Clementine’s voice turned firm.“Youare going to be on the arm of Nicolai Petrovich Romanov, previously one of theworld’smost eligible bachelors, at one of the main social events leading up totheroyal wedding of the year, definitely the most important royal wedding since Flicka von Hannover turned Paris upside down and shook it out a few years ago. Any designer here will make sure their dress looksstunningon you. Are you walking the red carpet?”
I gasped,“There’s a red carpet?”just as Nicolai stated,“No.”
I sneaked a look at him, but Nicolai sipped his orange juice with one arm stretched out, resting on the back of the couch. His face stayed passive, like he was watching a game but not rooting for either team.
Clementine said, “So you won’t have to worry aboutthatzoo, then. Still, we’ll ensure you’re properly attired for the rabble inside the ropes.”
“That’s why I commandeered you,” Nicolai told her.
I was so out of my league.
Jimmy haddetestedany sort of girlie shopping, even for our wedding.
At least Nicolai was sitting with amused interest, not flopping around and sneering in disdain.
“Which dress do you like?” I asked him, fishing for more information because I was so out of my league here that my league wasn’t even in the same state.
His fingers barely moved as he gestured at Clementine on my other side. “I’ve been told my taste is slutty, and that I should have no opinion about couture in polite company.”
Clementine glanced at Nicolai from the corners of hersuspicion-squinted eyes. “We’ll look in your closet later to evaluate whatyoubrought for tonight.”
She really was doing a lot for us, and on the spur of the moment, too. “Thanks for disrupting your whole day right before a big event to come look at dresses. I’m sorry that I’m not better at this. I’m a little lost right now.”
She tossed her straight-silk hair over the back of her shoulder. “Nicolai is throwing you into the maw of the beast, what with first keeping you quite the secret and then springing you asfait accompliduring John’s party week.”
“Yeah. Everything happened so fast.”
“Evidently.”
“It was sudden and kind of accidental. I’m sorry we didn’t invite you to the ceremony.”
“No onewas there, so I don’t feel particularly excluded. At least there was a livestream.”
My nylon-mesh veil and froufrou wedding dress seemed so low-class compared to the exquisite designer gowns at this private showing. “I probably would have messed up planning an important wedding, anyway. I’m kind of glad I didn’t get the chance to embarrass Nicolai and myself.”
Clementine continued staring at the models, though her expression didn’t change. “Oh, darling. My cousin Nicolai has been my best friend since he beat the snot out of a boy bullying me at boarding school. I am devoted to him. I would have made sure your wedding was the absolute pinnacle of elegance.”
Regret stabbed me harder. “I’m sorry we didn’t do it right.”
She waved her hand, still not taking her eyes off the model swiveling on the little stage. “It’s no matter. I don’t take offense. I’ve never seen Nico do anything so impetuous and romantic like an elopement, so you must be very special to him.” She tucked her arm through my elbow without evenglancing at me. “We will be friends, but you must invite me to your baby shower.”
Uh-oh.
“I’m—I’mnotpregnant, and we’re not planning to have kids for a while,” I assured her with a quick glance at Nicolai, who was lazily watching a woman on the stage model a bright red dress. One of his dark eyebrows lowered like he didn’t like what he saw or, perhaps, what he was eavesdropping on. “Kids aren’t in the plan. Not soon, anyway.”
“Oh.” Her light reaction seemed uninterested, but I suspected I’d just been interrogated by a master. “Nico must be hopelessly in love, then.”
Without looking at us, he said, “Yes.”
Clementine leaned forward to look over me and scanned him with her proverbial laser-grid analytical clouds-and-ocean eyes, and then she settled back in her seat to watch the next model stomp down the runway like an angry flamingo. “I see.”
What did she see? What had I done wrong?
Staring at Nicolai and trying to telepathically insist that he fix whatever I’d done wrong didn’t seem to be working.
Clementine continued analyzing the models, not even glancing at him. “Lexi must love you, too, if she married you withthoserings. Seriously, Nico. If you two wearthosetonight, people willtalk.”
The slightest pink flush stained Nicolai’s lightly tanned cheeks, but he still didn’t look at her.
