Page 102 of Royally Rivalled

“Prince George was Prince of Wales kicked off to America to marry a footballer. Leah’s Dad is American, but he played for the Spurs and then for Man City.”

“So, proper football? Not weird American footie?”

“An important distinction, not that I give a flying fuck about sport.”

I snickered.

He didn’t.

“So that is how Queen Natalie became Princess of Wales?”

“She was a pilot. Per Mum, things wereroughfor her at the beginning. She wasn’t good at princess-ing,” Niall explained.

Amara added, “She’s brilliant—not a shrinking violet.”

“Darling, there are few people I know who could hold their own against Her Majesty, but I’d give you my vote of confidence.”

It was perhaps the most excellent thing he could have said. I kissed Parker hard. Yes, I was a shit-stirrer.Iknew that. Ilivedfor it. But Parker saw it as a feature, not a bug.

“I love that you love me, angry and unwilling to back down,” I said.

Parker played with my collarbone, sending a tingle down my spine. “Well, as long as you aren’t angry withme, yes. It is quite entertaining to watch you come forotherpeople.”

He kissed my neck in a way that made me ache. He could be simultaneously sweet and altogether sexy.

The train pulled into the station and we settled into looking proper. We climbed into cars waiting—brought forth by the Ferguson Family. At the theatre, Niall’s older—and taller—brother, Mac,flagged us down. He was with his tiny, almost plain blond girlfriend, Mary. Their lack of sexual chemistry confused me. Amara and Niall already had them beat with in-jokes. Parker and Niall were close, so we shared the same fishbowl. It was expected Amara and Niall might hit it off. The problem? Amara was the daughter of a politician—a hard sell in this aristocratic inner circle.

“And I don’t think we’ve met formally,” Mac said. “You are Queen Alexandra’s sister, yes?”

He extended a hand.

“Yes,” I said, surprised.

“You look so much like her. My mother hosted her when she was here last—for tea—and I was obligated to join.”

“Ah. I must have been in class,” I said.

“Parker, how are you?” Mac asked. “About to finish your thesis?”

“Let’s not talk about it, Mac,” Parker groaned.

“He defends in a month,” Niall proudly said.

“I know better. I’ll leave it,” Mac chuckled.

“Mac is getting a PhD in economics,” Parker explained. “Heshouldknow better.”

Mac smirked. “Sure, sure. I should. And you are on the same course as Parker, Astrid?”

“She is in the accelerated MSc but about to transition into the doc program.”

Parker brimmed with pride like a one-man-hype-machine.

I blushed. “I sign my letter of intent next week. I’m stuck here in England a bit longer.”

“She loves it. Don’t listen to her,” Amara laughed.

The lights flickered.

---