Page 37 of Duchess Material

Natalie snickered. Olav, despite being Norwegian, was a laugh. A sometimes-grumpy sleeper hit. He was also Natalie’s cousin Victoria’s first cousin. At a party, Natalie’s Uncle Duncan introduced now-King Gustav to Natalie’s Aunt Rebecca’s sister, Christine. They’d married just before Rebecca and Duncan, soon producing Olav. Despite the cousins all being close, Rebecca and Christine had a sometimes-contentious relationship.

Natalie giggled. “He’s like a God and I’m not sorry.”

“And your dad? He’s… fine?”

“What do you think, Olav?”

“I’m surprised if he didn’t shit his pants.”

Natalie laughed. “He is adjusting.”

“Word on the street is your private secretary is seeing Winston. Has this been ferried back to Brother George?”

“Olav, where do you get the goss from?”

“Nira and Victoria, naturally.” Olav took a long drink of his wine.

“Lucy lives with Winston.”

“But they aren’t dating?”

Natalie shrugged.

“I don’t buy it.”

There was nothing to buy. Lucy arrived at the plane that morning loved-up and in a stellar mood. She and Winston were good together. While everyone was firmly in the “Lucy can live her life” camp, Natalie worried her brother might whinge over Winston moving in on Lucy.

“Well, I don’t know.” Natalie shrugged.

“How is your brother?”

“He and Patrick are living in Chicago, and all is well. Last I heard, they were decorating the apartment they have downtown and looking at buying a lake house.”

“Sounds downright idyllic. He gets to chase his dream and fall in love, and you’re stuck here covering the bases in his absence and fighting the war he left,” Olav said.

Natalie did not argue. The twins were impossibly close. She loved him fiercely, but something changed when he stepped away and left with Patrick. She expected it in some ways. People find their people. They grow up. With Lucy, the three had been so close. The aftermath had been Natalie’s to pick up. In America, George was an international hero. He was a freedom fighter. Back home, as a suddenly-out bisexual prince who pulled himself from the line of succession, he was still persona non grata. Fair or not, Natalie was stuck trying to hold it together while championing his right to leave. She wished she could change the rules--ignore the church and let him be happy. It was not so simple.

“Sometimes, it feels heavy,” Natalie admitted.

“And does the pretty boy help you with this?”

“First of all, let’s be fair to Ed. He’s beautiful. He’s also very kind. Adorkably awkward. He is a good listener. He is book-obsessed and can talk for hours about things which fly well above my airspace. Honestly, I love him.”

“Good for you. You’re doing the thing. So, royal wedding in the future?”

Natalie burst out laughing and patted Olav’s arm. “Oh, oh, my God, you slay me. Not anytime soon. I’d be daft to think so far down the line yet.”

“I’ve never heard you gush about anyone. That is the word, isn’t it? Gush?”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Yes, I was gushing.”

“You’re so girlish. I cannot process it. If that’s the case and you aren’t serious…”

“I am serious. I love him. That’s serious—”

“Serious but no plans about marriage. Oh, dear Nat, you and I both have the same job description and a similar CV—”

“Put next to one another, I’m the courageous and brave one. Don’t short me here, Olav.”

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