Page 80 of Duchess Material

“Winston, to you, it is. You will be a duke someday. You need a legitimate heir. Moreover, I suspect it is important to Lucy even if it is not for you.”

“Lucy was about to freeze her eggs to buy herself time. It sort of put a wrench in it. She still swears she will if this goes south.”

“Freeze her eggs?” Nina scoffed. “Why?”

“Why indeed? She is a beautiful girl with many prospects!”

“Bruno, George destroyed Lucy’s sense of normalcy. I don’t doubt it is troubling for her. She would have children with you, Winston?”

Winston nodded. “As I said.”

“I suspect, like Bruno, Lucy would prefer marriage to shacking up for an eternity. And she should. She should be Countess and have all the trappings of it. Winston, life for us is complicated. Lucy’s family is not wealthy. We should meet them, actually—”

“No, no. I will let Lucy manage it. Her parents are…” Winston tried to find the words. “They’re a complicated bunch. Her father is, anyway. I don’t think she’s about to call them and invited them over here en masse.”

“Well, when you decide to propose, let me know,” Rita said. “I have Granny’s ring and it’s yours to offer.”

“Mum, that’s—”

Rita smiled and left it. “Just think about it.”

15

PRINCELY PETTINESS

For Immediate Release-

The King and Queen are happy to announce the engagement of their son, Prince George to Mr Patrick Roughy of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Prince George met his partner a decade ago at an engagement for youth sports. They remained friends and reconnected recently. The two live together with Mr Roughy’s daughter, Charlotte Roughy, in Chicago. Mr Roughy plays football for Chicago Fire FC and spent fifteen years playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City. The King and Queen, along with the Princess of Wales, Prince Paul, and the Princess Royal, all wish the happy couple the best. The pair will marry in an intimate ceremony at the end of the summer in the United States. There will be no associated holidays or official state engagements leading up to the wedding.

* * *

The circus began. Natalie opened a conference on nuclear disarmament and “using the atom for good”. The event was booked for George. It was George who would have been a better choice. Natalie, the war hero, was an interesting selection. In other words, she was the only one left to take over. Her brother’s engagement announcement hit the same day and the press were in some sort of fervour. Everyone wanted to know about “the royal wedding”.

Natalie wanted to scream.

Natalie pivoted as a reporter asked her about wedding details. “I’d rather discuss the topic of the day.”

“Yes, but you have to admit, it is exciting. Or are you not excited?”

Natalie set her jaw. She knew she looked so much like her father. She hated looking like her father.

“Of course. My brother is so dear to me. I am ecstatic. But nuclear weapons are terrifying—”

Another reporter chimed in. “Ma’am we know that. Not exactly exciting—”

Natalie clapped back, completely off book. “Oh, I am quite sorry. Have you ever flown a plane loaded with nuclear weapons?”

Natalie saw Lucy from the corner of her eye shaking her head, but she ignored the warning and continued.

“Have you ever locked on to a target and blown it up knowing that there were people inside? Because, if not, I can assure you, it’s serious. All of this is serious. War takes lives. Nuclear war destroys nations. My brother’s wedding is lovely, but we are here to discuss the very real potential of a nuclear war and how to avoid it. We’re here to discuss de-escalation and peace.”

The room fell silent.

“Does anyone wish to ask me about the matter at hand or should I text my brother and ask him what colours they will be using and who their wedding planner is, as many of you are keen to ask?”

No one came forward. Lucy stepped up to the mic. “Any further questions for Her Royal Highness?”

Nothing.

---