I blow out a deep breath. The sun is beating down on me, sweat prickling on my back. “Yes. I’m still learning the ropes, and it’s quite unsettling.”
Charlotte links her arm through mine. Her shoulders are exposed in her white sleeveless dress that billows around her ankles. A colourful fascinator adds several inches to her height. “It’s very overwhelming some days, and I grew up around all this. How are you faring so far?”
I instantly like Charlotte. I’m surprised our paths haven’t crossed sooner. “I’d say okay, all things considered. I got a crash course in all things royal much sooner than I would have liked.”
“Those bloody paparazzi. I can’t believe what they did to you. But you’ve stuck around. That I find quite unbelievable. Not that you would’ve run, mind you, but most would have.” Charlotte steers us to one of the high-top tables. Flowers of all kinds and colours fill the vase on the table.
“Honestly? I’m surprised that didn’t send me running to the country.” My eyes seek out James. He blends right in with the vets he’s chatting with. A smile plays at my lips, one I try to hide. “But James is worth it.” I put a little too much force behind my words.
“You don’t have to prove it to me, Zara. I can tell.”
“You can?” Shock drips from my voice. After those harsh words of the women earlier, it’s hard to know.
“Everyone is going to try and tear you down. But believe in what the two of you have. I know how hard this life can be, and finding the right person isn’t easy. I’m happy you two found one another. How did the two of you meet? I don’t think I’ve heard the story.”
I smirk. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Charlotte, thanks for keeping Zara company.” James had wandered over to us while we were talking.
“Why have you been keeping Zara all to yourself?” Charlotte punches him in the shoulder.
“Because I didn’t want you giving her any ideas about how she could do better than me.”
Charlotte’s laughter is light, as James only stares at her. “Give yourself more credit than that. Half the people here only wish they were as good as you.”
I don’t miss the shy look on James’s face. This wonderful, kind-hearted man does not get enough praise for all he does. He might not have started out doing the best job he could, but it’s clear as day on his face how he wants to do a good job, not only for himself, but for his family. His country. I hope for me.
“If you’ll excuse us, Charlotte, I was hoping to take Zara on a tour of the palace.”
She gives him a side-eye. “Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“Piss off.” He kisses her cheek before taking my hand in his.
“It was so wonderful to meet you, Charlotte. Maybe we can grab drinks soon?”
Her eyes glimmer with excitement. “That sounds fab. Get my number from James.” He’s tugging on my arm to move faster. “I don’t think a tour is necessarily what he has in mind,” she whispers in my ear. Giving her a double cheek kiss, I fall in step behind James. His pace is hurried.
“Where on earth are you taking me?” I jog after him. He pulls me into the gazebo tucked into the private area of the garden. There are no photographers back here.
His lips hungrily seek mine. He tastes like champagne and desire. Of heat and lust. It swirls around us in the warm London air as I open to him. There’s a sense of desperation behind this kiss. James likes taking command, and I easily give it to him. He nips at my bottom lip, tugging it between his teeth. There’s something in the way he’s taking this kiss that sets me on edge.
“Are you alright?” I bemoan the loss of his lips on mine, my voice breathy.
His thumb soothes the sting on my lip. “Just don’t like not having you by my side at these kinds of things.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me while we’re inside the palace grounds.” My heart balloons inside my chest for this man.
“You can’t blame me for worrying about you, love.” His fingers stroke my cheek, heat sliding through me. I lean into that feeling.
“I’m stronger than you think I am. I can handle it.” I say it just as much for him as for myself. I don’t tell him that I worry about the paparazzi every time I leave the house. Or that those comments from the women earlier affected me more than I wanted them to. That I hoped I had a smile plastered on my face for the photographers at the event.
“Sometimes I just want you all to myself.”
My hands trace the medals decorating his chest. “Think that’s something we can make happen sooner rather than later?”
“Anything for you, my queen.”
Chapter Nineteen
