Page 17 of How to Date a Prince

Of course Thomas Golden. I push my eggs around my plate with my fork, as if I move it around enough, it will eventually evaporate.

“Right.”

“And you’re our only royal.” Jax grins. It’s easy to feel more relaxed around him, at least. And curiosity gets the better of me. “Which kind of makes you an influencer too.”

I splutter on my tea, and Jax laughs again.

“Sorry,” he says. “But the monarch really is the OG influencer. I mean, think of all the patronage and everything else at court.”

I can’t help but laugh at that too. “Well, maybe. Fewer camera crews in medieval times.”

“Yeah, that’s true. Anyway, you’re always welcome to join at my table.” Jax gives a nonchalant shrug. “If you want.”

“Thanks.” I smile easily at Jax, happy to have an ally. Having at least an acquaintance on the show will hopefully let me give Thomas Golden a wide berth.

Together, we finish our tea as Colin manifests theatrically at the doorway, with the film and production crew starting to make motions of getting things moving today.

“Good morning, my Renaissance gentleman,” he calls out. “Let’s have the cast assemble in the entry, please, and we can begin the day’s affairs—which means our first challenge. How exciting!”

We dutifully assemble.

Thomas Golden is at the opposite end of the gathering from me. I stand at one end on my own, hands deep in my pockets. He stands with the confidence that he owns the place. I take a breath and stand straight too, channeling my official engagement sort of energy, not to be outdone. I fix my attention on Colin. The lingering scent of the fry-up breakfast leaves me queasy.

Colin claps his hands together. “Good morning to you all. And to Thomas, who joined us very early today. We’re pleased to have you here, Mr. Golden. Thank you for rearranging your schedule.”

I didn’t get any thanks for clearing my schedule, but never mind that. Then again, my father enthusiastically cleared my schedule for me. Clearly, they’re shaping Thomas up to be the prime star on the program. And to be fair, he has star quality written all over him.

Thomas Golden runs a hand through his dark hair and gives a disarming smile worthy of Hollywood. “My pleasure, of course. It’s an honor to participate.”

In the meantime, I’m getting icy looks from a couple of the contestants who stand by Thomas Golden, murmuring to each other while the rest of us wait for Colin to get on with things. I smile at them, and they look away quickly. Another strikeout.

“Today is an auspicious day, as we begin our first day of filming. We typically film four days a week on this show so as not to have overly long days as per the agreement. No sixteen-hour days here.” He chuckles. “You’ll make your dinner reservations if you have them in London. And of course, we have catering around the clock and the grounds for you to explore on summer evenings. There are also amenities in the nearby villages and hillwalking if you fancy an escape for a couple of hours. But never mind all of that.” Colin waves his hands like he’s bewitching us. “On to today’s challenge.”

I draw a deep, calming breath. Whatever it is, I can face it.

“Drumroll, please… Week one’s challenge is Culinary Skills.” He gestures back at the kitchen. I suppress a groan. Of course, more food. “The crew is setting up stations as we speak. As you know from the information pack, the culinary arts are important to every modern man to function in today’s world. And so, we will begin with baking.”

Beside me, Thomas Golden grins. I swear he’s wriggling with the opportunity to show his prowess around the kitchen as he does with challenging alpine ascents.

Any hope from my self-guided pep talk has evaporated. I’ve never baked in my life. I’m doomed. Using a delivery app would be most unsporting. I glance at Jax, a furrow between his brows.

“To make this challenge personal to each of you, we want you to take a couple of hours this morning to look up family recipes or find a recipe online or in one of our cookbooks that reminds you of home and where you come from. We look to this as our opportunity to introduce all of you and your background. Do keep in mind that although we have a broad range of ingredients at hand, more exotic items may not be available. As a side note, we will also be pulling you into interviews as part of the challenges, as well as for the introductory segment you will each have during the program in the first few weeks.”

My therapist would tell me to hold off on the catastrophizing, but any efforts I’ve made towards life skills usually still involve a chef or occasionally delivery. A glance around reveals a room full of outwardly stoic men and a round of nods.

“As well, presentation matters. We also want each of you to set up a breakfast table for four in the ballroom. We have ample linens, flowers, and accessories for you to choose from, with your baking the centerpiece.”

I have a chance at aesthetics. How much different can decorating a table and place setting be from pulling together the right look? I’ve readHouse and Home, plus I’ve spent a lifetime in stately homes. Presentation is up my alley.

In the background, the crew prepares equipment for filming.

“The cookbooks are in the breakfast room, should you like to use those. And I’m sure you all may have your own devices, but we have tablets available if you wish to use one to help prepare or during the challenge. I can’t wait to find out what home tastes like to you.” Colin beams triumphantly at us. “We will reassemble at 1:00 p.m. for filming the challenge, though the crew may film your preparations. Please don’t hide out in your rooms for too long because we don’t want to miss valuable footage of your process.”

It’s generous to think I have a process.

I’ll have to fake one.

And with that, the men disperse in different directions. Some head to their rooms, others to the reception room with its sofas to browse, presumably on their phones. No one heads to the breakfast room.

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