Beauty and the Brit -Chapter 18: Royal Chelsea Hospital (Patreon)

HEY PATRONS NO CHARGE FOR YOUR MONTHLY CHAPTER THIS MONTH! ENJOY AND HAVE A WONDERFUL REST OF 2021! -Britt xo

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: ROYAL CHELSEA HOSPITAL

This was it: Paige was about to attend her first ever banquet in London and she was both overly excited and quite nervous!

She caught a quick glance at herself in the mirror and did a double take. She looked incredible. She felt incredible. And now, it was time to meet up with Derick downstairs where they’d head on their way.

Earlier that day he’d asked what colour or colours were in her dress so that he could wear something similar in his tie— “It’ll sort of be solidarity,” he’d explained, “We won’t match exactly but I’d like to wear something similar just to sort of… I dunno match a little and feel like we’re… well I dunno: to say on the same team sounds silly—”

“It’s not silly and I get what you mean,” she assured before telling him.

Now as she made her way in the dress to meet up with him, she nervously wondered what he’d look like.

“My God Paige you look…” Derick seemed speechless, “stunning.”

She couldn’t help but blush and run her fingertips gently over the silky chiffon fabric of her A-line dress with empire waist, sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves in a flattering light blue.

Her hair was done up in a neat knot at the back of her head and with teardrop earrings and a small, thin necklace with a charm to match she looked every bit as regal and stunning as the daughter of a king.

He took a breath inward feeling both thrilled and nervous and stepped forward smiling to see her closer and offer his arm so that they could go on their way.

Derick for his part was dressed in a crisp, clean suit of deep grey, white shirt, and small, thin prussian blue herringbone tie, his breast pocket holding a matching pocket square. His suit jacket was buttoned up neatly with one button. His hair was combed with a part to the side and Paige felt her breathing hitch seeing him looking so polished and tidy, his bright blue eyes shining even more than usual. He looked even more handsome than the night she’d first seen him -if that was even possible she thought to herself.

“Well shall we get going?” he offered, extending his arm crooked at the elbow.

“Yeah absolutely,” she responded a little more confidently than she expected.

They made their way down to the car where Derick then helped her into the vehicle and gently guided the hem of her skirt safely into her seat before he closed the door and went to the other side to sit.

The ride to the dinner was actually spectacular to Paige and Derick noted how her eyes seemed to be glued outside of the car window taking in the sights of London as they travelled through it to their destination. In this moment he felt so very fond of her and felt humbled that he had been able to give her this opportunity to not only see this city that she was so taken by but also that he was privileged enough to get to see the look in her eyes as she beheld sights she had probably only ever read about before. It was amazing how seeing something through someone else’s eyes really widened your perspective.

It was not that Derick didn’t appreciate London before but now knowing that Paige was seeing everything for the first time and falling in love with it all he was absolutely moved to see London in a new way; a way that made him grateful for the opportunities he had had in his life especially those provided by the position he was born into.

And Derick realized that though all of his charity work was valuable, and though he felt quite fulfilled and happy in doing what he did for his chosen profession in philanthropy, getting to be the fulfiller of some of Paige’s dreams actually felt just as good and though it might not mean anything to anyone else they both knew how much it meant to her and that was what was so beautiful about it.

“We should be coming onto Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square soon,” he admitted, “and once we get there, if you look carefully you might just see Big Ben otherwise when we go down Pall Mall you’ll see for sure Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park as well as Green Park and sorry I don't want to overwhelm you! I just want to be a good tour guide,” he chuckled with nervous amusement.

“No, you’re not talking too much Derick! I really, really appreciate it! I'm excited now even more than I was!”

They pulled into the traffic circle and although Paige couldn’t catch a glimpse of Big Ben she was indeed enraptured by going underneath the columns of Admiralty Arch and as they travelled straight on towards Buckingham Palace she felt her nerves and excitement rising in anticipation of seeing the landmark.

And it, for its part, did not disappoint!

When her eyes beheld it, Derick heard her gasp softly and make a soft squealing sound and he tried not to laugh at the joy it made him feel to hear her be so excited.

“Check for the flag!” he spoke quickly as he suddenly realized. “What flag is it above the palace?” he asked, “Is it the Union Jack or another?”

Paige took a quick glance and confirmed it did not look like a union jack.

“Well then that means that The Queen is there!” he announced satisfactorily.

“Really!?” Paige couldn’t believe her ears and she glanced between the palace, the flag and Derick a few times feeling excitement building again.

“Yeah. If it’s the flag which is called The Royal Standard, then that means The Queen is in. And if it’s the Union Jack, that means she is elsewhere,” he informed her and she smiled.

“I always thought it was the other way around; I thought if there was a flag flying -if there was a union jack flag flying, that meant the queen was in the castle- or the palace sorry…”

“I’d like to know where that came from,” he admitted, “I will have to do some research. I was always taught the opposite.”

“I don’t suppose you've ever met her have you?” Paige asked softly as they carried on past the palace heading towards The Mews and further towards Victoria.

“Me? Oh no, I have attended a banquet where- I once attended a function where The Queen made a brief appearance but no, no I’ve never met her,” he admitted.

A short time later after Derick summed up a little about the function he had attended where Her Majesty had also been, they pulled up towards The Royal Hospital Chelsea where their banquet was set to take place.

Derick gave Paige a brief history of the place —at least to the best of his knowledge of it— as the two walked carefully to their destination once Martin had stopped the car in the appropriate spot for the two to get out. Paige learned the place was for retired pensioners of the British Army. “Wait, this place is a retirement and nursing home?!” she repeated in disbelief as she saw the red brick building that, from above, resembled the outline of a large rectangle minus one short side. In the middle of the rectangular space was a courtyard, called “Figure Court”.

“People host all sorts of concerts and receptions in that courtyard,” Derick explained as he guided Paige onward with the help of helpful attendants stationed to assist guests to take the correct path to their destination: The State Apartments.

Paige couldn’t help but gasp as they entered where their dinner was to be held. It looked like a palace or something! Large mahogany coloured wooden panels covered the walls while huge painted portraits of what she assumed was nobility or royalty hung throughout! The windows, long rectangular in shape, were framed by pretty cream drapes drawn back with ties and pleated medallion style valances hanging above.

The lighting was bright and the extra lights added to the space cast blue, indigo and violet hues on the walls and ceiling. It was magnificent and Paige suddenly felt nervous that she was in such an expensive and elegant looking place! It didn't seem right –she was just a regular young woman with no special ties or connections other than of course Derick.

But he was part of this world. He was used to such finery and high class living. She was used to her quaint bookstore and fixer-upper.

Could she really be a part of this? Even just for one night?

Derick seemed to think so as he glanced over at her with a grin. “You like it don’t you?”

“I...I don’t even know what to say,” she whispered over the hum of voices of the patrons already in attendance talking with one another spread across the room.

“Well, just enjoy it. If you’re stunned to silence I think that’s a good thing; shows you appreciate it. And tells me I’ve given you another new experience which I sort of...feel great about I hope you don’t mind me saying so so frankly,” he murmured.

“No not at all,” she found herself stating softly as she admired the way the tables were laid for dinner already with the various plates, cutlery, wine and water glasses, menus and elegantly folded navy blue fabric napkins placed neatly over the center of the gold-rimmed plates.

Derick found them their seats at one of the rectangular tables and helped Paige into her chair. “Don’t worry they’ll be serving the meal to us,” he explained for her benefit, “so you don’t have to worry about getting up and trying to sit back down holding your meal. These here are called ‘charger’ plates; they are sort of like a placeholder for your actual plate that your dinner comes on. Makes things look more polished I guess and helps with making sure everyone’s place is equally spaced.”

“Oh that’s great, that's really creative and neat,” she murmured, “But then isn’t that twice the dishes?”

“Well I suppose yes it does add up to more dishes but to my knowledge it’s all put into large machine washers so it’s not a huge undertaking for some poor dish pit boy or something; don’t worry.” His genuine, warm smile put Paige a bit more at ease and she instead admired the set up; how each place seemed perfectly and evenly placed with precision.

“Thank you for bringing me to this,” she murmured blushing a moment later as she caught his eye and smiled bashfully; feeling absolutely stunned by this entire thing and grateful for Derick’s part in it.

“You’re very welcome. Thank you for coming. And I apologize in advance for any dreadful speeches,” he murmured just to her and chuckled softly under his breath which made her follow.

A few more people joined the table and Derick introduced Paige as they trickled in. There was Mr. Brown –an executive marketing manager for a firm that Derick’s organization frequently partnered with. So, the two knew one another quite well, and both Paige and Derick were introduced briefly to his wife. Next was Ms. Talbot who was the head of a special association that provided resources and tools for youth to help improve their skills in math and business to jumpstart them before post-secondary. DeBurgh Endowments worked closely with her and her association in the entrepreneurial program of Derick’s charity. Lastly making up the table, though she did not arrive until later, was Mrs. Schaefer who provided scholarships for youth.

While the rest of the guests mingled with themselves, or in the case of Mr. Brown went to get his wife an elderflower cocktail, Derick turned to Paige, “What do you think so far? Are you doing okay?”

“I’m great. Thank you for bringing me Derick. This is really special! I really love this room!”

“This part of this venue is nice,” Derick remarked in agreement, “but their ‘Great Hall’ is quite splendid also. Here, I’ll show you.” He pulled out his phone and pulled up some pictures from the internet to show her.

Paige was very impressed. That hall had checkered flooring and had such an air of character that she couldn’t explain really in words. But, she was glad still to be in “The State Apartments” since everything here looked so elegant and dare she say royal as well.

Not much happened as the event began to get underway. Once the majority of people were present, the president of the association that they were there for got up and made a short speech of thanks and to inform everyone of some positive announcements regarding their organization.

Then the meal was started as staff brought out and served each table their salads. Derick helpfully supplied that you were to start from the outside and work your way in with the cutlery.

Paige was so overwhelmed with excitement and nerves and trying to act calm and natural that most of the dinner was a blur to her later on. Derick would tell her on the ride home that what she was feeling was perfectly acceptable and that despite it seeming to go by in a rush that he hoped she enjoyed herself. Paige assured him warmly that she had and confirmed she’d be willing to attend another event if he wished her to come.

“Oh brilliant!” he expressed happily, “Yes you are more than welcome to attend any of my outings! I’ve got another one Saturday night,” he admitted, “So tomorrow and Friday are free for other things. You can get up to whatever you’d like,” he grinned, “A day of rest, or out in town or time at the manor…” He shrugged, “World’s your oyster.”

“Indeed! Thank you Derick,” she smiled then stifled a yawn.

“Let’s get to bed,” he mused, “I’ll see you in the morning. Why don’t we do brunch? And then if you are hungry before then, just go to the kitchen and have something,” he suggested.

“That sounds great. Thanks again Derick for such a wonderful night,” she exhaled with a gentle, bashful smile.

“You are very welcome. And, you looked beautiful tonight— well I mean you always do but ehm tonight was exceptional. This dress suits you well, Paige,” he blushed.

She felt her cheeks grow hot but luckily some of her makeup hid how much she was blushing, “Thank you I appreciate that. Your team did an amazing job. Well I should say the ladies that helped me pick the dress in the store and your kind Daisy was incredible with my hair and makeup.”

“I agree they did splendidly. But, you, Paige, you shone through all that still. Some women can’t do that; they let the fancy getup do the work. You are a rem… Sorry,” he blushed, stopping himself, “I just mean you didn’t look uncomfortable and you looked lovely and were lovely. I was happy to have a friend by my side tonight,” he expressed softly, humbly.

She felt her heart pounding. “I was happy to have you at my side,” she responded gently, “Thank you for everything.”

“You’re very welcome.”

“Goodnight Derick.”

“Goodnight.”

Paige took extra time to admire herself in the mirror (something she rarely ever did) before finally taking off the dress and getting ready for bed that night.

Derick thought she looked beautiful… Derick had been blushing at her tonight… The feeling of power and subsequent humility that that knowledge brought was something she wasn’t sure how to wield.

She hoped that somehow, she might figure all that out.

In the meantime, she fell asleep and dreamt of The State Apartments where Derick, now a crowned prince, invited her to dance the night away in his arms and when the clock struck a late night hour, bells rang and all the people in the room cheered in celebration as she was given a crown and fitted with sparkling jewels.