“I love you, Daddy.”
I haven’t called him Daddy in years. He was never fond of the term, he thought it was too casual.
But he doesn’t scoff or reprimand me. He simply kisses my head and pats my back.
“I love you too, poppet.”
* * *
“I’ve told him twice that he shouldn’t go,” Mum says as I help her decide which tiara to wear to the state dinner tonight.
I’ve been home for a week, and each day, Father has grown stronger and healthier.
But we all agree that he should sit this one out.
Of course, he’s stubborn and refuses to send his regards.
Mum reaches for the Queen Victoria tiara, and I nod. This has always been her favorite, and it fits her well.
As an unmarried woman, I can’t wear a tiara to an official event. But I already have a favorite.
The Cartier Halo tiara is one that’s always drawn my eye. Of course, when the time comes, it will be up to the Crown which tiaras I’m given to wear. Upon my death, they’ll be returned to the vault for future generations of royals.
I help Mum fit the tiara on her head, and she smiles at me. “It looks like we’re ready. You look lovely, darling.”
I glance down at my sequined green dress and smile. It’s a mermaid silhouette that hugs my curves but doesn’t show too much skin.
It’s skirting the line of appropriate for a member of the royal family, but Mum didn’t say anything, so I assume it will work for tonight.
This is an annual dinner the palace puts on each year for the heads of state from all over the world. Everyone from the President of the United States to the Prime Minister of Israel will be here.
And Father is determined to attend, as if he didn’t just have a heart attack last week.
Of course, he’s not about to show weakness in front of the world’s most powerful leaders. And, part of me understands that, of course.
But I wish he’d have had more time to heal.
Mother and I are escorted upstairs to the family parlor, where the rest of the family is waiting.
My sisters-in-law, Nina and Anne, look lovely in their dresses and tiaras. And my brothers are handsome in their tuxedos.
“I must say, we’re an attractive family,” Mum says with a smile. She takes Father’s hand, and he kisses her cheek.
“They take after you,” he says and gives her a wink. “Let’s go meet our guests, shall we?”
Our security is very much present but discreet. Liam is also in a tux and sticks close to me, but I don’t get to walk with him on my arm, or include him as my guest.
I haven’t told my family about our relationship yet. It’s not that I’m embarrassed, I’m wary.
What if they don’t approve?
I’d rather keep our affair to myself and enjoy it, than have it pulled out from under me.
The family is introduced as we enter the room, and we greet each of the guests.
Finally, we sit and have a meal, which is always the easiest part of the evening because I can really only talk to the people on either side of me.
I’m fantastic at small talk, after many years of coaching. But I hate it.
And once we’re finished with our dinner, we mingle.
This is the part I don’t love. It’s boring to me, and inevitably, someone asks about my relationship status or tries to introduce me to someone appropriate.
“Ellie.”
I turn at the sound of my name and smile at Gretchen, a woman I don’t know well, but who walks in the same circles of society that I do.
I don’t trust Gretchen as far as I can throw her, which isn’t far. She loves to gossip, and when the mood strikes, she’s happy to show her claws.
“Hello, Gretchen.”
“It’s lovely to see you.”
We exchange air kisses and offer fake smiles.
“And you.”
“Oh, your necklace is just beautiful,” she says. “Is that the Queen Mary?”
“It is.”
Gretchen knows a lot about royal jewelry. She’d hoped to marry one of my brothers so she could wear it herself. Sebastian was always her favorite, and she was beyond miffed when he married Nina last year.
She still has her eye on Callum.
“So, how have you been? I haven’t seen you in quite some time.”
“I’m doing well, thank you. I was in Montana for a few weeks until recently.”
“Well, that would explain it then, wouldn’t it? I was so sorry to hear about you and Beauregard separating.”
“There wasn’t much to separate.” I reach for a flute of champagne, taking it off a serving platter. I’ll need a few of these if I’m to speak with this woman for long. “He and I weren’t ever really together.”
“I must have misunderstood.” She clutches her pearls and tries her best to look contrite, but it’s all an act. “I beg your pardon.”