Recklessly Royal

by Nichole Chase

  “No, but it could hurt him.” Chadwick burst into the room and handed me a small set of silver tweezers.

  Gritting my teeth I reached into his nostril with the tool. It didn’t take long, but I was relieved to have the little kernel out of danger’s way. Tossing the kernel and the tweezers into the trash, I gratefully took the hand sanitizer Chadwick proffered. Jess handed me my bouquet and I smiled at our group.

  The wedding party wasn’t large, which was perfect. Sam wouldn’t have a ton of people who didn’t mean something to her surrounding her on her wedding day. I admired her sense of self and the way she stood up for what she wanted. This would be the first royal wedding that had not taken place in the palace chapel in hundreds of years. When Mother had started talking about plans, Sam had cleared her throat and very quietly said no. There had been only two things Sam had insisted on for her wedding day: getting married outside and having a piece of her mother’s veil incorporated into her dress.

  The rest she let us handle. I’d done my best to make sure she was involved, but when it boiled down to it, she just wanted to get married, have her family present, and have a good time. That had meant I’d had a lot of fun with the details, which she would probably never notice—and I was really okay with that.

  As we moved into formation, we heard the opening music and I rocked on my feet a little. We would be entering the church in a somewhat different formation than Sam was used to seeing at weddings. Accompanied by Patricia, Sam would walk behind the person officiating and the two children, while Jess and I would follow behind.

  “You’ve got this.” I winked at Sam as she took a deep breath.

  “As long as Alex is at the end of the aisle, nothing else matters.” She smiled.

  “He’ll be the one bouncing on his heels and craning his neck to see you.” I laughed. Despite my smile, my heart clenched a little as I wondered if I would ever have that kind of love.

  As the doors opened, Samantha laughed at my joke. It hadn’t really been my intention, but I knew instantly that the pictures of her happiness would make the cover of every magazine. She practically vibrated with eagerness, and there was no way of faking that anticipation.

  The voices of the children’s chorus, accompanied by a string ensemble, filled the air, and the show had begun. There were cameras and professional photographers hidden around the setting in ways that I hoped would keep them from being too obvious.

  I couldn’t see Sam as she moved down the stairs and across the lawn, but I could see the expressions on the guests’ faces. And they were in awe. Sam would never see the effect she had on people or the way she filled her new role so perfectly, but it was obvious to those of us on the sidelines. She was meant for Alex in a way that no one else would ever be able to match. And while I would never be able to explain how happy that made me, it also reminded me of my own loneliness.

  Garlands of flowers hung from the trees and the aisle was lined with flowered plants that gave the entire area a fairy-tale feel—with my brother playing the part of Prince Charming. I watched as he broke protocol and peeked over his shoulder to see Sam. The look in his eyes and the smile that broke across his face made me giggle. You would never have known there were a thousand people packed into the palace lawn by the look in his eyes.

  The formal exchange of the daughter to the waiting groom had been modified for Patricia. Just a few words in Lilarian had been swapped so that it honored Sam’s late parents and her relationship with Patricia. There had been a lot of debate in the tabloids and gossip websites about how they were going to handle the situation, but I doubted that anyone would be able to find fault in the way it was presented.

  When Alex took Sam’s hand, tears formed in my eyes and I couldn’t help it. For the world, today wasn’t just about their wedding—it was about Sam, America’s Duchess becoming a princess. But for Sam and Alex, nothing mattered today except for their marriage. And that was exactly how it should be.

  I took my spot next to Jess, keeping careful attention on Violet, and watched as my brother promised to cherish and protect my best friend. The entire ceremony went smoothly except for Sam’s soft giggle when she said a word wrong. It wasn’t until they were pronounced man and wife that the script changed.

  To the cheers and applause of the audience, Alex dipped Sam backward and kissed her soundly. I covered my mouth as I laughed, my eyes darting to where my mother sat. Her broad smile was unmistakable as my aunt leaned next to her and whispered. When Alex finally let Sam up for air her cheeks were pink and a content smile brightened her face.

  As they stepped down from the dais, Jess moved forward to straighten Sam’s train and to return the wedding bouquet. At the bottom of the stairs, Alex bowed and Sam curtsied to Mother before making the long walk back to the palace. I could see them laughing as they walked, waving to friends and familiar faces. As I stepped carefully down the stairs a pair of warm eyes caught my attention.

  David watched me with a small smile, but there was something in his eyes I hadn’t noticed in another man’s gaze before. Hunger. Just good, old-fashioned lust, and it sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes traveled over the tight-fitting satin of my dress and back to the barely noticeable cleavage.

  I might never have a relationship like Sam and Alex. Hell, I might never find that type of love. But I could find someone to make my blood run hot for one night.

  The last boy I had dated had treated me like a trophy, showing me off at parties. Even his kissing had been more like battle than something passionate; as if he was trying to lay claim to me, instead of loving everything I am.

  Most girls wanted a man who made them feel like a princess, but I wanted one who made me feel like a woman.

  And I think I’d just figured out who that was going to be. I’d just have to convince him as well.

  SIX

  MUSIC SPILLED OUT of the ballroom and into the night air on the patio. People milled about, chatting and munching on tiny crab cakes and crackers with cheese. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the stars twinkled high above the leafy trees along the stone patio.

  I took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp spring air and the space away from everyone who was dancing. After spending time relaxing and cutting loose at the bachelorette party, it felt constraining to be Princess Catherine while everyone else had fun. I had danced with dignitaries, with Max, and even with Chadwick. I’d danced with “friends” and distant cousins. I’d made small talk with people who thought they knew me and I managed to not barf at their annoying jokes. When I had seen Kyle—the disgusting worm of an ex-friend—making his way across the room toward me, I’d decided it was time to make an exit. A fast one.

  So instead of playing Perfect Princess Catherine, I was outside, leaning against the railing, sipping ice water.

  Trying to come up with a plan for seducing the one man who seemed to detest my title, but craved my body.

  David was the polar opposite of my old pal Kyle, or Jake, my last boyfriend. They had wanted my virginity, but only because they saw it as a status symbol. Something to brag about to their friends. “Hey guys, I deflowered a princess last night.”

  I sighed and drank some more water. Okay, they probably would have come up with some much more crude than deflower.

  “Are you hiding?” a little voice asked near my hip.

  I looked down at the little boy with red hair and smiled. I couldn’t remember the little guy’s name, but I knew that he was Duke Thysmer’s great-grandson. Another one of the royal families that had been returned to their title and lands.

  “A little bit,” I said.

  “I thought so.” He moved to the rail next to me and stood on his tiptoes to look over the edge. “Me too. I don’t like the music.”

  “And why’s that?” My lips twitched. “I heard someone say that this is one of the best bands available.”

  “Yuck. They don’t play anything fun. It’s all old people music.” He scrunched up his nose.

  “I hated t
his type of music when I was your age too.”

  “Yeah? Don’t you still hate it?” He looked up at me with curiosity.

  “Nope.” I shook my head.

  “Why not?”

  “Dancing.” I set my glass down and turned to look at him directly.

  “Dancing?” He made a face. “Like gross dancing?”

  I laughed. “What’s gross dancing?”

  “Like them.” He jerked his head toward the spot where Sam and Alex swayed in the center of the dance floor.

  “Well, that dancing is nice too, but what about . . . the funky chicken?”

  His giggle lifted my spirits. “You don’t do the funky chicken!”

  “Of course I do!” I put a hand to my chest. “Why wouldn’t I do the funky chicken?”

  “You’re too princess-y!” He giggled again.

  “Oh yeah? I bet you can’t do it.”

  “Can too!” He laughed.

  “Nah-uh. Don’t believe it. You’re too little.” I narrowed my eyes. “You’re too small.”

  “I really can! See?” Tucking his hands under his arms he flapped his elbows like wings and bucked his head.

  It took every drop of willpower not to burst out laughing. “You’re okay.”

  “You can’t do any better.”

  “Of course I can!” Folding my arms against my body I flapped my fake wings and clucked. I took a few steps, bobbing up and down.

  The little boy wrapped his arms around his stomach and laughed loudly. I clucked at him and he laughed harder, his little eyes squeezing shut.

  “Those are some impressive moves.” David’s voice froze me in place. “Especially to that fantastic classical music.”

  “She’s so funny!” The little boy pointed at me.

  I turned to meet his eyes with my hands still tucked into my armpits. I couldn’t have planned a more embarrassing way to see him. Okay, that’s not true. I could ask him to take his clothes off. Again. Or spill coffee all over his suit. Yeah. I guess this was just par for the course.

  “We were just trying to liven up the night.” I shrugged.

  “Looks like you’re doing a great job.” David knelt down and smiled at the little boy. “Have you tried the hokey-pokey yet?”

  “Is that the one where you put your leg in and shake your booty?” He gave a little wiggle to demonstrate.

  It was David’s turn to laugh. “That’s the one.”

  “Marty!” a woman’s voice called. “Martin!”

  “Uh-oh.” The little boy looked past David.

  “Marty, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” A redheaded woman ran through the open double doors, her soft pink dress fluttering in the wind. “I told you to stay at the table. The table! Does this look like the table?”

  “Sorry, Mama.” He smiled, but didn’t look very worried. “But look! The princess knows the chicken dance!”

  “Marty was just helping spice up the night.” I smiled at the woman. “You’re Meredith, right? We haven’t been introduced before.” I held my hand out to her and almost pulled it right back. Hopefully she wouldn’t think about the fact that my fingers had just been shoved in my armpits.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Catherine.” She stood up and shook my hand. Brushing some of her long hair back over her shoulder she smiled at everyone. “When Marty disappeared I almost had a heart attack. I hope he didn’t bother you.”

  “He was delightful.” I reached out and ruffled his hair. “Was your grandfather able to make the trip?” Duke Thysmer was in his seventies and not traveling much.

  “Yes. I was getting him some water for his medicine when Marty decided to disappear.” She gave the boy a stern look.

  “Sorry, Mama.” He looked down at his feet.

  “Get in there and tell your grandfather you’re sorry for scaring him.” She raised an eyebrow and I smiled. Meredith must have been very young when she had Marty, but she had the motherly expressions down pat. Once the young boy had disappeared back into the ballroom, she turned and smiled at us. Her eyes ran over David in appreciation. “Hi, I’m Meredith.”

  “Forgive me. David, this is Lady Meredith of Thysmer.” Seeing her curvaceous figure shift so that every angle was somehow highlighted made my stomach turn. She wasn’t doing anything wrong or outlandish, but damn if she wasn’t the type of woman that turned heads. I remembered hearing once that she was an actress, so it only made sense that she knew how to show off her good angles. “Meredith, this is David Rhodes, a close friend of Duche— I mean Princess Samantha.”

  “Lovely to meet you.” Meredith held her hand out and David shook it gently.

  “Nice to meet you.” He smiled, but let go of her hand quickly.

  “I’m going to go in and make sure he’s actually doing what he’s supposed to. You two enjoy the night air.” With a grin, she whirled away and disappeared in the throngs of people.

  “She’s a duchess?” David turned and looked at me.

  “Her grandfather is a duke, but her official title is Lady Meredith.” I bit my bottom lip. “She must’ve been really young when she had Marty.”

  “I didn’t see anyone with her. Is Marty’s father not in the picture?”

  I frowned. Was he fishing for her relationship status? “No. I don’t think he has ever played a large role in their family. She has been single for as long as I’ve known her.”

  “That’s rough.” He frowned. “So, the boy, will he inherit the title as well?”

  “Yes. Since he is the firstborn and only grandchild.”

  “Your family tree is pretty confusing.” One side of his mouth pulled up at the corner and I felt relieved. He seemed more interested in our family than in Meredith’s dating life.

  “Oh, you have no idea. This is just the tip of the iceberg.” I took a step closer to him and hoped that he had already forgotten the chicken dance. “Meredith is part of the royal tree, but so far removed that she isn’t truly related any longer. Much like Sam.”

  “I think I remember hearing the name Thysmer before.” David stuck his hands in his pockets. “It was in a lot of articles about Sam.”

  “They were the other family that had their title reinstated.” I smiled. “We don’t see Meredith often. She attends university in England. In fact, this was the first time I’ve actually met her or her son.”

  “He looked like a handful.” He laughed.

  “I think you’re right,” I said.

  “But he did get you dancing.” His eyes ran over my dress and then back to my face. “I would think you’d have an endless line of people wanting to dance with you.”

  “Look at you. You’re getting better at the compliments.” My mouth twitched and I hoped I wasn’t grinning like an idiot.

  “Well, then I saw you doing the funky chicken and it all made sense.” His lips quivered as he fought a laugh.

  “Hey! I’ll have you know, I do a great funky chicken.” I poked him in the chest and his hand shot up to grasp mine. His thumb ran over the back of my hand and I took a deep breath.

  “Why don’t you show me what other types of dances you know.”

  Had he just hinted at more than dancing? Did I care? Hell no.

  “Lead the way,” I said.

  Wrapping my hand through his arm, he led me back into the ballroom and onto the dance floor. With one hand on my waist he guided me through the other dancers in a slow waltz.

  As we glided around the floor I was shocked to see Max dancing with Meredith. His eyes were locked on her mouth and she was talking softly, her lips curved into a gentle smile. I had never seen Max pay so much attention to a woman. He’d had lovers in the past, but it had always been obvious that they were a momentary distraction. What really intrigued me was how different the two were. Meredith with her flair for acting and Max with his deep desire to stay as far out of the public eye as possible.

  Shaking my head I looked back at David and smiled. “I wouldn’t have thought you would be a dancer.”
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br />   “Now, that’s not true.” His eyes twinkled. “I seem to remember you telling me to shake it the other night.”

  Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I knew I’d never live that down.”

  “Are you kidding me? I should write home and tell my best friend.” He laughed but my back stiffened. “I’m joking, Cathy.”

  I didn’t respond, trying to fight down the dread of what would happen if he really did write home about my drunken episode. His fingers tightened on my waist and he pulled me a little closer.

  “Cathy, I’m serious. It was a joke.” He leaned down so his lips were close to my ear. “I know how hard it is to keep your life out of the news. I’ve seen how difficult it has been on Sam.”

  “I’m not normally like that.” I met his eyes briefly before looking away.

  “Yeah, I get that.” His hand touched my chin to get my attention. “Which is a shame. I liked the grumpy Cathy who poured coffee all over me and the happy, forward woman who told me to take my clothes off.”

  “Shh!” My eyes almost bugged out of my head.

  A chuckle rumbled out of his chest. “No one is paying the slightest bit of attention to us.”

  “That’s not true.” I shook my head. “There is always someone watching. Always.”

  “Every person in this room is watching Alex spin Sam around the dance floor like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.”

  “They do look amazing.” I craned my neck so I could see my brother. Sam had removed her train, making her dress much more manageable.

  “I have to admit, seeing Samantha these last couple of days has really been a surprise. She fits in here so well—like she’s always been a duchess.” David’s eyes took on a faraway look. “It wasn’t that long ago that we were eating two-day-old cold pizza while going over projects. Or stomping through a field, searching for a bird. She never cared about her nails or makeup.” He paused for a minute, thinking. “But now, she’s so . . . polished. It was always there, but it’s like you guys took her and shined her up.”

  “She still stomps through fields, chews her nails, and will just as quickly punch someone in the nose than deal with their crap. You’re seeing wedding Samantha.” I chuckled. “And you missed the very scary primping part of the process.”