“These men and women will be evaluating your ease in unrehearsed social situations. The future princess must be adept in conversation, a master of discerning body language, and always carry herself with poise and grace, no matter the event. Throughout the night, some of you may be asked to leave. Please do not attempt to return; security is well-versed on each of you. Waiters will begin serving drinks and hors d’oeuvres shortly. Please do enjoy yourselves, ladies, and best of luck to you all.”
The din of chatter returns as Betsy leaves the platform.
“Say.” I nudge Miles. “Isn’t that Margaret LaFleur in the red?” I gesture to the woman in question.
“Ah, Marguerite,” Miles sighs, resting his chin on his hand. “What a woman.”
“You dated her in university, yeah?”
“Briefly. All too briefly.” His eyes become slightlyunfocused.
“I had forgotten she came from a titled family,” I muse. Perhaps not every woman down there is a vapid royal chaser, though I’d never try anything with my best friend’s ex-girlfriend, no matter how long ago they dated.
“Newer to the peerage, easy to forget,” Claus shrugs.
“Her dress is lovely,” Lorelei puts in.
“Yeah,” I trail off.
My eyes fall on Aurelia and Trixie in the crowd. My cousin is easy to pick out with her shockingly blonde hair, but it’s the beauty next to her that’s drawing attention. Others around the room are checking her out too, probably trying to decide which family she belongs to or how she fits into those gathered. It’s difficult to tell from here who looks on in curiosity and who is being judgmental. Beatrix will surely stop by my house later to rehash every little detail; if she doesn’t snag one of the princess hopefuls for herself, that is.
My cousin plucks two wine glasses from a passing waiter and hands one to Aurelia. I smother a laugh as her eyes widen and she purses her lips after a sip. Lips that were so soft and kissable in such a stunning shade of red lipstick.
Miles chuckles beside me. “Must be the Merlot.”
“Surely Mother sent that out as a trap,” Claus concludes as he finds out who we are watching. All four of us shudder.
Aurelia finds herself caught in conversation with the wretched Lady Wellington. I’m surprised shedoesn’t realize Aurelia’s not one of the prospects, given her obsession with titles and nobility. I swear that woman has every Emarvian courtier’s family tree memorized, and I’m sure she was no less thorough with tonight’s guest list. My stomach twists as I watch the women, anxiety for Aurelia as she experiences her first vapid society bitch, making me queasy on her behalf.
Thank Christ for my cousin, though, who nabs my sweet little nanny from Lady Wellington’s clutches. Aurelia seems none the worse for the interaction, though, her smile as stunning as ever as Beatrix drags her to hopefully more friendly conversation.
Having a cousin near in age with a penchant for beautiful and sophisticated women serves me well. I know I can trust her judgement when it comes to selecting a potential match.
She leads Aurelia along, apparently understanding the need to protect the shy American after the run-in with one of the worst that high society has to offer. Their heads bend together as Trixie whispers something that has Aurelia throwing her head back in a laugh that reaches up to the mezzanine and makes my heart slam against my ribs. I want to hear it again.What makes her laugh like that?
Lorelei yawns, snapping my attention away from the woman who isn’t a part of this charade and yet the one I can’t keep my mind from. “Okay, I’m bored.”
“No one is making you stay,” I reply.
“I know, but I was hoping for a cat fight or something.”
At that moment, a couple of palace guards approach two ladies who promptly begin crying. My youngest sister whispers a cry of anticipation, but is soon disappointed as the women hang their heads and leave without a fuss.
“Damn!” She stands. “You boys have fun picking out a bride for Fritz. I guess Liesel and I will be seeing the better of the offerings next week.”
I grab her hand before she leaves. “Darling Lorelei.” I kiss her knuckles. “Please don’t let me hear about you browsing porn ever again.”
She jerks her hand away. “Ew! Friedrich, that’s so nasty. I was reading about it. I wasn’t looking at porn. Penises are gross.”
Claus and Miles stifle back laughs.
“Keep telling yourself that, baby sister.”
She bends down and kisses my cheek before going to find Anneliese.
As the night wears on, several more ladies are asked to leave, some taking it better than others. A few have to be escorted out by palace security. One particularly beautiful woman is on the verge of making a scene before she is all but dragged from the ballroom.
“That looks like my cue,” Claus announces as he stands and straightens his clothes. “I do like a woman with a little fire in her blood.”
