“I think ...” I finally managed to eek out a few words. “I think you are probably an amazing bullshitter, but that’s okay, because I’m willing to believe anything you tell me right now.”
“Excellent.” Nicky circled me with his arms and tucked me tightly against his body. “Then I have you just where I want you—in more ways than one.”
“You always have, Nicky.” I kissed the underside of his jaw. “And you always will.”
IT IS WITH THE GREATESTpleasure that Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Westhampton announce the engagement of their son, His Royal Highness Prince Nicholas, to Ms. Kyra Duncan.
His Royal Highness and Ms. Duncan became engaged last month while in the United States. Prince Nicholas has informed Her Majesty the Queen and other family members. He also received the blessing of Ms. Duncan’s parents.
The wedding will take place late next spring at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, with further details to be announced in due course.
“Are you ready?” Nicky squeezed my hand and smiled down at me. All around us, Palace staff members were milling and talking to one another, some clearly excited while others were more blasé about the whole deal.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” I pressed myself to his side. “This is the easy part, right? I don’t say a word. I just smile and pose. And show off my ring. Finally.” I lifted my hand and admired the pretty stone there. “I’m so glad I can wear it everywhere at last.”
“Flash that rock!” Sophie grinned at me as she approached us, carrying a tablet in one hand. “And relax, because this is going to be fun. You look amazing, by the way.”
For once, I believed that. With the help of my sisters, my mother, Shelby, Alex and Daisy, I’d managed to come up with an outfit that was perfect for today. I’d searched for the right dress and coat, something that flattered me and was appropriate for the occasion but still let my own unique personality shine through.
It was Daisy who’d introduced me to one of whom Nicky called her artsy friends—a young designer who was just starting out in the business. Daisy had worn a few of her shirts in more casual settings, but she told me that Cassa, the designer, wanted to promote her more ambitious pieces.
When we went to visit her, I felt as though I’d finally found someone who designed clothes I’d feel comfortable wearing. Cassa Welks was a diminutive young woman, probably a few years younger than me, with short-cropped black hair, wide red lips and dramatic dark eyes. Within a few moments of our meeting, she was hanging dresses on a long rail to show me what she had.
“It has to be something that’s proper without being stuffy,” Daisy mused. “You don’t want to wear the sort of old suit your grand-aunt would put on for church. But you can’t wear a super-mini skirt, either, or anything that’s low-cut. You have to walk the line of fashionable without falling into trendy.”
I liked just about everything that Cassa displayed, but when she hung up the fourth dress, I sucked in a quick breath.
“Oh, that’s it.” I grabbed for Daisy’s arm. “Look at it. Isn’t it perfect?”
Daisy ooohed, her lips pursing. “Try it on, Ky. It’s just your color.”
The moment the dress slid over my head and onto my body, I knew I’d found what I wanted. The green material was a heavy silk with enough flow to flutter around my knees when I moved. The dress was fitted, conforming to my figure, and the modified shawl collar gave it a little pizazz without being showy. When I gazed at myself in mirror, for the first time I felt like a princess.
Because we’d be outside in the cold for the photographs, Cassa promised to whip me up a coordinating coat, also fitted. That coat now hung by the door that led to the gardens; I’d slip it on right before Nicky and I walked out.
Alex had sent her favorite stylist over to the cottage this morning to help me with my hair and makeup. He’d kept everything simple, blowing my hair out into gentle waves and applying the makeup with skill that I knew I’d never possess.
“She does look amazing, and the best part is, she looks amazingly Kyra.” Nicky kissed my temple, mindful not to mess up my hair. “I was a little afraid that letting my sisters pile in might turn you into someone else entirely.”
“I don’t think there’s much worry there.” Sophie met my eyes. “I don’t know many other women who are as confident in who they are as you are, Ms. Duncan.”
I grimaced. “Please, Sophie. It’s Kyra.”
She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I know. But the powers that be are here, watching my every move, and if I don’t toe the line, I’m fairly certain they’ve already selected a room for me in the Palace torture chamber.”
“Don’t be silly, Sophie.” Nicky rolled his eyes. “Torture chambers are reserved for family. Rogue staff members are banished to the wilds of Scotland.”
She laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind, sir. Thank you.”
“Sir, the photographers are assembled. It’s just about time for you to go out.” Sir Todd, the same man who’d run my orientation meeting a few weeks ago, stepped over to us. “Ms. Duncan, are you ready? Is there anything you need?”
Sudden terror gripped me, and I wanted to tell him that yes, I needed an emergency exit. Nicky held me tighter against him for a moment, as though he could feel my panic, and his steady presence gave me the strength I needed. My anxiety began to recede.
“Thank you, no.” I held up my chin. “I think I can manage.”
Sir Todd gave us a brief nod and ushered us toward the door, Sophie trailing in our wake. She and Nicky helped me with my coat, and then she knelt to adjust the hem of my dress and brush a bit of dust from my black leather pump.
“There you are.” Rising again, she winked. “All set and ready to take on the world.”
