“Deal. I’m Theo.” We shake hands. I sip my champagne, considering him. “And you’re James’ cousin?”
“Second cousin, actually. Also, I can moonlight as a bouncer. I played rugby once upon a time before I messed up my back.” He smiles ruefully. “Couldn’t resist a good scrum.”
“Right, okay. That can come in handy tonight, knowing James.” I chuckle because keeping James in check is a full-time job. “Especially with John also on the premises somewhere.”
“Exactly,” he agrees. “Double trouble.”
“So, how’d you get into rugby? It doesn’t seem like a top pick for a royal. Compared to other sports. Like say… cricket or equestrian.”
Edward smiles and shrugs. “I was influenced by friends at college to try out. Ended up playing as a Cambridge Blue for the rugby union. It was something to get me out of myself.”
I nod, impressed. “Right, okay. James told me something about stamp collecting or some such.”
He chuckles. “We do have a family stamp collection. But that was more my father than me. What else has James told you about me?”
“That you’re a duke.”
“True enough, I suppose I am. And you, clearly, are a prince.”
“That’s me.” I shake my head. Better not think about my future either tonight because that’ll pop the party spirit in a hurry. “So what else did you do at college aside from playing violent games?”
Edward laughs easily. “I studied business and eventually ended up with my MBA. It’s very useful for running the estate.”
“Practical, yeah.” I nod sagely.
“And you?”
My lips twitch. “Fashion merchandising.”
He nods thoughtfully, considering me. “You are very well-dressed, it has to be said.”
“Thanks. Though it’s not nearly as practical.”
“We all have different interests,” he says tactfully.
My phone buzzes then in my pocket. “Sorry, let me just check this.”
Of course, it’s Stefanos. On the notification, there’s a thumbnail-sized selfie. I don’t dare open his message.
Chapter Thirty-Five
“I hear you like yachting.” Edward says this with an entirely straight face after I put my phone away again. And I’m not sure if he’s trolling me or if this is a genuine question.
I clear my throat and glance around. No one is listening to our conversation. “I’ve only been a couple of times on a smaller yacht, to tell you the truth. On the larger yachts, I’m a total tourist.”
“Such an unfortunate event.”
“Mm, yeah.” I grimace, shaking my head.
“The good news is that everyone was safe, I understand.”
“Yes,” I agree with some relief. “Definitely.”
“And no criminal charges either.”
Fuck me. Criminal charges? I hadn’t thought about this angle of things. I mean, I know the coast guard is doing some manner of investigation, but an actual police investigation? I stare at him.
“For negligence? Or some such?” he asks delicately.
