Page 131 of Appointing

Three little royals ran around the room in their pajamas. Earlier, Leif had taken a nap with his cousins Antonia and David, and Sophia had spent the afternoon with Elin. They’d played together, walked around the stables at Coburn, and Elin loved it. Once Leif and Antonia had shown up, though, Elin had been old news, and Sophia had rushed after them to play whatever game they were playing now.

“Do your kids understand it all?” Elin asked.

“Antonia is six, and she spends enough time with these two, so she gets some of it. I think they’re in that stage we were all in once, where we get the fun parts, but not the other parts.”

“I remember that.”

“I think Elizabeth and I both do, too. Neither of us was supposed to inherit, so we had no responsibilities. We got the Princess training, but not with any purpose other than to be ladylike. You, at least, got more than we did, being Christian’s twin and inseparable back then.”

“It doesn’t prepare you enough, though.”

“What about your dad? Is he unable to help because of his illness and accident?”

“He’s doing much better, actually. His physical therapist says he can get out of the chair soon, but that he’ll need a walker probably for the rest of his life. His tremors mean it’ll get worse, so they think that’s the safest. His mind is still there for the most part. Mom says he has moments, but they’re still pretty rare.”

“That’s good.”

“It is, yes. He just wantshismonarchy; I want my own.”

“Well, itisyours now, so you can do what you want, technically.”

“I know. I’m just trying to maintain order right now until he gets more used to the whole thing.”

“You taking over when it should’ve been Christian?”

“I think it’s more aboutanyonetaking over.”

“It’s got to be hard,” Victoria noted.

“Aunt Elin, can we play hide-and-seek?” Leif asked her, wiping his nose with his hand.

“Leif, Kleenex,” Palmer said as she walked into the room. “Come on, buddy; you’re making me look bad here.”

Elin laughed and said, “We can play hide-and-seek later. I have to start getting ready for the party.”

“Can I go to the party, Mama?” Antonia asked her mother.

Victoria cupped the back of the little girl’s head and said, “Not tonight. This is a party for the grown-ups, but you get to play with your cousins and your brother whenever he gets up from his nap.”

“David is a baby.”

“He’s four years old.” Victoria laughed.

“Baby,” Antonia insisted.

Palmer laughed and picked up Leif.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get him cleaned up and then find my wife. Sophia, let’s go find Mama.”

“I want to play,” Sophia argued.

“I know you do. That’s what we’re doing. Kiss your mothers goodnight so you can go play.”

“It’s not nighttime,” Sophia replied, following Palmer out of the room.

“She’s wise beyond her years, that one,” Victoria teased.

“She reallyisa little Palmer,” Elin pointed out.

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