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“Her Majesty and His Royal Highness send their best,” I said. “But she is quite under the weather.”
I left it there. It was the early days of Alex’s fourth pregnancy.
“Of course. And we hope The Queen recovers quickly.”
In a few more months. Alexandra had been pregnant for much of the past six years—despite agreeing only to produce the prerequisite heir and spare. Alexandra and Rick remained broody. I was secretly pleased to get a fourth niece or nephew shortly. I adored my niblings.
I aimed to make a splash, prove myself, and assume this patronage. But to do that, I had to shine. I needed to be trusted not only by Alexandra but also by her staff. Tonight, I knew I could make the case for more responsibilities if I did well. She needed more people to help, and I would be that girl.
While I quite literally glittered, I worried about the press droning on about my “constant weight gain.” The twenty pounds I’d starved myself over for years were back to stay. Yes, I was the “chubby” or “thick” sister. I was a whale to hear them tell it, but I ignored their commentary. I had thick thighs, a big ass, and the biggest bustline of the four. It took months for me to embrace my “new” body—the one I was born to have—but when I started cycling, I found its power. My strong thighs were a motor. My ass looked great in cycling shorts—no shade. And in this dress? It displayed every curve in red perfection.
“The board isdyingto meet you,” she fawned. “I cannot wait to introduce you. I heard you were a cyclist.”
“I am,” I said. “I love cycling in the city and mountains. I took it up in high school and haven’t stopped.”
“It’s great. I am so excited you were able to join us.”
“I am passionate about making things safer,” I agreed. “It’s essential to all of us that people get to work, school, and play without a fuss and safely.”
“If only! The Prince’s support has been invaluable in moving the ball forward with the government.”
Rick was a moderniser—that’s what happens when a Scandinavian marries into the family. He didn’t understand why public transit here was so dismal. Alexandra ignored his meddling because she secretly loved it and said he “needed hobbies”. She preferred this to sailing.
After a maze of back hallways and the busy catering kitchen, I reached the ballroom to make my rounds. I listened as my private secretary, Karin, pointed out critical information about notable donorsand board members. I wished I had my sister Astrid’s exceptional recall for such minor things, but I did not. I could memorise entire choral works in an afternoon but wasterriblewith names.
“And a board member, Wyatt Worthington. He’s also designed the transit network GPS improvements.”
I stared at a man in a tuxedo with broad shoulders. He wasn’t tall but had dead, sexy, salt-and-pepper hair. I only saw the back of him at first. Then, he turned, speaking to another person. As he patted a guy on the back, I discovered I knew him. He was the kind stranger who helped find Grieg. I might not have remembered his name, but I’d have spotted his warm smile from anywhere.
“I know him,” I whispered.
“Worthington?”
“He helped me find Grieg when he ran off a couple of weeks ago,” I said. “He’s amazing.”
“He’s a billionaire intent on improving traffic here—an American who moved here for some reason and stayed.”
He’s lovely. I tried not to swoon openly.
“Can I speak to him first?” I asked.
“Negative. There is a procedure,” she answered.
I pouted.Why couldn’t I just see Wyatt?
I was pulled around for forty-five minutes talking to people who thoroughly bored me. I wanted to speak only to Wyatt, but I was unlucky. I kept tabs on him, finding his vibe interesting from afar. Wyatt was busy with something else, so I had free time.
“Let me take this one,” I told Karin.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine. What? You have a crush on the handsome billionaire?”
Well, yes.
“No. He’s just a nice guy, and I will catch up.”
I approached Wyatt. He was finally free, getting a refill at the bar.
“Mr. Worthington?”