“It is.” She inclined her head. “And after a few days of sulking, I had to admit that maybe what I did was slightly impulsive.”
“Slightly,” I snorted. “So what’s happening with, uh, Roc? Are you still dating? Nicky told me who he really is.”
“Oh, did he?” Daisy’s lips tightened. “That’s surprising, as I’m not sure even I know that. But no. We’re not dating. I haven’t seen him since the day after we got back from Scotland.”
“I’m sorry.” I reached over to touch her hand. “Are you okay?”
Daisy lifted her eyes to meet mine, and for one brief moment, I had a glimpse of bleak pain. Then she blinked, and it was gone.
“Of course, I’m fine.” She pulled back her hand and straightened up. “It was a lark, you know? Just something fun, something outrageous to do. Something to relieve the boredom of life.”
Her voice was flippant, with an edge of cynicism I hadn’t heard before. As long as I’d known Nicky’s younger sister, she’d been filled with joy, a happy and buoyant girl. Nicky and Alex often remarked that she was the wild child, the one who didn’t seem to care about royal rules or protocol. She’d chosen not to live at Kensington Palace with the rest of us; instead, she kept a two bedroom flat in a chic London neighborhood. I’d been to visit her frequently since moving to England, and I loved the more relaxed vibe in her home. It was always a welcome respite from the other royal apartments.
“Daisy.” I spoke tentatively. “If you need to talk to anyone, or if you want to talk about this now...”
“I don’t.” Her tone was sharp, and when I winced, she sighed. “I’m sorry, Kyra, but I really don’t. I want to forget this ever happened, and that’s going to be hard enough with the newspapers writing about it every other minute. When you’re a part of this family, nothing is ever forgotten. No memory ever dies.”
I was quiet, not sure how to answer that. Daisy’s face flushed red, and she covered her mouth. “Oh, God, Kyra, I’m so sorry. That was horribly insensitive of me, when you’ve just lost your grandfather. I’m very sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s all right, Daisy. Seriously, I didn’t even think anything of it.” An idea occurred to me, and I leaned forward. “You know, now that you’re here, would you like to do me a favor? Cassa’s been messaging me since I got back home, wanting me to come in for a fitting for my wedding gown. I haven’t been ready to leave the house yet, but I really should go see her. Would you go over there with me today?”
She brightened. “Are you serious? Really? But I thought no one in the family was going to see the gown until the day of the wedding.”
I shrugged. “I was thinking that, but you know, given everything that’s happened over the past few weeks, maybe I need to relax that rule a little.” I stood up and offered Daisy my hand to pull her up, too. “And who better to take the first peek than my soon-to-be little sister? You can give me your honest opinion of it.”
“Oh!” She gave me the only genuine smile I’d seen since she’d arrived on my doorstep. “I would love to see your gown! Can we go right now?”
“Sure,” I laughed. “Let me get changed and call Cassa to let her know we’re on our way.”
Daisy pointed to the steps. “You go get dressed, and I’ll text Cassa. The sooner you’re ready, the sooner I get to see the dress!”
“Nicky, wait until you see Kyra in this gown—she’s going to be so beautiful, so breathtakingly gorgeous, that you’re going to be speechless at the altar on your wedding day.” Daisy reached for another piece of fish and took a healthy bite.
“Kyra is always breathtakingly gorgeous.” From his spot at the table, Nicky smiled at me, his eyes warm. “Whether she’s wearing a fancy designer gown or ... nothing at all.”
“Ewwww.” Daisy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t need to hear about your disgusting sex games. Mind your manners.”
“Hey, you’re the one who wrangled a dinner invitation and who is currently devouring the food I brought home specifically for my lovely fiancée.” He mock glared at his sister. “If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can put down the fish and go home.”
“Nicky.” I laid my fingers on his arm. “Don’t be mean. Daisy and I had such a nice time today. I actually left the cottage and had real human interaction. You should probably be thanking her.”
“Maybe.” He picked up a chip and pointed it at Daisy. “Don’t drag Ky into any trouble, do you understand?”
“Because I’m completely capable of finding enough of that on my own?” I finished his unspoken thought.
“I didn’t say that.” Nicky hitched his chair closer to mine and slung an arm around me. “And I wasn’t even thinking it. But I know my sister, and she’s always had a talent for turning up mischief, as our nanny used to say. Even when she’s not looking for it.”
“I think you mean that I’m much more fun than you and Alex.” Daisy smiled and batted her eyes at her brother. “And that’s certainly true. Kyra needs more fun in her life just now.” She turned to me. “What are you doing ... oh, Friday? I have the afternoon completely free.”
“Kyra does not.” Nicky leaned back. “Or at least, that’s something we have to discuss.” He wrapped a strand of my hair around his finger and gave a teasing tug. “Do you remember that we were supposed to visit the community gardens in Tottenham with the Queen before we had to fly to Florida?”
I nodded. “Yes. I was looking forward to it before everything broke with the interview, and then ... not so much. I was dreading facing the Queen, knowing I’d embarrassed her.” I lifted one shoulder. “And then with everything else, I just forgot about it.”
“First of all, you didn’t embarrass Granny. If you had, we’d have heard something about it. Don’t worry about that.” Nicky brushed a kiss over my cheek. “She carried out the engagement without us, but my secretary spoke to the director of the gardens today, and they’d love for us to make a quick visit Friday afternoon, if we could work it out. They’re having a picnic that day to celebrate the opening of a new field, and we could make a fairly low-key time.”
“Will there be press there?” I was pretty sure I already knew the answer, but hope sprang eternal.
“Of course, there will be,” Daisy answered for him. “There always are.”
