Page 42 of Appointing

“Yes, he lives in Denmark. We can’t exactly see each other every day.”

“Wouldyoulive in Denmark?” Elizabeth asked. “It’s beautiful there.”

“Live there?” Mari asked.

“If you two got together,” Palmer added, wrapping an arm around Elizabeth, who snuggled up to her side.

“Well, we’re pretty much just talking on the phone right now, so I think we’re a long way from thinking about me moving to another country.”

“But you like him?” Elin asked.

“I do.” Mari blushed.

Ingrid thought the youngest Princess was actually very sweet, and she envied her a bit. Mari was in the beginning stages of a new relationship, maybe even falling in love.

“And what about you?” Alexandria asked, looking over at Elin.

“Whataboutme?”

Ingrid looked over at Elin as well, suddenly very interested.

“Anyone on the horizon for you?”

“No,” Elin said quickly. “You?”

“No,” Alexandria replied and laughed. “Touché.”

“No one?” Lillian asked. “Not a single woman in the entire UK has caught your eye?”

“I haven’t exactly been looking.”

“Why not?” Lillian asked.

“I’ve been a little busy planning to take over as Queen of a country and the Commonwealth one day.”

“And your parents aren’t having party after party to try to throw you at someone?” Mari asked.

“What? No,” Alexandria replied.

“Is that common?” Ingrid asked.

“Ask Elin,” Lillian said, nodding toward her sister.

“Lil, it’s not like that,” Elin replied.

“What’s it like?” Ingrid asked, feeling a little more comfortable now.

“They just want me to find someone,” Elin said, shrugging a shoulder. “They didn’t use to care any more than other parents who want their kids to fall in love and settle down, but since Christian–”

“I’ve counted eleven guys,” Mari interrupted.

“What?” Palmer laughed.

“Eleven guys; some Dukes and a few Earls, along with some Lords and even just a couple of commoners that are just filthy rich,” Lillian said. “That one guy from Munich was pretty hot. The one from Florence wasn’t that bright, but the man built an entire company and is a billionaire now.”

“I’m not interested,” Elin said.

“They’ll care more now that you’re inheriting. Mine always have,” Alexandria offered. “When I came out to them and my grandmother, I heard her say that she wished my parents had had my brother first. It wasn’t exactly easy, but my parents have learned to live with the fact that I’m gay and will one day marry a woman. It’s been… interesting. Every now and then, they ask me if I’ve met someone. It’ll be over dinner or something, and my mother will ask if I’ve met a special lady.” Alexandria laughed. “Special lady?”

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