Chapter 2
Two
Around two, I order a tea service, and invite Bruce to join me in my sitting room before the new team members are due to arrive. I’m trying to be open-minded, but a part of me wants to automatically dislike the new bodyguards.
They aren’t the man I have eight years of history with. Bruce knows me. He’s been right by my side supporting me through all the crap of the last two years. He is one of the few people outside my family who has my complete trust and won’t betray me. How do I know I can trust these new chaps?
“Ma’am, the spread looks wonderful.” His eyes are dancing as he spies what’s been set out on the trolley. “You’ve remembered all my favorites.”
“I’ve tried.” I stare at my hands, fighting to keep a few tears from escaping. “Can I ask you something? It’s kind of personal in nature. Don’t feel pressured to answer it if you don’t want to.”
“Now you’ve piqued my curiosity. What’s on your mind?” he asks, sitting down next to me and pouring himself a cuppa.
“Will you tell me a little more about your children?” I lift my chin, studying him from under my lashes.
Bruce has never talked much about his family.
I know he has two sons, but until now, I’ve never given them much thought.
I was so young and in my own world when Bruce started with me.
Now that I’m older, my perspective on everything has changed.
His eyes widen. He hesitates before slowly answering, “My two boys are both around Edmund’s age. One of them has followed in my footsteps and joined the police force. The other is working toward his Masters in Business.”
“You must be so proud.” I do the mental calculations. Eddie is twenty-five, which means that his sons would also be in their early to mid-twenties. My shoulders hunch. My body suddenly feels heavy. I swallow hard, feeling guiltier than ever. “I’m sorry if I’ve kept you from them.”
“Kept me from them?” Bruce’s eyes widen and he blinks a few times in confusion.
“How many birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, family vacations, and other special occasions have you missed out on because of me?” My voice comes out weak.
“A few, but none of those were ever your fault. My family understands that my being a protection officer is an honor and a privilege. And that that equates to long hours, travel, and other extra duties.” He places a hand on top of mine and squeezes it, sending a renewed surge of energy through my exhausted body.
The jet lag is finally beginning to catch up with me.
“Believe me when I say, I wouldn’t be doing this without my wife’s support.
We’ve always made all our decisions together, as a team.
If I’ve missed out on an important occasion, it was with her blessing. ”
“She sounds like a lovely woman.”
“She is. A real diamond. I was lucky the day she accepted me.” Bruce’s eyes sparkle in a way that shows he’s thinking about her.
“I’d love to meet her someday.”
“You already have.” Bruce grins. “My Abigail works for your aunt.”
I inhale sharply. There’s only one person I know by that name. “Abigail . . . as in Abigail Martins? My aunt’s private secretary?”
“The one and only.”
I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am. I can picture the bright green eyes and light-brown hair of Bruce’s wife clearly.
She may be in her mid-fifties, but she has one of those ageless faces that makes her appear much younger than she actually is.
Whenever I’ve interacted with her, she’s been kind, and has always offered me a toffee.
Hearing that both Bruce and his wife work for my family make it much easier to understand how they’d be able to put up with his demanding job.
“Now it’s my turn to ask you, ma’am. Why the sudden interest?”
“Earlier, you caught me by surprise with your big news. It’s taken me a few hours to process it all.
All these memories of our time together have been floating through my mind.
You’ve been such a huge part of my life, and I’d like to think we were friends.
” I squeeze Bruce’s hand and look away. “But it’s hit me that I haven’t been a very decent one to you.
I’ve never asked if you’d like more time with your family. ” A new wave of guilt hits me.
“Princess, you are my friend. And I have taken time away when I’ve needed it. Until now, my work and private lives needed to stay separate to remain professional. It’s why even though you have asked me questions about my family, I’ve deflected them.”
“Bruce, what do you mean by ‘until now’? What’s changed?”
“There’s no easy way to say this, but in two short weeks, you’ll no longer be under my charge.”
“So soon?” I gasp. “I thought we’d have a few more months together.” Ugh. The news keeps getting worse.
“Unfortunately, it’s better to rip the plaster off now. That way you and your new agents will have enough time settle into a comfortable routine before the school term begins.”
I want to shout and complain to him about how unfair it is, but throwing a tantrum won’t do any good.
I’m supposed to be an adult. I’m twenty, not a child.
I need to handle this with maturity. Even if I’m feeling sick to my stomach over the situation, it’s beyond my control.
There is no arguing with the security office.
I’ll just have to do what a good princess is trained to do—keep calm and carry on.
“Will you stay in touch with me?” I ask softly.
“Of course. You can count on it.”
My neck and ears warm, and I release his hand. In many ways, Bruce is like my second father.
The corners of his eyes crinkle as he takes a sip of his tea. A faint twinge of pink appears on his own cheeks. I’ve never seen him so flustered.
I pour myself my own cuppa with shaky hands and change the subject. “What comes next for you? Will you still be based out of the palace?”
“That would be my first choice.” He sets his teacup down. “The details still haven’t been fully worked out, but I’d very much like to become a part of the committee that selects and trains future protection officers.”
That sounds perfect for him. I make a mental note to write a statement of support and have Papa put in a good word for Bruce. It’s the least I can do considering all his years of service to me. “Have you had a hand in choosing the officers we’re expecting today?”
“No, but your father has.” He adds a cranberry-orange scone to his plate. “And from what I’ve heard, he’s picked the best available candidates for you. They’ve both graduated at the top of their training course.”
“So you haven’t met either of them?”
“No, but odds are, they’ll both be as charming as me.” He winks, puffing out his chest.
My body shakes with laughter. “Let’s hope so.”
A few moments later, a knock sounds at the door. I stand, fully intending to answer it, but Bruce is quicker and beats me to the punch. The door swings open to reveal a suit-clad man and woman.
Pushing aside my weariness, I plaster a smile on my face and wave. Despite my not wanting them here, I’d still like to make a good first impression. “Cheers, and welcome. I’m Alice, it’s nice to meet you both. Please, come in.”
They enter the room, and Bruce closes the door behind them. Both appear to be in their early- to mid-twenties and carry themselves with a sense of overconfidence, an important quality to have as a protection officer.
The woman curtsies, and the man bows. I wonder how long it’s going to take for me to train them to ignore proper protocols around me when we’re in private.
I’ve tried hard with Bruce, and have succeeded for the most part, but I’ve never been able to break him from the habit of calling me ma’am, Princess, or Your Highness.
“Ma’am,” the woman says, “I’m Angela.” She flashes me a cheeky grin.
Angela is even in height as me at about five four. A pair of tortoiseshell glasses is perched on the bridge of her nose. It works well with her strong jawline. Her curly dark-brown hair has been secured into a tight, low bun. The creases of her suit are pressed to perfection.
We shake hands. It’s firm, just like Papa’s. “Ex-military?” I wager a guess.
“Yes, ma’am. RAF.” She lights up and tucks her arms behind her back, just as a military officer might when they’re standing at ease.
“Thank you for your service. I’m lucky to have you with me.” Before I can stop myself, I ask the cliche question, “Were you a pilot?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m fully qualified to fly the C-17 Globemaster and the Atlas C-1.” She studies my clueless face and quickly clarifies, “They’re both transport planes.”
“Wow,” I murmur. My respect for her has just gone up tenfold.
I know from Papa that the pool of female aviators is small.
Angela has probably had to work hard her entire career to prove herself in a field that’s historically been dominated by men.
In this, we’re alike. I want to become a structural engineer, another field where there aren’t many women.
“I hope the transition from the air to the ground has gone smoothly.”
“Yes, ma’am, it has. I can handle anything that’s thrown my direction.”
My gaze travels to the man. “Ma’am. I’m Arthur,” he says.
He has light-brown hair and hazel eyes. While he’s not overly tall, about five eight, his shoulders are broad.
His three-piece suit is immaculately cut and contours perfectly to his body, leaving little doubt in my mind about the powerful physique that’s hiding underneath it all.
I stare for a moment longer than necessary, then quickly return his handshake.
It’s short and to the point. There’s no smile or flicker of any emotion.
He’s already an expert at donning a mask.
“A pleasure.” My voice comes out slightly higher than normal. I clear my throat and gesture to the couch, willing myself to focus. “Are you ex-military too?”
“No, ma’am.” He doesn’t elaborate.
“All right, then, please, have a seat. I’d love to spend a few minutes getting to know each of you a little better.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Angela nods.
Arthur remains quiet, but wordlessly follows her lead and sits across from me.
His eyes appraise me as if he’s assessing my worth.
It’s as if something icy cold is passing through my spine.
Despite what the public may think, I don’t appreciate being stared at.
It’s the reason I avoid being photographed and appearing in public as much as humanly possible.
“Bruce Martins is the current head of my detail. Er . . .” I search the room for him. He’s stepped out of earshot and is on the mobile in the far corner near my dog Lillian. “I’m sure he’ll join us shortly, then I’ll be able to properly introduce you to him.”
“We’ve met,” Arthur says, crossing his arms and clenching his jaw.
That’s curious. Bruce said he hadn’t met the new team members.
I study Arthur a little closer and have to wonder, does he not like Bruce?
Everyone loves him. How could they not? He’s the epitome of what a gentleman should be.
He always keeps his calm and has never said a cross or ill word about anyone. At least that I’m aware of.
My eyebrows twitch. The interest I had in this man a few moments ago has suddenly evaporated, replaced with a bitter taste in my mouth. Arthur, you are not creating a very good impression with me.
“You might have, I haven’t.” Angela pats his arm and crosses her legs. “I’d love to meet him when we’re able.”
“Brilliant. In the meantime, please help yourself to tea.”
“Don’t mind if we do.” Angela arches her eyebrow at Arthur and nods to the tea. He sighs, then finally relents, pouring himself a cup and ignoring the food offerings. Angela, on the other hand, helps herself to a few finger sandwiches and a mini fruit scone.