31. Nick
Chapter thirty-one
Nick
A fter spending a pleasant morning volunteering at the orphanage with Willa, Johann and I are undertaking the unpleasant task of organizing the heaps of correspondence that have accumulated on my desk.
While I sort paperwork into neat piles, he's lining up people to interview to become my personal secretary so that neither of us have to deal with this duty again.
Along with Johann, Bruno’s back as well, but Willa seems to have broken him. The now lazy dog is sleeping on a plush dog bed in the corner of my office instead of standing watch at my door.
My cell phone rings, vibrating loudly.
"Saved by the bell," Johann remarks with a grin, knowing full well how much I loathe this type of tedious office work.
When I spy Carisa's name flash across my phone screen, my stomach sinks with an irrational fear. What if the hospital test was wrong? What if she is pregnant with my child?
"Who is it?"
"Carisa."
Knowing my history with her, Johann whistles softly. He adds curiously, "Are you planning on answering? "
"Why do you think she's calling?" I ask, ignoring his question.
"You'll never know unless you answer," Johann replies.
Steeling myself, I press the answer button.
"Hello, Nicholai. It's me," she starts.
"I know, Carisa. Caller ID, remember?" My words come out harsher than intended.
God, I'm nervous, and I can tell from the tremor in her voice that she is too. Fuck.
"Silly me! Umm, well, I—I saw the news. The news that you're dating Willa Radford. Is our deal off the table now? You don't need me to pretend to be your girlfriend, right?"
Relief surges through me like a tsunami when I learn the reason behind her call. "That's right."
"Oh, good. That's good," Carisa replies hastily.
"I'm sorry I didn't think to contact you. It slipped my mind."
It did. Despite how much I've thought about Carisa's pregnancy scare, it didn't dawn on me to tell her that she was no longer needed to fill the role of my fake girlfriend.
"It's fine, really. I just…I wanted to make sure." She pauses awkwardly. "You look happy in the photos in the papers."
"I am," I confirm.
"So, it isn't a fake relationship, then?"
"No, it isn't. What Willa and I have together is very real."
"Good. I'm happy for you, Nicholai. Truly, I am." Carisa gushes, sounding relieved.
"Thank you, Carisa, but it's probably better that we say goodbye. Out of consideration for my relationship with Willa, I need to leave what we had in the past."
"I understand. Goodbye, Nicholai."
When I press the button to end our conversation, I feel better having had that slice of closure.
Carisa is part of my past, but she has no place in my future.
My future is with Willa.
Willa's chilled hand clasps my elbow loosely as we stand dressed in our formal finery outside the ballroom's grand double doors with Mother, Alex, Ellie, and Ellie's husband, Christopher.
This evening is my first public event with Willa. My family is hosting a gala to celebrate this year's new appointments to the Royal Windingham Order of the Knights. It is a long-held annual tradition that, following the ceremony, there is a dinner and reception hosted at the palace.
"You look bloody stunning tonight," I murmur with a smile. Willa looks more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her. The emerald silk dress drapes her hourglass figure perfectly, highlighting her gorgeous curves.
Side-eyeing me, Willa inquires in a hushed whisper, "What are we doing here? Why are we standing around?"
Although she’s the outward picture of poised sophistication, she’s a tad nervous about tonight’s formal event. This is very different from the dinner dates we've been on over the past few weeks.
"They're going to open the doors after everyone is settled, and then we'll be announced one-by-one, starting with Alex."
Her wild eyes fly to mine, as she gasps, "Announced? "
Willa has fit so seamlessly into royal life that it's easy to forget that she wasn't born into it like I was. "Relax, my darling. We're entering together. Just follow my lead. Not much different than walking the red carpet, but with far fewer photographers."
"But I need to walk a step behind you, right?"
"Yes." I hate these archaic hierarchical traditions, but I know if Willa doesn't adhere to them, she'll get flack in the press about it.
At that moment, the doors swing open, and the boisterous sounds of merriment die down. On one side of the expansive arched doorway stands a Royal Guard in his dress uniform holding the Belgrovinian flag. Another Royal Guard, holding an unrolled scroll, stands opposite him.
He loudly announces, "His Majesty King Alexander Louis Philippe, Duke of Marymount accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Beatrice Carlotta The Queen Mother."
With his spine straight and looking dapper in his tuxedo, Alex strides into the ballroom, my mother following in his wake.
As they enter, Willa and I step forward, taking the spot Alex and Mother vacated. Surreptitiously, I wink at Willa and give her hand a brief squeeze.
The Royal Guard's commanding voice rings out, "His Royal Highness Prince Nicholai Christian Henri, Duke of Windingham."
Before taking a step, I wait for the guard to announce Willa, but he doesn't. Willa eyes me, questioningly. I turn my head to smile at her reassuringly, and as I do, I make accidental eye contact with Mother. She looks like the cat who swallowed the canary.
When her satisfied smile grows at watching Willa's discomfort, I realize Mother orchestrated this snub.
She purposely omitted Willa's name to embarrass her.
To remind her she doesn't belong. That her place within the royal family is transient.
I'm sure Mother assumed that I would enter the ballroom when my name was announced, leaving Willa to suffer the humiliation alone.
As the crowd’s confused titters crescendo, I lean forward to the Royal Guard, "Add my date's name please. Miss Wilhemina Claire Radford."
The guard nods solemnly. "Of course, sir." Then his voice rings out, loud and clear. "His Royal Highness Prince Nicholai Christian Henri, Duke of Windingham accompanied by Miss Wilhemina Claire Radford."
Everyone gathered in the ballroom watches as we march into the room. I smile and nod hello before my eyes meet Mother's again. The earlier look of satisfaction has been replaced with a tiny scowl.
I can't lie. Knowing I thwarted Mother's subterfuge pleases me.
After Ellie and Christopher are announced, Mother floats to my side with a disingenuous upturn of her lips.
"I am so sorry for the snafu with the names, Wilhemina.
Truly. That never should have happened. Heads will roll for that mistake, I assure you.
" She flounces off before either of us can respond.
"Why does your mother hate me?" grouses Willa quietly.
"I apologize for her gaffe."
Like Willa usually does, she rolls with the punches and shrugs it off. But I can't shrug it off. Mother's torment of Willa must stop. I had hoped once the initial round of press coverage dwindled, Mother would treat Willa better, but that has yet to happen.
I fear that my original assumption is correct—Mother feels threatened by Willa's likability, and she's worried that Willa has the potential to usurp her spot as the female figurehead of the royal family.
A possibility which I cannot deny. Because the more time I spend with Willa, the more certain I am that she's it for me. End game .
Willa and I get separated, and I work the room, greeting and conversing with our guests.
But at the end of the second hour, I locate Willa from across the ballroom like she’s my homing beacon.
When I arrive at her side, she's deep in conversation with a member of Parliament discussing the movie studio initiative that's currently before Parliament.
Sliding my arm around Willa's waist, I say, "Pardon my interruption, Matthew. Would you mind if I steal my date from you?"
Sir Matthew Royston nods at me briefly before returning his eyes to Willa. The enamored way in which he stares at her would make me jealous if he wasn't three decades older than me, at least three times as wide, and with only three hairs combed across the top of his shiny, bald head.
"Of course, Prince Nicholai." Matthew reaches for Willa's hand and brings her fingers to his lips as he bows his head reverently towards her. "It's been a pleasure, Miss Radford. I hope that we can speak again."
"The pleasure was all mine, I assure you, Sir Royston."
As we make our way out of the ballroom, I remark, "It seems like you have a new admirer."
She rolls her eyes at me with a smile. "Jealous?"
"Very," I growl playfully.
Tugging her with me, I lead Willa upstairs and into the solarium where we can grab a moment alone.
"Come here, my darling," I command, my voice full of need as I pull her into my arms. My hand slides to her nape, careful not to mess up her artfully styled hair.
The feeling of her soft lips on mine fuels my desire.
Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling our bodies closer.
She lets out a soft whimper as I kiss a trail down her neck, nipping gently.
My hands coast up and down her ribcage before moving lower to squeeze her plump ass.
I tug her into me, fitting my growing length into the cradle of her hips.
A throat clears loudly. "I hate to break up the party, but…"
Willa jolts at the sound of Alex's voice, springing out of my arms.
"Wonderful timing, brother," I droll, adjusting myself discreetly.
"Well, I was afraid I was about to get a front row ticket to a show I did not want to see." He pauses and then adds, "No offense, Willa."
"None taken, Alex." Willa emits a strangled noise and hides her face in her hands.
In unison, Alex and I laugh, breaking the awkwardness.
"Care if we join you for a drink?" I ask my brother. He's sitting in his usual spot on the leather couch with a tumbler of bourbon in his hand.
"Of course," he replies. "I'm only staying until I finish this glass and then I'll pop a breath mint and return to the party." He smiles at me. "I just needed a few minutes away from the crowd."
"It's tiring being an introvert in an extrovert's world," Willa commiserates.
Over the past weeks, Willa and Alex, two of my favorite people in the world, have gotten to know each other, and I love how easily they get along.
Taking the opportunity to brag on Willa, I tell Alex about how easily she won over Sir Matthew Royston.
"That old codger? Well done, Willa, well done."
"Everyone I've spoken with tonight has been quite friendly and welcoming. Lady Marchette invited me to tea at her manor next week. She said that she'd also invite a few other MPs," Willa adds with a nonchalant shrug .
My brother's stunned gaze meets my own. "You're going to meet with other members of parliament next week?" Alex questions her in disbelief.
"If that's alright," Willa stammers. "I hope I didn't overstep, but we started discussing the movie studio initiative.
They didn't understand some of the technical aspects and I answered a few of their questions.
Once they understood the basics, they were excited about the prospects of luring more jobs and new industries to Belgrovinia. "
"Bloody hell, Willa. If you weren't my brother's girlfriend, I would kiss you!" Alex whoops. "This is fantastic news."
It is. The movie initiative is the first significant piece of legislation that Alex has drafted. If it passes, it will be a feather in his cap, but if it doesn't…well, that could set an unfortunate precedent and make it harder for him to accomplish progress via legislative avenues.
My hand slides to Willa's knee and I give her a loving squeeze.
Alex sits back, slumping on the back of the couch with a smile. "You're a natural, Willa. You can be our secret weapon."
"That seems a bit excessive," she chuckles, ducking her head.
Since Alex recognizes Willa's worth as an asset to the monarchy, I broach an uncomfortable topic, but one that I can't ignore. "You know Mother was the mastermind behind the announcement mishap earlier. We have to do something about her behavior.”
"Already working on it," Alex says, cutting me off. He directs his gaze to Willa. "I apologize for how she treats you. It doesn't go unnoticed, nor is her behavior reflective of how the rest of the family feels about you."
"Thank you," Willa murmurs.
Setting down his glass, Alex stands. "I'm going to return to the gala now. Have fun."
Not long after Alex leaves, Willa sighs, "I suppose we should get back to the reception too." Swirling the tidbit of wine that's left in her glass, she gulps it before she stands from the sofa with her hand outstretched.
When we reenter the party, Willa and I drift apart, but I keep her in my eyeline, watching her from afar as she circulates through the crowd with ease.
Willa’s smile is unguarded and genuine, lighting up her face.
It strikes me how much she enjoys meeting people, and it's obvious that they enjoy interacting with her too.
Yep, she's end game.
Though she'll hate being forced to go by Princess Wilhemina.