Page 72 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

Elena dug her swimwear from her bag and hurried into the bathroom. “That’s fine. I just have to get a few things from my bag first.”

“Of course. So, what color polish are you going for? I’m going to do something fun like blue or green.”

“Oh, I don’t think I’ll be as daring,” Elena called as she threw the coverup over her swimsuit and slid into her sandals. As a royal, she was quite used to wearing tame shades. In fact, she wasn’t permitted to wear anything else.

She stepped out of the bathroom and shuffled to her bag.

“Oh, I love yoursuit. It’s so…chic.”

“Thank you,” Elena said as she pulled two gift bags from within her bag. “Now, I am ready.”

“And who are those for?” Maddie asked as she led Elena to the pool.

As they stepped into the bright sunshine, finding several nail stations near the chaise lounges, Elena grinned at her. “This one is for you. And this one is for you, Mrs. Kingsley,” Elena said as she passed the woman the bag. “As a thank you for the invitation.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Victoria said as Elena slid onto a chaise. “But thank you. How thoughtful.”

“I hope you’ll both enjoy them.”

Maddie pulled her gift from the bag, her eyes lighting. “Oh, Ellie! A charm bracelet. I love it.”

“And it has a teacup to remind you of our time at the fair.”

“Yes,” Maddie said as she clasped it around her wrist. “I love it. Thank you.”

“It’s beautiful,” Victoria said as she pulled her gift out. “As are these teas. I cannot wait to try them.”

“I’ve written a note about each. I’m a bit of a tea connoisseur.”

“Are you?” Victoria said as the nail techs descended on them to buff and polish their nails. “Well, I look forward to becoming one, too, with your gift.”

Elena settled back in her chair as the technician filed her nails. “I hope you enjoy them.”

Victoria chose a deep red nail polish, a shadow that seems to mirror the depth of the afternoon’s intimacy. She twisted to face Elena, her gaze gentle yet interested. “So, Ellie, you said you’re from a small town?”

She was swept by a mix of warmth and unease, reminders of the world she had left behind and the fabrications she now lived swirling through her mind. She selected a pale pink nail polish. “Yes, quite small. Very close-knit.”

“This must be quite a change for you, then,” Victoria said.

Elena nodded, her smile tinged with a hint of melancholy. “Yes, quite different, but not unwelcome. I’ve been embraced by warmth and kindness here, especially from Nathan and all of you. It helps make the vastness of change seem much more like home.”

Victoria smiled at her. “Nate’s very fond of you, too. I’m so glad. I know he’s told you about his past.”

“Yes, he has. What a terrible thing.”

“Don’t worry, Ellie,” Maddie said as her technician painted the sparkly blue nail polish on her fingernails, “we don’t think that about you. You arewaydifferent from Chloe.”

Ellie leaned forward to smile at the girl. “I’m glad. If I may be so bold as to say, I did not care for her during our brief encounter.”

“Oh, I hadn’t realized you’d met her,” Victoria said.

“I have. We were at the museum and ran into her.”

“Well, as uncomfortable as that must have been for Nate and you, I’m sort of glad it happened. I hope she felt at least a twinge of jealousy.” Victoria frowned before she sipped her iced tea. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that to sound uncharitable.”

“Quite all right. You are a mother. Mothers do not wish to see their children harmed. I understand. Especially with the lovely family you’ve raised.”

“Aw, thank you, Ellie, I appreciate that. I’m so pleased you think so.”

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