Page 89 of American Royalty

“And yet what you’ve done for me, the outdoor movie and the baking show today, have been two of the most darling gifts anyone has ever given me.”

He blinked. “They were?”

“Uh-huh. With my past boyfriends, you could’ve taken me out and dropped any other girl into the same situation. Because those other gestures weren’t really about me. They were about the guy trying to flex and show me how important he was. But your outings? You chose them with me in mind.”

He had. Lately, she’d claimed more than her fair share of space in his brain.

She moved close to him, their bodies touching. “Jay, I like you.”

His pulse thundered in his ears and his heart pounded in his chest, like it wanted to burst free and merge with hers. “I like you, too, Dani. A lot.”

The words, though innocuous, held the weight and reverence of so much more.

“Oh my. That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” his mother said, shattering the intimate moment.

Dani froze and Jameson whipped his head around to stare wide-eyed at the woman standing in the doorway, wearing a powder blue sheath dress and matching jacket, her dark hair twisted into an elegant bun. “Mother! What are you doing here?”

“Your starring role in Marina’s latest PR scheme starts soon. Where else would I be?” Calanthe said, accepting his kiss on her cheek while trying to peer around him at Dani. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Of course not.” He took her elbow and steered her over. “May I present Dani Nelson? Dani, this is my mother, Her Royal Highness Calanthe, Duchess of Wessex.”

Bowing her head, Dani slid her right foot behind her left, bent her knees, and slowly descended before rising. “Your Royal Highness.”

He raised his brows. “Oh, I see. My mother gets a proper curtsy, while I get smart retorts?”

Dani’s eyes widened, their murderous intent clear, even as she shook her head. “That’s not... exactly true.”

“Don’t listen to Jameson,” his mother said. “That was lovely, dear, but not necessary. A handshake will do. And you may call me Calanthe.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Calanthe. That’s a beautiful name.”

“Thank you. It’s uncommon these days, which can be a benefit and a curse.” She smiled. “Two Duchesses in the same room. Usually a cause for concern.”

Dani touched a hand to her chest. “You know who I am?”

“I do. I was brought up to speed as soon as I got back.”

“The Tea Trust, no doubt,” Jameson murmured.

“We like to keep each other informed.”

“You mean you all like to gossip,” Jameson said.

“My grandmother was the same,” Dani said, a pained tint dulling her expression. “She had a similar group of friends in our neighborhood. She used to say if it took a village to raise a child, then the entire village needed to be informed.”

“Sounds like a wise woman,” Calanthe said.

“She was.” Dani exhaled audibly, her smile a bit shaky. “It was lovely meeting you, ma’am. I’ll head up to my room and leave the two of you to catch up.”

Jameson reached for her. “You don’t have to go.”

“No, no,” she said, gently squeezing his hand. “You should spend this time with your mother.”

“He’s right, Dani, there’s no need for you to leave. We’re goingto talk about you, so I might as well get my information from the source. Tea?”

Should he be nervous? Jameson wasn’t sure, but he didn’t try to fight his mother. When she was determined, nothing got in her way. “Margery is not here.”

“I can make tea. I’m the one who trained her.”