Page 65 of Scandal Queen

Isabella shrugged. “No, I guess not.”

I motioned for her to take a seat on the sofa. “Do you want a coffee or something?”

“No thanks.”

I chewed on the inside of my lip and appraised her. “You feeling okay, Bella?”

“Fine, fine. Just went for dinner with some friends last night. It was a late one.”

No one looked like that after just a dinner. I bit my lip and waited.

Then I waited some more.

“Dad’s worried about Oliver,” Isabella said at last.

“In what way?” Although I knew all the ways.

Another shrug. Stiff lipped and closed. “He thinks he’s going to crack under the strain of trying to be two things at once.”

“Trying to be normal and a prince?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. No one talks to me anyway.”

“You and John seem close.”

“Sometimes.”

Gizmo clambered all over me, licking my face. “Ugh, what’s with this dog and licking?”

“Ollie says it’s his security protection detail.” She seemed to relax, reaching over to scratch Stinky Dog’s ears.

“Well it bloody works. Have you smelled this dog’s farts? They are practically nuclear.”

Isabella chuckled but then clutched at her head like her brain hurt. I lifted my brows and waited for her to talk to me again. She was thin; too thin in my eyes. The bones in her wrists looked like they’d snap with ease, the veins standing out in contrast to the pale skin.

“You’re judging me.” She darted a glance at me from under her fingers,

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. I can sense it coming off you.” Lowering her hands, she met my questioning gaze with a glare.

I held my hand palms outwards. “I’m not.”

She chuckled, but it was layered with cynicism. “It’s funny you are the outsider, nothing like us, yet we are the ones being judged.”

I laughed softly. “I’m guessing you guys aren’t used to that?”

“No, not really.” She shook her head. “We are used to being analysed, told what’s best to do by Marcus and his team. But we don’t listen to the papers, not really. Marcus will tell you that it’s all about points and public opinion. I think Dad’s always felt the pressure of maintaining what his own parents created, and those before him.”

I warded off another licking attack. “Gizmo, stop.”

Isabella laughed. “I suppose I should take him out, he’ll be calmer after a walk.”

I went to hand him over, holding him at arms-length but then thought better of it. “I know I’ve asked you before, but do you want to come to work with me?”

“Work?”

“Come on, aren’t all you royals hardworking? That’s what Ollie sold it to me as.”