Page 35 of Royally Rivalled

I followed them into the hall, always remembering to walkbehindmy sister. Before she'd grown up and blossomed into a married lady, we'd rarely been separated. We went everywhere together. However, when Rick came our way, and they wed, the regency faded, and we were free. As things opened up, Alexandra and Rick went everywhere. Sometimes, they included me. And when they did, my place was to follow. I was born the spare, grateful to be given the chance to have a normal life. I'd settle for following in her footsteps.

We met the British Royals in a drawing room off the picture gallery. Queen Natalie was in a rich red cape gown with the ever-handsome Duke of Edinburgh at her right. Assembled around were the heir, Prince Duncan and his handsome cousins, Keir and Niall.

Swimming in princes, I could have stayed in that room happily all night. However, duty and a receiving line called us away before I could make any inroads. The Queen directed Duncan to bring me in. I should haveleaptat the chance, but there was no chemistry. He wasfriendly,and that was all I could say.

twenty-three

PARKER

I stoodin the receiving line, awaiting the arrival of the Queen, her son, and her nephews. I knew we would also receive the Neandian Queen and Prince Consort. I prepared to do my best, most diplomatic bow. I did not expect to see Astrid appear on the arm of the Prince of Wales. She was smiling, dazzling, and looking beautiful in a long dress—the whole package. Who was this woman? The same woman who stood before me that day now glittered.

She was gorgeous, but hersmilethrilled me. She wasconfident, and I was drawn to her. Then, I realised I must soon bow to her. It wasn't that I refused. It was just about to beveryawkward. She approached. My mother elbowed me.

“Is that the sister?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“She's pretty.”

Yes, she was. She was breath-taking, infuriating, and exhausting as ever. But damn, if I didn't want to stare at her!

The Queen and Duke approached. They each bowed, followed by Queen Alexandra—also very pretty—and Prince Consort Rikard.Then, Astrid came on the arm of Prince Duncan. They were speaking about something first, so I thought I'd escape without her noticing me.

Astrid did a double take. She recognised me. And as she did, she pretended like I didn't exist. Somehow, it only made me want hermore!It was infuriating! Astrid annoyed me, but when she pretended I didn’t exist, I felt called to catch her eye.

Astrid arrived tonight diadem-dripping and with a grin plastered on her face. She waltzed and held conversations with every prince in the room. There was steep competition for her affections. Here, the tables turned. She was the most eligible, elegant single woman in the room. The annoyingly superior first-year postgrad had gone full swan. Her ascent intimidated me, but I wouldn’t let her win and ignore me. I got brave. As Niall said, I had totry. And given I felt a spark at the party, I knew there was more to this than a ceasefire—more than coexisting at work.

I met Astrid as she came off the floor. She looked past in avoidance, but she was in a social bind. Society deemed she must entertain the interests of the respectable men in attendance. The same social norms that dictated I must be my most debonair also demanded she give me the time of day. Her job was to becharming, which didn’t come naturally to her.

“Would you like to dance, Your Royal Highness?”

Arms crossed, Astrid sighed. “I don't know why you are asking. Have we not?—”

“It's just a dance, Astrid.”

“Astrid?”

“Your Royal Highness,” I said.

She wanted the upper hand. In this domain, she could pull rank. I didn't expect her cold retort, assuming she’d instead save face.

Astrid looked around and relented.

Face pulled tight, she agreed. “Sure.”

We picked up a waltz.

“You don't have to act like we're friends, Your Grace.”

“Well, ma'am, I do. You know we're being watched. We won amajor award together. Can we not at least feign being mates for a minute to impress people?”

Her shoulders became less rigid. She came down from her defensiveness. “We must do so for the sake of our professional futures. I expect you can agree on that point.”

“Why are you so invested?” I asked. “What is the endgame?”

“At Shalebrook?”

I nodded.

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