Page 132 of Appointing

“She’s the feistier of the two. I think Antonia is like that as well. David is more like Leif, a little more reserved.”

“I think it’s great that St. Rais is going to have two Queens in a row,” Elin replied.

“Me too,” Victoria agreed. “Don’t think I wasn’t relieved when those two had her – I really didn’t want to be Queen anytime soon. Leif would make a good King, probably, but someday, there will be mostly Queens leading European monarchies for the first time ever. I think that’s a pretty amazing thing to take away from how it all happened.”

Victoria looked somber for a moment, and Elin guessed she was thinking about the family she’d lost.

“Hello,” Elizabeth said, entering the room.

“You just missed your wife.”

“I saw her,” Elizabeth replied. “I just wanted to check on Elin. Do you need anything before we all start getting ready?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Okay. Well, Palmer and I have the nanny taking over now. Victoria, do you want to get David so she can get them ready for dinner?”

“My husband or my son?” Victoria joked.

“Both, if you prefer,” Elizabeth teased.

Victoria laughed and stood up.

“I’ll grab my son and hand him to the nanny and then make sure my husband puts his bow tie on straight. We’ll meet you back down here,” she added before leaving the room.

Elizabeth sat down next to Elin and said, “Before we have to get ready, spill.”

“What?” Elin laughed lightly.

“Ingrid; I want to know everything.”

“You do?”

“Of course. You’ve loved her for years. You’re finally together.”

“Well, it’s good.” Elin sighed.

Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow at her.

“Oh, I knowthateyebrow,” Palmer pointed out, walking back in. “Your son wiped his nose on his arm in front of his aunt Elin, by the way.”

“He didnot,” Elizabeth replied, laughing. “I swear, we’re raising them with manners.”

“He’s five,” Elin replied, laughing, too.

Palmer sat down in a chair opposite the sofa and asked, “What are we doing? I thought we were getting ready.”

“I wanted her to tell me about Ingrid. She told me it was good.”

“Justgood?” Palmer asked.

“No, it’s… I mean, it’s better than good.”

“Oh?” Elizabeth asked.

“I told her I loved her.”

Elizabeth brightened and smiled.

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