Page 23 of The Billionaire's Royal Challenge

Victoria prompted him for more information with a raise of her eyebrows.

“I wish he wouldn’t have married her, and that has nothing to do with anything that happened between Chloe and me. It has to do with the fact that I don’t trust her. But…Stephen’s a grown man who has to make his own decisions. Other than that, I don’t care.”

“Good,” Victoria answered. “I’ll just find the others and meet you back here.”

“Perfect,” Elena said as Victoria strode away. Once they were alone again, she stared into Nate’s eyes. “Do you really not care? About your brother and Chloe?”

Nate blew out a breath. “I don’t care. She doesn’t matter to me anymore. I know everyone thinks that this is going to cause a relapse, but it’s not. I’m…focused. On us. On making us work because I love you.”

She intertwined her fingers with his. “I love you, too. And I am so glad this isn’t bothering you.”

“It’s not. It was a shock, but…Stephen’s the one stuck with her. At least it’s not me.”

She giggled as a knock sounded at the door again. “Come along, let’s explore.”

She spent the afternoon showing them the ins and outs of her home, including her special hiding places she’d carved out as a child and sometimes still used.

As they entered the ballroom, where Elena reminded them the royal ball would take place, Maddie’s eyes rose, taking in the murals on the ceiling, the crystal chandeliers, the thick draperies framing the many windows overlooking the back gardens.

“Wow,” she whispered, her voice echoing. “Have you ever danced in here.”

“Loads of times,” Elena answered. “And you will, too.”

Maddie’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she snapped her gaze to Elena. “No.”

“Yes. At the royal ball.”

“But…I don’t know how to do any formal dances. Or…is it like prom?”

Elena giggled as she slid her arm around Maddie’s shoulders. “No, nothing like that. But Caroline has arranged waltz lessons foryou. All of you.”

“Get out!” Maddie said, her voice shrill with excitement. “Really?”

“Yes. The ball is quite formal, but we’d like you to have a wonderful time.” She twisted to find Nate, a dismayed expression etched into his features, staring straight ahead. “Nathan?”

“Yeah, no, I’m good. I can waltz. I mean, I can learn.”

“I’m certain you can,” she said before she snapped her gaze to the ajar door behind them, swearing she’d heard something.

She spotted nothing, and their conversation continued as Victoria and Maddie chattered about learning how to waltz.

After viewing the ballroom, they strolled through the gardens as Elena pointed out several features of the property and beyond. They finished back inside the palace, going to their rooms to change for dinner.

Elena smiled to herself as she wandered back through the halls from the Kingsleys' quarters to her own room. As she rounded the corner, the grin slid from her features.

In front of the double doors leading to her bedroom suite stood Julian. Her shoulders slumped as she stormed her way toward him. “You should be changing for dinner, cousin.”

He peeled his back from the wall and approached her. “Thank you for your concern, though I am certain I will not be late even with this little…excursion.”

“I am not. I must dress.”

She sidestepped but he slid in front of her, his eyes piercing hers. “I’m certain you can carve out a few moments for your dear cousin. It is in your best interest to speak with me.”

“Is it? And what, pray tell, is so important that you must accost me at my door?”

“Accost you? My dear Elena, I am not accosting you. I am merely warning you.”

“Warning me?” Elena scoffed. “Of what?”

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