Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“The queen is lovely,” she offered.

“But?” I lifted my eyebrows.

“But nothing. I like her. She’s American. There’s an adjustment period.”

I chuckled. “And she’s not royal.”

“No. Not at all. Our customs are completely new to her.”

Kenley was holding back.

“But you think Damon is happy with her?”

She nodded. “Without question, the king is very happy.”

“That’s something.”

There was a fresh pot of tea on the drink cart. The staff was prepared.

“More tea?” I offered Kenley.

“No thank you. I need to send a response to her majesty.”

“That sounds strange to hear. It might be a while before I believe my brother is actually married.” I watched Kenley fidget with her planner. She hadn’t relaxed once. “You can tell them I’ll be there. But I didn’t buy them a wedding gift. Should I take something?”

She looked up. “I sent one for you.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “Yes. It’s royal protocol. I took care of it for you.”

The tea was too hot. I waited for it to cool. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“And what did I send?” I asked.

“A set of royal blue Turkish towels with the family crest embroidered on them.”

Kenley had a way of always choosing the most appropriate gift. The right tie. The perfect speech. She knew royal protocol better than I did. Hell, she could ace a test the rest of my family would fail. It made her an invaluable part of my staff. I liked to think I had the best royal manager. Today, she was the prettiest. Her cheeks glowed and her lips looked soft and pillowy. Fuck. They looked kissable.

“Did you go to the wedding?”

She paced in front of me. I watched her steps carry her long legs back and forth. I couldn’t remember Kenley ever wearing heels like those before. It made her calves look lean and strong. I shook my head.

“I did. All the royal managers attended.”

“I would think my brother would want you on the guest list whether you were a royal manager or not.”

The pacing stopped for a moment. “I attended as a royal manager.”

“I bet Sutcliffe almost had a stroke over the American.” I chuckled.

She bit her lip. “Almost.”

“I’m sorry I missed the wedding. And Sutcliffe’s meltdown.”

I didn’t expect the crown to stop operating because I was in rehab. But it was frustrating that things had moved on as if I wasn’t needed. As if my existence in the family wasn’t enough to put a wedding on hold. Galona ran with or without me. But where my brother was concerned, little got in his way.