“I should go,” Scottie said.“Let you rest.How is your pain level today?”
“Bothersome but I’m hopeful.”Kate set down her cup.“What about you, darling?I fear I brought you over only to be bored with me.Do you have any thoughts about weekend plans?You could go exploring.”
“As a matter of fact,” Scottie said, “Michael Cross has a family event this weekend.His Pratt grandparents’ sixty-fifth anniversary.I thought I might go with him.”
“Yes, I know of the anniversary.Odessa Pratt was one of my mother’s ladies-in-waiting.The Family sent an anniversary gift this week.You want to go with him to the party?”Kate leaned toward her as if to see beneath the surface.“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“Like what?”But Scottie knew what she meant.“There’s nothing between us.He told me he wasn’t going.He doesn’t get along with his mother.”
“Who does?”Kate smiled faintly.“Jeanette Pratt is a law unto herself.”
“I volunteered to go with, see a bit of the country, meet more people.He assures me I won’t be a security risk, but he won’t allow me to go without your approval.”
“I can’t stop you, really, and I see the merits of it.But Scottie, I must warn you to keep your relationship with Michael Cross in check.Don’t risk compromising his duty.If he loves you, he’ll second-guess his actions.On a personal note—”
“Love me?”Scottie laughed.“We’re barely friends.”
“—the man still nurses a broken heart, and you are leaving after the Rose Ball.”Kate drew a breath.“Aren’t you?”
“I am.”Scottie nodded.“We’re finalizing next spring’s designs in July, then the board meeting in August.I’ll have to hit the ground running.”She sounded a bit defensive, but there was no need.Kate understood Scottie’s extended stay in Lauchtenland was a once-in-a-lifetime break from the O’Shay kingdom.“And I know about Purnell.I don’t plan on breaking his heart.”
“Then go, have fun.And one more thing, remember you are my daughter.Always.Even in Hearts Bend.Even if you don’t see or feel it, others do.You have the Blue aura and people love you.Even that looney Mrs.Johansdotter,” Kate said.“I know it’s a foreign way of thinking, but please bear it in mind.You are Lady Royal Blue.The Pratt atmosphere will be friendly but be aware.Hostiles will roam among them.”
Kate drew a breath as if it took all her might.“Guard your own heart.I can’t forget how you called me after your man, Cap, ended things.Though I don’t think he broke your heart.”
“No.Maybe cracked it a little.”
“Well, we’re all cracked a little, aren’t we?”Kate’s laugh helped bring her to her feet.“I must nap.Sorry, darling, for wearing out on you so quickly.”
Scottie stood, watching her mother exit.Hilda, who seemed to have a second sense when it came to the queen, met Kate at the door.
Coming to Lauchtenland for the spring had been the right thing.Scottie would never get another chance to spend so much time with her mother.
Yet what consumed her thoughts as she made her way toward the Princess Charlotte was Michael Cross.Tomorrow night she’d behisshadow.His support.And it felt good to be needed.
Chapter Nine
Michael
It was a bonny day for the Pratt family gathering, because even the Lauchtenland skies, ruled by the tempest churning of the North Sea, wouldn’t dare rain on Granny and Granddad’s celebration.
When Michael finally phoned in his RSVP plus one, the event coordinator said the guest list topped out at three hundred.Good.His grandparents deserved to be honored.Sixty-five years of marriage was a stellar achievement, never mind they were two of the humblest people he’d ever known.Their daughter, however, had fallen far, far away from their tree.
“Final chance to back out,” Michael said, glancing at Scottie as he parked the motor on the lower grounds of Presswick Manor, an ancient and beautiful estate perched on the cliffs of the Branford-on-the-Reserve area of Port Fressa.
“Back out?No way, dude.I’m here.”Scottie grabbed the gold Eloise Ltd.clutch she’d carried at the Garden Party and adjusted her hat.“Are you sure I’m not overdressed?”
Choko had fitted her out for a high-society wedding.“Back home, a celebration like this would be in someone’s open field or barn with a guitar circle and line dancing.I’d be in shorts and a T-shirt, wearing cowboy boots, ready for an evening in a hot barn.”
“You’ll be the loveliest woman here tonight.”Michael walked around to open her door, a lift in his chest when her long, slender legs stepped out, her perfumed presence following.Easy, chap.Walls up.
“However,” he added, “the ties and cummerbunds will come off once everyone’s good and snockered—and most likely thrown over the edge of Poplar Cliff along with hats and heels.”
“Another night for my memoir.”
“Wait until I’m dead, please.”
With that, they started up the concrete and pebbled drive, passing a car park of luxury motors and men in dark suits discreetly moving through the shadows.The security was tight tonight.
