“Fine, I tweeted. He was a friend of my brother’s. We used to argue rugby versus football.”
“So he just happened to call, inviting you to the movie premier with him? Is that why you decided to go to Brighton?”
“No. He didn’t invite me until after I arrived Really, Gigi, you’re making way too much out of this.”
“I’ll be the judge of that, thank you.”
Corina changed the subject. “You’ll be glad to know my interview with Clive is at two today. He’sreallylooking forward to it.”
“He’s looking forward to flirting with a beautiful woman who just happened to be the date of Prince Stephen.”
“We’rejustfriends.”
“Fine, but tell me, is he as delicious as he looks?”
Positively. Corina cleared her voice of all romantic intonations. “He’s okay.”
“Well, then don’t succumb to Clive’s charms, Corina.”
“Why not?” That’ll get her off Corina’s scent. “Heisyummy, and he’s rich—”
“So are you.”
“Gorgeous. Charming.”
“Is there a point? You cannot convince me you are remotely interested in a two-bit, blockbuster, thriller actor when you have Prince Stephen on the hook.”
“Gigi, I do not, repeat, do not have Prince Stephen on the hook. He’s an acquaintance. If you print anything about us—”
“Darling girl, you best pick up the morning papers in your part of the world, because ‘us’ has already been printed.”
Hanging up, Corina tossed her phone into the mound of ruffled bedcovers and opened her laptop, hands shaking.
One by one, she brought up Brighton’s papers. She and Stephen made the front banner of theLibP.
ATLAST APRINCESS FOROURPRINCE?
Were they serious? One puny outing and they speculated marriage? She surfed over to theSun Tattler.
SHECOMES WITHHEROWNTIARA
“Who writes this stuff?”
TheInformantposted the most salacious headline.
FINALLY! THEPRINCEHAS ALOVER
“A lovely image of you, Corina.”
Corina swung around to find Adelaide bent over her shoulder. “You scared me.”
“Sorry, sweets, your door was unlocked. Yes, you and the prince make a loverly couple.” She leaned closer to inspect Corina’s Mac. “Aren’t those newfangled computers something?”
“They’re something, all right.” But Adelaide’s sweet voice comforted Corina’s ruffled soul. “What was I thinking going to the premier with him? What washethinking? I should’ve just gone on my own. And without that blasted tiara. Look, it just raised everyone’s suspicions.”
“’Tis not easy to love well, dear one.” Adelaide’s honeyed, granny gaze bloomed into a beacon, steady and strong. “You can play it safe if you choose, but it’s the brave, those who face their fears, who tame the world, who win the day. Walk on waves.” She started straightening the bed covers, shrinking back into sweet innocence.
“Where did you hear ‘love well’?” Corina got up and tripped alongside her. “And where are the other guests? Am I the only one?”
