Page 8 of A Royal Mistake
Dom bristled. “Scheisse. What exactly did you hear?”
“Not much.” Henry poured the wine generously, watching as the burgundy liquid splashed up the side of the crystal goblet. “Just that you had a little misunderstanding with Her Royal Highness.”
“Royal Pain in the Arsch would be a more fitting title.” He sipped his wine as Henry poured himself a glass. “Why Father is so determined to see me matched with Princess Philippa is beyond me. She’s third in line to the throne. She has about as much chance of inheriting as you do.” The tips of Dom’s ears reddened, as if he’d realized too late that his words were an insult. “No offense. You know what I mean.”
Henry chuckled, low and deep. “No offense taken. I’d sooner face a firing squad than sit on the throne.”
And not only because it would mean his four elder brothers—including Dom—were no longer in the line of succession.
The mere thought of losing one of his brothers made his scars ache, an ugly reminder that he was ill-suited to the realities of royal life. He hated the paparazzi for what they’d taken from him, but if it weren’t for their incessant meddling, he’d have been forced to grow up in the spotlight, just like his brothers. It was only after the accident that his mother had agreed to enroll him at boarding school under his maternal grandmother’s name.
In some ways, it was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
He’d grown up a von der Recke and enjoyed a normal childhood without the pressure and expectation of his royal lineage. Pressure that had only increased with the explosion of social media. The world was always watching, and had he grown up in the palace, with his face known to every man, woman, and child in Liechtenstein, he’d never be able to travel as freely as his lifestyle required. He certainly wouldn’t be afforded the opportunity to work hands-on at von der Recke International, which he’d built from the ground up and nurtured with his own blood, sweat, and tears.
It was a miracle his identity remained hidden from the world after all these years, but he was careful and stayed out of the spotlight.
“Count your blessings,” Dom said, brow furrowed in concentration. He removed the cloche from his plate to reveal a beautifully arranged cut of lamb, red potatoes, and asparagus, then turned his attention back to Henry. “While you’re off saving the world, I’ll be stuck here for the rest of the summer, spinning my wheels.”
Henry sipped the full-bodied wine, savoring the notes of black currant and anise. “I can think of worse fates.”
“I’m telling you, this trip is pointless. The princess is impossible. It took me nearly a week to even arrange a walk in the garden with her.”
“A whole week?” He smirked and followed his brother’s lead, removing the cover from his dish. “Is it possible you’ve finally met a woman who’s immune to your charm?”
“Mark my word.” Dom grabbed the silverware and sliced off a sliver of meat. “She’ll be as a single as a nun come the end of the summer.”
Henry didn’t doubt it, but not for the reasons Dom seemed to think. Pippa had made her position on the courting process crystal clear. And based on whatever had gone down in the garden, he didn’t think she’d be experiencing a change of heart any time soon.
If anything, she’d seemed ready to put an end to the entire business.
It had no bearing on his negotiations with Prince William, and he’d do well to mind his own business, but he’d always enjoyed puzzles, and he couldn’t deny he was fascinated by the one before him.
If the princess was so vehemently against the courting process, why was she doing it? And what the hell had his brother done to anger her so thoroughly?
Only one way to find out.
He picked up his fork and speared a piece of asparagus. “What exactly happened this morning?”
Dom stabbed another piece of meat. “If you must know, she pushed me into the fountain.”
“Come again?” Henry abandoned the asparagus, and his fork clattered to the plate. “The princesspushedyou into a fountain?”
She was no shrinking violet, but he hadn’t pegged her as the aggressive sort.
“Not exactly.” Dom slid the lamb around the edge of the plate, not meeting his stare. The tips of his ears were on fire now, and when he finally spoke, embarrassment colored his words. “If you must know, I tried to kiss her, and when she moved, I fell in the bloody fountain.”
A bark of laughter escaped before he could stifle it. Dom had a well-earned reputation as a ladies’ man around the Liechtenstein court, so the fact that Pippa had rejected him so spectacularly, well, it was damn funny.
If only he’d been there to witness it firsthand.
Dom glared at him from the other side of the table, clearly displeased with the lack of sympathy.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Henry said, pointing an accusatory finger at his brother. “It sounds like you deserved it, Arschloch.”
“What?” Dom straightened, indignation pulling his brows low. “Why would you think that?”
He shook his head, unable to suppress the grin that split his face. “Ever hear of a little thing called consent? It’s all the rage these days.”