Of course, I can’t slip out completely unnoticed as my requisite pair of protection officers always follow close behind. Frank and Brenton have been with me since university, the former staying on the outskirts of my circle and keeping a bird’s eye view on my surroundings, the latter young enough to follow me closely while looking like he was just another student. I’ll be forever grateful to these two men. They sacrifice a lot for me. Frank left his wife and children for months on end when I was in school or traveling, and Brenton had served with me in Afghanistan, having gone through rigorous military training himself in order to join the Royal Guard.
In the corridor, it isn’t hard to find the smaller banquet hall where the children have been relegated. Squeals of laughter are muffledbehind a pair of wooden doors at the end of the hall. I push one door open a crack. All the tables are pushed to the walls, leaving the middle of the room free of obstacles. A long line of children hold hands as they snake through the room. Several others run independently and try to skirt the group. I watch as one of Bertram’s grandchildren is encircled by those holding hands and then joins the line in a fit of giggles.
One head towers above the rest in the growing group of hand-holders. I step fully inside to catch a better view of Aurelia, her hair escaping its tight bun and a few stragglers framing her heart-shaped face. Her laughter rings out like wind chimes as yet another child is brought into the fold. The other nannies stand on the side or sit at a table along the wall. Some are watching in interest, others with thinly veiled distaste.
One child is left on the outskirts, and the group lets out a screeching battle cry as they attempt to corner the outlier. I catch Aurelia’s eye as she turns the mob to chase. Her already huge smile widens, making my chest swell.Damn, this woman.
The last child is caught in a shout of outrage, and the group disperses with more giggles. She sets the children back up to continue the game and then moves along the outside of the playing area.
“I don’t think I remember the children ever having this much fun at a formal dinner before,” I say as she reaches me. We stand shoulder to shoulder, focusing our attention on the room before us.
“No?” She sounds a bit out of breath, and I try tobe inconspicuous as I watch the rise and fall of her chest from my peripheral vision.
“What do you call this game?”
“Ameba tag.” She’s still breathing a little heavily, and it’s all I can do not to stare.
“A game of your own invention?”
Aurelia lets out a wistful sigh. “Something from church camp as a kid.”
I turn my head to study her, but she stares resolutely forward. “Church camp, eh?” She doesn’t respond to that, but her jaw is tight as she watches Darcy get trapped in the middle of the crowd of children who are apparently allit. The little girl pouts a moment, but her nanny shouts encouragement, and the smile from Dietrich’s daughter takes up her whole face as Darcy joins the group.
“What do they normally do with the children during these things?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. Read them a book or play on the floor quietly until bedtime.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“I doubt fun for the children is high on the agenda of the event planners,” I scoff.
Aurelia turns to me, and I fight the urge to tuck one of those wild strands of hair back. “Guess I need to come along to these dinners more often.”
“The children would love that.” My willpower runs out, and my hand brushes her forehead to tuck a stray lock behind her ear. Her eyes go wide as I let my fingers trail down and along her jaw.She bites the corner of her lip, and I have a sudden desire to kiss that spot. But she bows her head, and I drop my hand.
“Why did you invite me to that match?” she asks to her feet.
“I thought it would be something you might enjoy.” And I want to see her smile again. I want to know if she is just as passionate as I am, to see her light up at a great play or scream for a beautiful goal. Will she curse the ref for a bad call?
“Yes, I would. But…”
I put a finger under her chin and lift her face to mine again. Her dazzling green eyes search mine. I’m trying to read her, but all my training in facial expressions is failing me with her. “But what?”
“Your Highness.” Her voice is edging toward firm.
“Fritz,” I correct her.
“Your Highness,” Aurelia insists. “What was your intention, really? You knew what was about to happen, what the palace would announce the next day. Why invite me to go to a match with you when you’re about to start searching for a wife?”
“What’s the harm in taking a beautiful, hardworking woman to a football match to show her a good time?”
Her face hardens, that twinkle in her eyes disappearing in an instant. “I amnota good time girl.”
I can’t help but smile. “I didn’t say that, but what would be the harm if you were?”
She pushes my hand away and steps back. “Excuse me?” I hold up my hands in surrender at the venomdripping from her voice. “I need to get back to the children.”
She turns on her heel and doesn’t spare me another glance. I watch for a few more moments as they continue this modified game of tag before slipping back out into the corridor. I don’t feel like rejoining the party and instead make my way to the hotel a few blocks away. My protection officers leave me at the door to my suite.
