“Promised to the Prince of the United Kingdom.” I sip my own wine.
“To Prince James. The Playboy Prince.”
I wince. “Can we please not call him that?”
“Is the future Mr. Zara Cross better?”
I throw my head in my hands. “Of course it isn’t! I am betrothed to the prince!”
“Technically betrothed to be betrothed.”
I pierce Marnie with my most menacing stare. “You are not helping this situation.”
“How would you like my assistance then? Tell you he’s a one-woman kind of man and will fall madly in love with you and have lots and lots of babies?”
A sickening thought hits me. “Oh God. I’ll have to have two at least. Isn’t it the whole thing with the spare and the heir?”
Marnie spins her finger at me. “Other way around, love.”
“Marnie! I’m being serious. My children will rule this country one day.” I slam my head down on the table.
“But at least you’ll have very cute children.” Marnie gives me a shove in the shoulder.
“I’ll be in the spotlight for the rest of my natural born life. I’m going to be sick.”
Marnie gulps down the rest of the wine she’s drinking. “Are you even supposed to be telling me this? This seems like something that the palace would forbid.”
“I told them you were nonnegotiable. I can’t have this big secret and not tell you. I’d go crazy.”
I turn my head to see Marnie staring at me. “I'm glad I’m included in the need-to-know people.”
“I just can’t believe my dad did this to me! I mean, what was he thinking?” Maybe if I picked up any of his numerous phone calls this last week, I’d know. But I’m too angry with him to think straight.
“Why didn’t you say no then?”
“Could you say no to the Queen? She has this air about her.” I wave my hands around me. “She’s the Queen. You can’t say no to her. It was a done deal before I even walked into the room.”
“While I know I should be mad on your behalf, can I also be excited?”
As much as this whole situation is wearing on me, Marnie’s reaction makes it a little lighter. “I guess. You’ll get to attend all the events for the wedding too.”
Marnie’s eyes sparkle at this news. “I’ll have to be sure I get the best fascinator in town. No one can upstage the best friend.”
“I’m glad you’re thinking big picture here.”
“They said fall wedding?” I nod in response to her question. “It’ll be absolutely gorgeous. Your dark hair, with a fur wrap walking into Westminster Abbey? I can practically see it now.”
I’ve lost her. Details were fuzzy at best, but the royal wedding was to happen within the next six months. I’d get some say, but most details were to be left to the royal staff. I was never a little girl who dreamed of her own wedding. My mum passed when I was little, so I hardly remember her. I was so passionate about music, having that connection to her, that nothing else mattered.
But now? The thought of not getting to plan my own wedding or have my mum by my side has me itching to plan the entire thing myself.
“What kind of dress will you get? Just think, everything you wear now will be sold out in minutes.”
“You’ve officially lost maid of honour duties.”
“I’m going to be your maid of honour?” She looks shocked.
“Right up until that comment about the dress.”
