She wore a bespoke dark-blue coatdress over a white dress, with matching hat and shoes.Luigi, the hairstylist Choko insisted do Scottie’s hair for the day, swept her hair into an intricate updo.
“I feel like I’m heading to a Golden Age of Hollywood premiere,” Scottie said.
“Oh, to have been on those red carpets.”Choko sighed.“Glorious days for women’s fashion.You’ll make quite an impression, Lady Royal.Her Majesty is eager to show you to the world—especially after this week.”
“Do you think she’s worried about me?”Scottie asked.This was a different universe from a segment onGood Morning Americaor New York Fashion Week.“Does she think I won’t impress?”
“No, miss.She wants the world to see what she sees.To love you as she does.”
“Choko, I don’t think even the queen can make people love me like she does.”Sweet thought, though.“However, I’ll do my best not to embarrass her further.”
“You’ve not embarrassed her.Mrs.Johansdotter has embarrassed herself.You are quite charming, miss.I’ve styled many a lady.They don’t hold a candle to you.”
Scottie regarded Choko for a moment, unsure how to respond.“Thank you,” she said in a whisper, squeezing the woman’s hand and tucking her words into her heart.
For the Garden Party, she’d already discussed protocol with Kate and Michael.How to shake hands, how to steer the conversation, how to move on to the next guests.The Kongelig Herrer would form the guests into lines so she would know exactly where to go.
Scottie suggested responding to the quay stories, if asked, with the truth.Michael and Kate had replied in unison,“No!”She was to avoid it altogether.
“Don’t feed the lions,”Michael had said.“Let them starve.Any comment reads as defensive.Sometimes you win by appearing to lose.”
Choko placed the gold clutch in Scottie’s hand, detailing the contents of a handkerchief, sanitizer, lip balm, blotting papers, and a compact, and then turned her toward the full-length mirror.
“Stunning, miss.And I’m not saying that because you’re a princess.”
“I’m not a princess, Choko.”
“Aren’t you?Lady Royal Blue for now and one day you’ll be Princess Scottie.You’re here to win your crown.”
“Win my crown?Is that thing?No, at the end of this, after the Rose Ball, I’m heading home.I’m here to help the queen until the princes and Edric return.”
She felt like a stuck record when commenting on her status.Lady Royal was more than enough of a title.More than she’d ever need.
“As you say, Lady Royal.Cranston texted.They’re waiting.”Choko slipped out through the interior closet door leading to the servants’ stairs.
When Scottie entered the Queen’s Library, conversation stopped.Sir William, in morning coat and top hat, nodded, warmly adding, “You’ll do, Lady Royal.”
Then everyone talked at once, punctuated with cheek kisses as they introduced the cousins: the Duke and Duchess of Clemency, Roman and Birgitte.
“Don’t we make a splendid set of royal Blues,” Arabella said, eyeing Scottie.“Do I see Choko’s hand?”
“Of course, Mum,” Princess Rachel said.“Scottie, did you know Aunt Catherine stole Choko from Coral Winthrop?”
“She left my son at the altar in front of millions,” Kate said, beautiful and bright—for now—with a humor in her voice.“That’s the least I could do.”
Scottie had barely followed Prince Gus’s story—how an American cosmetics heiress abandoned him on their wedding day—then months later, she learned, along with the world, that the “pitiful prince” was her half-brother.
“We must go to Pub Clemency sometime, cousin.”Princess Rachel looped her arm through Scottie’s.The pub was a favorite haunt of the royal princes.“It’s time we had more girl cousins at the pub.Gus and Daffy’s little one is darling, but not exactly pub ready.”
“I should say not,” Arabella said.“Scottie, come to us for dinner.Bring Kate.She’s not been in ages.”
“Later, after the spring season.Now, we should go down.”Kate led the way through the door.
When Cranston met them in the foyer, Kate squeezed Scottie’s hand.“Here we go.You’ll do splendidly.”
Uniformed officers lined Hadsby’s long, wide porch, which had been built during the reign of one King Titus or another.It stretched across the front of the castle, a grand expanse of granite and marble, the steps leading down to the lush green lawn where Garden Party guests gathered beneath fluttering royal standards and a bright North Seas sky.
Tents with an array of tea, cakes, sandwiches, and fruit were stationed at the four corners.A royal orchestra quintet played on the front walk, as well as on the back portico, with the North Sea breeze adding a faint dissonance.
