I zoned out, Julian’s words echoing through my head:“She isn’t you.”What did that mean? He’d only really spoken to me for a grand total of maybe two hours. There’d been no intimacy, nothing. How could he be so adamant that he wanted me for longer?
Julian’s attention was pulled in many directions, so I couldn’t ask him any of the questions whirling around in my head. I made pleasant conversation with a few people, and the whole time I felt someone burning a hole in the back of my head.
When I looked over my shoulder, I was met with the glare of Rona Rambles.
CHAPTER TEN
Julian
While there wasno part of my body that indicated it, I absolutely saw the way Rona was regarding Wynn. She was threatened by him, when in reality it should have been me she was afraid of.
The more the evening dragged on, the more I realized that simply asking my father to replace her as governor wouldn’t work. It would make someone like her desperate, possibly volatile. She’d perceive someone like Wynn as a threat and probably think he was why she’d been fired. No, she had to simply disappear. That was easier said than done, of course. Making some pickpocket strung out on drugs, an asshole deviant, or a forgotten houseless person disappear was one thing, a governor…this would take planning.
Wynn smiled at everyone and answered questions—especially the silly ones that started with: Is it true that in America…? He was winning them over just as I’d known he would. Everyone except Rona. Her little comments were subtlyrude, so much so that no one had even picked up on them other than me, or maybe Wynn.
As the hours passed, however, her irritation grew as people flocked to him and me. It was then that Ellen Bradski, a legal advisor for the royal family, asked, “Are you two dating?” and Rona snapped.
“He’s American; he’ll be leaving. Besides, he’s a journalist—not really in line with what the monarchy stands for.”
Ellen’s green eyes widened, and her husband balked. The few people who’d also heard the governor looked positively embarrassed for her. It was Wynn’s shame that ignited my rage.
“Pardon me, Rona. Could I have a word with you in private?”
She grinned as if she’d won a prize, but it was only the spark of a plan that would ignite into burning her career and life to ashes.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“I’ll be right back,” I whispered to Wynn and gently squeezed his arm. Ellen nodded to me and immediately engaged Wynn in a conversation about her corgis.
Rona followed me down a hallway, and I guided her to a small sitting room between two restrooms. Once inside, I turned to face her.
“What exactly do you think you’re doing, Governor?”
She jolted in shock from my sharp tone. “Pardon?”
“You’ve been needling Wynn all evening. Is there some reason you don’t approve of him as my date?”
She opened and closed her mouth a few times but eventually sighed, her shoulders deflated. “I’m making a fool of myself, aren’t I?”
“I’m not sure. Why do you think so?” I did know why, but I needed to play this role with her so I’d get her right where I wanted her.
She lifted her gaze to meet mine, batted her lashes, and said, “I’m very attracted to you, Prince Julian, and it seems the green monster is poking out a bit.”
I feigned surprise. “You’re attracted to me?” She nodded. “And because of that, you’re being unkind to Wynn?”
“I don’t mean to be.” She stepped closer, and I hid my cringe as her hand brushed over my chest. “I’ve tried to send you signals, and I’d gotten it in my head that I’d see you tonight and maybe convince you to go out with me.” She exhaled dramatically. “Then you walked in with him, and my ego took a hit.”
She was wearing a diamond choker tonight and I was once again jealous of her jewelry, only because it was wrapped around her neck. I took a deep breath and set the next steps of my plan into motion.
“Rona, I’m flattered, but the prince and the governor of Crellesia, it would be scandalous.”
“No more than you dating an American.” She pouted…and I hated her.
“He will be leaving, like you said. If there was negative buzz, his absence would make the whispers dissipate.” As much as it made me sick, I gently brushed a finger along her cheek, and I wanted to laugh when she gasped. “What if we realize we aren’t…compatible? It could end badly. I don’t want negative press.”
She blinked fast and swallowed. “Uh, well, if you’re willing to give it a go, perhaps we can meet in private, secretly. Find out if we’re compatible before anyone else finds out, even your family.”
I loved that she’d made this her idea, it worked brilliantly.
