“It’s kind of funny, really,” Cassie went on with a wry grin. “Two men locked in a battle over you, unable to deny that the other guy,” Cassie imitated a British accent, “is an okay bloke.”
Katy laughed. “I think locked in battle might be a bit extreme.”
“Well, the duke certainly seemed to take a liking to you last night. And we all know how David feels.”
Katy blushed. “I don’t know. I do really like him, but I worry that this might all be a bit much for him. Any interest he had could have flown out the window when he saw what a spoiled, lavish lifestyle I’ve had.” Katy looked down.
Cassie walked over and grabbed her hands. “Katy, Victor seems like a spoiled rich boy. But that’s not you. You’re good and kind and generous. David won’t fault you just because your parents are fabulously wealthy.”
Katy looked up at her cousin. “You think so?” She felt a swell of gratitude for Cassie, who had not only given up her own feelings for David but was now practically consoling Katy about him.
“I know so. He really likes you, you know.” Cassie smiled lovingly and squeezed Katy’s hand.
“Well, he might feel differently when he sees me in this dress today.”
Cassie raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I doubt that. Seeing as I overheard the king asking if David liked the suit he let him borrow. Said he wore it back in the eighties.”
Katy’s jaw dropped briefly, and then she was racked with laughter. She knew what kind of style her dad had back then. Poor David.
* * *
“That’s a very . . . unique dress, Katerina.”
Katy rolled her eyes, barely caring if Victor noticed. She was standing beside a fountain in her ridiculous party gown, feeling self-conscious enough already. Victor had walked up behind her and struck up a boring, innuendo-laden conversation. And then he hadn’t taken her cues to leave, despite the fact that she had turned her back on him and tried to look disinterested some minutes ago.
“Thank you for the unique compliment, Victor.”
“In Burgundy, you might find that the climate is forgiving enough to require less fabric,” he went on.
“Well, that must be nice for you,” Katy replied. Was there anything she could say short of leave me alone that would restore her peace and quiet?
“Katerina?”
At the sound of a new voice, Katy turned to see Prince Lukas standing there. He looked over at Victor briefly and then back to Katy, a sweet smile on his face. Katy smiled in return. She wouldn’t say she was attracted to Lukas, but he was very polite, and certainly much better company than the count. Perhaps he’d sensed her annoyance.
“Princess, would you mind escorting me?” Lukas offered his arm.
“Of course, Prince Lukas,” Katy replied congenially. She didn’t care where she was escorting him, as long as it was away from Victor. As they walked off, Katy noticed Victor shooting a venomous look at Lukas.
“I hope I didn’t intrude, Katy,” Lukas said as they strolled through the brightly lit corridor outside the ballroom. It was the cocktail hour portion of the party. A gorgeous German pop star and her soccer-star husband smiled at them as they passed, lightly clutching crystal stemware while eating hors d’oeuvres. All around them, celebrities, athletes, royalty, and politicians were rubbing elbows in their formalwear, drinking and eating tiny bites of rich food.
“On the contrary, you saved me from an intrusion,” Katy said wryly. Lukas smiled.
“My parents send their regards,” he went on. “They would’ve loved to attend, I assure you, but I’m afraid they’re preoccupied with the duties of the crown.”
“Of course, Prince Lukas,” Katy replied. “We completely understand.”
“But I’m very happy to be here.”
But Katy had grown distracted. At the end of the corridor, dressed ridiculously, stood David. Her pulse quickened. Lukas must’ve noticed her diverted attention.
“Well,” he said kindly, “I won’t keep you. Perhaps I’ll run into you later this evening.”
Katy nodded, grateful that Lukas was such a gentleman. Victor could learn something from him! Then she stole away, heading for David.
He’d popped a cream cheese bite into his mouth right as Katy walked up and held a hand to his mouth to signify that he couldn’t speak at the moment—but, even with his mouth full, awkwardly attempting to swallow, he managed to look handsome and charming.
“Katy,” David said, looking at her brightly, and only then glancing down at her outfit.
I know, I know! I look ridiculous.
“You look lovely,” he went on. It was a very sweet lie.
“Thank you,” Katy replied.
“It’s a bit strange seeing you in a crown,” David went on, his eyes flicking up to the sparkling golden symbol on Katy’s head. She grew anxious, wondering if it was changing his opinion of her. This isn’t me, David. You know that.
Then he finished with, “Though it suits you nicely. You look beautiful.”
Katy exhaled in relief. Maybe David could see past the crown and the gown, to see Katy as she saw herself. “You look very nice as well. But I guess I should’ve warned you that my father’s style runs a bit eccentric.”
“It’s quite all right. If anything, I think the maroon brings out my eyes. And the velvet really complements my embarrassment.”
Katy laughed. “Yeah, well, you’re not the only unlucky one.” She shook her arms to show off the wizard sleeves.
David crossed his arms and then held his chin as if he was analyzing the outfit. “Where do you keep the pointy hat and wand?”
They glanced at each other with furtive smiles for a moment, then simultaneously burst into raucous laughter, prompting some sharp looks from a stuffy-looking elderly couple beside them.
David glanced over at them and turned back to Katy. “They’re wondering who let the rabble in,” he whispered.
“Rabble? But you’re dressed so sharply!” Katy replied.
“I know. I meant you, of course. I’ve taken to royalty like a fish to water.”
Katy laughed again.
“Looks like you two are having too much fun over here,” a woman’s voice interrupted, thick with a Russian accent. Katy immediately recognized it. Feeling her blood run cold, she turned to find herself face-to-face with Yelena Sokolov, a wealthy Russian socialite Katy knew better than most.
For a moment she just stood in shock, forgetting her manners. Alexei’s mother? Katy hadn’t seen her since that horrible breakup. A rush of bad memories flooded her mind as Madam Sokolov stepped forward to wrap her in a light hug.
“Madam Sokolov,” Katy finally managed as she pulled away. Was Alexei here? After their disastrous “reunion” in Cambridge, Katy wanted nothing more than to never see Al again. And she'd been doing so well at not thinking about him at all recently!
“You look beautiful, darling. Alexei sends his regards. Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it. He’s honeymooning in Greece.”
Katy felt her legs go wobbly. Had she misheard? Honeymooning? Alexei had just been in Cambridge, begging Katy to take him back!
Perhaps the woman sensed her confusion. “Whirlwind romance with an Italian banker’s daughter. Of course, she can’t hold a candle to you, darling. We do so miss you back home in Russia. Promise to visit soon!”
And then Madam Sokolov whipped around as quick as she had come, trailing her long red train and adjusting the fur throw around her shoulders. Katy stood silently in her wake, feeling like she’d just been attacked.
“Katy?” David ventured, obviously aware of the turmoil the news was causing in her chest. He looked at her, his blue eyes gentle.
Katy took a deep breath, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes. “Would you excuse me for a moment?”
She didn’t wait for David to respond. She walked away, pushing through the crowd in the opposite direction from Yelena, and willed herself not to cry out of shock and anger.
That bastard. He was marr
ied so soon after their relationship had ended? Katy felt like such a fool. Of course he’s already married. He never loved you at all. Or maybe Al had loved her and then decided he just couldn’t wait for her. This Italian banker’s daughter probably didn’t have any stupid traditions that prevented her from expressing physical love. And then there was Katy, the “frigid” princess of tabloid fame. The more Katy thought about it, the quicker she had to walk. She needed to be alone, perhaps to scream into a pillow or pace angrily somewhere until she could calm down.
“Princess?”
Katy turned and saw Duke Oliver standing there. Bad timing, Oliver! She wanted to keep walking. She wanted to just shake her head to tell Oliver not now and continue on her way to get away from the party. But she knew it would be rude. She had to say something to excuse herself.
“Duke Oliver,” she replied, her voice unsteady. “I—”
Katy stopped and swallowed hard. The news about Alexei had been so sudden and unexpected that she was having a hard time keeping a clear head. Sure, they’d broken up months ago. But his quick turnaround made Katy feel like the past three years of her life had been a lie. And without a baking tray in sight, she wasn’t sure how to vent properly.
“Princess, is everything all right?” Oliver asked. His face was softened with genuine concern.
“Yes,” Katy finally managed. “It’s only that I’ve received some unwelcome news. I’m fine.”
Katy tried and failed to push Alexei out of her mind. The cad! And what had Yelena been thinking, dropping that bombshell on her so unnecessarily? In her anger, she noticed that her hands had begun to shake.
To his credit, Duke Oliver didn’t press her for details. His blue eyes stared kindly into hers, in a way that felt more supportive than probing.
“Is there anything I can do, Princess?”
Katy forced a small smile. “Not unless you can rewrite time to make me look less foolish.”
Oliver offered a gentle smile in return. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
Katy looked down, focusing on her breathing and trying to will Al out of her thoughts.
“But I can tell you something that helped me,” he went on.
Katy looked up at him again. “What?”
“Not every fool becomes wise. But every wise person was once a fool.” Oliver reached down and took up Katy’s hand, squeezing it gently.
Katy sighed, letting the words sink into the turmoil in her head, trying her best to let go of the pain and confusion she felt about Al. That was in the past. If anything, this was a sign that their breakup had been for the best, despite her occasional doubts. And Katy appreciated Oliver’s kindness and his comforting, unobtrusive presence.
But now, her hand in Oliver’s, looking into his eyes, she realized that she wished she had just stayed back with David. If she could’ve held her composure for just a few additional seconds, it would have been David holding her hand, gazing down at her, and being supportive. That was what she wanted.
That was when it hit her. Her parents could invite every duke, count, prince, king, lord, baron, and ambassador in the world to the palace if they wanted, and they still wouldn’t win Katy over. How could any of these men—no matter how charming, kind, or smoldering—win her heart now? It was no longer hers to give.
40
David
David watched Katy leave the crowded room, her composure clearly shaken. He understood why she needed some time, but he wished that he’d tried harder to offer her support. It seemed like any time things were going well, something would come along and divide them again. And frankly, David was tired of it. He didn’t want to keep letting Katy leave for the sake of tradition or etiquette or garden-planning or whatever. He wanted to be there with her, there for her, and he was getting tired of letting everything else stop him.
David was too busy watching Katy and Oliver interact at the end of the long corridor (not Oliver again!) to even notice that Cassie had walked up beside him.
“Want one?”
He turned to see that Cassie had brought over two small hors d’oeuvres on cocktail napkins: tiny Parmesan crisp bowls filled with what looked like a cheese dip, topped with a sprig of dill. David took one with an appreciative nod.
“Not like they really fill you up or anything,” Cassie joked, popping the treat into her mouth.
David swallowed his bite and turned back to see Oliver grabbing Katy’s hand. He felt the sides of his face grow hotter.
“Don’t worry,” Cassie went on, dabbing at her lipsticked mouth with her napkin. “I’m pretty sure all of the suitors are failing. The king and queen seem to be aware of that fact, too.”
David looked back at her. “Then what happens now?”
Cassie shrugged in her snug but modest gown. “Probably another round of royals, hand-picked and delivered to the palace. I’m sure the king and queen feel like they’re running out of time.”
David furrowed his brow. “Running out of time for what? Katy is still so young.”
Cassie raised an eyebrow. “Not in Lorria she’s not. It’s becoming a bit of a scandal.”
David stared in confusion, prompting Cassie to continue.
“Traditionally royals are wed while they’re still teenagers. Katy’s practically an old maid, and the stuffy old parliament here is trying to bring a backup plan to a vote.”
“Backup plan?” David asked.
“A suitable heir who can take the crown when or if something happens to the king or queen. See, you have to be married to rule in Lorria,” Cassie explained. “So if either the king or queen pass—heaven forbid—the widowed party can no longer rule. The crown would pass to Katy. But if she’s not married . . . ”
“Then their legacy ends,” David finished for her, the gravity of the situation suddenly dawning on him.
“I’m afraid so,” Cassie said gently. “That’s why the parliament is looking for someone new now. The king and queen are still in good health, of course, but accidents happen. And Lorria can’t be without a monarch.”
“So she has to marry another royal?” David was back to feeling the anxious bubbling in his stomach that was becoming a familiar part of this “vacation.”
“Actually,” Cassie replied, looking thoughtful, “I’m not sure about that. I don’t know if it’s a requirement. But it’s certainly a precedent.”
David turned back to the princess. As he watched, Katy turned away from Oliver and released his hand. Then she turned deliberately to face David—and for a moment it almost felt as though their eyes met all the way across the crowded room. Despite everything he’d just heard, David’s heart leapt.
But before she could walk his way, a nearby butler rang the dinner bell: a light, metallic tinkling that filled the corridor and alerted all of the guests that the cocktail hour had ended. The throng began to move in unison toward one of several entrances into the dining hall.
“Want to sit with me?” Cassie asked kindly.
“Sure,” David replied. “I’ll just go grab Katy.”
But Cassie caught his arm before he could walk away. “No use. She’ll be at the king and queen’s table. See?”
Sure enough, the queen—in an ornate, fur-trimmed gown and wearing her extravagantly bejeweled crown—approached Katy, farther down the corridor, and then led her inside the dining hall. Oliver followed them. David exhaled in defeat. Would he get a single dinner in Lorria by Katy’s side?
The sound of string music floated pleasantly out of the dining hall as Cassie and David entered through a set of gold-trimmed white double doors. Several dozen circular tables were set with silver tablecloths, centerpieces of winter roses, and dinnerware and stemware prepared for each guest. A quartet of violinists played on one side of the room. As people took their seats at the tables, waitstaff approached to begin serving.
David’s eyes scanned the room until he spotted the king and queen. Their table was on a platform at the front of the room. Katy was sitting with them. Naturally,
though David’s heart still sank at the sight, he saw that three additional people had managed to snag a spot at the prestigious table: the suitors.
“How’s this one?” Cassie asked, gesturing to a table.
Unless Katy is there, they’re all the same to me. But, rather than be rude, David nodded and sat beside Cassie. Maybe after dinner he’d get some more time to be alone with Katy. He was certainly going to try.
Once they were seated, a waiter in a bow tie and apron quickly approached with a chalice to fill their glasses. Another placed a salad in front of each person around the table, a small portion of baby greens tossed with strawberries, walnuts, and goat cheese. To David, the performance sure seemed like a lot of fanfare over a bit of salad.
The first course of the meal was an extension of the cocktail hour, where guests mingled around their tables and snacked at a leisurely pace. David polished off his salad quickly and then began to politely converse with the man beside him: a retired military man who was now planning to sail around the world. But all the while, his gaze wandered intermittently toward Katy.
“I can try to busy them during the dance, if you’d like,” Cassie said when the waiters delivered entrées.
“Busy who?” David asked. “The suitors?” He couldn’t imagine the king and queen would be very pleased with that.
“No, Katy’s parents,” Cassie replied. Her voice had lowered conspiratorially, and David leaned in closer to hear her. “It’s the queen who keeps setting up times for Katy to be alone with one of the royal matches. If I keep the queen busy for a bit, you should get some alone time with Katy.”
That was all David wanted: the chance to speak to, laugh with, and be beside Katy. Alone. Uninterrupted. “That’d be great,” he replied.
Cassie smiled at him, her face showing none of the cheap flirting he’d once expected from her, and David smiled broadly back, feeling a surge of gratitude and respect for Katy’s cousin. He could use all the help he could get in Lorria, and he was glad to have Cassie in his corner.
A Love that Endures Page 37
