Page 37 of American Royals II: Majesty
They were saved from further conversation by the arrival of everyone else: Queen Adelaide and Jeff, followed by Robert. The chamberlain gestured for Beatrice to lead them all into the ballroom—as if it were crucial that they follow the order of precedence, even in a casual setting. This was precisely why Sam had always hated protocol.
“Thank you all for being here,” Robert began. “I know it might seem early to be rehearsing, but we can’t afford any mistakes. We’ll have twobillionpeople watching the live coverage of the ceremony.”
The wedding of Sam’s parents had been the first royal wedding broadcast on international television, a decision that had been controversial among the Washington family.People watched it inbars, Sam’s grandmother always said, her voice hushed with disapproval.
“And I thought it best that we all meet before your weekend in Boston,” Robert added, with an ingratiating nod toward Beatrice. “That way you can review the schedule with His Lordship’s family and let me know if they have any preferred changes.”
Sam hardly heard her sister’s reply, hardly registered her mom chiming in, saying that she would be down in Canaveral this weekend and would they give the duchess her love. Sam had focused with relentless cruelty on those four words:your weekend in Boston.
Teddy was bringing Beatrice home to Walthorpe.
He’d moved on from Sam to her older sister. Which was fine by Sam, since he meant nothing to her, either. All it had been was a stupid flirtation, and now it was over.
Robert was still droning on about something—most likely etiquette—while Sam edged closer to her brother.
“It’s just us this weekend,” she whispered, with a nod toward Beatrice and Teddy. “Should we have people over?”
Back in high school, they had often thrown parties when their dad left town. It was as if, once the monarch had gone and the Royal Standard was lowered from the flagpole, the palace stopped feeling like an institution and started feeling like theirhouse.
Jeff blinked. “You want to throw a party, after what happened last time?”
Sam winced at the memory. “Himari’s fall was an accident. And besides—she’s out of her coma!” Sam had seen the news; it was all over social media. “Come on, Jeff, we could all use some cheering up right now.”
Not to mention, it would show Teddy how little she cared that he and Beatrice were being all couple-y up in Boston.
“Okay. Let’s do it,” Jeff whispered.
“What are you two conspiring about?” their mother demanded.
“Nothing,” the twins chorused. It felt so much like old times again that Sam had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
Robert cleared his throat, a pompous, grating sound. “As I wassaying,today we will be practicing the opening moments of the reception. After their entrance, the newlyweds will begin the traditional first dance to ‘America, My Homeland.’ ”
At his words, Beatrice and Teddy made their way onto the ballroom’s polished wooden floor.
“Following the first chorus, the family members will join in, as dictated by tradition.” Robert nodded at Queen Adelaide. “Your Majesty, His Grace the Duke of Boston will lead you onto the dance floor. As for His Highness Prince Jefferson…” Robert turned pointedly to Jeff. “You still haven’t told me the name of your date.”
Jeff flashed a blithe, careless smile. “I’m waiting until the last minute. It’s more fun to keep everyone guessing.”
Sam wondered if her brother had anyone in mind. There was always the possibility he would do what the world expected of him, and get back together with Daphne.
She hoped not. It certainly wouldn’t be easy on Nina, seeing Jeff and Daphne together again.
“Samantha,” Robert said now, omitting her title, though he’d used it for everyone else. “You said that you’ve invited Lord Marshall Davis. Where is he?”
Sam was inordinately pleased by how startled Teddy looked at the news. Even Beatrice, who never revealed her emotions, widened her eyes in surprise.
“I’m sure he’s on his way,” she began, though she wasn’t at all sure. But somehow, right on cue, the doors to the ballroom were flung open.
Marshall crossed the room with bold, easy strides and came to stand next to Sam. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t hold things up too much.”
It was the most unapologeticsorrythat Sam had ever heard. Which meant a lot, coming from her.
Robert pursed his lips in disapproval. “Now that we’re all here, let’s begin.” He swiped at his tablet, and the opening notes of “America, My Homeland” played on the speaker system.
It really was a dour song, Sam thought, feeling almost sorry for Beatrice. At least whenshegot married, she would get to choose the music for her first dance.
Marshall draped an arm over her shoulders in a casual gesture. “Hey, babe.”
