Page 38 of Royal Trouble
She couldn’t imagine living her life like this, always smiling and posturing for the public. How did Elena stand it? Like Everly, she was a New Yorker, and the media hadn’t been especially kind to her during her courtship with the heir. Like everyone else, Everly had watched their relationship unfold in the tabloids for all the world to judge. And judge they had. Elena had been dragged online, but if their pending nuptials were any indication, the previously unknown artist had come to terms with life in the spotlight.
Once the happy couple was aboard, three bodyguards joined them, outfitted in chinos and deck shoes, looking nothing like the stony-faced, black-clad protection officers who remained on the dock.
Lucky bastards.
“I see you brought a friend,” Prince William said, turning his attention to Everly as the security detail faded into the background. His smile remained warm, but his brow climbed subtly, as if he truly were surprised by her presence. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Of course.” Xander rested a hand on her lower back, though whether the gesture was intended to be comforting or steadying, she couldn’t be sure. Either way, she’d take it. “This is Everly Wilson. She’s visiting from New York, and I asked her to join us today so I don’t get lonely when you insufferable lovebirds sneak below deck for a snog.”
Elena blushed, her olive skin flushing a brilliant shade of pink at the cheeky introduction, but the crown prince was unfazed.
“Evie, I’d like to introduce you to my brother, His Royal Highness, Prince William, and his lovely fiancée, Elena Murphy.”
“Please, call me Lena.” She offered her hand, and Everly shook it, noting the other woman had bits of red and blue paint under her nails. And possibly a splatter of yellow on her right earlobe. Up close, the future queen consort was not at all what she’d expected. “It’ll be nice to have another city girl around today. I’m not much of a sailor.”
Everly grinned as the boat rocked under their feet. “Same. I tried to warn Xander, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Everly.” Prince William shot his brother a knowing look, his grin widening. “So you’re the one who’s been getting my brother into trouble with the populars?”
Her stomach hit the deck, but before she could muster a reply, Lena gave her fiancé a playful swat to the chest. “Be nice, Liam, or Xander will never bring his girlfriend around again.”
“Oh, we’re not—I mean, I’m not his girlfriend.” Her protest fell on deaf ears as Lena looped her arm through Everly’s and steered her toward the bow—stern?—of the boat. She glanced back at Xander, but he was no help. He just waved, shoulders shaking as he tried to suppress his laughter.
Bloody traitor.
Christ. Now she was even talking like a Valerian.
“Come on, I’ll open a bottle of wine and we can get to know each other while the guys hoist the sails.”
She sighed, resigned to her fate. “I have no idea what that even means.”
Lena laughed and patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Liam and Xander are both skilled sailors. You won’t have to lift a finger. Unless, of course, it’s to refill your wineglass.”
“Now you’re speaking my language.”
They slipped past the bodyguards, who kept a keen eye on them as they headed below deck.
“Don’t mind them,” Lena called over her shoulder as she descended the stairs. “You get used to their presence after a while. Most of the time I don’t even notice them anymore.”
“Most of the time?” she asked, pausing at the bottom of the stairs to take in the luxurious cabin, which put her studio in New York to shame. The kitchenette was finished with rich wood tones and stainless steel appliances, and thick blue-and-gold carpet ran the length of the cabin, making it feel less like a boat and more like a luxury condo. Even the bench seats looked plush and inviting with their deep blue upholstery and gold throw pillows.
It was definitely a ship fit for a king. Or, you know, a pair of sinfully sexy princes.
“Liam’s guards tend to keep a close watch on me when we’re out on the water like this,” Lena confessed, pulling a bottle from the wine cooler. When she straightened, her lips were pressed in a thin line. “The first time Liam took me sailing, there was…an incident.”
“Anincident?” she asked, curiosity piqued. Could it really be this easy? Would Lena give her the exclusive she needed within five minutes of meeting her? It was probably wishful thinking, but a girl could dream. “Do tell.”
“It was really more of an accident,” Lena clarified, pulling a corkscrew from the drawer. With expert fingers, she cut away the foil covering the cork and opened the bottle. She poured two glasses and offered one to Everly before taking a sip from her own. “The thing is, I’m sort of accident prone. During my first sailing lesson, I hit Liam in the head with the boom and knocked him overboard. His guards had to go in the water after him, and I don’t think they’ve quite forgiven me yet.”
Everly snapped her jaw shut. She’d heard the future queen was accident prone, but knocking the crown prince overboard? That was a whole other level. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” Lena said, nodding her head slowly. “But look at the bright side. Your first time at sea can’t be any worse than that, right?”
…
Xander trimmed the sail, taking full advantage of the strong wind that kicked up along the coast. Liam was at the helm, hugging the shoreline to ensure theCrown Jewelwas visible from the beach, where his personal assistant Fin had stationed paparazzi with long-range lenses to document the excursion. It was the perfect setup, really. The paps would leak the photos and the world would see what the palace wanted them to see: two brothers enjoying an afternoon of sun and fun on the water.
It was an old but effective trick for managing the royal brand, and though they weren’t technically sailing for pleasure today, that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy himself. He’d always loved being outdoors, whether skiing, sailing, riding, or doing field maneuvers with his military unit. Outdoors he could relax and breathe freely, something not easily managed within the confines of the palace.