Page 22 of Royally Wed
And then what?
She’d be Holden’swife.
“You know what you’re doing means the world to her, don’t you?” Edward cast a meaningful glance at the queen. “She’ll never say it, but it does. You’ve made her very proud.”
Amelia hated the lump that sprang instantly to her throat. She was a grown adult. She wished she didn’t sometimesstill feel like a little girl, desperate for her mum’s attention.
She wished a lot of things at the moment.
“I’m not sure you’re right about that,” Amelia said.
“Trust me. Every one of us is fully aware that you’re saving the day.” His mouth curved into a half-grin. “Plus it’s a win-win, isn’t it? Holden worships you.”
So I hear.
Was it odd that she hadn’t seen much of her fiancé since theengagement had been announced? Probably. But honestly, she’d been doing everything in her power to avoid any face-to-face interaction. It still didn’t feel right.
But she definitely didn’t want to get into a conversation with her brother about how the thought of kissing Holden made her nauseous. So she changed the subject. “You never finished telling me about Renata. Has there been another disaster?”
“You could say so.” Edward let out a laugh. “According to the tabloids, she’s going to be a contestant on next season’sCelebrity Big Brother.”
He couldn’t be serious. Renata wasn’t a duchess anymore, but reality television?Really?“Oh. My. God. Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Afraid not.” Her brother shook his head. “At least she’ll have someplace to live.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?Just because she won’t have a title anymore doesn’t mean she’ll be poor.”
Edward absently fiddled with the prince of Wales signetring he always wore on his left hand. A nervous habit. “Think again. No title means no income. Did you really expect the Spanish government to keep paying her expenses after she made a sex tape?”
He had a point. “No, obviously. But what about her family? She’s gotthree brothers. It’s not as though she has nowhere to go.”
“From what I hear, she’s been left out to dry. In a few months, after everything dies down, she could probably move in with one of them. But in the meantime, no one wants to risk it. The Spanish people would frown upon Renata living in any of the royal family’s palaces or homes. It’d bring the Spanish monarchy to its knees.” He gave Ameliaa grim smile. “She’s out.”
Amelia swallowed. Hard. “Wow. I hadn’t realized how bad things were.”
Edward lifted a brow. “Come on, Amelia. You know as well as anybody that public opinion matters. Every monarchy is only one scandal away from being abolished.”
Renata had crossed a line—a line which Amelia had never gone anywhere near. But still. It was sobering to think how quickly life could change.
She glanced at the glittering tiaras lined up on the table, at the room’s heavily gilded ceiling, and the priceless works of art hanging on the damask walls. Vermeer. Michelangelo. Rubens. What would the Amcotts be without all of this? Without the palace, the bodyguards, the structure that came with being royal. Without the crown?
Amelia could hardly fathom it. Her brothers would befine. They’dboth served in the military. Edward and Oliver could easily support themselves and their families. Never becoming king would be a blow to Edward, considering he’d spent a lifetime preparing for the responsibility. But he’d survive.
Amelia wasn’t even worried about herself. She’d find her way somehow.
But her parents would be lost, especially her mother. Queens don’t just stop being royal. Withfew exceptions, a queen’s rule only ended when she died.
If the Amcotts were ever unseated, what would her mum do? Become a contestant onCelebrity Big Brother?
Absolutely not.
Amelia’s gaze flitted to her mother. Gingerly, she picked up the tiara she’d selected for Amelia and cradled it in her hands. She handled it with the reverence of someone who’d devoted her entire life to crown and country.
“Monarchies rise and fall according to the will of the people,” Edward said.
Not this one,Amelia thought.Not if I can help it.
