“Margot,” I say, trying not to let everyone else realize that I’m drooling over her.
She just looks at me, her steps faltering. I reach out and stabilize her, realizing that something is out of place. It’s another second before it clicks.
She’s underdressed for this party. Not just underdressed, but… every other lady here is puffed up in a full ballgown. Margot seems scantily clad by comparison.
And I am watching her realize it in real time. Her cheeks turn bright pink. She looks around, sucking in a breath.
“Oh. I think…” She bites her lip, swinging her dark blue gaze over to me. “I think I misjudged the dress code.”
I snort. “You think?”
She flushes even further, her mouth screwing up. “How was I supposed to know? It just said fancy dress.” She looks down at what she’s wearing, a little shiver running down her spine. “Maybe I should go.”
As she turns away, my hand snakes out and grabs her arm. I’m a little surprised at myself; it’s definitely better for me if she fails and recedes into the wings ofthis little show we’re putting on. But she looks back at me with something like suspicion in her lovely eyes, a frown making her pouty mouth turn down at the corners.
I refuse to let her just walk away from me. Even if it is cruel, considering the circumstances.
“Stay,” I order her.
A mixture of uncertainty and derision is visible in Margot’s eyes. It’s strange; her elfin facial features show no hint of guise. Is she always so easy to read?
While she’s still making up her mind, Prime Minister Finley appears, looking like a silvering, disgruntled parakeet. He takes one look at the body language between Margot and me… and a smile creeps over his face.
“Your highness, who is your companion?”
Margot stills, looking to me to explain her presence.
I swing my head around in both directions. “You already know Erik, Prime Minister Finley.”
His eyes tighten on my face, which makes me happier than I can say. “I meant the young lady.”
I smile indulgently. “This is Margot Keane. Margot, this is Denmark’s prime minister.”
She looks a bit taken aback. Pulling out of my grip, she offers Finley her hand. “A pleasure.”
Finley shakes her hand for only a second. “Tell me, Margot. Was it your name that I read in the papers a few weeks ago? Something about being caught running away from Stellan’s hotel, wasn’t it?”
Erik clears his throat. “Prime minister, I have someone important for you to meet.”
Finley looks over at him, then back at me. He frowns and smooths the bottom half of his tuxedo jacket. “Yes, all right. I’m looking forward to catching up with you later, Miss Keane.”
He doesn’t wait for her response. He merely waves at Erik. “Lead the way.”
Margot releases the breath she’s been holding loudly, looking at me. “That’s the prime minister?”
“Ja,” I answer with a sigh.
She screws up her face. “He clearly sucks.”
One corner of my mouth kicks up. “Ja. He was raised by wolves, maybe.”
She huffs a laugh. “Don’t blame his lack of manners on bad parenting. I was raised by a mom who was an addict and the American foster care system. If I don’t get an excuse, neither does he.”
I look at her, a little surprised. “You were?”
“Yep.” She looks around, as if she’s already decided to leave and just needs to pick a direction. “I believe each of us gets a family of our own choosing. So maybe my mom sucked. But I’ve got Pippa, and she’s definitely more loving and accepting than my mom could ever be.”
I snag two glasses of champagne off of a passing tray. When I hand one to Margot, she gives me a glare that is instantly suspicious. I chuckle.
