Chapter 30
POACHED
ELOISE
The day’s goal was to meet Cressida Patterson, our new director.
She was possibly the buzziest new documentarian.
Known for blending reality-TV style arcs with credibility, I suspected she would go easy on Duncan, give him a glow up, and stay out of the action for the most part.
There would be loads of “confessional”-style decamps, no doubt.
I hoped she had the skill to bring out the best in him.
Thankfully, she was conventionally attractive.
Maybe he’d glom onto her and leave me be? The thought delighted me in one way and surprised me in how it also disappointed. I swore I didn’t want our game and should have appreciated the distraction.
Was that a pang of jealousy?
While Duncan met his people, I prepared a video call that set my world spinning.
With Jax out, I flew solo into a stiff wind.
I wondered if Abi assumed Jax was acting like a partner while she let her associates do the schmoozing.
They were lucky I was so good at this and not just an average junior employee.
Jax called from a place I didn’t recognize.
“Oh, there you are! Can you see me, Eloise?” She asked.
“Yes. I’m here at the palace waiting for Cressida to pitch.”
“Ah, good. It looks posh.”
You’d know if you even would have shown up once!
“It is a palace.” I hid my annoyance.
“I’m here in a yurt! Can you imagine? How amazing is it that we can work from a yurt?”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “That’s wild, yeah. So, about post-Wales. I wanted to—”
“We can consider that after things wrap and he goes through with it.”
The goalpost kept changing! I couldn’t show how angry I was, but inside I raged.
Stay cool, Eloise. You don’t need to let her see you sweat. This is a negotiation.
“Are you saying you are taking back what you promised with the promotion and pay rise?” I asked, voice controlled but serious.
“Well, I think it’s more appropriate to do that after he returns and I can say you delivered—”
“My delivery was in getting him to sign for the documentary. I did that. I used everything I had and more to get him there. I did the impossible, quite frankly.”
“Oh, you did what was expected of you.”
No, I can assure it was far more than that!
“Well, let’s talk about it next week when you are in office.”
It was yet another thing dangled before me. I beat down my disappointment. What had I done this for?
I listened to Jax drone on about her latest smoothie affliction, then hung up. I stared off into the distance, shaken by the realization I had nothing if I didn’t have a written promise. And when would she give that to me? Potentially never.
I fought tears and told myself this was the signal I needed.
I deserved better than this dead end. If I was doing the work of a partner, I deserved at least a senior role.
I was young but very good at my job. I should have a title that matched my work and a studio of my own.
If she wouldn’t see it, I would find something else.
“Miss Mills?” A courtier approached. “We’re moving to the meeting.”
I nodded. “Great.”
I closed my laptop, tucked it in my purse and followed.
I mentally updated my CV as we moved to yet another drawing room to meet Cressida.
I needed Duncan as a good reference, so I had to stick it out a bit longer.
I also needed a new paystub to land a proper flat.
I wondered if I could assume work as a dominatrix to beef up my savings.
At this point, I’d rather make men crawl than do the work of two.
How was it any worse than this? I left any saintly reality behind.
As I was chuckling to myself about how ridiculous and desperate it was that I would consider even that to get out of this job and get a livable place, Duncan, ghostly pale, appeared.
He asked, “Can we... chat... Miss Mills?”
“What? We're all—”
He put his hand on my arm in a way someone might view as possessive. I should have pushed him away, but in truth, I liked that he couldn’t help himself.
“Um.. okay?'
“I just wanted to... chat.”
“Uh... okay.”
I remained so confused.
He took my hand and led me around a corner.
“What is your deal, sir?” I glowered.
“I don't have a deal. My intentions are pure. But there are things you should know.”
His confused state endeared me. I didn’t have time for this, but if I burned my bridge, he’d never give me a sterling reference. I refocused on the here and now. Things could have been so much worse. I could have hated this client.
I joked, “You know, Your Royal Highness, this looks mighty suspicious. Someone might think you were out to adulterate me in this very hallway.”
He wasn't laughing. “Ella, I don't have time for jokes.”
“Oh?”
“Stop it. Okay? You're distracting me.”
“What?”
“You do this thing where you're... like trying to pull rank or whatever, and it works so well. God, I'd love to kiss that scowl off your face right now.”
Well that escalated.
“Get to the fucking point, sir,” I said.
“In February, Mum is sending me out on a tour.”
“I am aware. I was briefed—”
“She plans to poach you and will send you along to babysit me.”
Dumbfounded, I backed against the hallway wall.
“Just refuse the job offer and... it will be fine.”
Job offer! I couldn’t even hide my smile.
Why was he not lighting up or jumping at this?
Of course, Duncan had no idea I planned to quit my job and would be willing to take anything that paid enough for me to move into a proper apartment.
But maybe the pay would be shit? I tried not to get ahead of myself.
“Eloise! You cannot be serious! Are you mad? You loathe me being your charge.”
“Will this be a generous job offer?” I crossed my arms.
My gaze did not waiver. This worked for him, And while I hated to admit, it worked for me even if I would have to suffer through a few more months as a royal babysitter to make it pay out.
“Don't start. I will... I must sit through this meeting and not think about all the things I would much rather do to you than talk in this hallway,” Duncan said. “But just know I had nothing to do with it. I don't want you to feel... beholden or trapped. Let me make it clear.”
“So you would like me to say no so you don't have to see me?” I clarified. “Because I am a great distraction.”
“I wish you were a permanent distraction. One that would let me see a lot more of her.”
My heart pumped faster and my palms sweat under his gaze. He lusted over me.
“Okay, well I'm a grown woman who makes her own choices and no man—not even one who fancies himself king someday—is going to influence them. So, I shall do as I please, ‘kay?”
“Yes, of course,” Duncan said.
“If you behave yourself and leave me alone,” I said. “I might take pity upon you later.”
Surprise spread across his face.
“Yet. I have a heart. I don't wish to torture you all the time. Or me. Because, while this might benefit you, it's all about me, Your Royal Highness.”
Duncan looked faint.
I understood his concern. It would look like he tried buying me off or something.
However, I didn't read it that way. Nor, quite frankly, did I mind the idea of flying across North America with one wayward prince who would do literally anything I asked of him. For good pay, I’d embrace a life as Mistress Mills.
At least I could tell my boss where to get stuffed.
I couldn’t return to that office or that flat.
With his mother’s offer, I could get the big title and a bigger check.
I was still in charge. As Monique said, I was only young once.
If an older man wanted to obsess over me and make me feel powerful, I'd roll with it.
I figured when I was old and tired, I'd at least know that a King once risked everything to see every bit of me.
“Now, let's move along,” I said. “I appreciate your candor, sir, but you needn't worry about me. I am in control.”
He only nodded. We walked to the drawing room where everyone milled.
I tried to ignore the obvious question of what we were up to, but Duncan’s expression didn’t help.
Thankfully, I could focus on the excitement of Duncan's cousin Leah standing there chatting with the Queen and director, a baby on her hip as if it were nothing.
God, she was so fabulous! I was trying not to fangirl.
“Oh, he lives!” Leah announced. “Take my child.”
Duncan barely hugged her before Leah foisted the baby on him. I recognized the kid.
“My God, did you double in size, Vanna?” Duncan kissed the baby’s cheek. I noted to always put him in situations where he could engage with kids. They were magic and he lit up.
“Miss Mills, could I have a moment?”
I looked to see Her Majesty standing there. Shit! My nerves flared.
I bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, come this way, darling. Don't look so concerned.”
I followed The Queen and Duchess of Lauderdale to a corner. “I am sure my son has now spoiled my dreaded plan? He was worried we were being inappropriate and would desert you.”
This was about the job.
I tried to hide my excitement. “Yes, ma’am. The Prince did. He was very concerned just now, and I assured him I was not insulted. I was, if anything flattered.”
She smiled and wiped her hands. “Well, that's good. So, I would like to offer you a good number. I am not the type to sneeze about salary. Women are always told to wait and not ask for so much. I am not that woman. Neither of us are.”
She looked to The Duchess. “I poached this one from my mother's staff once. Within years, I put her in charge of making Georgie behave while overhauling the institution. I believe you two are made of similar stuff..”
“Which was sort of cruel, Nat,” the Duchess of Lauderdale said. “I didn’t agree to all of that, but I did manage it.”
“My point, Miss Mills, is that you have become invaluable only a month into this thing.
I don't know if he whinges, but you do not take any lip. I will not lie. He has been granted at least a dozen social secretaries. They either annoy John—who is a bloody treasure—or clash with my son almost immediately. John adores you and my son thrives with you. If you do not hate him, I would like to keep you on. We can say you are his social secretary for now. If you would like to move to another role after you return in March, I will make it work, alright? Now, what is the price? Give me a number.”
My place in negotiation would never be better than now. So, I told her double my paltry salary. I expected the Queen would say she could meet me somewhere else.
“Done!” She extended her hand, “I will give you plenty of time to find a replacement for your role.”
“That is generous, but they will be fine,” I knew quite well they wouldn't be. “I can start as soon as you need me to.”
I didn't have a noncompete in my contract and didn't make enough for anyone to care. I'd finish our original contract and transition to palace work. It was a total win. I'd not feel guilty. While Jax would be a pain in the ass, Abi would understand. She wanted to see me thrive.
For now, I could continue to keep my charge behaving while luxuriating in his lust for me. And then I could take an even more attractive job after returning. After all the hours I put in over the past three years, I deserved this.