Page 36 of A Royal Mistake
Pippa was smart, soaking up his advice like a sponge. She had so many ideas that sometimes he had to rein her in, because there was only so much she could do until she had funding and a full staff in place. He still wasn’t sure where she was getting her funding—she’d been cagey when he asked—but that was none of his concern. She had a target number, and that’s all they needed for the business plan.
“That reminds me,” she said, pointing an accusatory finger at his chest. “You still haven’t told me how you got involved in non-profit work. Spill it, von der Recke. No more stalling.”
“There’s not much to tell.” He shifted his body, so they were face-to-face on the antique couch. “I attended boarding school from a young age, and once I figured out having the dormitory all to myself during school holidays was no fun, I began looking for activities to fill my time. I tried everything. Ski trips, backpacking, enrichment classes. By the time I reached secondary school, I was bored and looking for a challenge. My roommate Jack convinced me to try a volunteer mission abroad, and it was like something in me just clicked into place.”
He would never forget that first trip to Tanzania or the way his spirit had soared when he saw how much good they could do by empowering communities with proper water and sanitation.
“By the time I graduated, I’d been on so many mission trips, I’d lost count. Those experiences opened my eyes to the worldwide shortage of resources and ignited my passion for non-profit work.”
A small wrinkle formed between Pippa’s brows. “That’s amazing, but you didn’t go home during holidays? Not even to see your family?”
He nodded slowly. “I went home once or twice a year, but the trips were always short. I didn’t have a difficult family life or anything, I just…” How could he explain it? “I didn’t share their interest in the family business.”
She laughed, high and light. “The family business? Sounds mysterious. What are they like, the mob or something?”
“Or something.” He shrugged. “Being away at boarding school made me the odd man out.”
“How so?” Pippa asked, curiosity lighting her eyes. She was always asking him questions about his life and travels. Most of the time he chalked it up to professional interest, like she was filing away every little detail for future reference, but on nights like this, he wondered if maybe it wasn’t just a bit personal.
“My older brothers attended prestigious schools in Liechtenstein or had private tutors,” he explained. “I was the only one educated abroad. During that time, we grew apart, cultivated different interests.”
That was true, at least. Hell, he and Dom couldn’t be more different. It was the same with Benedikt, Andreas, and Christoph, but that didn’t mean he loved them any less.
Despite their differences, they were still family.
“That must’ve been hard,” Pippa said softly. “Being away from home and your family, I mean. My brothers and I aren’t particularly close—they always treated me like the annoying little sister, which I kind of was—but I can’t imagine growing up without them in my life.” She worried her bottom lip. “Although, I kind of get the whole odd man out thing.”
He quirked a brow but said nothing, giving her space to continue.
“It’s like ever since I returned from my gap year, I don’t quite fit right in my old life.” Her nostrils flared slightly, the way they sometimes did when she was frustrated. “I’m glad I’ve changed, but it would be nice if everyone else could see it, too, you know?”
“Mission work changes a person.”
“Exactly.” Pippa leaned toward him, resting her elbow on the back of the couch. She was so close he could smell the crisp, light scent of her perfume. It was a combination of something floral and citrus. “It’s like they don’t see it. Or maybe they just refuse to see it. My parents want me to be the same girl I was, but there’s no going back. Not after the things I’ve seen and done. I’ve changed—for the better—and I have no interest in resuming my role as the clueless family joke.”
“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?” He rested his own arm on the back of the couch. “I doubt anyone would call you a joke.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” Pippa scoffed. “The summer I turned twelve, the palace gardens were overrun with rabbits. The gardeners put out traps to catch them—humane ones, although I didn’t know it at the time—so I took it upon myself to save the little fur balls. I got up early every day for a week and emptied the traps, hiding the rabbits in my bedroom closet. It worked out beautifully until the maid accidentally released them, unleashing an entire colony of stir-crazy rabbits on the palace.”
He shook his head in disbelief. She had to be putting one over on him.
“Oh, yes,” she said, nodding her head. “The palace was overrun and, of course, we were hosting foreign dignitaries. Her Majesty didn’t speak to me for a week after that.” She grinned. “I think it was the shock of having to explain to our guests that rabbits weren’t actually rodents.”
A laugh burst from his lips. “No way. Are you fucking with me?”
“I wish. My brother’s still call me Bunny to this day.” Pippa rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Oh, and then there was the time I borrowed a golf cart from the garage to practice my driving skills. Only I didn’t know about the parking brake, so the golf cart rolled down the drive and hit my dad’s Rolls while I was in his office, pleading my case for actual driving lessons.” She sighed. “Needless to say, the answer was no and at twenty-three, I still have no license.”
Scheisse. At least now he understood why she was so damn driven to succeed and to prove to her parents that she could do this on her own. That drive was something he understood well, and he’d do whatever he could to help her get Stanley International off the ground.
“So what? You were young and inexperienced,” he said. “We all have stories like that in our pasts. It’s part of growing up.”
She titled her head, studying him with a healthy dose of skepticism. “I’ll bet you don’t.”
“Yeah?” he challenged, an idea taking shape in his mind. It was a terrible idea, but that would not stop him. “What are we betting?”
“Whatever you want.” Pippa laughed. “I seriously doubt you can top either of those stories.”
He smirked. He already had her. She just didn’t know it yet.