Page 47 of Second Chance Prince
Roberta took a breath. Ernest made a sound, and her gaze flicked to him. He was grinning and nodding his head like a crazy person. Antonia squeezed harder. They wanted her to say yes. And in fact, when she looked again at Niki, he was wearing a hopeful smile, as if he too wanted her to agree. She looked to Matilda, who had clasped her hands under her chin with an expectant air, while Freddie had the sort of expression one wore while watching armies at war. Only Karl and the chamberlain were scowling, but even that felt like a sign.
“No, Tomas, it is not true that our engagement is a sham. I don’t know what you think you heard but it is not true. That should teach you not to eavesdrop on conversations that are no business of yours. Niki and I are to be married at Grantham a week from Saturday.”
Cheers erupted, led by the king. Tomas looked furious, but quickly hid it, applauding with the others. Antonia burst out, “Oh, this is so exciting, Robbie! The most excitement I have ever had.”
Roberta thought it was the most excitement she had ever had too, and if she had been the fainting kind, then she might well have swooned.
Niki was rounding the table and striding toward her as she stepped forward to meet him. She thought for a moment he was going to take her in his arms and kiss her on the mouth, but at the last minute he clasped her hands in his and lifted them to his lips. “My wife-to-be,” he said, loud enough for all to hear. Then he leaned in and kissed her chastely on the lips, before saying quietly, for only her to hear, “Thank you.”
The evening never quite regained its decorum after that. Everyone was a little manic. There were shouts from the king andribald jokes among the gentlemen, followed by laughter. Roberta smiled until her cheeks ached. Antonia was almost bouncing in her seat, and Ernest certainly was. She noticed Tomas slipped away before the final course arrived—lemon soufflé. At last, the ladies rose and left the gentlemen to their port, and Roberta was glad to go, although not before the king insisted on making her a final toast.
Matilda caught her arm as they moved toward the drawing room, her eyes bright with excitement. “Well, what an evening! It is not one I will ever forget.”
“Nor me,” Roberta agreed. “We had intended to keep matters private.”
Matilda grimaced. “Please forgive my son, Roberta. Tomas lacks in social skills, but I am sure he meant no harm. And perhaps it is a good thing that now it is all out in the open.”
“Mmm.”
“Although I am sure you could have done without the king’s risqué comments. Be assured, no one who knows Niki well would believe him capable of such poor conduct.”
“Oh. No, no, of course not.” Was he really such a paragon of virtue? And what ofherreputation? Had Matilda not thought of that?
“Tell me, are you set on having the ceremony at Grantham? Why can you not be married here in London? Such a shame if we cannot all attend,” she added, sounding disappointed.
Roberta’s head was spinning, and she wasn’t sure anymore about anything. Was this really going ahead, or would they still declare the engagement over? They would have to do it before the actual wedding, or did Niki mean to leave her at the altar?Instead of answering the countess, she said she would talk to Niki.
“Of course, of course. But there is always the second wedding in Holtswig, which is the official ceremony, after all,” Matilda said, brightening. “It is years since I have been back there, but it is tradition, you know. As Niki’s aunt and his nearest female relative—we do not count his mother—I will be taking charge of the arrangements.”
Oh God.Did Roberta say that aloud? She bit her lip before she could say any more, but Matilda was too busy waxing lyrical on what a wonderful wedding they would have in Holtswig.
It felt like complete madness, and she wanted nothing more than to escape to her bed and pull the covers over her head. But no, she must first speak with Niki. She would not sleep if she did not know what her future was to be.
She hung about as long as she could, in the hope that he would seek her out, but there was no possibility of talking to Niki. The gentlemen never did join the ladies, and Matilda whispered that the king had ensured Niki was very drunk. Any conversation with him would have to wait until the following day. “But no, it is already the following day! My, such an evening, such a triumph!”
Roberta and Antonia had no choice but to leave for home, slumped together in their coach, the former silent and the latter shooting her concerned glances.
“It won’t be too awful,” Antonia said at last in a soothing voice. “You know you like him. Anyone can see that.”
“Can they?” she asked uneasily.
“And I’m sure no one will take any notice of the king’s silly comments.”
“Won’t they?”
“And just think, you will be a princess! You will live in a castle!”
“That’s what worries me,” Roberta said. “You know me. I will never be able to keep from saying something ridiculous. Niki will regret it, and so will I. What on earth was he thinking? We were never meant to go through with marrying each other…” The last ended on such a desperate wail that Antonia reached over and wrapped her sister in her arms.
“Perhaps it was meant to happen,” she said when Roberta had calmed. “It seems you were fated to be Niki’s wife.”
“Can you not talk sensibly?” Roberta gulped. “Why now, of all times, have you turned into this witless creature? I didn’t think you believed in anything as impractical as fate!”
Antonia sighed. “I didn’t think so either, but I have changed my mind. Everywhere I look, I see the hand of fate. Ernest does too.”
“What on earth has Ernest to do with anything?”
“He loves his brother, and he wants him to be happy. He thinks you can do that.”
