Page 26 of A Royal Mistake

Pippa gestured for him to sit and just as she was about to inquire after his interests, he launched into a recitation of titles that went on. And on. And on.

Bollocks. Even the Mother of Dragons didn’t have this many titles.

When Philip finally finished, he was breathless.

“I’m sorry,” Henry said, spreading his hands in a gesture of supplication. “I didn’t catch all of that. Would you mind repeating it?”

“From the beginning?” Philip asked.

Henry nodded. “If you wouldn’t mind.”

And so he began again.

She darted a glance at Henry, who was nearly shaking with laughter. Not that she blamed him. This entire situation was ridiculous. How had her life come to this?

Long dead kings, that’s how.

Freaking patriarchy.

This time, when Philip finished, Henry complimented him. “That was an impressive list of titles.”

“I hail from an impressive family,” Philip declared with a sniff.

Impressively arrogant and self-important.

“Yes, well, that impressive lineage also took up half of your time.” Pippa tapped the face of her watch. “So we’ll need to make this quick. Henry and I will ask you a series of questions and I’d like you to answer with the first thing that comes to mind.”

Philip nodded, and Pippa closed her eyes.

“What color are the princess’ eyes?” Henry asked.

“Hazel?”

Pippa grinned and opened her eyes. “Good guess, but they’re actually brown.”

“But hazel’s practically the same thing.”

Says the guy who’d probably meltdown if I mistitled him.

“How do you feel about travelling to third world countries?” she asked, ignoring his protests.

Philip frowned. “Why would anyone want to go to a third world country?”

Wrong answer.

“Have you ever done any mission work?” Henry asked quietly.

“Does donating to charity count?”

Not even a little.

“How do you feel about fundraisers?” she asked, picking up the line of questioning.

“If the entertainment is good, I’m there.” Philip grinned. “But between you and me,” he added, leaning in close. “I prefer not to attend any event that costs less than ten thousand euros a plate. Too much riffraff.”

Ugh. Could he be a bigger snob?

“Cats or dogs?” It didn’t truly matter, but she’d have no qualms eliminating a man who didn’t like animals.