The door to the suite opened and closed. Davide called out, “Just me.”
I opened my eyes as he came in carrying two large black cases. He set them on the dressing table and opened them to show me what he’d brought.
“First, Princess, the tanzanite suite as you requested. I also brought the amethyst, the emerald and some strictly diamond pieces.”
The tanzanite set was simpler than most of the royal jewels, but then, the stones were fairly large. The gems, which shifted from blue to purple depending on the light, were accented by a few smaller diamonds and set in platinum. “The tanzanite will be perfect. I think the ring and necklace are all I want.”
Davide opened a second, smaller case. “With a pair of more streamlined diamond drops perhaps.”
I looked at the earrings he’d brought. “Yes. That middle pair is just what I want.”
He smiled. He’d anticipated my mood perfectly. “I’ve also brought your snowflake tiara, but I’m guessing you’d rather the diamond circlet.”
“You guess right. The snowflake tiara is too much for this dinner. The circlet is better.”
Davide lifted the thin band of diamonds in platinum. “Nesto, are you ready for this yet?”
“I am,” he answered.
Davide handed the circlet to Nesto, then spoke to me again. “I’ll lay everything else out on your vanity table.”
“Thank you.”
Nesto went to work fastening the circlet into my hair, allowing me to close my eyes for a few more minutes. I thought about my cousin Francis and tried to picture him as the one behind all of this chaos.
He did have the throne to gain. But he’d never seemed interested or envious of that position at all. Was he just that good at hiding it?
He’d also seemed genuinely surprised and flustered by the reveal of two nearly identical toys at the tourney. Was he that good of an actor?
I thought back to family Christmases and birthdays. I could remember him being a little less than happy when Aunt Martha had given him a wooden desk set instead of the new boots he’d asked for, but then, we’d been kids. And kids didn’t hide their disappointment well.
As soon as possible, which probably wasn’t going to be until much later this evening, Sin and I had to talk to my dad about our suspicions. Maybe he’d have some insight on Francis that could move us forward.
“All done, Princess,” Nesto said softly.
I opened my eyes and saw my reflection in the mirror. My hair and makeup were perfection, but then, that’s what my team did. “You and Benna both did an amazing job. I look like a princess. Which is to say, a lot better than usual.”
He laughed but shook his head. “You are always beautiful, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you.” I turned my head side to side to get the full picture of what he’d done. “And thank you for such great work.”
Allene clapped her hands. “Everyone out to the living room so I can get the princess dressed.”
Nesto, Benna, and Davide quickly did as they were told. Allene had that way about her.
I shucked my robe and stood there in my underwear and strapless bra while Allene helped me into the dress and zipped me up. I turned to face the full-length mirror. “What do you think?”
“A very good choice. The color is a subtle but unusual choice for you, and the cut of the dress shows off your figure beautifully. You look appropriately royal.”
The dress had an off-the-shoulder neckline and small cap sleeves, then it hugged my shape until it flared out at my knees in a bell shape. Other than the shine of the deep green silk, the dress had no embellishments. “I do usually wear things that are a little fancier.”
“The jewelry will be the perfect touch.” She lifted the necklace and fastened it on me.
“You’re right.” I touched the diamonds and tanzanites sparkling at my throat. “With the earrings and ring, I’ll be good to go.”
While I put the rest of my jewelry on, including the rainbow obsidian bracelet Sin had given me, Allene laid out three pairs of shoes—black satin heels with silver buckles, shiny silver kitten heels, and dyed-to-match ballet flats.
I chose the latter, slipping my feet into them with a smile. “I’m going with comfortable tonight. Or at least as comfortable as I can be at a dinner like this.”
“I don’t blame you.” She put the rest of the shoes away. “You look gorgeous. Understated and elegant.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait to see what Sin looks like.”
Allene smiled. “Me too. Mr. Crowe is a very handsome man. If you don’t mind me saying that.”
“I don’t mind at all. Let’s go see if he’s ready.” Her kind words gave me such a warm feeling. If Allene could accept Sin as my boyfriend, and possible husband-to-be, then there was hope for the rest of the palace staff. She would make sure of it.
And those who refused to accept him?
I wasn’t sure what would happen to those staff members. But if they couldn’t hide their feelings toward Sin, they would probably end up looking for jobs elsewhere. And not just because I’d become queen and let people go.
It would be because I’d married Sin, and my father would be unwilling to tolerate those who weren’t accepting of his new son-in-law.
I walked into the living room, and my team smiled. Benna clasped her hands in front of her. “Absolutely chillacious.”
I laughed. “Thank you.”
Davide nodded. “Agreed.”
Nesto, who was leaning against the sofa, pursed his mouth. “One of your best looks ever, Princess.”
“Thank you all. Now, who would like to come meet Mr. Crowe with me? I’m dying to see how he looks. And we should be getting down to the dining room.”
“I’m in,” Benna said.
Davide and Nesto picked up their cases, nodding. “Ready.”
“Excellent. Let’s go.” I went across the hall to knock.
The valet Gregory had assigned to Sin opened the door. He bowed. “Princess Frost, you look lovely.”
“Thank you. Is Mr. Crowe ready?”
“I am,” Sin said as he rounded the corner from the bedroom.
“Wow.” That was all I could come up with at the moment. Sin had never looked quite so polished. It was something else. He looked utterly regal. From his smoothly coifed hair to his impeccably fitted suit to his sparkling cuff links.
There was a fire in his eyes as he took my hand and leaned in to brush his lips against my cheek. “Wow to you too.”
I smiled. And then remembered that my team was standing behind me. I introduced Sin to all of them, and while he greeted them, I checked around the apartment for Spider and Sugar. No sign of either of them.
My team dismissed themselves after the introduction, as did Sin’s barber and valet, and Sin and I were once again alone.
Except for the cats. Which I still didn’t see. “Where are the kids?”
“Sleeping in the closet. Neither one was a fan of the company. Spider can stay, if that’s all right with you.”
“It’s perfectly fine with me. No point in waking either of them up. Are they all set on food?”
“I made a point to put out fresh water and two new bowls of Chicken Party before the dinner prep began.” He took my hands in his and looked into my eyes. “You really do look amazing. It’s moments like this where I can absolutely see you as queen. It’s a little intimidating, if I’m honest.”
“I don’t mean to intimidate you.”
He gave me this sly little smile. “I have a feeling I’ll get used to it.” He lifted my face toward his with his fingertips under my chin. “It’s also a little sexy. Which I didn’t anticipate. I guess I like being involved with a powerful woman more than I knew.”
He pressed his mouth to mine before I could answer, kissing me with the kind of soft pressure that said he was in no hurry to end the kiss.
I leaned in, letting my head swim with the pleasure of it.
At last, he broke the kiss, but not the
contact, keeping his forehead to mine. “I suppose we should go down to dinner.”
“I suppose we should. Too bad. I’d much rather stay here now.”
He laughed as he straightened. “Don’t get me in trouble.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He offered me his arm. I took it, and we headed for the door.
He looked over his shoulder. “You kids behave. We’ll be back.”
We were nearly to the elevator when I felt compelled to ask, “Are you nervous?”
He sighed as he pushed the call button. “Yes. Are you?”
“A little. Mostly because I’m not sure I’ll be able to be civil to my cousin.”
“That sounds like you’ve already convicted him.”
I sighed. “You’re right. That’s not fair of me. Thank you for reminding me of that.”
“You’re welcome. Of course, it’ll be interesting to see how he behaves toward you. If he shows any signs of being jealous.”
“It will be. That might not be easy for him if he’s really doing all this scheming. And all we have to do is pretend we don’t know anything.”
With a soft chime, the doors slid open. We got on.
“Well,” Sin said. “We don’t know much.”
“No, but I have a feeling that’s all about to change.”
We didn’t actually go to the dining room. That’s not how formal dinners worked. We all gathered in the drawing room first, then we went into dinner.
Of course, we had to be announced first. Gregory took care of that, meeting us at the door as a footman opened it. “Her Ladyship Princess Frost and our guest of honor, Mr. Sinclair Crowe.”
Then we went in. My parents and Aunt Martha and Uncle Kris were there, as were a few of my other aunts and uncles and cousins, although Francis had yet to arrive. Also in attendance were the members of my father’s council and their spouses. The mayors of each neighborhood and their spouses were also present. Several committee members and organizations had been invited too. With their spouses, naturally.
All in all, I tallied the guest list, family included, at around fifty-three people.
A pretty standard dinner party for palace life, but I could see that after fifteen minutes of introductions, Sin was looking weary.
I found a moment and a far corner of the drawing room and made some space for us. “Are you okay?”
He nodded, but didn’t quite shake off the dazed look. “How often do you do this?”
“A formal dinner? Probably once or twice a month.”
“You’re really good at it. All the small talk and remembering people’s names and asking about their work and families.”
“I’ve been doing it all my life. And it’s easy when you’re the one who’s royalty. It’s not such a big deal if I mess up. Know what I mean?”
“Sure.” He glanced over his shoulder. “This is going to take some practice for me, I can see that. But I’ll get the hang of it.”
“Practice? So you’d like to have more of these?”
He whipped around, a slight look of panic in his eyes. “I meant—” He laughed when he saw the amusement on my face. “You’re a rotten person.”
“I know. But you love me, so now you have to deal with the consequences.”
He snorted and went back to looking over his shoulder. “Your cousin just came in. Who’s the woman with him?”
I looked. “That’s Umelia Pine.” Her deep blue hair was in a sleek updo, showing off her diamond earrings. “Nice girl. Her father is in paper design, and her mother is a Master Bow Maker. They’re decorators.”
“You don’t mean interior design, do you?”
“Gifts. Packages. Presents. Large or small, they wrap it all. That is literally the decorators’ motto.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Of course. I keep wanting to equate everything here to something I already know, but this place just isn’t like any other, is it?”
“Nope.
His smile held on. “I suppose decorating is a big thing here.”
“Pretty big. Gifts are kind of our bread and butter. That’s what all the toys are for, after all.”
“Is there a competition for that too?”
“There is. There are competitions for just about everything here. Granted, the Tinkers’ Tourney is the biggest, seeing as how without toys this would all just be weird.”
“Makes sense. So are he and Umelia engaged?”
“Only just. As in he proposed on the summer solstice.”
Sin squinted. “Which was in June sometime, right?”
“Right. The twenty-first, I believe.”
He let out a long, thoughtful breath. “Seems like there’s a whole other competition going on.”
“You think he proposed to her because you proposed to me?”
He shrugged, eyes on me now. “How long have they been dating?”
“On and off for about three years.”
“Why on and off?”
I glanced at Umelia. I didn’t know her that well, but I knew what the rumors were and what the family talk was. “He wouldn’t commit.”
“Then we happen, and he finds a way.” Sin pursed his mouth. “Since we’re all about coincidences lately…”
“It does seem like interesting timing.”
“She’s from a good family?”
“Very.”
Sin nodded. “I assume she’d make a good royal consort, then. Probably one much more easily accepted than me.”
“Sin—”
He shook his head. “Not placing any blame or judgment. Just stating a fact. That I expect you to answer honestly.”
I frowned. “Yes. To some people.” I looked at the young couple again. “They seem happy.”
“And why wouldn’t they be? She’s got the ring she was after, if she was indeed after it, and if he is guilty of orchestrating all of this, he’s doing a fine job of hiding it. And getting his way.”
“True. I hope he doesn’t notice how closely we’re watching him tonight.”
“And if he does? What’s he going to do about it?”
“Good point.” I put my hand on Sin’s arm. “Let’s go see my dad. Now isn’t the right time to give him or my uncle the full rundown, but I want to see about that request for more security at the paper.”
“Okay.”
I placed my hand on the inside crook of Sin’s arm and together we walked over to my parents. My mother was sipping a predinner cordial, probably wintermint, judging by the pale green tint. “Hi, Mom, Dad.”
“Hi, honey.” My mom leaned in and kissed my cheek, then smiled up at Sin. “You both look so handsome. I mean, pretty. Well, you look pretty, Jayne. Sinclair looks handsome.” She giggled.
Sin grinned. “You look beautiful, Lady Frost.”
My father slanted his eyes at her. “Klara, how many of those cordials have you had?”
“Oh, you hush. Just one.” She smiled, her cheeks bright. “I’m happy. Are you happy, honey?”
“I am.” Mostly. “You look very pretty too.”
“Thank you.” Something distracted her. “Oh, your aunt Cecelia is waving at me. Excuse me, won’t you?”
She went in my aunt’s direction, leaving Sin and me with my father, which worked out perfectly.
I watched her for a moment. “Aunt Cecilia is Francis’s mother,” I told Sin.
Sin nodded in understanding.
I turned back to my father. “Dad, do you remember seeing a request for more security at the Post come across your desk? August Woolsey said he just submitted one, and I’m personally asking you to fast track it. Actually, I’m asking you to give it instant approval.”
He frowned. “I don’t think the Post is in any position to be asking for favors, but I’m more surprised to see you as their advocate. What don’t I know?”
“That August isn’t responsible for those terrible articles. Someone got into the paper and made the changes after the day’s work had already been approved for p
rint. He needs the extra security because it’s happened twice now, and he only has one guard.”
My father took a moment with that. He looked at both of us when he spoke next. “You feel confident he’s telling the truth?”
“I do.”
My father looked at Sin. “You too?”
He seemed pleased to have his opinion considered, and I loved my father for that. “Yes. He looked genuinely upset by the whole thing. I’m doing an interview with him tomorrow in hopes of dispelling some of the rumors circulating about me.”
My father nodded. “Good. I like that. I’ll send a footman with a note to Ezreal immediately that the additional security for the paper is approved.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at him. He was a good king. I wanted to tell him about Francis, but this wasn’t the time for that conversation.
Before any of us could say another word, the dinner chimes sounded. We all turned like the well-trained subjects we were. Sin went along with the crowd.
The dining room doors opened behind the footman with the chimes. “Your Majesty, esteemed guests, dinner is served.”
My father and mother went first, then my aunt Martha and uncle Kris, then Sin and me, then the rest of the royal family and guests.
Seats were assigned with small place cards written in elegant calligraphy. As I approached my seat, I realized I should have explained to Sin ahead of time that we wouldn’t be sitting together.
My father was at one end of the table, while my uncle was at the other. I was at my father’s right, and my mother at his left with Sin beside her. The Mayor of the Tinkers was at my right, while the man’s wife was seated farther down the table. At Sin’s right was another of the mayors.
More family members and guests were interspersed around the table with precise effort to ensure a good mix and lively conversation. At least that was the way it had been explained to me by my mother many years ago.
It was her job (with help from her secretary and some input from Gregory) to arrange all these seats. The undertaking was no small feat. She had to be aware of moods and opinions, personal relationships, even allergies sometimes.
The task would eventually fall to Sin as consort, but I wasn’t about to broach that subject now.
Miss Frost Chills the Cheater Page 12
