Page 39 of Royally Drawn

“You’re young. I wish you would get whipped up over someone—anyone right about now, Keir. Duncan, as well. See your cousin. Is she not deliriously happy with Isak? Could you boys not stand totry?”

No pressure, Auntie!

Ingrid flushed bright red. I wish she hadn’t. It telegraphed everything. I hoped no one noticed.

“No one in their right mind would bother to settle down with him. He’s all planes, planes, planes,” Betty laughed. “Poor woman!”

“He’s old enough to retire. Mark my words, Keir, it will get old,” Aunt Natalie said.

“I have two years. And then I can decide what I will do. I agree it’s not an easy life.”

“Never fall in love with a pilot,” Uncle Ed said. “That’s my advice, ladies.”

“Says the man who has been happily married to me for thirty-three years.”

“Look, I didn’t say I was clever.”

“You have a degree from Oxford. Two, actually. Hush.”

As long as I could remember, they argued like an old couple. Both were competitive, but my aunt had my Olympian uncle beat in her love of competition. It surprised people. Uncle Ed was still the most decorated swimmer in British history. I appreciated the banter because it gave me more time to sit quietly. Unfortunately, it also gave me more time to look at Ingrid andthinkabout her.

“So, you’re going with Cici to support her?” I asked, trying to distract myself. “Betty and Ingrid, I mean…”

“Ingrid is riding,” Betty said. “I’m going to watch and be moral support. She and Cici are riding.”

“It’s Ingrid’s debut at a five-star,” Cici said proudly.

“I am nervous,” Ingrid said. “Don’tremind me.”

“Don’t be,” Aunt Natalie said. “Kiersten says you’re a brilliant talent, a little prodigy. Own it. Never make yourself smaller, darling.”

“Well, that’s lovely,” I said. “Exciting.”

“You won’t come with?” Betty pouted. “What are you even doing, brother?”

“She has a point. What are you doing?” Natalie asked. “You wouldn’t want to support Cecilia?”

Cici glared at me. “He’d never care so much about an event.”

I turned to Ingrid, expectingsomething.

“I suppose Icouldgo, but I doubt I’d be all that helpful.”

“You can tack horses and hold them, yes?” Ingrid asked.

“Of course!” I was offended by the question.

“Then you can play groom for us,” Ingrid said. “Unless that’s too much?”

If it meant I got the chance to shag Ingrid, I’d toil day and night right about now.

“Come on, it will be fun,” Betty said.

Oh, dear Betty, if only you knew!She was the worst cockblock. Still, I figured I could swing it.

“It’s dreadful to wander around looking at women in breeches, right?” Aunt Natalie joked. “Oh, come on! Your Aunts and Uncles would like to see you. You can stay with us.”

“You’re all staying in one place?”

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