How Long Will Kyra Wait?
By Garrett Smith
If you haven’t heard of Kyra Duncan, the American who has apparently won the heart of Britain’s most dashing playboy bachelor Prince Nicholas, then you must have been living beneath a rock for the better part of a year.
Duncan was a graduate student in Maine when she re-kindled a childhood friendship with the prince about eighteen months ago. The two dated while living on separate continents, a situation which insiders say led to their temporary split last fall.
But by May, reporters began spotting the couple together again, both in London and in the US. Recently, following her graduation from the masters’ program at Grant College, Kyra moved to England, and we understand that she and the prince are both living in his cottage at Kensington Palace. Duncan works at Honey Bee Juices, the natural juice business founded by her grandparents, Cal and Maggie Duncan. She and Prince Nicholas are spotted occasionally, eating dinner or visiting friends around town, but there’s been no word on an engagement being announced any time soon.
Meanwhile, sources tell us that Kyra is growing increasingly unhappy with the girlfriend role into which she’s been cast, seemingly forever. While we haven’t seen the prince with any other woman, Kyra must be wondering if he’s ever going to pop the question.
“He wants to make sure she’s ready to stick,” confides a source close to the couple. “She freaked out and left him last year, and he knows she can’t do that again. So he’s giving her time to get used to the reality of royal life before he asks her to commit to it—and to him.”
Another source says that Duncan’s work in sustainable agriculture is not only part of her own career, it is also a passion she shares with the prince. The two have paid private visits to several local farms which are attempting to implement the suggestions both Prince Nicholas and Miss Duncan presented them.
But according to friends of the couple, Prince Nicholas better get ring shopping, and soon.
“She won’t wait forever,” this friend reports. “She loves him, but she’s not going to hang around as a person without a title or a role for much longer. It’s a lot harder being the prince’s shack-up partner than it is being his fiancée or wife.”
And apparently, it’s not only Kyra who’s getting impatient. Insiders say that the Queen and even the prince’s parents are urging him to make a decision, one way or the other.
“They want to know whether or not this girl’s the one. The Queen, in particular, wants to see her favorite grandson happily settled—whether that’s with Kyra Duncan or with another woman.”
“HEADING HOME,KYRA?”SERENAKESSELturned a bright smile toward me as I passed her desk. Although it was only mid-afternoon, I was on my way out of the brand-new London offices of Honey Bee Juices.
“Actually, I am. I know it’s early, but I’ve found that it’s—ah, easier to avoid—well, it’s better if I vary the time of day that I come and go.” I hated being so vague, but I’d learned the hard way that discretion was the better part of valor—or wisdom, in this case. Being my normal chatty self could potentially put an innocent person into a bad position if she was cornered by the press.
“Of all people, Kyra, you certainly don’t need to explain to anyone why you’re leaving before five. No one would ever question you.” Serena didn’t sound anything but respectful and cheery, but her words struck a nerve.
“Do you mean because my grandparents own the company? Is that why it’s okay for me to cut out early? Or is it because of who I’m ...” I stopped abruptly. I heard the almost-shrill tone in my own voice, and I hated it. “Serena, I’m sorry. I know you didn’t—well. I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“I understand.” The woman was completely unflappable. Here I’d just insulted her, and she didn’t even lose her smile. “I only meant that you work so hard and put in so much more time than the rest of us that no one doubts your dedication.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.” I was certain my cheeks were red with embarrassment. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Not at all.” Serena inclined her head. “Have a lovely weekend. I’ll see you Monday?” It was more of a question than a statement.
“Yes, of course.” I hiked the strap of my handbag more firmly onto my shoulder. “See you then.”
My heels clicked on the gleaming tile floors as I walked out of the suite of our offices and down the hallway to the elevator. I passed a few people, some of whom greeted me with a nod and smile, and others of whom glanced at me with open curiosity. I worked hard to keep a blank but pleasant expression on my face. The hardest thing, I was finding, was not reacting to anything or anyone around me. I thought I’d perfected that ability back in Maine, when the press had first begun following me, but it turned out to be much more challenging here in London.
The elevator was blessedly empty, and I sagged against the wall, closing my eyes with a long sigh. But once the doors slid open, I was alert and ready again.
“Heading out, Ms. Duncan?” Alfred, our tall and elegant doorman, smiled at me. “Anything I can do for you?”
Alfred asked me the same question each day as I left, as if he might be able to suddenly wave a magic wand and make all of the reporters and photographers waiting for me beyond the frosted glass doors disappear. I only wished he could.
“Thanks, Alfred. I’ll be fine.” I paused to offer him a genuine smile. “I hope you have a nice weekend.”
“You too, Ms. Duncan.” He paused. “Keep your chin up, if you don’t mind me saying it. Everyone here thinks the world of you.”
“Thank you.” I wished I could say something more—I could tell that Alfred, like so many of the people with whom I worked, hoped that I might relax and share a little with him. But I liked him too much to put the dear man into that position.
So I simply gave him a wave and another smile before I braced myself for the onslaught and pushed open the door.
The late-afternoon sun in London in November was anemic at best, but it was shining directly into my eyes, making me blink madly. And it was then the clicking began.
“Kyra! Kyra! Look here. Kyra!”
