Monique didn’t believe me. “Uh-huh. Yes, he justhappenedto be going to the alps and to this place the same weekend?”
“He needed a break and he only gets to leave if he’s with me. I keep him under control, okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
Monique’s mother Constance arrived, going on in French.
“You are so pale! Have you not seen the sun?”
Compared to her dark and rich brown hands, I was indeed very pale.
“I am always pale. But we don’t get much sun in Wales.”
“You should go somewhere warm! Treat yourself!”
“I will be going to California and Mexico in March,” I said.
Julian arrived and hugged me. “Why is that? A fun trip?”
“Work,” I said. “Given that this will be announced on Monday, I think I can say it. I’m the new social secretary for The Prince of Wales.”
“Um… what?” Monique said. “Say more.”
“Again, long story and NDA.”
She rolled her eyes. “If you say nothing, I think things up. I will fill in the details, ma cherie.”
“Leave her be!” Constance said. “Oh, dear, that is lovely. You must be so proud of yourself—you should be!”
“It is a promotion. I was poached by Her Majesty herself. So wild! But it will be a good change. If not an exhausting one. The Prince is… a challenge at times. He’s fine, but the chaos that follows him is never boring.”
“Let me take your bags,” Julian insisted.
“And your coat,” Constance said.
I grabbed the note from my pocket before handing it off.
“What is that?”
“None of your business, Mo! It is a private message from myemployer.”
“A handwritten note? Sure. Fine, whatever. You want a coffee? It’s time for one.”
“Sure. Cappuccino for me,” I said.
Monique was married to her espresso machine. The Vincents had one everywhere they went.
I stood in the kitchen, unfurling the note.
Mistress Mills,
If you get bored, I will be mostly in the hotel. I am not supposed to ski out of “concern” for my safety. Might hit the spa at some point. Otherwise, I will be decompressing. Should you feel interested in visiting, I will leave a key addressed to Miss Greenwich in the lobby. Feel free to visit. Feel even freer to tell me ahead of time and I will be waiting for you.
-Duncan
I would take him up on the offer. I knew he’d be generous. I knew he’d appreciate the company. I wasn’t completely heartless. I put the note away.
“So that is going well?” Monique raised her eyebrows.
