Page 16 of A Royal Mistake

“Ah, yes. Prince Dominik. How could I forget?” The prince smirked. “I hear she threw him in a fountain. Between you and me, I don’t see a future there. Pippa’s headstrong and passionate. She needs a man who’s equally blessed. Someone who will challenge her.”

Okay, this was fucking bizarre. Why were they talking about the princess’s marriage prospects when they should be talking business? Nothing about this conversation aligned with his expectations of the prince. He’d been told Prince William was direct, shrewd, and a ruthless negotiator. Yet here they were, gossiping like a pair of hens.

“I suppose it’s an odd time to be visiting the palace, what with the influx of bachelors,” the prince continued, “but it couldn’t be helped.”

Henry shrugged. He’d thought the same thing when he arrived at the palace, but he sure as shit wasn’t going to say it aloud. Hell, he was just glad to finally have an opening with the RFV.

“Speaking of Pippa,” the prince said, uncrossing his legs and resting his forearms on the desk. “I understand she approached you regarding a mentorship?”

Verdammt. His pulse quickened. He’d been a fool to commit without first clearing it with the prince. Family dynamics were complicated. If the royal family didn’t support Pippa’s endeavors, he may very well have screwed himself right out of the deal by negotiating a safety net with her.

Bloody fucking hell. Is it too late to ask for a shot of whisky?

The politics of this trip were getting far too complicated.

“I’ve agreed to provide her guidance,” he said carefully, “as long as you don’t think it will interfere with our negotiations.”

It would be a dick move to back out on Pippa, but if the prince asked… Well, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. He valued integrity in his partners and his donors, and they expected the same of him in return, but his back was against the wall.

“I have no concerns,” Prince William said. “In fact, I appreciate your willingness to help Pippa. She’s quite passionate about Stanley International, and I simply don’t have the time or expertise to help her get it off the ground.”

Thank Christ. Relief flooded his veins. “I’ll do what I can while I’m in Valeria.”

“And how long will that be?”

“As long as it takes to form a partnership with the RFV.” He grinned. “Now that I’ve gotten my foot in the door, I’m not leaving until the deal is done.”

Prince William chuckled. “I appreciate your candor. We could use more of it around here.” He paused. “Does Pippa know of your heritage?”

There’s the shrewd bastard he’d been promised.

The question was sharp and direct, so Henry answered in kind. “No. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

Prince William gave a slow nod, as if considering his next words. “Very well. Your relationship with Pippa is none of my business.”

Time to get this discussion back on track.

He opened his portfolio and pulled out a copy of the proposal he’d prepared. “Have you reviewed the proposal I sent over?”

Prince William glanced at the documents and then at his watch. “I apologize, but I’m going to have to cut this meeting short.” Regret lined his features as he rose to his feet and gestured toward the door. “Last-minute meeting with Parliament, but I’ll have my secretary reach out to reschedule something in the next week or two.”

The next week or two?

Scheisse. When he’d said he would stay as long as it took, he hadn’t expected the prince to take him so literally. What the hell was he going to do to occupy his time at the palace?

Only one thought came to mind—seeing more of Valeria’s precious crown jewel.

5

“Where do you want me?”Pippa asked, juggling an armload of books as she tried not to drop her tablet.Bollocks. She’d totally over prepared for her first meeting with Henry, but better too many books than not enough, right?

Oh, who was she kidding? There was no such thing as too many books.

“I’m not even going to dignify that question with a response. You make it too damn easy.” Henry smirked and grabbed the yellow paperback that dangled from her fingertips. Their hands brushed and a current of electricity shot up her arm, warming her chest. Sweet Jesus. She’d been a fool to think him one of the toffs. “Non-Profits for Dummies?”

She shrugged and shoved the stack of books against his chest. He grunted, but his arms shot out and he grasped them just as she let go. “They make books for everything these days.”

And she’d put a whole damn mountain of books between them if that’s what it took to stay focused on the business at hand. Henry gave a jerk of the chin, and she followed him into the sitting room. She’d suggested they meet in one of the palace’s vacant offices, but he’d been adamant they meet in his suite. Whether the demand was born of practicality or the need to be a controlling arse had yet to be seen.