Page 76 of A Royal Mistake
Here goes nothing.
“A splendid idea, Mother.” She smiled serenely, just like Miss Cartwright had taught her. “I’m sure the suitors will appreciate a few days off and the timing is perfect, because I’m travelling to Liechtenstein for a few days to meet with potential donors for Stanley International.”
The queen’s eye twitched again. The typically unflappable matriarch was having a hard time keeping it together. Understandable given the day’s events.
“Absolutely not,” Her Majesty sputtered, looking to her husband—who looked equally stunned—for support.
Again, understandable. Announcing travel plans was Liam’s style, something only the heir could get away with. Xander took off like a thief in the night, while Pippa had always asked permission before making plans.
“I apologize if I was unclear.” She hardened her words, infusing them with steel. “I’m not asking for your permission. I am notifying you of my plans. As a courtesy.”
The queen gasped, and a thrill raced up her spine. She rarely challenged her parents and never with such acrimony. “Do you have any idea how this will look?”
“I really don’t care, Mother. I’m sure you’ll spin it to the press.” It would have to be a spin job, because there was no way her parents were going to publicly announce her intention to start her own non-profit. They’d want to keep that little gem under wraps as long as possible.
Pippa wasn’t concerned with secrecy. The news would leak eventually. If one of Henry’s donors talked to the press, so be it.
“If you do this,” her father said quietly, “you’ll be doing it without your protective detail.”
Poppycock.
No way they’d let her travel abroad without Sarah. She wasn’t even allowed to walk the palace grounds unsupervised.
She sniffed and called his bluff. “Splendid. I could rather use a bit of freedom.”
It was an idle threat. Their Majesties would never follow through.
Pippa might not be the heir or the spare—legally unqualified to sit on the throne due to her lack of a penis—but she was the crown jewel, their last bargaining chip and best hope of securing a political marriage. They wouldn’t let her go so easily.
“Let’s all calm down and discuss this rationally.” Though her father’s voice was calm and even, it held an air of command. It was the same way he spoke at court. It meant he expected complete and total obedience.
Well, fuck that.
Pippa stood, drawing herself up to her full height. She might be wet and dirty and utterly out of her depth, but she was Valerian royalty too. Maybe it was time she started acting like it. “I am going to Liechtenstein. There’s nothing further to discuss.” She looked down her nose at her parents, both of whom stared at her as if she were a stranger. “Unless, of course, you plan to lock me in the keep like a prisoner?”
* * *
Henry knockedon the door to Pippa’s suite, freshly showered and still reeling from the day’s events. Not in his wildest dreams could he have imaged the paintball game ending in such a clusterfuck. At least they’d pulled out a win.
And with any luck, Gabriel would be on the first plane back to Spain.
Then again, according to the papers, Gabriel was most likely to win the hand of the princess. If the reports were accurate, His Majesty might just find it in his heart to forgive the Arschloch for the unprovoked assault.
Bloody shame.
Pippa clearly wasn’t interested in the Spanish prince, but that didn’t mean he wanted him to stick around.
The door to the suite swung open and Pippa greeted him with a broad smile. Gone was the navy jumpsuit and in its place, she wore a tailored green dress that fell just above her knee. Her damp hair was tied back in a loose chignon and her face was makeup free, letting her natural beauty speak for itself.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked with a mischievous grin.
“I wanted to see how you were doing.” Which was just as true as the fact that he couldn’t wait until after dinner to see her again. “I come bearing gifts.”
He held up the red flag that had secured their victory, and Pippa snatched it from his hand, squealing with delight.
“I’ll hang it above my vanity to commemorate our most honorable victory.” She stepped back so he could enter and closed the door behind him. “It’s going to clash with my décor, but such is the price of greatness.”
Henry chuckled. She’d waved that flag with such fierce determination as she splashed in the fountain. He wasn’t about to deny her the preening Gabriel had robbed her of with his misfire.