Page 52 of A Royal Mistake

Henry expected her to succeed on her own, and she was doing it.

She was actually selling Lord Chamberlain on her vision.

Pride swelled in her chest as she brought the pitch to a close. Now came the hard part. The part where she actually had to ask for money. She’d never asked another person for money in her entire life. Money was something the royal family never discussed, certainly not with members of the court. She’d known this moment would come, but knowing it and living it were two different things.

Her nerves returned in full force, belly twisting like a pinwheel.

A fine sheen broke out on her forehead and she reached for her water. No matter what happened next, she’d done her best, and she was proud of her work. But damn, did she want Lord Chamberlain to say yes, to support her vision for the future.

Maybe it was vanity, but she wanted that validation. She wanted proof that she’d accomplished the first step of her goal entirely on her own.

Pippa took a sip of her water and swallowed, forcing the cool liquid down despite her churning belly.

It’s now or never.

“Lord Chamberlain, I have tremendous respect for the work you’ve done with the Royal Foundation and I’d be honored if—”

The door banged open and Pippa swiveled toward it, the words dying on her lips as Lord van den Berg burst in. He had a shiny black-and-white accordion strapped to his chest and there was a frantic smile plastered on his face.

Pippa blinked, not trusting her eyes.

This has to be a dream. Who the hell plays the accordion?

When she opened her eyes, van den Berg was still there. Wearing a dark blazer with photographs of dogs all over it. She spotted a poodle, a Dalmatian, and even a husky above the left breast pocket.

Yes, definitely a dream. Van den Berg had mentioned being a one-man animal rescue. This was just her subconscious mind working overtime.

The suitor slammed the door behind him and threw the lock.

Pippa, Henry, and Lord Chamberlain stared in stunned silence.

An instant later, there was a loudthumpfrom the other side of the door, as if someone were banging on it with a fist. The doorknob rattled and Sarah’s muffled voice came through, “By the order of the Royal Guard, open this door immediately!”

Henry jumped to his feet, pivoting to stand before her, as if to shield her from the manic suitor. “What the hell is the meaning of this?”

Pippa’s heart flip-flopped at his take charge attitude. It was a safe bet she wasn’t about to be attacked by an accordion wielding suitor, but it was a sweet gesture.

“I mean you no harm, princess.” Van den Berg raised a hand in caution. “Please forgive the intrusion, but I fear there will be another elimination soon and I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”

Henry snorted. “I’d say you’ve solved that problem.”

Pippa shot him a glare, but it was pointless, since he had his back to her, eyes no doubt fixed on the intruder. She sidestepped Henry, edging in front of him even as he grabbed for her wrist.

Sarah pounded on the door again, but it was old and thick and she wouldn’t be kicking it down anytime soon.

“I’m in the middle of a business meeting. This really isn’t the best time.” She stole a glance at Lord Chamberlain, but his face was a blank mask, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking. Probably that he hadn’t signed up for this sideshow. Too bad she hadn’t gotten his financial commitment first. She could’ve pitched the circus as a bonus. “Perhaps we could schedule—”

“This will only take a few minutes,” van den Berg assured her, stretching his accordion wide. “I wrote you a song. I’m a musician. In a band.”

Any response Pippa might’ve managed would have been lost to the twang of the instrument as he began pressing keys and crooning in a low bass.

“With hair like sunshine and eyes like sapphires,

Come on Crown Jewel, let me light your fire.

I can make you happy, just give me a chance.

I’m the kind of guy who’ll put a spark in your pants.