Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“Oh, these look divine. Is this the invitation we’re going with?”
“Yes, ma’am—Your Highness.”
“Oh please. We were introduced as the Blakes to you. You are welcome to call me Mrs. Blake, or better yet, if it’s just us, Joy is fine,” she says with a smile.
“Okay,” I say nervously. In my mind, someone will jump out of the bushes wielding a sword if I dare to call her anything other than Your Highness or Queen Joy.
“What else have you decided so far?”
“We were about to get into the decor. Now that I’m here at the site, I have a few changes I’d like to make. I was able to take a look at the grand ballroom this morning. I think we can do some amazing things with the space,” I say, almost gushing like a schoolgirl.
I love this part of my job. It’s always fun to imagine a space when I have pictures as my only reference. I get to stretch my imagination in new ways. However, getting to step on-site and see it firsthand is inspiring as well. I get to step into the pulse of the space.
“I’ve been looking forward to seeing what you have planned,” Queen Joy says and places on her glasses.
For the next thirty minutes, I lay out the plan I have for the ball. I won’t lie and say I don’t have conflicting feelings, as Princeton keeps a hand on my back or thigh as we go. We’re planning a party for him to find a wife, yet this man has claimed that I belong to him.
Honestly, by the time we’re done, I’m quite annoyed with him and my body’s reaction to him. I nearly flinch when he places a kiss on my forehead at the end. He looks at me with those piercing eyes.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes,” I reply.
“Maybe you two should go out for dinner this evening. Princeton, you can show Cinder a bit of Verlez,” Queen Joy says.
“That’s not necessary. I need to place these orders and set up a few new accounts with vendors. I’ll also need to make some contacts here for a couple of things.”
“Nonsense. You can take tonight to explore and have a good time. Work can wait for tomorrow.”
“She’s right. This can all wait until tomorrow. You will be happy with the surprise I have for you then. Perhaps we can take a ride to London. I’ll be happy to have dinner with you there and we’ll be in place for our meeting in the morning,” Princeton adds.
“Meeting?”
My interest is piqued. I’ve been wondering how he plans to fix my mess. I’ve been thinking of a plan of my own, but I want to see what he has up his sleeve.
“Yes, there’s something you need to hear.”
I chew on the inside of my mouth. I’m not opposed to the meeting. However, I’m not sure about this date.
Princeton searches my face. He finds something that brings a smile to his lips. He pinches my chin between his fingertips.
“Pack a small bag and a dress for dinner. I’ll have a car out front within the hour.”
With that, he stands. “Mother, let’s take a walk.”
“Phew, I think I need a nap,” she says.
“Nice try. Let’s go.”
She rolls her eyes and stands. “You would think you were king. Wait until your father arrives.”
“Does he know what you’ve been up to?”
“Humph.”
“I wonder what he would think of what I’ve learned,” Princeton says.
I can’t help my own curiosity as the queen narrows her eyes and huffs. They both leave me behind to gather my things and thoughts. This royal family has secrets.
* * *
Princeton
We walk the halls of the East wing as my mother loops her arm through mine. The halls are empty and we can speak freely here. It’s time for her to fess up.
“How long have you known where she was?”
“I found out a few months ago. A parcel arrived with her location. I believe her father might have insured I would receive it,” Mother replies.
“I don’t understand. Why now?”
“That I have not figured out yet, but I would make a guess that he knew his latest wife was no Princess Beverly.”
I snort. “Not in the slightest. That woman and her daughters are vile.”
“Yes, the poor girl has had a go of it with those three,” she says and frowns.
“Do you know she thinks the European locations of Beauty for Ashes are closed?”
“What? Why would she think that?”
“One guess. I plan to get to the bottom of it all. She loves that business. It was left to her and meant to be hers.”
Mother smiles up at me. She stops in the middle of the hall and cups my cheek. “You are taken with her. I can see it in the way you can’t keep your hands off her.”
“Yes, well, I was very curious as to why you would help me get to her at the ball, then warn me off,” I grumble. “You knew that would make me pursue her more, didn’t you?”