Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
ELENA
E lena studied the smirking face of the man across from her at the dinner table. His haughty grin made it clear he believed he had the upper hand. She wanted to leap across the table and tell him he did not, but she sat primly, allowing the Kingsleys to manage their own son.
With a sigh, Charles rose from his seat. “Stephen, let’s step out for a private conversation, why don’t we?”
“I don’t think so, Dad. I don’t see what the big deal is. Nate’s done some crazy stuff. Is it wrong of us to warn his new girlfriend how dangerous he can be?”
“That’s enough, Stephen,” Victoria answered, her practiced poise cracking as she flung her napkin down and rose from her seat.
“Are we really going to hide Nate’s true self from her just so he doesn’t get his little heart broken all over again?” Stephen asked, his voice taunting .
“Let it go, Stephen,” Maddie said from her seat next to Nate.
Victoria shot her husband a wide-eyed glance that spoke volumes with hidden meaning.
“I’m sorry,” Elena said, allowing her voice to rise a little louder, “but perhaps I can settle this before it comes to anything more.”
All eyes turned to her, though she was used to pressure. It did little to bother her. “If you hope to give me a list of Nathan’s misdeeds, I’m afraid he’s beaten you to it. I do know what happened between you,” she said as she eyed Stephen before shifting her gaze to Chloe, “and you. So, there is really no need to air this at the dinner table.”
Nate reached for her hand under the table and squeezed it in silent gratitude.
Stephen stared at her as Chloe glared in her direction. “Oh, really?” he asked. “He told you that he accused me of mismanaging funds in a desperate attempt to try to take over the family business?”
“Stephen, that’s enough,” Charles boomed.
“Yes, he has. And he’s also told me about his drinking. So, if you hope to embarrass him in front of me, your plan will not work. Now, may we put the matter to rest?” Elena asked.
“Wow, what kind of piece of work are you that you’d want him after that?”
“Let it go, Stephen, their relationship is none of your business,” Victoria answered as she eased into her seat, shooting Elena an appreciative smile.
“You know what,” Stephen said as he rose and tossed his napkin into what remained of his soup, “let’s get out of here, Chloe. I’ve lost my appetite.”
The blonde frowned but rose from her seat to follow him out of the room.
Charles slid back into his chair with a huff, shaking his head as he shot his wife a pointed look.
“Ellie, I am so very sorry about that scene,” Victoria confessed with a penitent expression.
“It’s nothing to apologize for, Mrs. Kingsley,” Elena answered with a reassuring smile. “Families can be tricky at times.”
“You handled it so well, Ellie,” Maddie answered.
Victoria nodded as she squeezed Elena’s hand. “You did. But you shouldn’t have had to. You are a guest in our home. You weren’t invited here to referee a sparring match between my sons.”
“Quite all right,” Elena answered. “I told Nathan earlier that my family has its own issues, as do all families. So, it is nothing to worry over.”
“You’re very kind,” Victoria said with another smile. “Well, let’s continue with our meal, shall we?”
The remainder of the dinner went smoothly with lighter conversation. As they left the dining room behind for after-dinner drinks, Victoria slid her arm through Elena’s tugging her away from Nate.
“I really must apologize again for my son’s behavior earlier.”
“Oh, please, Mrs. Kingsley, think nothing of it. I realize there is some tension between Nathan and Stephen. And with his dinner companion, that was made even worse.”
Victoria sucked in a breath as she shook her head. “I am very sorry for that, too. Had I realized who he planned to bring…”
Elena smiled at the woman, squeezing her arm. “It is not your fault. I appreciate the apology, but it’s really not necessary.”
“Well, that is very kind of you. After spending the day with you, I can see why my son adores you so much. ”
Elena’s smile broadened, and color rose in her cheeks. “Now, it is you who are too kind.”
They entered the living room, and Elena rejoined Nate on the couch.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered as Charles delivered her and Nate a ginger ale.
“So, Nate, I understand you’re asking Ellie to the gala coming up?” Charles asked.
Ellie’s brow furrowed at the words as the fizzy liquid bubbled on her tongue. “Gala?”
She shifted her questioning gaze to Nate.
“Yeah,” he said with a chuckle as he slid his arm around her. “I hadn’t mentioned it yet. But my family hosts a big charity event, and I’d love you to be my date.”
Her initial excitement at the invitation quickly faded, replaced by a knot of dread that settled into the pit of her stomach. The prospect of stepping into a public sphere where her royal identity could be exposed terrified her. “Charity event?”
“Yes, we host it annually for breast cancer awareness,” Victoria said with a smile. “I promise no drama.”
“Uh, unless someone gets plastered like they did last year and knocks the decorations over again,” Maddie said.
Victoria fluttered her eyelashes as she shot her daughter a glance before returning her gaze to Elena. “Maybe limited drama.”
Elena chuckled, hoping her nervousness didn’t show through. “Oh, it sounds…just lovely. I’d have to check my schedule…”
Victoria narrowed her eyes at Elena.
“It’s Friday night. You don’t have another date, do you?” Nate asked with a chuckle.
She offered him another nervous laugh. “Certainly not, I just…”
“Ellie, can I have a private word with you?” Victoria asked as she rose and set her sherry glass down.
Elena’s stomach twisted into a knot as she set her glass aside, any amusement sliding off her features. “Certainly.”
Her heart thudded against her ribs as Victoria looped her arm through Elena’s and led her into the hall.
Elena shifted her weight from foot to foot as Victoria faced her. “Is there a problem, Mrs. Kingsley?”
“I think there is,” Victoria said with a nod.
Elena fluttered her eyelashes as she waited for the woman to continue.
“Ellie, if you’re worried about a dress, I’d love to have you come shopping with Maddie and I. It’ll be fun. And our treat.”
Ellie swallowed hard. She hadn’t been concerned about a gown, but rather being found out. But she couldn’t refuse the lovely offer that had just been made. She plastered a smile onto her face. “Oh, Mrs. Kingsley, what a generous offer…”
“It’s not generous, Ellie. Nate really wants you to be there. We all do, actually. And if you’re unsure about the gown, I’d be happy to help.”
“Well, I would certainly love your opinion on it, so I gratefully accept.” In the quiet hallway, Victoria’s warmth enveloped her.
Victoria smiled at her before she pulled her into a hug. “I am so pleased, and I know Nate will be, too. Maddie and I have a fitting coming up on Friday morning. Why don’t you stop over for breakfast, and then we’ll head to the dress shop together?”
Elena’s heart lifted at the invitation. Victoria’s inclusion of her in the family events sent a mix of guilt and admiration through her. “That sounds excellent. Thank you, Mrs. Kingsley.”
“Of course. I know Nate really wants you there, and I want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
“How could I not be with your exceptional family who has been so accommodating to me?”
Victoria tugged her into another hug before she slid her arm around Elena’s shoulders. “Let’s give Nate the good news.”
They strode back into the living room and settled back into their seats.
“Everything okay?” Nate asked as he shifted his gaze between them.
Ellie sipped her soda and nodded. “Yes. Your mother just wanted to make certain I had the date correct when I checked my schedule, and turns out I had been reluctant thinking of another day. But luckily, my schedule suits that just fine.”
Nate grinned at her. “Oh, great. Perfect.”
“She was a little worried about getting a dress in time, but I told her we’d take her with us Friday after she stops over for breakfast, and the dress shop will make sure the dress is ready in time,” Victoria added.
Nate bobbed his head. “That’s a great idea, Mom. So, you’ll be here Friday for breakfast?”
“Yes, after our date Thursday night. You may see too much of me in those twenty-four hours.”
“Couldn’t happen, El,” he said as he squeezed her hand.
She finished her soda and set the glass on the table, rising from her seat. “I suppose I should be getting home. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley for your hospitality. I enjoyed the dinner very much.”
Nate stood with her, wrapping his arm around her as his parents crossed to them.
“You are so welcome, Ellie. I’m so pleased you enjoyed it, and we enjoyed the company.”
“As did I,” Elena said. “I am so looking forward to the dress shopping later this week.”
“I am, too. Have a good evening, Ellie,” Victoria said as she offered her a hug.
She said her goodnights to the other members of the Kingsley family, retrieved her bag, and climbed into Nate’s car.
“Well, despite Stephen’s interruption, I think tonight went pretty well,” Nate said as he drove her back toward Sterling City.
“Yes, I agree. Your family is very nice. I enjoyed it.”
Nate reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “They like you.”
“And I like them,” she answered. She chewed her lower lip, wondering if she should admit who she was. Her features pinched before she shook her head. Not now. It wasn’t the time. Perhaps sometime before the gala.
She’d have to find the most appropriate moment. The city’s buildings filled in around them as she forced the smile back onto her face, abandoning the idea of confessing her identity while he operated a vehicle.
As she settled back into the supple leather, the city lights blurring past, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. The weight of her dual lives pressed down, a silent reminder of the impending crossroads.
He slid the car to a stop at the curb outside of her apartment building. She twisted to face him as he leaned in to steal a kiss. “I’m really glad you like my family.”
“I do,” she answered, her mind flitting back to telling him the truth. But before she could say anything further, a shout startled her .
“Hey, buddy, you can’t park here,” a uniformed officer shouted.
Nate put down Elena’s window and waved out as the officer approached the car. “Sorry, I’m just dropping the lady off.”
“I’d better go,” Elena said, stealing another smooch before she pushed the door open.
“You have a good night,” the officer said as Elena waved goodbye to him.
Nate waved at them both before he pulled away from the curb. Ellie stared after his car, unease twisting her stomach as she pushed inside her apartment building and climbed the stairs to her place.
The door popped open as she approached. Caroline hovered inside. “Well?”
“Heavens, someone is interested.”
“Of course, I am, Your Highness. What happened? Did they love you? Did they love the gifts?”
Ellie dumped her bag on the floor and hurried to the couch, collapsing onto it with Caroline. “Yes, they loved the gifts. Yes, I think they like me. And I like them. It went very well with the exception of Nathan’s brother appearing with his ex-girlfriend.”
Caroline’s jaw unhinged. “The one who cheated?”
“One and the same. And then he tried to air all of Nathan’s dirty laundry at the dinner table.”
“No!” Caroline squealed with wide eyes.
“Oh, yes. I told him it was unnecessary. I knew everything I needed to know about Nathan. And then he left.”
“Was the evening much better after that?”
“Yes, it went swimmingly…except for one tiny problem.”
“Which is?” Caroline asked.
“Well, Nathan’s family has invited me to their charity gala at the end of the week. I had to accept, but what if someone recognizes me!”
“Oh, dear. You must think about this carefully. Perhaps you could cancel. Make an excuse.”
“No, no, I can’t. You see, I was hesitant about accepting, and Mrs. Kingsley assumed it was because I would not have a gown. She graciously offered to take me to her dress shop and even pay for my gown. I couldn’t say no.”
Caroline pressed her lips together. “Oh, my, that is a sticky situation, isn’t it? Well, you must go. Perhaps if you see anyone who may recognize you, you can hide in a corner.”
“Yes,” Elena said with a nod. “Yes, I think I can manage it. Particularly, if I cannot tell Nathan before the event.”
“Perhaps you should.”
Elena pressed her lips together. “Yes, I know I should…but…I will when the time is right.”
“But–” Caroline began when Elena’s phone chimed.
She checked the display finding a message from her father. Her eyes went wide, and she gasped. “Oh, no. Now, we have another problem.”
“What is it?” Caroline leaned over her shoulder to glance at the screen.
“My father. He says there is an event with the Crown Jewels tomorrow. He’s asked that I go to it.”
“Then, you must go.”
“I can’t! I have a date with Nathan.”
“You must cancel, Your Highness!”
Elena heaved a sigh. “No, I won’t do it. I will not cancel the night before I’m supposed to have breakfast with his family and dress shop with his mother and sister.”
She leapt from her seat and paced. “No, I…must do both. It will be fine. You’ll help me. I will spend twenty minutes at the museum event, then dash across to the park where the co ncert is, spend time there, then back. We’ll continue switching back and forth. It can work.”
“Your Highness…” Caroline shook her head.
“No! It must work. I can do both. I will do both. It will be fine.”
Elena collapsed on the couch, her heart still thudding hard. She needed to live both lives tomorrow night. And she needed to do it seamlessly. If not, her entire world could crash down around her, leaving her live in a pile of rubble.
As she plotted her impossible evening, darting between date and duty, she couldn’t shake the foreboding feeling that the balancing act was a prelude to a choice she wasn’t ready to make. Her decision to juggle both worlds became a tightrope walk over a chasm that could swallow her whole.