Mum caught Stephen’s attention.I like her.
As he knew she would. Stephen stepped around to her. “Good to see you.” He lightly kissed her cheek, and her fragrance pounded his heart. “I suppose I should formally introduce you.” Though she’d already owned the room, conquering any and all awkwardness.
“This is my mum, Queen Campbell, and her husband, Sir Henry.”
“How do you do?” Corina shook their hands and curtsyed again to Mum.
“My brother, King Nathaniel, and his wife, Princess Susanna.”
“Your Majesties.” Again, she curtsyed.
“Please, call us Nathaniel and Susanna,” Susanna said. “I’m still working on the HRH part of my name.” Then she tossed aside all protocol and snatched Corina in a “good ole girl” hug. “Another Georgia girl. I love it.” When she released Corina, Susanna brushed her fingers under her own eyes. Nathaniel slipped his arm about her and kissed the top of her head. Stephen’s green spark of jealousy flared. True love was the only thing he envied his king-brother. “I guess I’m a little homesick.”
“I understand.” Corina touched Susanna’s arm in Georgia-girl solidarity.In princess solidarity.“My first semester in postgrad here was horrible. I was so homesick. Even with my twin brother here.” The timbre in Corina’s voice layered peace into the room. Into Stephen. “I couldn’t wait for Christmas break.” She laughed softly. “Then when it arrived I begged Daddy and Mama to fly over here for Christmas. Cathedral City is so magical that time of year.”
“My first trip here was right after Christmas and I fell in love.” Susanna had found a like heart in Corina. Stephen watched it unfold on her face.
Careful, Susanna love, she’s not staying.
“I’m working on Nathaniel . . . talking him into a trip to Georgia next month.”
“I’m having my staff clear my diary,” Nathaniel said. “Corina, thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“And since we all know this business between Corina and Stephen, let’s just get it out there, shall we?”
What? He was going to ring his brother’s neck.
“Nathaniel.” Stephen stepped toward his brother. “I don’t think there’s any need . . .”
“It’s okay,” Corina raised her hand. “Might as well deal with the elephant in the room. We’re married. This may be my first and last dinner with the family.”
Steam. Coming out of his ears. What sort of rotten game was she playing?First and last dinner with the family.Trying to gain their sympathies? Make him come off as an ogre, never bringing her round to the family. As of this moment, he no longer believed her humble, innocent, what-happened-to-my-brother routine. She was out for vengeance.
“I was starting to think my youngest would never find the right girl.” Mum gave Stephen a teasing glance. “Seems he outfoxed us all. Save for this annulment business. Stephen I don’t understand.”
Yes, here it comes. He turned to Susanna. “Is dinner ready?”
“Malcolm will ring when it’s ready.” She gave him a look.Behave.
“I would like to say I’m sorry if all this marriage mess caused any of the family pain or embarrassment.” Corina cradled the small clutch she carried to her chest and peered at Stephen. “I know we broke the law of the day, but it just seemed . . . right.”
Oh, she was good. Very good.
“It’s quite all right, Corina,” Nathaniel said. “All is forgiven.”
“Except why are you two splitting apart?”
“Campbell, dear, that’s not the elephant in the room, it’s a whole herd of elephants.” Henry smiled at his wife. “Let the children figure it out for themselves.”
“I suppose you’re right.” But Mum gave Stephen the stink eye again and he knew he’d hear a good bit more before the week was out.
“Shall we address the other elephant in the room?” Susanna stepped forward, slipping her hands in her hip pockets. “It seems some of us are underdressed.” She did a visual with Mum and Nathaniel. “Shall we change?”
“Please, don’t change on my account,” Corina said, but Susanna was already halfway out of the room, with Mum on her heels, cheering her on.
“Splendid idea.” Mum turned back to Corina. “Begging your pardon, we shall return.”
