Page 125 of Duchess Material

Natalie laughed. “I know. But it is true, Kiersten.”

Kiersten looked out at the window as they neared Clarence House.

“I want to find The One and have that magical fairy tale like Mummy and Daddy did,” Kiersten said. “Does that make me a sap?”

“No. Deep down, everyone is primed to want happiness. It looks different for everyone. I thought it was having a reliable partner and heading out from my station every morning on a loop. Watching the sun come up from the cockpit was the most gratifying thing I had ever done. It still gives me goosebumps. But now, I am happier. I don’t know. Uncle Duncan told me I’d appreciate the change and find the right person. It thought he was mad, but now I live to cook dinner with Ed in his flat and wake up in the morning next to him.”

“Does he know that he… ya know?”

Natalie laughed and took a deep breath. “He does. Now. I didn’t mean to tell him. George sort of walked him into it, also not knowing that the mystery man was Ed. Ed put it all together.”

“And?”

“He was so cross with me! He thought I was making light of it somehow. I then told him that he spoiled me for all else and to calm down. He did.”

Kiersten giggled.

“Fairy tales are what I am required to serve up to the general public, K,” Natalie said.

“And is Ed your fairy tale prince?”

“With bells on, yes. At least, in my mind. I cannot imagine life without his jawline or the way he cups my back. I cannot imagine not kissing him. I cannot fathom life in which I don’t have him to make fun of my neuroses. He’s perfectly imperfect.”

“You sound lovesick!”

“I am.”

“I’ve never been close to being lovesick.”

“Bullocks!”

“What?”

“You and Peter Nevens? Yeah? Not at all? Girl, you were practically on cloud nine after he kissed you. And you told anyone who would listen!”

Kiersten flushed red. “I… God… I was insufferable! I’m mortified.”

“Look, I was the one who I thought fancied Patrick and George got to him first. And to cover it all up, I snogged him in public. I cringe every time I see the video. If any one of us has made the biggest arse out of themselves, it would be me.”

“I think dumping your girlfriend of five years while she’s on the clock and about to accompany your mother abroad is far worse, darling.”

“Savage, but fair!”

“I blame George still. I love him. I hate that he left. I feel like he broke us up sometimes. I feel like he left you here to do this and you shouldn’t have had to. I miss him, too. I have a lot of feelings. I adore Patrick and Charlotte. I want him to live his truth. I just don’t understand why he had to do it all the way he did.”

“Oh, darling,” Natalie said. “I know. But don’t blame Georgie for the failure of an institution to change. Or, really, perhaps it cannot change enough to stay relevant? Stay tuned to find out!”

Kiersten giggled.

“It’s my problem now. And perhaps I was never supposed to be The Heir, but I think I do it rather well. Daddy may not admit as much, but I do. I won’t apologise for being good at something. See how Mummy always apologises when she nails a landing? Like total butter and she’s all… yeah, sorry, I didn’t mean to be good at that? Don’t do that. She only does that because her mother and mother-in-law always got on her for having any sense of pride. Pride is not bad. Have pride in you, my darling. I don’t blame George. He was backed into a corner. He loved Lucy enough to cut her loose before they both ended up miserable.”

“And now… she’s with Winston? Really? I mean it all happened so fast…”

“Lucy and Winston are practically perfect for one another. I cannot explain it, Kiersten. I only know deep down that they will live together in wedded bliss until they die. I know it more certainly than I seem to know what I want. Wild, huh? But… you know what it reminds me of?”

“No. What?”

“You’re probably too young to remember anything. I am sure you are. But… grandmother was a lot to handle. Granny flew around going a million miles a minute. She was so bright, so brave, so bold. It was her downfall, too. I suppose I am like her. I have her temper, as does Daddy. But Pa loved her like anything. He loved her in a way I cannot begin to explain—I suppose as Daddy loves Mummy. It was different somehow because he was this big, strong, macho guy with this gruff accent who had seen combat. And here he was following her around like a sheep. He loved her. He fought to the death for her, as needed. He did anything with little question out of a degree of trust I may never understand.”

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