“That is so sweet,” several of the girls said at once.
The girls kept asking her for advice and asked her about being the crown princess. Macee was happy to give them advice as she found that she really liked spending time with them. Moments later, her sisters arrived. She was so happy to see them, as she jumped up to hug them.
“You two look lovely,” Macee said to her sisters. They were both wearing pencil dresses. Francesca wore a green one with a peplum design at the waist and short sleeves while Liane’s was a black sleeveless one.
“Thanks, so do you,” Liane replied. Macee wore a knee length white dress with full lace sleeves. Her sisters greeted the girls Macee was speaking to.
The venue they were hosting the charity event at was a grand hall with mirrored walls and chandeliers that made the room sparkle. Macee had arranged for several photographers to assist with taking photos of guests as they arrived. At 1500 Euros a ticket, the event included a sit down dinner, champagne and an auction with all proceeds going to the Global Girls charity. Whomever bid the highest would have the privilege of taking an eligible bachelorette out on a date.
Prince Louis finally arrived. Dressed in a cream-coloured linen suit and pale blue silk shirt, he kissed his wife. Since this was her first event as crown princess, it was important to Macee that she do a good job and she greatly wanted to please her husband. “I am glad you are finally here,” she said to him.
“As am I. Come, show me around before the guests arrive,” he said to her.
“You will love it but first, let me introduce you to the girls I have been working with,” she told him as she grabbed his hand. Macee knew that her husband had rock star status with many of them, which was proven true when some of the girls started screaming when they saw Prince Louis walking towards them.
Macee introduced her husband, as the girls shyly greeted him. He was quick to charm them, as they began excitedly asking him questions and posing for pictures with him.
Then Lord Jacques arrived. He was dressed in a dark charcoal suit and a black shirt. He left his shirt unbuttoned at the top, just enough to reveal his collarbone. He was sporting a two-day old beard and smiled as he greeted Princess Katherine, the queen and her sister, Bridgette.
“He looks very handsome,” the queen said after he left. Katherine wanted to agree but she knew the purpose of her mother complimenting him. She drank her champagne and did not offer a response.
“I agree, he is quite a handsome and charming man,” Bridgette said.
Lord Jacques approached Liane and Francesca. “Good evening ladies,” he said to them. Liane immediately started smiling at him.
“Hello, Lord Jacques,” Liane replied.
“Good evening,” Francesca said.
“You ladies look gorgeous,” he added as he looked at Francesca who studiously attempted to ignore him.
“Thank you. You look very handsome yourself,” Liane replied.
“Oh, I look average.”
Liane laughed. “Modest, very nice,” she said as he smiled in response. .
“You made it,” Jean Pierre said as he approached them. “Ladies, please excuse us as I need to steal him for a moment,” he said, as he kissed his wife.
“Oh, do take him,” Francesca said. Liane looked at her with raised eyebrows. Francesca shrugged her shoulders and sipped her champagne as the men walked away. She always felt so nervous around Lord Jacques. Mrs LeBlanc walked in moments later and went to greet her girls first. Her husband, Colonel LeBlanc, was still away on an errand for the king and was not able to attend. She was so proud of Macee. Months ago, she would never have imagined her daughter organising such a grand event let alone being the crown princess. She had come a long way in such a short time.
As the dinner drew to an end, Francesca was glad that the men and women were sitting on different sides of the room in anticipation of the auction. This meant that Lord Jacques was not sitting at their table. He made her feel uncomfortable the way he was always staring at her as if she were some sort of specimen. Macee walked up on stage to the microphone. “Good evening, everyone. I hope you are enjoying yourselves this evening. Before we begin, on behalf of the Global Girls charity, I want to thank you for your attendance,” she said. “Now, it is time for the part of the evening that the bachelors have been waiting for,” Macee said as she winked. Some of the guests laughed. “Okay, gentlemen have your cheque books ready and let us get started,” she added. She called the first bachelorette to the stage and started the auction.
“This is crazy,” Francesca whispered to Liane.
“Why? I think it’s fun,” Liane replied.