It wasn’t the polo crowd this time as it was not polo season in Los Angeles. Nic recognized a few A-list celebrities and a handful of model types and executives as they made their way across the foyer to the garden where tables and chairs were set up. On a platform, a woman in a slinky gown was crooning an Ella Fitzgerald song. A makeshift dance floor on the lawn had several couples dancing to the music. Fairy lights were strung to the shrubs and trees, lending a romantic glow to the evening. Nic noted the barely concealed interest that was being thrown their way. Even Hollywood wasn’t immune to the charms of a real life princess. And Princess Alexandria had plenty of them.
Nic gritted his teeth as Rupert Butler swooped down and introduced Lexie to his business cronies, leaving him standing all alone, feeling like a fool. No way was he going to let those balding lechers anywhere near enough to touch her. He caught sight of her two bodyguards, their eyes trained on Lexie as Butler held court and showed her off like a prized pony.
A polo enthusiast, a woman who appeared in her thirties, started chatting him up. Nic could barely keep up with the conversation as he struggled to hear what was being said, as the men around Lexie laughed at something she must have said. Mercifully, after a few minutes of trying to engage him in conversation, the woman picked up on his distraction and walked away to get herself a drink. A tap on his shoulder got his attention.
“Priscilla!” Nic was pleasantly surprised to see the celebrity photographer. She was alone and holding a drink with an olive. “How are you?”
“Not working tonight, thank God,” she replied drily, her short bob swinging jauntily as she took a sip of her drink. “I’m done working the party scene. There is nothing as boring as taking photos of people getting drunk. Horses make better subjects.”
“You took photos of Butler’s horses?”
“He brought them in yesterday. Horse and Hound is doing an article on him. Guess who they picked to be the lucky photographer? The pay sucked, but I’m hoping for some private commissions after from other filthy-rich horse enthusiasts.” Noting Nic’s focus was elsewhere, she followed the direction of his gaze and remarked, “Looks like the Princess needs some rescuing.”
Indeed, Lexie’s smiles were becoming tighter. Nic was just about to step in and extract her with a made-up excuse when, to his surprise, he saw her shake hands with the group of men, turn away, and firmly, with head held high, march towards him. She must have forgotten she was mad at him because this time, her smile made it all the way to her lovely cat eyes and Nic felt something tight squeeze in the area of his chest.
He barely registered Priscilla’s bemused sideways glance at him and her amused comment. “You have it really bad, Nic.”
“I know.” It was no use denying it. He had been done for the moment he had laid eyes on her. Now if he could only be strong enough to hide it from her.
Nic saw her smile freeze when she realized he was not alone, and then it broke out like sunshine when she recognized who it was. “Miss Dux!”
“It’s always lovely to see you, Your Highness.”
“I’m truly sorry I wasn’t able to stay longer and have a chat with you that last time in your studio.” She colored guiltily and stole a quick glance at Nic. “We had− we had−” she floundered, and this time Nic rescued her.
“We were running late for an appointment,” he interjected smoothly. God knew why he was fibbing. It surely wasn’t for Priscilla’s benefit. She had seen them sneaking out of the dressing room, their clothes in disarray, and had winked at Nic mischievously. Anyone who had seen them would surely know what they had been up to. Pris was now biting her lip to keep from grinning at Lexie’s adorable embarrassment.
“Yes,” Lexie said, rather too quickly. “Very important appointment.”
Thankfully, Priscilla changed the subject to photography. Nic learned that Lexie had really wanted to be a photojournalist.
“I used to go around Seirenada doing street photography. I loved freezing a moment in time of that way of life.” She had a wistful smile on her face. “With the changes in our principality, pretty soon it will be gone.”