Alex’s smile grew when he saw me up on stage and he practically leapt up the steps to kiss me.
“You didn’t have to come up here,” he said.
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Well I’m here now. Not like I can just walk out.”
“I dare you,” he said, eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Shut up. Don’t you have anything better to do than tease me?”
“I guess I’ve got this speech thing,” he acknowledged. “Though I think teasing you is miles more important. And a lot more fun.”
His smile chased away any residual stress from this morning and I found myself grinning back. Dozens of reporters murmured in the background, cameras flashing and tongues wagging, but I didn’t care. I saw only Alex. Felt only Alex. He was the start and the end for me, and I could face a sea of adversity if he smiled at me the way he did now.
“Ed’s giving you the eye,” I whispered.
Alex glanced over at his brother, who was indeed giving him the eye. He chuckled. “Guess duty calls. What are you doing after this?”
I batted my lashes. “Are you asking me out, Mr. Rainhall?”
“Hey, that’s Your Royal Highness to you.” Alex winked. “I’ll take that to mean you’re free and you definitely have time for ice cream by the river. I think we’ll both need it.”
“Fine, fine.” I pushed him gently on the shoulder. “Now get over there before Edward blows his lid.”
Alex kissed me again and then stepped beside his brother. The murmurs of the crowd went down to whispers and Edward walked to the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for meeting us here today,” he said in a voice deeper than I was used to. I had to hold in a snicker. “There have been a number of questions raised by the media these past few weeks about my family, and we invited you all here to clear the air. My brother Alexander will say a few words, and then both of us will be available to take your questions.”
He nodded to his brother, and Alexander stepped forward. Edward patted his arm on the way past and Alex nodded with a solemn expression much different than the one I witnessed a couple of minutes ago.
“Good morning everyone,” Alex greeted, adjusting the microphone higher. “I’d like to join my brother in thanking you for coming. These past few months have been a whirlwind for me and I know you’re all very curious what I’m up to.”
The assembly laughed. Edward’s lips pressed together ever so slightly and I wondered if that was part of the prepared speech.
“We have a special relationship, don’t we?” he continued. “You and I, I mean. You’ve been there with me through all the ups and downs of my life, documenting my failures, my faux-pas, my poor fashion choices. As you should. I’m a prince of this country and I lead a public life. I have a responsibility to my people to do my best with that life. That was something my mother believed with her whole heart, and she practiced her belief every single day.”
One look at Edward confirmed my suspicions. Alexander was not reciting the speech Edward gave him, though from the complete silence of the crowd it seemed to be going well anyway.
“And that’s just it—being a good person, a good prince, is a practice. One you have to work at.” Alexander’s lips pulled into a half-smile. “And I’ve been doing a poor job of it.”
Hushed chatter in the crowd. I could tell what they were all thinking—this was gold. The man second in line for the throne had just admitted his failures.
Admittedly I didn’t know much about royal decorum, but I knew that confessing failure was an invitation for public outcry.
But Alex didn’t have his tail between his legs. He didn’t seem ashamed, nor did he plead forgiveness. The man at the podium was the picture of confidence and dignity, and though the crowd were thinking of ways to spin his words against him, they hung onto his every word.
“Something changed in me recently,” he continued. “Two things, actually. The first was that I realized the kind of man I wanted to be, even though I couldn’t quite figure out how to get there. The second was that I fell in love with the person who showed me the way.” He looked back, smiling as he spoke. “Love doesn’t always make sense. It’s not always convenient or proper, and it doesn’t pay heed to distance or time. Love is just love.”
Alexander faced the press again. “I love Tamara Callahan, and for whatever reason, that love has earned both of us a great deal of negative attention and has damaged the reputation of a project very close to my mother’s heart. And that’s why we called you here today, to set the story straight and lay out all the facts. But before I take any questions, I would like to introduce you to someone.”
Alexander held his hand back to me and smiled reassuringly. I tried not to shake as I took it, especially because Edward looked very tense and it made me nervous.
Alexander pulled me beside him on stage and laced his arm around my back. “People of the world, this is the woman I love—Tamara Callahan. You know her as the star of Princess of Nowhere. I know her as a woman who loves disco, dotes on my dog, and wants nothing more than to care for the people she loves. She’s not a princess or an aristocrat, but I’ve never met someone more poised. Our courtship may not have been conventional, but I wouldn’t wish for our journey to have gone any other way.
“No matter how much I believe in us, there will still be those who don’t, and that’s okay, but the organizations my brother and I are working to refurbish are organizations of good. All I ask is that even if you don’t believe in our love, you believe in my dedication to my mother’s memory and the people of this country. Don’t punish the many to spite the few.” He grasped my hand and lifted it to his chest. “I love Tamara Callahan. I know you will love her too. And together we’re going to accomplish great things.”
To my surprise, the room erupted into applause. Alex beamed from ear to ear and swooped down to kiss me.
And the world stopped on a dime.
Chapter 33
Tamara
Nine Months Later...
I tracked Jo as she paced the room, clenching and unclenching her perfectly manicured hands. “This is more stressful than university,” she said, stopping to look at me with wide eyes. “And I’m not even the one getting married.”
Victoria’s laugh tinkled over my shoulder and she stuck another pin in my hair. “You Americans are amusing.”
“Aren’t they?” Svetlana arrived at my side with a tall flute of champagne and passed it down to me. “How are you feeling?”
“A lot better than her,” I commented.
Mom stepped over to stop Jo, running her hands down my sister’s arms. “Relax,” she whispered.
Jo shook her head vehemently. “Relax? There are thousands of people out there.”
“It’s almost like you’ve never done this kind of thing before,” Victoria said.
Jo laughed and rolled her eyes. “Alright, Princess. Make your jokes. It’s not going to be funny when I face-plant halfway down the aisle.”
“On the contrary.” Victoria stepped over to Jo and placed a calming hand on her arm. “That would be the highlight of my year.”
“I would hope the highlight of your year would be your beloved brother tying the knot,” I chimed.
She winked at me. “Come on. Like that wouldn’t be funny.”
We all laughed, though Jo’s nervous giggle was loudest by far. I looked between the women surrounding me and smiled, knowing that without a doubt, today would be the highlight of my life.
A royal wedding. My royal wedding. I would have preferred a quiet ceremony at a country chapel somewhere, but if we had to do the whole song and dance in this gigantic abbey, that was fine too. All that mattered was that at the end of the day, I would be Mrs. Rainhall, proud wife of the most wonderful man in the world.
“You seem utterly serene, Tamara,” said Svetlana.
“Yeah,” Jo said. “What’s your secret?”
“No secret.” I shrugged. “I’m just ready.
”
“That you are.” Mom came to stand in front of me, smiling with tears in her eyes. “You look so beautiful, baby. Like a princess.”
I twirled, my long skirt whispering over the aged oak floor. I’d chosen a gown fitted around the bodice with a high neck, long lace sleeves, and a full skirt that twinkled with pearls and tiny diamonds. I didn’t even want to think about how much the thing cost, but none of the dresses the wedding planner showed me would have been cheap.
Someone knocked on the door. “We’re ready to start.”
Jo’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head but Svetlana soothed her with a few words. My maid of honor and bridesmaids looked back at me expectantly.
“Go on,” I said. “Shoo. I want to get married now.”
Jo nodded and left, followed by Svetlana and Victoria. My mother lingered a second longer.
“I’m so proud of you.” She took my hands and squeezed them. “So, so proud.”
“Because I’m marrying a prince?”
She chuckled. “No. Because you’ve shed all the fear and insecurity that used to hold you back, baby. You can do anything now.”
I felt like I could, too. The world was at my fingertips, and all I needed to change it was a little courage. Courage that, because of Alexander, I now had in spades.
“You better get out there,” I said, holding back happy tears.
Mom nodded and then she was gone. I took a moment in the dressing room alone, realizing this was one of my last few moments of being ordinary. Today I became royalty.
Then again, with Alex I already felt like royalty every single day.
I grabbed my bouquet and stepped out of the room, where organizers waited to hustle me over to the bottom of the aisle. Organ music swelled the second I stepped onto the long red carpet, and everyone rose and looked back at me.
Damn, there really were a lot of people. Hundreds of faces on either side of the aisle stared back at me, smiling. But the only face that mattered was his. The only smile I saw was the one I fell in love with before I ever saw the face it belonged to.
I began to walk.
Sure, the abbey was stuffed with strangers and even more waited outside in the streets, but the second my eyes locked on Alex’s, it felt just the same as it would have in a quiet, intimate ceremony. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t panicked. I was, as Svetlana said, serene.
And then, in the blink of an eye, I was married.
Jo and Tristan danced like lanky teenagers learning their first steps, which I suspected had more to do with Jo’s inexperience than any fault on Tristan’s part. Still, nobody else in the room looked happier. Well, except the bride and groom of course.
My mom sidled up beside me and leaned down. “Not nervous anymore, is she?”
I sat at a long table, elegantly laid out with flowers and crystal centerpieces. The rest of the tables had been moved aside to make room for the dance floor, though many of the guests had moved to one of the sitting rooms to drink and gossip. Everyone I loved was in this room, though, and the atmosphere was electric.
“I should’ve had Tristan come calm her down sooner,” I replied.
Beside me, Alex chuckled. “Do you think we’ll be attending their wedding anytime soon?”
“I hope so,” said Mom. “I don’t remember the last time I saw Jo this happy. And have you seen her grades?”
Jo had just finished her first semester at a local university and had no plans to go back to America anytime soon. I was glad since it meant I was never far away from my sister. I think Mom and Dad were just happy she’d found something over here that she’d never found at home.
Edward sauntered over to our table with the help of Clarissa. The public had gotten the grand ceremony they desired, and my only wish had been for a more intimate reception, held somewhere private. Apparently, the idea of holding it in the palace also suited Edward, since he’d let loose at dinner and was now officially drunk. I’d never seen him so undone and I was enjoying it.
“Hello, happy couple,” Edward greeted, leaning toward us. “I have some excellent news.”
Alex shook Ed’s hand. “Go on, then.”
“First of all, you two are married. That’s excellent news.” Edward bobbed his head. “Second, we just got a whole heap of donations, with more coming in every minute!”
“What?” Alexander looked at me and grinned, then put his arm around my shoulder. “That’s wonderful, Ed.”
Edward pointed at his brother, finger swaying. “It’s bloody brilliant is what it is, Alex. Bloody brilliant.” He gave a clumsy bow and he and Clarissa meandered toward the dance floor.
My heart could barely contain my happiness. I leaned my head against Alex’s shoulder and sighed.
“Your mother would have been proud, you know.”
He looked down at me. “You think?”
I nodded. “I know. You’re a great man, Alex. And you’re going to be a great husband.”
He smiled and leaned down to kiss me, but a shadow fell over us and we paused.
King Henry stood before the table, straight-backed and elegant in his finery. He cleared his throat. “Tamara, my dear, might I borrow you for a dance?”
I sat up straight and managed a nod. “Yeah,” I said. “Sure. That’d be great.”
Alex squeezed my hand under the table as I stood up, but the king didn’t seem to notice my discomfort. We still hadn’t spent much time together, though at least he and Alexander had gotten closer since the engagement. I just never knew what to say to the guy. He was a larger than life figure, even more so today with his blood-red sash and glinting medals.
Henry took my hand and led me to the dance floor, which cleared around us. The music changed to a regal waltz and he began to guide me across the floor.
“You look beautiful,” he commented. “Alexander is lucky.”
“Thank you.” I forced a smile, even though it wasn’t the best compliment he could’ve given me.
Henry looked over my shoulder as he spoke, eyes distant. “Your gifts extend much beyond beauty though, don’t they? You’re kind. You’re clever. You have a knack for guiding my son that thirty years of practice did not afford me.” He met my gaze and smiled. “You remind me a lot of my wife, Tamara, and for that reason I know you’re going to be very happy together.”
The depth of his words hollowed a space in my chest and I had to hold back tears. In one swift move, King Henry had officially carted away all feelings of me not belonging.
“Thank you,” was all I managed to say.
He nodded. The king was not a man of many words, though he was an excellent dancer.
I danced with many people that night, and soon enough all my thoughts turned to getting my husband to bed. We were staying in his old apartment in the palace, which was where we stayed when we needed a place to sleep in the city. Alexander had wanted to book us a fancy suite somewhere, but I wanted to stay close to home. Plus, how could one get fancier than a genuine palace?
I found Alex chatting to Edward by the bar and rested my hand on his arm. “Hey.”
He turned to me instantly and pulled me close. “Hey.”
“Ready to go soon?” I glanced at Edward, who suddenly found the wall very interesting. “I’m ready to start the honeymoon.”
Alex chuckled and finished his drink. “Absolutely.” He leaned down to the shell of my ear. “Meet me in the parking garage.”
Before I could question him, Alex swept Edward off into the other room. I watched him go with a frown.
The parking garage? What about our bed in the palace? I thought I told him I didn’t want a hotel?
I sighed and turned to find my family and say goodnight.
Chapter 34
Alexander
“Are we there yet?”
I laughed and reached across the console to squeeze Tamara’s hand. “Would you stop being so impatient?”
“Maybe I’m tired. We could have been asleep by now.”
I pulled her k
nuckles to my lips and kissed them, keeping my eye on the road. Not much further now.
“Oh, dear wife, are you getting irritated with me?”
“I wouldn’t be so irritated if you’d tell me where we’re going.” She swiveled her head to look at me, even though the band of fabric over her eyes prevented her from seeing anything.
“That would ruin the surprise.”
She pulled her hand back and crossed her arms, pursing her lips haughtily. “One of these days I’m going to surprise you with a pillow to the face while you sleep. See how you like it.”
I turned down the drive, slowing down as the road grew a little bumpier. Tamara’s mood instantly lifted.
“Springfield?” she asked, lips drawn back into a grin.
“I told you...”
“It’s Springfield though, isn’t it?” She tore her blindfold off before I could stop her, gazing out the window at the familiar tree-lined drive. “Yes! We’re home! I thought you were taking me to a hotel or something.”
I laughed. “Why would I do that? You would hate it.”
Tamara squeezed my hand. “I love you so damn much.”
“I love you too, Kitty Kat.”
We rolled up the rest of the drive and I parked out front. The porch light was on, just as I’d requested. I hoped they got the rest of my requests right as well.
Tamara leapt from the passenger seat and jogged to the front door, holding her skirts in her hand. I followed.
“Slow down,” I called. “There’s no rush.”
“No rush, my aunt Fanny,” she replied. “We haven’t been home in days.”
I sprinted around her and reached the door first. “I’m carrying you over the threshold.”
Tamara stopped. “I was so excited to get inside that I nearly forgot.” She let her skirts down and smiled at me. “Get on with it, then.”
“Cheeky.” I bent down and hoisted her into my arms, kissing her exposed neck as I carried her to the front door.
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