Page 7

CHAPTER 7

W hy on earth had she said that? Accusing the heir to the throne of stalking her? She really needed to engage her brain before she uttered words sometimes. But it’d been a habit she hadn’t mastered in her 29 years of living, so she wasn’t convinced she was going to manage it now.

Luckily, Princess Victoria threw back her head and laughed. The same, melodic, throaty sound Ash had heard floating through the corridor in the Palace. She was drawn to it then, and five days on, nothing had changed. The princess’s hair framed her face beautifully as she grinned. Those baby-blue eyes crinkled lightly as she assessed Ash. She seemed different tonight. Less on show. More relaxed. Her blue trousers and cream shirt spoke to that. She looked more at ease. More herself.

“You might be the only person in my life ever to accuse me of stalking them .” She shook her head. “That makes you memorable.” She snagged Ash’s gaze. “Which I should have expected from England’s number eight.”

Ash blinked, trying hard not to get too overwhelmed. The reality of being alone with the princess again was sinking in. “You know my shirt number?”

“It’s hardly a secret, is it?” A hint of pink bloomed on Victoria’s cheeks as she spoke. “Plus, I am the new patron of the Women’s FA. I like to be up to speed.”

“There was me thinking royalty was all about the posher sports like rugby and lacrosse.”

Victoria shook her head. “I’m a fan of all sports, especially when they involve women. I watch tennis and rugby, but I also drink beer and love women’s football. I was thrilled to be asked to do my new role.”

“I stand corrected.”

“Would you believe me if I told you I’m learning to play pool?”

Ash’s gaydar blared loud in her brain. She’d tried to talk herself out of the possibility of Victoria being queer, but the evidence was stacking up. Then again, a few of her team-mates were straight and also pool sharks. But the majority of straight pool queens she knew were footballers who hung around with a lot of queer women. What was Princess Victoria’s excuse? Ash’s gaze dropped to Victoria’s hands, and her painted fingernails. Styled, but shorter than most.

Heat ran down her spine, then settled somewhere far, far lower.

She had a short but stern word with herself.

Victoria had a boyfriend.

A nearly-fiancée.

She was allowed to have short fingernails.

And play pool.

Then again…

“I’m pretty good at pool. Misspent youth. Maybe I can give you some pointers one day.”

“I’d very much like that.” Victoria flicked out her chestnut hair, then tucked one side behind her ear.

It did something to Ash.

Something dangerous.

“I had a table installed in the Palace summer house. I went to practice after the ceremony the other day, actually. My mother isn’t so keen, but I figure I do enough to please her…” She stopped abruptly, and stared at Ash. “And I’m not sure why I’m telling you this when we literally just met this week and I hardly know you.”

It surprised Ash, too. But also, thrilled her. “Maybe you think you know me. I’m a vaguely familiar face who you’ve seen on the TV?” She paused. “Also, I’m a good listener.”

Victoria sounded like she needed that. Ash understood. She wanted to put Victoria at ease.

“And can we circle back to the fact you have a pool table at the Palace? I assume you mean Buckingham?”

Victoria laughed.

Again, it made Ash want to lean in.

“I do. We had to smuggle it in. Mother thought it might be a little weird if the press got hold of it. ‘A bit common’ I believe were her words.”

“It’s not a pastime I’d associate with a royal.”

Victoria licked her lips before she spoke, raising her blue eyes to meet Ash’s. “Maybe I’m not your usual type of royal.”

Ash was getting that. Her eyes lingered on Victoria’s elegant neck, where the scent of her earthy, woody perfume seemed strongest, before she forced her gaze away. She had to get things back on a more even keel, but her mind was blank.

Luckily, Victoria stepped in. “Let’s rewind, though. Why are you escaping your friends? They looked like they were having fun.”

Ash shook her head. “They are. I’m a terrible dancer, so I step away for my own sanity sometimes. Plus, they're trying to recreate the FA Cup Final, but with tequila shots instead of penalties.” She held up her bottle. “I’m more of a beer girl.”

“Thanks for mine.” Victoria clinked her bottle to Ash’s and they settled beside each other, overlooking the ocean.

Ash tried not to think that she was sharing body heat with the future Queen, but it was hard not to focus on it.

“It’s the summer solstice today: longest day of the year. Also, the shortest night.” Thank you, Cam. “The Celts believed it was when the veil between worlds was thinnest. When anything was possible.”

Victoria turned to look at her, eyes widening slightly. A slow, impressed smile spread across her face. “And here I thought I was the only one who knew her solstice lore. You’re full of surprises, aren’t you? Good with your feet and your mind.” She looked Ash up and down, almost undressing her.

Ash gulped.

Victoria looked away.

A few charged seconds passed.

“I was sad I was out of the country when you won the FA Cup. Seems to be a habit of mine. I would have liked to come along.” When she turned back, her cheeks were flushed.

Extraordinary composure under pressure.

“Did you watch it?”

Victoria shook her head. “Couldn’t manage it. But I checked the score when I got back from my official dinner. I’m quite the fan of the Royal Ravens. Maybe I’ll finally make it to a game this season.”

“I’d like that.”

“So would I.”

Ash wasn’t making this energy between them up, was she? She breathed it in, then tried not to focus on it, but that was impossible. It hummed in the air between them like a plucked string.

She cleared her throat. “I’m surprised you’re here alone. Should you not have a bodyguard? A boyfriend? Anyone?”

The edges of Victoria’s mouth turned upwards at that. “Dexter is upstairs, chatting to a friend. I gave my aide the night off and persuaded my bodyguard to wait in the car. I won’t tell if he doesn’t.” She smiled. “I was on the upstairs balcony, but just fancied a change of scene, so here I am. Plus, you all looked like you were having a better time dancing down here. And I thought, it was nice to meet you earlier in the week...” Victoria looked away.

She wanted to dance with the England football team? To speak to Ash?

“I wouldn’t advise joining that rabble. Last time they had a few shots, they dared each other to dip their naked tits in a stranger’s beer, and we got complaints from the management.” Ash gritted her teeth. “And now I’m not sure I should have told you that in case you get me taken to the tower.”

“Relax. We stopped chopping people’s heads off a while ago.” Victoria smiled as she swigged her beer. “How long are you in Marbella?”

“Ten days in all. This is day two. I’m trying not to go too crazy as I want to stay in shape in the off-season, but not all my teammates are of the same mind.”

“We all need a little downtime.”

Ash nodded, trying to not focus on the princess’s elegant hands. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Something like that. Dexter and I are having a long weekend; we’re here until Tuesday morning.”

The boyfriend.

“We’re staying with the Swedish royals in their villa.”

A flush of happiness sailed through Ash. “Astrid and Sofia?”

Victoria nodded. “The very same.”

“I love those two. They’re such fantastic role models, living out and proud.”

Victoria properly blushed now. “They are. They’re pretty amazing people, too.” She paused. “What are your plans for the weekend?”

“Tomorrow is a pool day, so a lot of dive-bombing into the water. Don’t ask me why, but it’s just what happens when you get a load of football girls together. Then Sunday, we’ve hired a yacht, which looks incredible. We’ve already nicknamed it the party boat.” Even as the words left her lips, they sounded ridiculous. Like someone who didn’t often go on yachts, which was true. She imagined Victoria had been on many — and often.

“Sounds like fun. Which is why I’m here this weekend, too. Blow off a little steam. If you fancy a break from the pool tomorrow, Astrid and Sofia are having a barbecue. You’d be welcome to come along, I’m sure they’d be buzzed to have the England football captain there.” She paused. “And of course, bring someone special if there is anyone?”

Ash blinked hard, stalling to process the information. She’d stumbled onto this balcony to get a break from dancing, and now she was being invited to a royal barbecue? None of it made sense. The idea of going to a royal party scared the crap out of her, but could she turn it down?

“There’s nobody special,” she told the princess. “Hasn’t been for a while. We’re not all as lucky in love as you.”

Victoria winced. “I wouldn’t say I’m lucky.”

What did that mean? “Sorry, that’s me believing what I see on the socials. That Dexter is about to propose to you.”

“Don’t believe everything you read. I’m sure you understand that, being in the public eye.”

Ash nodded. “I do.” What about the situation wasn’t the truth? Ash wanted to ask, but knew she couldn’t. “But it’s great that you’re such an ally, too. The queer community needs them. I read about the youth homeless charity you’re heading up, with a focus on queer youth.”

Victoria looked her direct in the eye. “Who says I’m an ally?”

Possibility exploded behind Ash’s eyes like fireworks. She opened her mouth, closed it, dizzy with implications. She really had no idea what to say to that.

“Anyway.” The temperature cooled. Victoria dropped her gaze like a stone. “Put your number in my phone. Speak to whoever you need to speak to, and let me know if you fancy coming along. Even if there’s nobody special, feel free to bring a friend.” She held out her phone.

Ash took it, a flush of heat crawling up her neck as she tried to focus on the screen rather than the lingering warmth where their skin had touched. Her pulse hammered in her throat, and she cursed her shaking hands that threatened to reveal every ounce of her attraction. The mere glimpse of the numerous famous names in Victoria’s contacts was a stark reminder of the world the princess inhabited, one of glamour and influence that felt galaxies away from Ash’s reality. Yet here was Victoria, standing close enough to make Ash unsteady on her feet. Giving her a look she’d seen many times before.

One that told Ash she’d like to get to know her better.

A lot better.

“If you can come, that’d be great.” She bit her lip.

Was Victoria nervous?

“We’re going to be working together more this season, so look on it as networking.”

Ash had done plenty of that in the past two years. None of those connections had felt like wildfire under her skin.

Victoria’s blue eyes appraised her. “I want to hear more about what it takes to be the England captain.” She pushed herself off the railing. “However, tonight, I really should get back upstairs. Mingle. Be a bit more princessy.”

Her sigh told Ash that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Who says I’m an ally?

What did that mean? Was she saying what Ash thought she was saying?

Victoria took another swig from her beer, then put the bottle down. “I’m leaving that here. I know this club has a no-photo rule, but if I get snapped with a bottle of beer in my hand, my mother will have a fit.”

Her mother. The Queen. It was nice to know that all mothers worried about the same thing. “Your mother and my mum should get together. They could bond on the same things they don’t like their daughters doing. Kissing women where I’m concerned, although I think she’s nearly over that. But drinking beer from bottles is definitely another.”

“They really should,” Victoria agreed, the redness in her cheeks deepening. “I mean, not the first one, obviously.” She glanced at the floor. “But definitely the second.” She paused. “I should.” She pointed to the door. “Hope to see you again soon?”

Ash nodded. “I’d like that.”

“So would I.”