Playing the Royal Game

He did make her smile. ‘I don’t think they’d want me wearing anything that might remotely surprise.’

‘I still have to make an alternative though,’ Raymond pointed out. ‘It might make the fittings more fun. What if you could have exactly the dress you wanted...?’

She’d never really thought.

‘Think about it,’ he said. ‘What if you could have your perfect dress?’

‘I don’t know...’ There was a germ of an idea, but she brushed it off; she certainly wasn’t going to reveal it to him.

‘A good designer is as confidential as a doctor, and,’ Raymond added, ‘I don’t write anything down—you simply tell me your dreams and I create them.’

Was it sad that Raymond was the highlight of her days, especially with Alex away? She loved his visits, loved chatting to him, and as her bruise faded, so too did her reserve. She would stand in the bedroom being measured and fitted and then, when his assistant would walk off with tissue paper and plans, she would tell him her dreams, closing her eyes and imagining walking down the aisle to a husband that loved her, in the dress of her dreams.

‘It’s going to be stunning,’ Raymond said. ‘And I’m going to be making a start on it tonight—I can’t wait. You’ve got the concert tonight.’

‘I do.’

Her heart was fluttering with excitement, energised from Raymond’s visit and Alex had rung to say he was on his way home and tonight she would finally see Izzy.

‘What are you wearing?’ Raymond asked.

She sighed and pulled out a pale linen dress with a fitted light jacket over the top. She wasn’t remotely offended when he screwed up his nose. ‘I’m wearing heels there, but I’m bringing pumps to change into.’

‘It’s a rock concert,’ Raymond said.

‘I know.’

‘Come on, you!’

‘Where are we going?’

‘Shopping, of course.’

‘I can’t...’ She thought of the last time she’d left the building unannounced, but Raymond wasn’t remotely perturbed.

‘I’ll ring ahead to the boutiques. You’re out shopping with your designer, what else is a princess-to-be supposed to be doing?’

‘Can we stop for coffee?’ Allegra asked.

‘Absolutely.’ Raymond smiled. ‘And cake!’

They did, and it was the most wonderful day—spent shopping and laughing and then, laden with bags, they stopped at what was now Allegra’s favourite café, though this time the car waited outside.

Again the owner closed up the shop.

‘I hope it doesn’t affect his trade,’ Allegra said after they had placed their orders.

‘Rubbish!’ Raymond said. ‘It will have multiplied it—everyone will want to eat and drink here, knowing this is where the future princess chooses to come.’ He gave her a pensive smile and then he told her more about himself, about the boyfriend who had broken his heart and now wanted to get back with him. What a pleasure it was actually to sit and listen, to hear about his problems instead of focusing on hers.

‘Maybe he’s realised he loves you,’ Allegra offered.

‘I’m on the verge of being famous!’ Raymond said. ‘Thanks to designing your gown. Fernando always accused me of being a bit boring, that my designs did not make enough money.’ He looked to Allegra. ‘Now he’s decided that he misses me—I want to believe he loves me, not the glamorous new version.’

He spoke to her heart and she understood.

‘I want him to love the real me.’

It played in her head, over and over, as she arrived back at the palace.

She changed into clothes that were far, far more expensive than her old life would have permitted, but the style was one she had once worn.

She was dressed and ready and unbelievably nervous as she went downstairs to wait for Alex to get home, before they headed out to the concert.

‘Allegra!’ The queen gave her a lovely smile. ‘Shouldn’t you be getting ready? Alessandro’s driver just informed us he’ll be here in a moment and then it will be straight to the helicopter.’