Most especially Sophie, but Kat gave the man credit for being so cool and calm and including the entire family, not only his fiancée. Her insides trembled, but Bertrand seemed to be able to handle the queen without much effort.
Practice? Or a royalty thing?
Maybe commoners didn’t stand a chance with the queen. That might explain her antagonism with the duchess. A title by marriage didn’t make a person one of them.
Gill shook Bertrand’s hand. “Good to see you.”
“I appreciate your help with the wedding,” Bertrand said to him. “I wish I could do more, but Jamie’s here to lend a hand. He should be down any minute.”
A third man would be coming, but Kat couldn’t help but compare the two men standing next to each other now. They were the same height with athletic builds. Both had royal titles, but the similarities ended there.
Bertrand was not only good looking, but he also exuded warmth and friendliness. His light hair color and complexion made her think of a white knight—the type you took home to meet your family and married.
Unlike Gill.
Gorgeous, yes. His hair was light brown, not dark, but the contrast with Bertrand’s reddish blond was strong and made Gill look black-knight dangerous. More lover than husband material. Not that she was interested in finding either. Or interested in him.
His suspicious gaze zeroed in on her.
A good thing her dress didn’t have pockets or he might think she was stealing the silverware. She ignored the urge to hold her hands in the air and proclaim her innocence.
“Sorry I’m late.”
A guy with sandy-blonde hair that fell into his eyes approached the table. He moved with the grace of an athlete. His light blue tie was askew, and the top of his dress shirt unbuttoned. He was need-to-catch-her-breath attractive. The kind of man who drew second and third looks and caused women to smooth their hair and pinch their cheeks when he wasn’t looking.
She found herself drawn to him. Not only because he was handsome, but also because he had an easy manner about him. He was—in a word—approachable, in a way she’d never pictured Gill.
He bowed in front of Queen Louise. “You look radiant tonight, Your Majesty.”
The queen laughed. “Oh, James. You’ve been missed, too.”
This must be Jamie. He was an older, hotter version of his younger brother.
He greeted Gill, and then Jamie’s blue-eyed gaze zeroed in on Kat like a laser beam. He sidled up next to her.
Everything about him appealed to her physically, but she fought the urge to back away. He was almost too much. Too male.
Sex in a designer suit was the only way to describe him.
Hot, yes, but no doubt heartbreakingly dangerous.
“Hello, there. I’m Jamie. You must be Kitty Kat.” He took her hand and kissed the top. “You are exquisite.”
Heat rose up Kat’s neck. No man had ever kissed her hand, called her that, or made her feel so desirable. Her throat tightened. She swallowed. “Thank you.”
“Love the pearls.” Jamie leaned toward her with no regards for personal space. He fingered her necklace. His fingertips skirted over her skin. “So which does Kitty Kat prefer most—purring or meowing?”
He was being so blatantly sexual in front of everyone, including the queen, that all Kat could do was laugh. His flirting was over the top, but he was attractive enough to pull it off. The man had guts. She had to give him that.
“The name is Kat with a K.” Gill stepped forward. “Short for Katrina.”
“Katrina is a lovely name.” Ignoring Gill, Jamie’s smile dazzled. “But I prefer Kitty Kat.”
“You would,” Gill mumbled.
He was so proper that Kat couldn’t believe he’d said the words in front of a guest. Maybe he and Jamie didn’t get along for some reason. Or maybe Gill considered him family already, so he could be more open.
Isaac, who had been standing by a doorway, stepped forward and pulled out the chair at the head of the table.
