“How do we look?” Susanna spun around.
“Now I’m underdressed,” Corina said. “You look fabulous. Susanna, is that a Melinda House gown?”
“Very good.”
Corina motioned to her own dress. “Saw this in their shop window in the fashion district yesterday. Could not resist.”
“She is really a genius. Melinda made Princess Regina of Hessenberg an icon overnight by just adapting her north Florida, cowboy-boots style.”
“I’ve not followed her, but I’ll have to do so.” The news of Princess Regina, a Florida girl, discovering she was the long-lost heir to the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg’s royal house came just as Corina determined to come out from under the fog.
“You should. She’s wonderful.” Susanna linked her arm with Corina’s and leaned close. “She’s one of us.”
Corina laughed, warmed by the princess’s camaraderie. “Then I’ll read up on her right away.”
“I’m sure I can arrange an introduction.”
“Ahem, and what of me?” The king cleared his throat, pretending to straighten his tie.
“Most handsome, Your Majesty,” Corina said.
Susanna walked over to her husband. “Babe, you look as handsome as ever.”
The Queen Mum and her husband entered next, dressed in a black off-the-shoulder gown and a tuxedo.
“I think we should do this every now and then,” the queen said, taking an appetizer from the tray Malcolm had begun circling around the room. “Either that or my husband needs to take me out to the symphony more often.”
“Love, say the word . . .”
Corina had only observed the former prime minister for a few moments, but he was ardently in love with his wife. How lovely to find heart-palpitating romance a second time around.
Upon that thought, Stephen entered, resplendent in his black tuxedo, his white shirt giving a kind of light to the lean planes of his face. His strength and presence consumed the atmosphere. And he knocked the breath right out of Corina. She felt weak-kneed with love butterflies flitting through her belly.
He’d tamed his dark, thick hair, styling back the sides but leaving a saucy coil of bangs drooping over his high, smooth forehead.
Steady. Loving well doesn’t mean falling back in love.
But had she ever fallen out of love? Corina set down her cup and saucer on the nearest table, hands trembling, looking over at Stephen to see if he was watching her, but instead seeing him moving toward her, filling the air with a clean, woodsy scent.
“You clean up rather nice,” she said with a long inhale.
“Dinner is served.” Malcolm opened the dining room doors.
Nathaniel offered his arm to Susanna. “Might as well go all out, then,” he said, winking at his wife.
The queen took Henry’s arm, leaving Stephen and Corina to follow.
He offered his arm, held her chair, then sat next to her.
As the salad was served, the conversation was of the Brighton summer, the art festival, and the theatre openings.
Of course, of rugby and the junior tournament going on at Cathedral City Stadium.
Then of the event of the summer, the premier ofKing Stephen I.
“The movie is being compared toBraveheart,” Henry said.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Corina sipped her water.
