“Then why assume the worst?”
I looked down, unsure.
“She’s being really vulnerable and you’re being a prick,” Ingrid spoke.
Keir thought about it, then sighed. “I’m sorry, Bets. I just… I am a little cross about the implication.”
“It’s not an implication. It’s a secret I’m entrusting you with, Keir.”
“Why? Are you worried about Mamma and Peder? You shouldn’t.”
“I’m more worried about the press eating her alive,” I nodded at Mary. “She has no idea how awful they could be. You must understand that?”
“I do. I worry about Ingrid endlessly,” Keir said.
“And right now, we can’t say shit because of the cameras following us everywhere. Tonight even, I had to stand back. I was only there to support Leah. They followed us, but I had to mind myself.”
“Oh, because we’re all competitors?” Ingrid asked brightly. “They do realize we often train together and ride against one another all the time, right?”
“No one cares about horses that much, Ingy,” I giggled. “Not the Norwegian press, anyhow.”
“It’s better there than here,” Keir said.
“But it will notstaythere,” Ingrid reminded.
She turned to me. “Sweetie, you should tell your parents when you can. It’s important and your mum will absolutely want to hug you and tell you she loves you. I know because I’d want to do the same if it were one of our kids.”
“So, just… we won’t speak for you,” Keir agreed. “But, I am with Ingrid on this. Live your life authentically. I won’t deny I worry about the press all the time, but it’s not worth it to be deeply unhappy. My deepest regret was keeping Ingrid stowed away as long as I did. It’s not great to love someone in secret for years.”
Ingrid looked at him sweetly and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’d make different demands if I did it all again, but the outcome is the same. Live your life, Bets. You have more freedom than most of us. Don’t let this hold you back.”
“Now, you’re going to lose her if you don’t puff up your chest and get in there,” Keir said. “Go on. Be a little brave. I’ve never seen you shy away before.”
I snickered. He always wished I would be alittlemore subtle. Taking my brother’s advice and thinking about Leah’s words, I grew bolder, pressing into the crowd. I came face to face with Mary. As our eyes locked, she stopped her conversation.
“Oh, there you are,” Mary said. “Gem, this is Betty. Betty, this is Gem. She’s a producer. Betty is Princess Ingrid’s sister-in-law and is somehow in charge of hosting UniVox.”
“I’m also probably the head of the Zamboneys fan club by this point.” I extended my hand. “Really nice to meet you.”
“Oh, wait… are youoneof them? Should I… bow?” Gem asked.
“Not right now, please,” I groaned. “I’m just Betty. Yes, I’m Keir’s younger sister. No, I don’t want to talk about it. Tonight, I am just the biggest fan of the Zamboneys’s lead singer.”
Mary blushed.
“That’s adorable. And Norway isn’t upset about its princess falling for the Brits?”
“They’d have to hate on my aunt, if so, but she’s the most beloved royal even if she was born Queen Natalie’s sister,” I talked more to myself than Gem.
None of the love stories in our family were easy. Keir was maligned for marrying a woman from out of the country thathe’d hidden away for five years. My mother was accused of being not good enough for Keir’s father and raked over the coals for “hooking up” with my father by the British press while they grieved the loss of Keir’s father—as his best friend and widow. Uncle Olav and Aunt Kiersten had a scandalous communication debacle that went public and led to a snap engagement between two separate royal houses.
Ingrid and Keir were right. It would never be simple. But as I smiled at Mary, I couldn’t help but fall deeper in love,andlust, with her. Seeing her in her element and having her choose to spend the night withme—little old boring me—brought about all the butterflies.
“Well, I’m gonna go talk to AJ,” Gem said. “Nice to meet you, Betty.”
She stepped back and finally I had Mary to myself.
Chapter 25
