Page 87 of American Royalty

She turned back to the tent, her brown eyes wide, her fingers touching her parted and less glossed lips. “Am I going to be on the show?”

He raised a brow. “Do you really believe you bake well enough to be on this show?”

“Good point.”

He laughed and took her hand. “Come on.”

Inside was bright and airy with a peaked roof and zippered window walls. Along the back of the structure, a long bright turquoise counter was littered with bowls, glass jars, and small appliances. Amongst the open shelving was a fake half-moon window with illuminated letters that spelled out the word “cake.” A light purple prep island with a wooden countertop was centered in the space.

“Oh,” she said, frowning. “There’s only one station.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Every other detail is perfect, but there’s usually two rows of workspaces lined on each side,” she said, moving around the area to demonstrate her point, “with refrigerators placed every few stations.”

“Hmmm... that does seem odd. But what’s that on the counter? Maybe it’ll give us a clue about what’s going on.”

It was a testament to her genuine excitement that she hurried over to the island instead of giving him the eye roll he deserved. He was a horrible actor.

On one side was a flat, black, glossy surface he’d been told was the cooktop. On the other side was an assortment of utensils and small appliances used for baking. And in the middle was a mysterious pile covered by a red-and-white gingham cloth.

Dani’s smile was wide. “This is exactly how it looks when the contestants are getting ready to do a technical challenge!”

“A technical challenge?”

“When the bakers have to make something the judges choose, under strict time restraints and with very few instructions on how to do so.”

“So youarea true fan of the show,” a voice said, and a short blond woman wearing a blazer and jeans walked out to stand in front of them.

Dani clutched his arm. “Oh my God! That’s—”

“You’re excited to meetme?” Melody Lucas said, a huge smile on her face. “I can’t believe Duchess watches the show!”

Dani hurried forward to shake her hand. “You are too funny. I wasn’t sure I was going to keep watching, you know, after all the changes and the new hosts, but...”

“You absolutely should,” Melody said. “I enjoyed my time on the show immensely. And when I received a call from Prince Jameson asking me to participate in this surprise, I was honored.”

Dani turned shining brown eyes in his direction. “You’re amazing,” she mouthed.

His heart shifted in his chest.

“Okay,” Melody said, briskly clapping her hands together. “Get into position.”

Dani’s expression shifted into one of firm determination. She gave a curt nod and hurried to stand behind the sole counter in the middle of the tent. Shrugging, Jameson followed her.

She eyed him. “What are you doing?”

“Working with you.”

Dani shot a look at Melody, who nodded and said, “You’ll find aprons in the cubbies of your station.”

Once they were situated, Melody threw her arms wide and said, “Welcome to the Royal Team Technical Challenge. Usually, I’d say something witty and tell the judges they’d need to leave, but today, it’s just us, so I’ll get on with it. In case you were wondering, it’s bread week.”

Dani gasped in horror, and it took everything Jameson had to keep his lips from quirking.

“For your technical challenge, you’re going to make that most simple of British biscuits, the scone. You are to make twelve identical treats, because as part of my contract, I’ll be taking some of these home to have with tea tomorrow. You have one hour. Ready. Set—”

“Bake!” Dani exclaimed, before whipping off the gingham cloth and staring at the ingredients. Her expression fell. “This is going to be a disaster. I don’t know how to bake these.Youdon’t bake at all. And the instructions they give say things like ‘Put ingredients in a bowl. Mix together. Put in oven. Bake.’ How much of each ingredient? What do I bake it on? How long do I bake it? Those important pieces are usually missing. We’re screwed!”