My eyes went wide with alarm. “Oh, no. It’s okay. Keep protecting me. I’m cool with not shining.”
He chuckled. “I’m going to be right here with you, sweetheart, but these folks want to see you. Just give them a moment, then we’ll move on.”
So saying, he gently urged me forward, and we stood together, facing the phalanx of reporters and other enthusiastic onlookers. We were rewarded instantly with more flashes, more shouts and lots of greetings and well-wishes. I tried to focus on those only.
“All right, thank you.” Nicky guided me forward. “Have a wonderful evening.”
We trailed slightly behind Alex and Jake, pausing when they did to be introduced to officials and other Very Important People. I found myself smiling over and over, nodding my head as I repeated the endless loop: “Thank you so much for allowing us to be here. Thank you, yes, we’re very excited about the wedding. Can’t wait!”
Finally, we made our way to the box, where we were escorted to our seats. At first, it was only the four of us there, plus two officials from the charity’s board of directors, but then shortly before the curtain rose, two women and a man were escorted to seats in the row behind us. Alex stood up and embraced the women, shaking the hand of the man before she introduced us.
“This is Mary and Kristie and Jack. They have all been involved in AfterCare for the last six months or so, and they were selected by the board to join us in the box tonight.”
I took in the shadowed eyes and pinched expressions on their faces and surmised that being involved in AfterCare meant they’d each lost someone whom they’d loved. Being chosen to sit with the charity’s patron, Princess Alexandra, was definitely an honor—but I imagined that they’d have traded that privilege for another day with their loved ones.
Before I could do more than nod a welcome to the newcomers, the orchestra began to play and the lights dimmed. The ballet had begun.
At intermission, liveried servers came into the box with light refreshments and beverages. I happily accepted a glass of wine and a small plate of hors d’oeuvres and turned in my seat to face the people in the row behind me.
Kristie, Mary and Jack all looked a bit ill at ease, slightly out of their depth, and since I could certainly empathize, I smiled and tried to think of a good way to initiate conversation.
“Are you enjoying the ballet?” It was trite, yes, but how else was I to begin?
The one who I thought was Kristie returned my smile and nodded. “Yes, very much so, ma’am. Er—Your Royal Highness?” Her face turned a pretty shade of pink.
“Oh, no.” I waved my free hand, the one not holding the wine glass. “I’m not a ma’am yet nor a royal highness. Please, call me Kyra. That’s about as much as I can handle at this point.”
They all three chuckled in response, and I thought they seemed to relax a bit.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Miss—uh, Kyra.” Mary spoke up this time. “My girls are very eager to watch the wedding. They’ve been begging for the day off school, if the date falls within the term, and I’ve thought I probably will let them stay home.” Her face lost a bit of its animation. “They’ve had enough unhappiness. It would be good for them to have something to celebrate.”
Impulsively, I reached for her hand. “I’m so sorry, Mary. Was it your husband you lost?”
She nodded. “Yes. His name was Richard, and he was a lovely man. We have three girls, ten, eight and six, and he always said it was his lot in life to be managed by beautiful women.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she fumbled in her evening bag for a tissue.
“It’s been just six months now for Mary,” Kristie said softly. “A bit over seven for me, since my fiancé Ian was killed.” She laid her hand on Jack’s arm. “And about the same for Jack here, since his wife Eileen died.”
“I’m so terribly sorry.” I could only repeat the words. “I can’t even imagine what grief you all must deal with on a daily basis. I hope, though, that the group—AfterCare, is it? I hope it’s been of some help.”
“Definitely.” Jack nodded. “Don’t know what I’d have done without them. I’m an only child, both parents gone, and Eileen’s family lives a long bit away, and we didn’t have any children. I was all on my own.”
“Princess Alexandra has been a huge source of strength.” Kristie’s eyes shone as she glanced across the box at Alex. “She comes by our meetings and get-togethers pretty often—not just when the press is there to take pictures, either. She’ll sit with us and share her own heart. It’s more than anyone could ask or expect, but she does it.”
“One day, I was very low.” Mary’s fingers curled into fists. “The girls had been sad all day, and Richard’s parents were very needy, and I felt like I couldn’t cope anymore. I was ready to ... I don’t know, run away from home.” They all three laughed softly, and Richard gripped Mary’s hand in both of his. “I stopped by the AfterCare office, and the Princess just happened to be leaving after a meeting. She was in jeans and a hoody, just like a real person, and she saw me ... she sat down right there and we talked for two hours. I swear to you, she never looked at the clock or made me feel like I was taking her valuable time.” Mary’s voice held a note of wonder. “Afterwards, I went home, and I felt worlds better. I could go on, where before I wasn’t so sure.”
I gazed at Alex, standing between her husband and her brother, speaking to one of the charity’s organizers. Seeing her so serene in her beautiful gown, with her famous, wealthy family and devoted husband, no one would guess at the heartache she’d endured. Yet she’d managed to turn that pain into something positive, reaching out to help others in their time of need.
For the first time, I began to truly understand a little more about Nicky’s family, about the value of their work. I knew that Nicky made a difference with his involvement in the food and hunger organizations, but I hadn’t thought about how his parents, his sisters and his cousins did the same for the causes of their hearts.
Maybe there was something to this whole royal business, after all.
“KYRA, DO YOU HAVE Amoment?”
I turned at the sound of Sophie’s voice, smiling at my press liaison, who stood in the hallway outside of her office at Kensington Palace. I’d just finished my daily royal lessons with Lady Marjorie and Sir Todd, which was always an exercise in both boredom and frustration, but today, even that couldn’t bring me down.
I’d spent a perfect romantic weekend with Nicky. We hadn’t gone anywhere or done anything exciting; we’d stayed at home in the cottage, going to bed early, sleeping late, snuggling in front of the fire and watching movies together. I’d baked cookies, and Nicky had cooked dinners. We’d been cozy and alone and together. So now, even though it was Monday morning, which was not usually my favorite day of the week, I was still floating on a blissful cloud.
“For you, I can have two minutes. But just that long—I’m off to work, and I have a meeting in about an hour.”
