Page 18 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

“I think you’ll find most of us are,” Alexander answered with another easy smile.

Nate studied the man, finding him an enigma. He seemed as vivacious as Elena and quite affable, though still having that regal poise they all seemed to share.

His sister didn’t seem to share his easy-going nature, and what he recalled of Julian, he did not either.

Alexander rose from his seat, grabbing another tea cake. “I’m certain you would like to settle in and rest before dinner. But I look forward to seeing you all there.”

As he strode from the room, another man slipped inside. Elena rose to address him. “Martin, the Kingsleys are ready to go to their rooms. Please show them there and see that they have anything they may need.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” he said with a bow. “If you will all follow me…”

They shuffled from the room behind him. Nate hung back, eyeing Elena who waited inside.

“Go ahead, darling. I’ll find you after you’ve gotten settled in.”

“You could come with me,” he said, wanting desperately to touch base with her.

“I won’t be but a few minutes with Caroline,” she answered with a quick peck on his cheek. “Then I will be right up.”

He nodded, his hand lingering on hers, reluctant to pull away. Gathering his resolve, he finally forced his feet to move forward, leaving her behind. Hurrying, he caught up with his family as they ascended the grand staircase.

A figure appeared next to him suddenly, startling him. He stared down at Isabelle, whose footsteps fell in line with his as they marched up the stairs.

“This must be fascinating for you…stepping out of the simplicity of your American life.”

He offered her an uncertain grin and a bob of his head.

“I do hope you don’t find it all too…disorienting. Eldoria has a way of revealing truths you may not expect.”

Her gaze lingered on him, her eyes cold and calculating with a hint of delight in the uncertainty they spawned, for a second before she skirted around the family members in front of him and disappeared into another hall. The words still hung in the air, though, a veiled warning that masqueraded as polite interest.

Would Nate find himself facing something he hadn’t expected?

CHAPTER 5

ELENA

As the Kingsleys filed out of the room, Elena crossed to Caroline, though her eyes remained trained on her troublesome cousin.

Before she made it across to her ladies’ maid, Isabelle stepped in front of her. Elena frowned at her cousin’s smirk, recalling years of veiled jabs and rivalries. “Have you something to say, Isabelle? Your expression certainly suggest you do.”

“Oh, only that the Kingsleys seem…an interesting lot.”

“Perhaps if you take the time to get to know them, you may find yourself surprised.”

She offered a soft chuckle, her lips curling with amusement. “Oh, I doubt that very much. Americans do not intrigue me the way they do you.”

Elena narrowed her eyes at Isabelle. “Then, I suppose you will be in for a rather boring trip.”

“I doubt that. And I must say, I do understand the…appeal of your…supposed suitor. He is alluring, I will give you that.”

Elena curled her fingers into fists. The statement wasn’t a casual observation of Nate’s appearance, it was a declaration of war. Her cousin found him attractive, and she would love nothing more than to rip him away from her.

And it wouldn’t be for love. Isabelle would never lower herself to marry an untitled man.

Elena attempted to force her lips into a smile but found herself unable. Instead, she lifted her chin. “I believe we have said everything we need to say, cousin. And I have pressing matters.”

“Of course, you do. I should be going, too.”

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