Chapter 22
twenty-two
ASTRID
“Perfection,” Alexandra sighed, staring at me like I was a beautiful work of art.
In a way, I might as well be one. I appeared this way after loads of hair, makeup, and tiara placement. Add an evening gown, and I was a force to be reckoned with. As I stared in the mirror, I didn't recognise this girl, but I wanted to. Could I be this beautiful and elegant? I hoped it wasn't the last time I saw myself like this.
“Look at you! Beautiful! Come on. We've got to get moving. Ed and Natalie want to get to know you more. And you can properly meet Duncan.”
I took a deep breath and nodded.
I'd never been to a royal event like this before. We’d not hosted people in this way because Alexandra was either pregnant or recovering from pregnancy after her wedding. The last time I’d been so beautifully turned out was for her engagement dinner, but that was pre-tiara.
“Ah, here they come,” Rick stood as Alexandra and I entered the sitting room.
He gave her a long kiss before stepping to assess the final product. “You're stunning, baby.”
“Thanks.” She beamed.
They were adorable and sickening all at once. I cleared my throat.
“Astrid, how is the tiara?”
“I love it,” I answered. “Thanks.”
My debut diadem was an impressive, imposing scroll behemoth. Alexandra knew I'd never settle for something half-baked or delicate.
“Well, it looks great.”
“Don't say I look grown up,” I giggled.
He'd done that before. Alexandra was only a year older, and we looked alike.
“I won’t. Glad it suits,” Rick offered his arm to Alexandra. “Ready to go?”
I followed them into the hall, always remembering to walk behind my sister. Before she'd grown up and blossomed into a married lady, we'd rarely been separated. We went everywhere together. However, when Rick came our way, and they wed, the regency faded, and we were free. As things opened up, Alexandra and Rick went everywhere. Sometimes, they included me. And when they did, my place was to follow. I was born the spare, grateful to be given the chance to have a normal life. I'd settle for following in her footsteps.
We met the British Royals in a drawing room off the picture gallery. Queen Natalie was in a rich red cape gown with the ever-handsome Duke of Edinburgh at her right. Assembled around were the heir, Prince Duncan and his handsome cousins, Keir and Niall.
Swimming in princes, I could have stayed in that room happily all night. However, duty and a receiving line called us away before I could make any inroads. The Queen directed Duncan to bring me in. I should have leapt at the chance, but there was no chemistry. He was friendly, and that was all I could say.