Chapter 184: Chapter 184
Highgrove House was built between 1796 and 1798. The house was a rectangular detached three-story, nine bedroom country building made from ashlar blocks with a stone and slate roof. The exterior of the house featured neo-classical decorations. The gardens were the most breathtaking thing on the property, with The Stumpery, that had natural wood structures and habitat for wildlife that included the Wall of Gifts, a display of architectural stones. There was also the Cottage Garden, containing two planting styles, one section inspired by Tibetan silks and had a yellow, pink and blue theme, while the other had a classic English style with trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
The Sundial Garden, originally designed as a rose garden, now had flowering delphiniums that blossomed in the summer months.
And the Thyme Walk, an avenue lined with large scale hedges, topiary, and golden yew clipped to form whimsical shapes and styles.
"Your highness." A man greeted them at the door along with several staff lined up at the entrance. "Bernard. This is Pearl. Bernard is the caretaker of the home." He kissed her hand and bowed.
"Welcome to Highgrove House, ma'am." He said.
"Please, call me Pearl." She said.
He introduced her to the rest of the staff, which included a head chef, head groundskeeper, head housekeeper and several maids.
Pearl shook each of their hands and asked their first name, repeating it so she would remember. She complimented one of the maids eyes and told the chef she was looking forward to dinner. They seemed to be surprised with Pearl's friendly and considerate way of talking to them. Erik, on the other hand, was all business and seemed a bit rigid there, as if he had to uphold some form of image.
Bernard gave Pearl a tour as Erik excused himself to take care of some business in his study. The house was breathtakingly beautiful. She had only seen homes like this is movies. It reminded her of what she had envisioned Pemberley, Mr. Darcy's home, looking like as she read Austen with a flashlight in the closet of her bedroom as a child, hiding from the shouting and fighting going on between her parents, just rooms away.
"This is your room." Bernard said, showing her into a large and luxurious bedroom with a four poster bed. She was a bit confused. Bernard could see her reaction. "More like a dressing room, and a place to keep your things. I will show you to his highnesses room." He said, smiling. He led her down a hall and to an even larger bedroom.
"We are happy you are here. Please make yourself at home and tell me if there is anything I can do for you during your stay." He said as he left her there. She walked over to a small couch positioned in front of the fireplace in the room. She couldn't believe where she was sitting. She couldn't believe the last several months of her life. A familiar quote came to her mind, from another rock musician, Jim Morrison. "This is the strangest life I have ever known." She said out loud, shaking her head in disbelief.
"There you are. Come. Let's go for a walk." Erik said, finding her on the couch day dreaming.
He helped her into her jacket and led her around the grounds, telling her about the work on the gardens and his love of the peace in the country.
"Your home is absolutely beautiful, Erik." She said.
"I want to talk to you about my parents." He said.
"Ok." Pearl said, knowing this talk was coming.
"You'll be meeting them in a couple of days. My mum is very kind. She is happy for me. But my father. He.."
"I'm not what he wants for you." Pearl said, already knowing that had to be true.
"No. My father is a traditional man. You are an American. And divorced. It matters not at all to me or many people in the country but my father sees it as a problem. The world has changed but my father has not kept up very well." Erik said. "And it is a rule, that his approval be necessary before any engagement could happen."
Pearl took a deep breath. "So, if this meeting doesn't go well, the chances of you and I still seeing each other with the purpose of a future together are slim to none." Pearl said, hating the words as they left her mouth. It hurt her like a knife stabbing her through the chest to think that was what would have to happen.
Erik put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him.
"No. Not even close to what would happen. I cannot lose you. I'm only introducing you to them formally as a courtesy to them, not to get their approval. Sure, it would be wonderful to have, easier on everyone, but I've already told my father that I've made up my mind about you and that if he doesn't approve, I will renounce my throne and my birthright, and lead a normal life, with you." He said.
Pearl took a step back and looked at him. She didn't know if it was the chill in the air or her nerves but she was shaking uncontrollably.
"Erik, you cannot do that. You can't." She said, nearly shouting at him. "I would never forgive myself. I can't allow that to happen. I don't know that I should even be here now, knowing that. I, I need a moment. Excuse me." She said, running toward the house. He called after her but she didn't stop.
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