Page 37 of Royal Surrogate 2

“Yes, yes,” Andrew says. “Leopold seems to think it necessary to have something of a ‘bachelors’ party’ tonight. Though I haven’t been a bachelor for some time…”

“Not a bachelors’ party. Just a party. You’ve been uptight enough as the heir to the throne.” Leo laughs, shaking his head. “Can you imagine how bad he’s going to be when he’s the actualking? I thought we’d give him a good sending off. And Victoria’s on board.”

Andrew merely shakes his head.

“And since you’re about to be knee-deep in dirty diapers, it can be a sending off for you as well!” Leo claps me hard on the shoulder, guiding me into the game room. “I thought we’d start the night here, and then, who knows? Maybe take the plane down to Monte Carlo for a bit? We all know how much Andrew loves the high stakes roulette tables there.”

Andrew lifts a brow, shaking his head.

I realize I haven’t been out on the town in months, and it all sounds rather fun for a moment or two. But the twinge in my stomach makes me think twice.

“You know, I think I might stay here tonight,” I say. “I’m happy to join the festivities here on the palace grounds, of course?—”

“You see?” Andrew says, sliding his arm over my shoulder. “I told you he’d make a fine member of the Senate.”

“I…”The Senate?I’ve never considered serving in my country’s government, nor do I want to.

“Benedict said with your new child, you’d definitely come around to the idea.” Andrew walks over to the bar and picks up a glass that I can see is already half emptied, and I realize my cousins began the party long before I arrived.

“I suppose we can discuss matters when we’re all sober,” I say, pouring myself a glass of bourbon. I promised Renae I wouldn’t overdo it tonight—and I’ll keep my word to her—but I can see already I’m going to need a drink.

“It’s not as bad as you think,” Leo says. “There’s food. And wine. Travel.” It’s almost as though he’s trying to convince himself that it’s not the most horrendous job in the entire world.

“We need you to represent Wintervale,” Andrew says, taking a long drink from his glass. “I’d intended to talk to you about it long ago, of course, but things have a way of coming up, and before you know it, it’s been six months, two years.” He laughs. “It’s time the next generation takes Montovia into the future, don’t you think?”

Leopold lifts his glass. “To the future!”

“To the future!” Andrew says.

“To the future,” I reply under my breath before taking a sip from my glass.

“What is all this nonsense?” A short, stout man appears in the doorway. “Are you trying to drive His Grace mad with your shenanigans? As if you should be in here planning for anything.”

“Go away, Stephan,” Leo says. “No one invited you.”

“I’m always invited,” the small man says, walking up to the bar. “You’d all better get used to it. You might be taking over the crown, but you need me?—”

“I don’t need you,” Andrew says, clearly already more than half-drunk. “In fact, the second that crown goes on my head, you can consider yourself fired.”

Stephan laughs. “You can’t do that.”

Andrew smiles. “I think I just did.”

CHAPTER 29

Renae

If I thought Wintervale manor was impressive, it’s nothing compared to the Royal Palace.

This place is magnificent. Everywhere I look I see gilded sconces and damask wallpaper and works of art that probably cost more than most people’s homes. The ceilings are high and arched, and the silk rugs beneath my shoes are so plush I hardly feel the ache in my feet that settled in somewhere around the time I started to look like I was smuggling a watermelon under my dress.

And the people are a pleasant surprise, too—given the lifelong rivalries between Caspar and his brothers, I was expecting to have to suffer through lots of awkward tension, but instead they behave like the sort of siblings who love to hate each other. And everyone has been friendly and kind to me.

Victoria has been telling me a little more about the palace and the family as she leads me to the suite Caspar and I will be sharing. I try to follow along.

“And if you need anything—anything at all—just find the nearest member of staff and they’ll take care of it for you,” she says. “We want to make sure you have all the comforts you need while you’re here.”

“Thanks,” I tell her as we round a corner. “I appreciate it.”

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