“Sit there.” Queen Louise motioned to an empty chair on the opposite side of the table.
“Thank you, ma’am.” Kat took the seat.
“A surprise visitor arrived this morning.” Queen Louise beamed like a cat that’d captured a mouse. Kat was surprised not to see a tail hanging out the corner of the queen’s mouth. “I’d like to introduce you to Princess Rowena from Colletto. She and Gill attended boarding school together for many years.”
Kat waited for the queen to introduce her, but the growing silence in the dining room prompted her to speak. “Hello. I’m Kat Parsons. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Kat is a veterinarian from the States,” Gill added.
Princess Rowena straightened. “Oh, you’re Sophia’s so-called BFF from camp.”
The use of the word so-called poked at Kat like a large gauge needle, but she kept a smile on her face. “Yes, I am.”
“Kat’s one of Sophia’s bridesmaids,” the queen said.
Rowena’s perfect smile faltered, but it was back in place an instant later. “How sweet she’s included a childhood friend in herroyalwedding party.”
Sophie had warned Kat about women she’d meet who were anything but sweet. Mean girls who also happened to be royalty. A dangerous mix.
Kat had learned to hold her tongue with patients. This would be no different. “Yes. I am honored to be a part of my dear friend’s nuptials.”
“We’re ready for breakfast,” the queen said to Isaac. “No one else will be joining us this morning.”
Rowena focused her attention on Gill. “Your mother was telling me you’ve been helping your sister with her wedding.”
He glanced at the princess. “Yes, I must admit it’s been more enjoyable than I imagined.”
Queen Louise leaned over the table. “You sound like you’re ready to work on your own wedding plans.”
Rowena seemed to be holding her breath based on the fact her face was turning red. Subtlety didn’t appear to be one of the woman’s strong points.
His gaze met Kat’s.
Her heart bumped.
That same energy as before passed between them, and then he looked at Queen Louise. “Remember what you said, Mother, one royal wedding at a time.”
Rowena took a breath.
“Of course.” The queen picked up her fork. “But there will be many eligible young women attending the wedding, including one who’s right here at this table. Isn’t that right, Rowena?”
A normal person might blush when put on the spot like this. Not the princess. Her face was returning to its flawless ivory color. “Yes, and I look forward to getting reacquainted. It’s been too long.”
Too bad it couldn’t be longer.
That wasn’t the kindest thought, but Rowena acted so differently from Sophie. Kat filled her mouth with a forkful of omelet. Better if she didn’t say anything.
But inwardly, she steamed. Oh, she wasn’t surprised that Queen Louise forgot about her. Two eligible women were sitting at the dining table—the princess and Kat, but the queen was making it clear that only Rowena had the qualifications to date the crown prince. The fact Gill hadn’t corrected his mother about Kat being eligible poked at her.
Friends, she reminded herself.
But it still hurt.
She stabbed a melon ball, but instead of the tines going into the fruit, the ball shot off her plate and rolled to the center of the table.
So much for her etiquette lessons. She was not only proving her ineptitude at interacting with royals, but also proving she didn’t belong.
Isaac appeared, as if by magic, and gathered her coffee cup, snagging the stray melon ball without a break to his motion. “I’m sorry, Miss Kat. I forgot that you prefer black tea and served coffee instead. I’ll bring you another cup.”
