Page 72 of American Royalty

“I like it, and I think John would have, too. Keep me updated.”

“I will.”

So far, so good.

“The celebration isn’t the only thing getting rave reviews. Your first few interviews have been praised by everyone.”

Once he’d accepted he would have to participate, Jameson had approached his duties with the same intensity and attention to detail as he did his work at the university. He didn’t enjoy the production or the scrutiny, but since his name and image were going to be used, he’d give the celebration his full effort.

As expected, his profile had increased more than he was comfortable with. In response, the Palace had dispatched additional security to cover his estate and the campus and to accompany him when he traveled in the city. It was as if all the years he’d worked so hard to maintain an uninteresting persona had been undone.

Stories about his father were in heavy rotation but now they were spun to reflect positively on Jameson.

“The Better Wessex? Will Jameson Prove He’s Royal Material?”

“From His Father’s Ashes: A Prince Is Born!”

“Here Comes the Bride? With Imogen Itching to Get Hitched, Will This Wessex Settle Down?”

Fortunately his mother was at the tail end of her travels. She’d been subjected to a marked rise in interactions with the tabloid media while abroad, their obscene innuendos designed to provoke her for a more salable picture or video, but it was nowhere near what she’d be facing when she returned to London. The Palace had promised more protection would meet her plane when she landed.

“I’ve been doing my best.”

“You’re succeeding. And the... entertainer you chose? How is she settling in at Primrose Park?”

Though her tone remained pleasant, his grandmother’s gaze sharpened.

“We’ve managed to make it work.”

“I have to admit I was surprised when Louisa informed me of your choice.”

So was he. But he knew he should probably keep that tidbit to himself.

“When I’d suggested picking younger acts, I was thinking of one of those girl singers or maybe a boy band. There’s been some concern about the propriety of her inclusion; however, the response has been mostly positive. Interesting that someone like her would garner such praise.”

He bristled at the distaste evident in her voice.

Why? You thought the same thing. And you were worse, because you essentially said it to Dani’s face.

The door opened and Louisa breezed in with a curtsy. “Ma’am. Your Royal Highness. I apologize for my delay. I was in a meeting with the executive director of Bloom Urban.”

Marina waved a hand. “I was informing Jameson about the response to his rapper.”

“Yes. Her approval rating is through the roof with the young crowd. There has been some pushback about her image and whether she’s an appropriate role model for women, but for the most part, people think it’s exciting that the monarchy has chosen someone so popular yet edgy.” Louisa grinned. “They’ve been saying there may be hope for the royal family.”

A slight tightening of her expression was the only indication of the queen’s displeasure with that response.

“We could use that to our advantage. She offered to make some pre-event appearances. We should set something up. The press is eager for anything that has to do with her.”

Jameson brightened. If the Palace agreed to use her for press events, keeping her whereabouts a secret would no longer be necessary. She wouldn’t have to remain at Primrose Park, and he’d be spared the sweet temptation of her presence.

But what about Julian? And keeping Dani out of his clutches?

He couldn’t concern himself with his uncle. It was an issue of self-preservation.

What happened to things getting “back to normal, making her remaining time here much easier to tolerate”?

Oh, sod off!