Yikes, controlling much?
“But Walter looks hungry. We can’t just let him swim around being hungry all the time.”
“That’s what fish do, and he already ate today,” Tessa says. “James fed him.”
“You let thebabiesfeed him but not me?”
Tessa nods. “They already have a better grasp on proper fish care.”
Arabella leans in to me. “Arthur killed Tessa’s first fish, Chester, by overfeeding him.”
“Did not,” Arthur says.
“Did too,” Arabella answers. “And then he got his assistant to run around town in the middle of the night to find a replacement, thinking she wouldn’t notice.”
“Like I don’t know my own fish,” Tessa tells me, panting a little and rolling her eyes.
I am so tempted to burst out laughing only I don’t think I should. Not if I don’t want Arthur to hate me forever. But damn, if this isn’t awkward as hell because I have to react with just enough delight to show I’m siding with Tessa and Arabella. I settle for a wide-eyed smile in her direction and a laugh that comes out like a cough or some sort of creepy giggle. Why didn’t I fake a broken limb so I could get out of this? Or actually break a real limb?
“Thank you ever so much for bringing that up again, Arabella,” Arthur says. “Much appreciated.”
“So, William,” King Winston says. “Arabella tells me your family owns a resort in the Benaventes.”
I turn to him with a smile. He might not hate me. Sweet! “Yes, my brother and his wife run it, and my sister is the head chef at one of the restaurants.”
“Hmph,” he says, before walking over to the bar.
Okkaayyy. I guess the small talk portion of the evening is over.
“Oh, the show’s about to start!” Arabella says. “Arthur, turn it on.”
She walks over to the telly and faces everyone. “Before we watch the big premiere, I want to thank everyone for coming together. This isn’t just a TV show, it’s the start of a new life for me, one filled with courage.” She pauses and glances at me, “And love.”
“Aww, adorable,” Arthur says sarcastically. “Now, sit down already so we can make fun of you.”
Rolling her eyes, Arabella adds, “Anyway, I hope this will be the first of many nights spent like this, together as a family, watching Will and me fall for each other while we navigate our way through the treacherous jungle. It’s a rare opportunity for you to really get to know the man I love, to see him in action, and to see just how tough yours truly can be. By the end of the season, my hope is you’ll love Will as much as I do and that maybe you’ll even be a bit scared of me.”
“Doubtful on both counts,” Arthur mutters.
“I think I already do fancy him as much as you,” Princess Florence says, giving me the side-eye.
Oh, God, she’s like Rosy on steroids.
“Splendid speech, Arabella,” Tessa pants. “Really lovely.”
King Winston merely nods and offers the smallest hint of a smile.
Everyone settles themselves in the living room, King Winston choosing the armchair, Arthur and Gran on the couch, and Arabella and me on the love seat with Tessa directly behind me spinning away and breathing hard at my back. I suddenly don’t know how to sit. I start out with one hand on each knee, back perfectly straight, but then realize I need to look relaxed, except I don’t remember how to do that at the moment. Arabella tucks her hand under mine on my knee, but I flinch and move over slightly, making a space between us. I lift both our hands and place them very chastely on the seat cushion. There. That’s better.
Video footage begins of Arabella set to classical music, showing her in various dresses, getting out of limos, waving from a carriage, and standing next to her brother and Tessa on the steps of a church at their wedding. Just when I’m starting to think I’m not going to actually be on the program at all, they finally show a picture of me (hmm, no shirt on) while African drums take over the classical music. The words “One Princess, One Bad Boy, Ten Days Alone in the Jungle…”flash across the screen, followed by“What ever will these two get up to out there?
There’s a thin line between lust and hate…
And we’re going to find out exactly what it takes to cross that line on…
PRINCESS IN THE WILD”
King Winston clears his throat and stands, then strolls over to the bar and pours himself a scotch that is at least three fingers deep.
