in his life, he realized there was something more important to him than his country. If hurting this child meant helping his country, he would not, he could not do it.
In this, he showed he was dif
ferent from his own parents.
Alejandro could not justify his personal allegiance, and it made no difference to him. This baby tore through everything he had been taught to believe. If he could not find a way to ensure the continued existence of both, he would choose this baby every time.
As he stared into the loving eyes of his Queen, a blissful expression on her face, he had the sense and the conviction the waters would part for him. If he devoted himself to doing the right thing, a way would reveal itself.
He returned his gaze to his baby daughter. He studied her hazel green eyes which were a combination of his wife's eyes and his own.
Alejandro knew with a certainty this girl and any children to follow would not be leaving home at eight years of age. Sophia would live with her father until he reluctantly led her down the aisle to join her husband.
Just as he had chosen Nicolette despite believing at the time she was not the best choice of a Queen for his country, he now chose his daughter. He could do nothing else. His heart would not allow it.
Because, finally, I exist.
Alejandro had discovered within himself a living, breathing man with thoughts and feelings unique to his being. Once discovered, they showered down upon him: he loved his Queen, he loved his princess, he loved his country.
I live.
Staring at his queen and his princess, King Alejandro de Bonifácio’s heart overflowed with love.
He still gave his heart to Espána.
But now, because of Nicolette, I have a heart to give.
La Historia Comienza
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Also by Suzette Hollingsworth
“Daughters of the Empire” historical romance:
THE DESTINY CODE: the Soldier and the Mystic
THE SERENADE: the Prince and the Siren
To be released in 2019:
THE RESISTANCE: The Contessa and the Shadow Knight (a World War II spy novel)
“The Great Detective in Love” romantic historical mystery:
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sword Princess
Sherlock Holmes and the Dance of the Tiger
Sherlock Holmes and the Chocolate Menace
Sherlock Holmes and the Vampire Invasion
To be released in 2020:
Sherlock Holmes and the Confirmed Bachelor
By award-winning author Clint Hollingsworth on Amazon
(Wilderness Thrillers, Sci Fi Space Opera)
The Sage Wind Blows Cold
Death in the High Lonesome
The Deep Blue Crush
The Road Sharks
“Starting from Scratch” comic about a couple of starving artists who are forced to live on their parents’ land in a trailer they bought on eBay (co-written by Suzette & Clint Hollingsworth, drawn by Clint Hollingsworth). This comic is more biographical than one might suppose.
Author’s Notes
As an author of historical fiction, I review history as well as the social structure and cultural beliefs of the time. I work within the framework of the actual, but I like to think about not necessarily what did happen, but what could happen.
The way I work is to search for something in history which fits my idea. It has astonished me time and again to find that the extraordinary people and events of my imagination often existed in a similar form. Many of my characters are fictitious and embrace the idea of ‘what could be’ but are often inspired by the amazing qualities and activities of real people.
A book is so much more interesting to me to know that, in history, real people have done incredible things and overcome enormous obstacles. Life is not easy. For anyone. To find people who made amazing and wonderful contributions amidst challenges and social stigma is inspiring and empowering.
My goal is that the fictitious embellishments make the reality come alive for the reader. What is history but a composite of choices which all human beings have made (in combination with the natural forces)?
Certainly different choices could have been made and we would all live in a different reality. I aim for a factual basis to my work, but there are elements of alternate history and magical realism intermingling with the history.
***
The Historical Era
The majority of “The Serenade” takes place in the Edwardian era, during Edward VII’s reign 1901-1910.
The Victorian era, or the reign of Queen Victoria, was 6/20/1837-1/22/1901. The Edwardian era, when Victoria’s son Edward VII reigned, was 1/22/1901-5/6/1910, although some historians include up to the beginning of World War I (7/28/1914) in the Edwardian era. George V, younger son of Edward VII, succeeded Edward VII as king (5/6/1910-12/11/1936). George V was 3rd in line for the throne when Queen Victoria died, so there was little expectation he would ever be king. But life is full of surprises, isn’t it? George V was father to Edward VIII, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Windsor, who abdicated the throne and married Wallis Simpson. Edward’s younger brother, George VI, then became king 12/11/1936. “The King’s Speech”, starring Colin Firth, is about George VI, who is the father of the current reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II (2/6/1952 – present, the longest reigning British monarch in history). Highly recommended.
The roots of many progressive causes—voting rights for all (universal suffrage), land reform, fair wages, education, sanitary living conditions, affordable housing, medical care, women’s equality and legal rights, poor law reform—had their origins in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Charles Dickens (1812-1870) brought the suffering of the poor to light and, through, his stories, incited empathy in the reader.
“The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 marked the end of the Victorian era. Her son and successor, Edward VII, was already the leader of a fashionable elite which set a style influenced by the art and fashions of continental Europe. Samuel Hynes described the Edwardian era as a ‘leisurely time when women wore picture hats and did not vote, when the rich were not ashamed to live conspicuously, and the sun really never set on the British flag.’[1] The Liberals returned to power in 1906 and made significant reforms. The era was marked by significant shifts in politics among sections of society that had largely been excluded from power, such as labourers, servants, and the industrial working class. Women started to play more of a role in politics.” – Wikipedia.
***
The Bombed Carriage Scene
The bombed carriage scene actually happened to King Alfonso XIII de Borbón and Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg “Ena”, Queen Victoria’s favorite granddaughter, on their wedding day May 31, 1906, almost exactly as described. It is unfathomable that Ena could have survived when the bomb landed next to her while so many were killed and maimed. But this is pr
ecisely how it happened. Just as the fragment hit Alfonso’s medallion, saving his life.
I know every reader was thinking, “This is so unrealistic. How could the only thing left of the carriage be the frame while the king and queen walk away unharmed?” And yet it actually happened. 37 people were killed, and she would have been had she not been leaning toward King Alfonso XIII, her attention drawn to the Church of Santa Maria, visible from his side of the carriage.
The events unfolded much as described in “The Serenade”, with Ena showing what a real Queen was made of. Nicolette's behavior describes Queen Ena's behavior at her wedding. She said “We are well. Assist the injured without further delay. Attend to the children first.”
Alfonso later blamed Ena for bringing hemophilia into the family, a gene she carried. He was known to have had many affairs, and they lived separately after a point. Ena remained close to Juan Carlos and his family until her death in 1969. - Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria by Julia P. Gelardi
The hero of The Serenade is a fictionalized prince of Spain, as is the royal family, inspired by the unbelievable life of King Juan Carlos of the house of Bourbon, king of Spain 1975-2014 and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s great-grandson. Juan Carlos was placed on the throne by the fascist dictator Franco. Juan Carlos shocked everyone by relinquishing his role as dictator and turning Spain into a democratic monarchy at great personal peril. Paul Preston wrote the marvelous page-turner, Juan Carlos: Steering Spain from Dictatorship to Democracy.
The Serenade: The Prince and the Siren Page 47
