Page 33 of Royally Benevolent

I groaned. “Mom, she’s a princess. They swept the place. There were armed guards on our doorstep. That is not what Isla wanted for Theo. Having her around more—even as a friend—is complicated. Having her around more asmorethan a friend would be too much.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Mom agreed. “But I hope maybe feelingsomethingfor a woman since Isla’s death opened your eyes to possibilities.”

19

CUNNING CONSPIRATOR

ODETTE

“So what now?” Ingrid asked.

I finally caught her while she was riding in America. She’d been lucky to be selected as one of only a few European riders to ride in Florida over the winter months. While I rode, I wasn’t the star that Ingrid was. My little sister was a superstar. We were close, so I was so far from her and hated it.

“I must attend this meeting and try to push for these improvements. A curb bump out.”

“Why is that controversial?”

“Exactly,” I laughed.

“Do these people love cars more than people?”

“That is a great point. One I could make,” I said. “A distracted driver ran over Wyatt’s wife. So this all matters quite a bit to him. I want to keep it professional but try my hardest to protect everyone.”

“And Wyatt is the hottie billionaire?”

“You spoke to Astrid?”

“Of course. I’m about to be right in town with her. We talk.”

Of course you do. I fought jealousy. Ingrid wasn’t returning to Neandia. She was throwing her hat into the uber-competitiveBritish eventing circuit, which meant she was in Astrid’s territory. Sometimes, I wanted to find a reason to go to the UK, but I worried it would never work for me. I’d miss my nieces and nephews. Ingrid and Astrid were so brave.

“Well, yes.”

“So, he’s the hot, widowed single dad of your dreams? This shit writes itself, darling.”

She was already droppingdarlings. I blamed her Norwegian and British compatriots for her changes in vernacular.

“I don’t know why you all love romance novels so much,” I sighed. “My life is not a perpetual book.”

“C’mon. Curl up with a delightful book rather than your usual thriller. You willloveit. Promise. I will send you a list of reads.”

I let out a long sigh. “Fine.”

She’d not stop offering. She wanted to get a rise out of me. No one could call Ingrid boring. She was cheeky and loved fun. I missed her light-hearted ribbing.

“I looked him up. He’s cute. A little nerdy—not like Parker.”

I snickered. “Leave Parker alone. He’s a sweetheart deep down, even if he cannot buy proper shoes.”

“A duke with dreadful shoes—but with a heart of gold and a brilliant mind. Again, shit writes itself, right?”

“Wyatt is kind, and his son is adorbs. You’d love him.”

“I am not as big about children as you are, sister. I will take your word for it. Call him daddy.”

I cringed. “Ingy! Jesus! Calm down and step off!”

“Again, the joke writes itself. Tell me you don’t want him to give you orders, sister. He’s a bit brooding.”

---