I studied him from across the table. He looked so handsome and regal that he fit in perfectly. On the outside, anyway.
I had no idea how he was feeling on the inside. And I was too far away to talk to him about it. Naturally, I would have rather been at Sin’s side, but once I noticed that Francis and Umelia could barely see each other due to a floral centerpiece, I felt better. Maybe my mother had done that on purpose. She was pretty savvy when it came to all this social intrigue business. Made me proud of her, if she had. I guess I was petty like that.
And a little stuck on the whole competition thing Sin had brought up. It really did make it seem like Francis was positioning himself for something grand.
And what was grander than the throne?
Growing up together, he’d tried to one up me on several occasions. Was he really trying to do that again?
I knew Sin would tell me I was judging Francis unfairly again, but that didn’t stop me from scowling. Lightly, so my mother wouldn’t fuss at me later about making such a face at the dinner table. Of course, he never noticed. He was engaged in some fascinating conversation with the Mayor of the Decorators, a large woman with small pearlized bows in her blue curls.
I’m sure the decorators were on his side. After all, those were Umelia’s people. Wouldn’t they love to see one of their own as the royal consort?
Hmm. That started new wheels turning in my head.
“Jayne. Jay.”
“What?” I looked at my father.
“I asked what you and Sin have planned for the rest of the day after the paper tomorrow.”
“Oh. Sorry. Nothing in particular, why?”
“I thought you might like to tour the new peppermint plant with me. Your mom thought Sin would enjoy seeing something like that since he’s a baker. I realize confections are not the same thing, but it’s in the vicinity.”
“That would be great. I’m sure he’d love that.” I glanced at Sin. The Baking Mayor at his elbow seemed to be enjoying her spot next to him and was talking very earnestly about something.
But then, my mother had arranged for Sin’s dinner companion to be someone he could have a conversation with. And one who wouldn’t have an ounce of compunction about being seated next to him. Another big, fat, sugar-coated point for Klara Frost.
I would have smiled at her in thanks, but she was speaking with one of the footmen at the moment.
So I went back to looking at Sin, who was, no doubt, being his usual charming self. I hoped he wasn’t bored stiff. There was no getting out of these dinners.
“Worried?”
At the sound of my father’s voice, I made eye contact with him again. There was little point in hiding what I was feeling, so I just smiled thinly and said, “Yes.”
He lowered his voice, making sure the conversation stayed between us. “I wish I could offer you some tried and true advice, but your mother came to this life having already been fully immersed it in. We both did.”
I nodded. “I know. It’s okay.”
“Sinclair is an intelligent man. He pursued you, after all. Give him more credit. I’m sure by now he’s got a decent grasp of what he’s getting into.”
I sighed. “Maybe. I don’t know. His reception here hasn’t been exactly what I’d hoped for.”
“That will all be resolved. And if he loves you as he seems to, this life, the one you’re so worried is going to scare him away, is only going to strengthen his resolve to love and protect you.”
I smiled at my dad. Sometimes he really did have the best answers. “Thank you.”
He smiled back. “Anytime, Jay.”
A battalion of footmen walked through the dining doors carrying silver trays.
Dinner was served.
Sin shook his head as we stepped off the elevator. “I’m just saying it’s shocking news. And I’m not sure I can marry you now.”
I laughed at his teasing, very happy that dinner was over and that it had gone so well. “We must have some kind of doughnut in the North Pole. I feel like doughnuts were a big part of my life growing up. I’ve had to have eaten them here before.”
“Not according to Mayor Crumb. Cookies, cakes, pies, pastries of all assortments—even a fried dough that could be described as doughnut adjacent, but nothing that she claims is a genuine, honest-to-goodness doughnut. It’s a real shame. Think of the children.”
I snort-laughed at his mock outrage. “I suppose you’ll just have to spearhead some kind of doughnut project, then. Bring honest-to-goodness doughnuts to the North Pole once and for all.”
He shot a sideways look at me. “That, missy, would require me having a reason to be here for more than a week.”
I knew what he was getting at. His proposal. And my nonexistent official answer. But as we rounded the corner and walked down the hall toward our apartments, the sight of Allene, Davide, and Sin’s valet awaiting us brought an end to that conversation.
Sin held up his hands. “I appreciate it, but I can undress myself.”
Davide smiled patiently. “I’m just here to collect your cuff links, sir.”
“Ah.” Sin lifted his arms to glance at the forgotten jewelry. “I’m ready for you to collect them too. What are these worth again?”
Davide held his black cases at his sides. “Their worth is not my purview, but I can tell you that they are each three and a half carats of exceptional tanzanite with another half carat each of white diamonds set in platinum, and they were once part of Princess Frost’s great-great-grandmother’s personal collection as a brooch. She had it taken apart and turned into cuff links for her husband. I trust they did their job for you this evening.”
“If their job was to make sure I matched the princess, then they did it beautifully.” There was an edge to Sin’s voice. A strained quality I wasn’t used to hearing.
As we stopped in front of our doors, he looked at me, and I could see the frustration in his eyes. He’d expected us to come back, get comfortable and hang out. We still could, it was just going to take a little longer.
I smiled at him. I should have told the team they could have the rest of the night off. “With Allene’s help, I can be over in less than ten minutes. Sound good?”
“Yes.” Then he looked at his valet. “I know you’re just doing the job you were sent to do, but I’m going to undress myself.”
“Sinclair,” I said gently as I gave him a meaningful gaze. “I’m sure your valet would be happy to wait in the hall for your suit. So he can take it to be cleaned for you.”
Understanding lit in Sin’s eyes, and he nodded to let me know he got it. “That would be fine.” He looked at the valet again and smiled. “Be right out.”
“Very good, sir.” The valet stood waiting.
With one last glance at the team, Sin unlocked his door and went in.
I unlocked mine and did the same with Allene and Davide behind me. “Thank you for not waiting inside. That might not have gone over as well if Sin had walked in to see his valet already in there.”
Allene snorted. “That’s what we thought too, so we just stayed in the hall.”
Davide set his cases on the coffee table. “He’ll get there. It’s just a matter of—”
Sin came barreling into my apartment, eyes glinting with anger. “Jayne.”
“What’s wrong? Are Spider and Sugar okay?”
“The cats are fine. But someone was in there. In my apartment. And I don’t mean housekeeping. There’s a package on the coffee table.”
I bit my lip. “Gregory, I’m sure. He does that when there are deliveries. I’ll tell him it’s not okay.”
Davide spoke up. “Princess? There’s a package here on the coffee table for you too.”
“There is?” I turned to see Davide holding up a box about the size of a salad plate wrapped in white paper and tied with doubled lengths of sheer gold ribbon.
Sin pointed at it. “Mine looks just like that.”
Davide weighed it in his hands. “Could be choc
olates.”
I wasn’t interested in anyone’s guess, just being alone with Sin to discuss this. “Davide, Allene, get this jewelry off me.” I started fussing with the circlet, loosening it from my hair. I was sure Nesto wouldn’t be happy with me destroying his coiffure, but I had other things to worry about.
They dashed over, taking the gems off me and securing them. Allene waited at my elbow after handing the earrings off to Davide. “And your dress?”
I looked at Sin.
He waved a hand. “Get changed, then come over and we’ll figure this out.”
“Okay,” I said, but my tongue almost stuck to the roof of my mouth. I knew he was mad. I didn’t blame him. To anyone not used to it, having someone in your personal space felt like an invasion of privacy.
With a terse nod, he started to go, then stopped and turned back, holding out his hand to Davide. Diamonds sparkled on his palm. “Your cuff links.”
Davide took them with a gracious bow. “Thank you, sir.”
I’m sure Davide would have also liked to explain that they were not his cuff links, but the jeweler had been in service long enough to know when to keep his mouth shut and who to keep it shut around.
Sin left.
Allene had the zipper down on my dress before the door finished closing. Davide locked his cases and gave me a respectful nod. “Princess, as always it has been my pleasure to serve you.”
“Thank you, Davide.”
He left too.
I sighed with impatient frustration.
“Now, now,” Allene said softly as I stepped out of the dress. “It’s going to be all right. You’ll see.”
“I hope so.” I toed the ballet slippers off.
With the dress already folded over her arm, she scooped up the shoes and made for the door. “Have a good night, Princess. And be well.”
I nodded. “Thank you. You too.”
As she left, I yanked off my strapless bra, threw on a more comfortable one, along with a big sweatshirt and yoga pants.
Thirty seconds later, I was at Sin’s door in my bare feet with the wrapped package in my hand. The valet was still in the hall. He bowed at me and, as a credit to his training, didn’t blink at my very casual outfit. I nodded back as I knocked.
Wasn’t long before Sin opened the door. He was in sweatpants and a T-shirt. He handed the suit to the valet. The young man took it and disappeared quietly.
I stood there, searching Sin’s face for any sign that his mood had changed. It seemed to have softened a bit. “You okay?”
“Yes.” He raked his hand through his hair, destroying the sleek styling his barber had done and returning it to the wilder look he usually sported. “I’m just not used to all this, Jayne. I’m not.”
“I know. We can fix it. Lay some ground rules. Make sure the staff knows—”
“No.” He exhaled. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want to be a problem.”
“Sin, it’s okay. Especially if it helps. And you’re not a problem. Palace staff is here to serve the family. If the method of service needs to change, that’s perfectly fine.”
“Well…maybe a little. But this is what you’re used to, isn’t it? Which means it’s what I’ll have to get used to as well.” He managed a weak half-smile.
“You really don’t have to. Adjustments can be made. Adjustments will be made. It’s not even up for debate.” I tipped my head toward the space behind him. “Are you going to let me in?”
“Sorry.” He moved back, making room for me to enter. I tossed the package onto the couch. “I don’t want to be the exception. I want to adapt to your life. This life.”
“But until then, there’s no reason we can’t take things slow.”
He stared at me. Hard. “You mean with us?”
“No.” I put my hands on his beautiful face. “With certain protocols. With standard procedures. That kind of stuff. Okay?”
“Okay.” He turned his head and kissed the palm of my left hand. “I’m sorry I lost my cool.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
He pulled me into his arms and just held me for a few seconds. “I can’t believe you grew up like this. But I’ll get there. Be patient with me.”
“That’s what love is supposed to be. Patient. And I can do that. Especially with you.”
“Good.” He kissed the top of my head. “You want to see what the gifts are? And hopefully who they’re from?”
I pulled back, laughing a little. “Yes, for sure. Don’t you?”
“Yeah. I am a little curious.”
We went over to the living room area. I picked up my package from where I’d tossed it on the couch, and sat cross-legged on the middle cushion. He took his off the coffee table and sat next to me.
I nudged him. “You go first.”
He pulled at the ribbon. “Do you get gifts all the time? Is this standard operating procedure?”
“There are a fair number of gifts involved in being part of the royal family.”
His brows lifted, but he just kept unwrapping. Inside the white paper was a simple brown box, but it bore a familiar mark. A square with a T in it. “The tinkers,” he said.
“Yes.”
He didn’t open it. “Do you think this is more competition nonsense? Should we maybe have someone here?”
“I…don’t really know. I could call my dad. Or the constable.”
He stared at the box.
“Just open it,” I said. “We’ll figure out what to do based on what’s in there.”
“Okay.” He lifted the top off. There was a slim, red leather collar inside. It had an odd-shaped bell attached to it. A note in the same creamy paper we’d come to recognize as also belonging to the tinkers sat on top. He opened the note and read what was written inside.
“Dear Mr. Crowe, I was told you and Princess Frost both have cats. I hope you enjoy this gift. It’s still in the early development stage, but should work well enough to entertain. All the best, Stanley.”
Sin looked at that. “How about that? He sent us a present. After everything that happened today.” He took the collar out of the box. “What do you suppose it does?”
“Let’s put it on Sugar and see.”
Sin laughed. “You realize I’ll have to wake her up for that. She and Spider are still passed out in the closet.”
“I can fix that.” I hopped up and went over to Sin’s stash of cat supplies, grabbed the treat bag and gave it a good shake.
Two streaks of black and white came barreling into the room seconds later. The cats skidded to a stop by my feet.
“See how easy that was?” I laughed and tossed a few treats down.
While the fishy morsels were being gobbled up, Sin came over and put the collar on Sugar. “There. Now what?”
I shrugged. “Not sure.”
Spider ate the last treat. Sugar looked up at us expectantly. “More.”
I looked at Sin. “You heard that, right? That was an actual word, not a meow.”
He nodded, a little dumbstruck. “Did Stanley develop a pet collar that allows pets to talk?”
Sugar put her front legs on Sin’s knee. “More more more, food man.”
We burst out laughing, and I nodded. “I think that’s exactly what he did. And I’m not sure the world is ready.”
He looked at me in dismay. “Is that what she calls me? Food man? I have to admit, that’s a little disappointing.”
I rolled my lips in to keep from laughing. “Well, that does kind of describe you, doughnut guy.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, but couldn’t keep the smile off his face. “Not you too.”
“Speaking of…wanna raid the kitchen? Formal dinners never serve enough food to fill me up.”
“Never change, Princess. Never change.” Sin just shook his head in amusement. “But before we go anywhere, you should open your present and see if you got the same thing. I realize it’s implied, but you never know.”
“True.”
“Hey, you don’t think Stanley sent us these gifts as a bribe, do you?”
“No. He knows better than that. I think he just wants to show there’s no hard feelings.” I went back to the couch and grabbed mine, yanking the bow free with a little less care than Sin had.
As the ribbon came free, a piece of folded paper fell to the floor. Sin bent and picked it up. “Weird that your note was on the outside.”
“I didn’t see it. Must have been on the bottom. I guess Stanley forgot to put it in the package.”
Sin unfolded the paper. “This isn’t from Stanley. At least I’m betting it’s not.” He turned the note so I could read it.
You’re going to lose the throne.
I could hear my heart thumping in my chest as I read those words a second time. “Is that a warning or a threat?”
Sin shook his head. “I don’t know. But it looks like the same handwriting as before.” He nodded at the partially unwrapped gift still in my hands. “Open that and see if there’s a note from Stanley in there like mine had.”
My hands were shaking a little as I tore the rest of the wrapping off. “Note and collar, same as yours.”
I collapsed onto the couch with the box in my hands. “It’s Francis, isn’t it? That note is a threat. A taunt, maybe. Who else could have slipped that paper into the wrapping of a gift that found its way into my apartment? Who else would know to do that? It had to be him. And he was late coming to dinner.”
Sin sat and put his arm around me. “Or it’s someone who really wants it to look like Francis.”
“Are you having second thoughts about it being him?”
He went quiet for a moment. “I watched him as much as I could tonight. Never once did I see a malicious look on his face. He seemed happy to be at the dinner and genuinely in love with his fiancée. He doesn’t strike me as a man with overreaching ambitions. But you know your cousin far better than I do.”
I thought about that. “You’re a good judge of character. I didn’t notice anything odd about him tonight either. And I kind of thought the same way you did—that I’d at least catch him shooting eye daggers at one of us. But I didn’t. And you didn’t either. So where does that leave us?”
Miss Frost Chills the Cheater Page 13
