The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(75)

He looks at me in the mirror. “I know that.”

“Good. I’m glad.” I smile and cherish the one he gives me in return. “Now, what am I to say to the King?” I bite my lip, aware that I sound desperate, maybe because I am.

“I told Davenport you had an early start at the stables. It’s all I could think of. So long as we can get you to your suite undetected, you should be fine, ma’am.”

“You are a genius, Damon. Thank you.”

“All in a day’s work.” His eyes flick up to the mirror. “Apparently.”

I inwardly laugh and settle back in my seat, looking out the window. “I think I would like to have a bumming day today,” I declare. “So you can take the day off, if you’d like. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“As you wish, ma’am.”

“I do wish.” I wish for so much more too, and now I know Josh likes me a real lot, I cannot help but wish harder. And dread more. Considerations need to be made for what happens next. I would like to think I can go to my father and tell him that I’ve met a really wonderful man, one I know he’d love for me to date. But my father isn’t only my father. He’s the King of England, too. Our family’s first marriage is to the throne, not our spouse, and rarely our heart. Happiness is only an illusion.



MY EYES ARE ROOTED ON the entrance of Kellington as we pull up to the gates, watchful for the people I hope to avoid. My father being the first and foremost. “Do we know if the King is still here?” I ask Damon, but no sooner have I uttered my question, I see his Bentley. “Drat.” I look at my seated form on a sigh. What are the chances of me getting to my suite without being spotted by him or one of his minions? Not likely. “I hardly look like I have been to the stables.”

“Nothing a bit of forward thinking can’t solve.” Damon gets out, and I spot Olive rushing down the steps of Kellington, her arms full of my riding clothes, her eyes constantly looking back to see if she’s been spotted.

“Oh, Damon, you are too good to me.” The back door opens and Olive passes over the goods on a small, nervous smile. “Olive, thank you. Thank you very much.”

“Ma’am.” She nods and scuttles off. The door is closed again and Damon stands with his back to it while I fight and wrestle around on the back seat to change, constantly peeking up to check the coast is clear. Not that I need to. I’m just pulling my riding boots on when there’s a warning tap at the window.

I look up and see Davenport coming down the steps toward the car. My heartbeat accelerates. I stuff my Herve Ledger dress under the driver’s seat, along with my shoes, and quickly pull my hair into a ponytail. Then I paint on my smile and tap the window for Damon to open. “Major,” I say as he approaches, aware of the suspicious look being cast up and down my form.

“Your Highness,” he says tightly, quickly changing his direction to join me as I walk into Kellington Palace.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” I ask, pulling off the gloves that I’ve just urgently tugged on. I hand them to Olive on a small smile.

“Rather early at the stables this morning, ma’am,” he replies, avoiding my question. I turn a happy face onto him, quietly smug that he thought he’d catch me out.

“Seemed a shame to waste such a beautiful morning.” I turn toward the dining room, knowing that’s where I’ll find my father. Damn it. It was such a wonderful night, and now I’m back to my wretched reality.

As I enter the dining room, I find not only my father, but Eddie and John, too. My eldest brother looks at me in his usual high-browed way, and my youngest brother looks at me in his usual wary way. He’ll want an explanation for my whereabouts last night. Lying to him isn’t an option, what with him also residing at Kellington. I nod graciously to my father when he looks up from his coffee, but he doesn’t acknowledge my greeting, turning his attention to Major Davenport. “Have you reached David Sampson?”

“Not yet, sir.”

“Let me know the moment you do. Wherever could he be, for crying out loud?”

“I will be sure to advise you the moment he is located.” Davenport backs out of the room, and father points his attention to me.

“Is there a problem?” I ask, remembering the last time I saw David and the circumstances.

“The wanderer returns,” Father quips, ignoring my question. Of course he ignores it. I have no place in business talk.

“I’ve been to the stables.” I take a seat while a coffee is poured for me. “Spearmint is coming on in leaps and bounds, Father. You will be delighted with his progress.” John laughs under his breath, prompting me to look across the table at him. “How is Helen?” I ask sweetly.

“The first trimester is taking its toll. She’s being monitored carefully.”

I inwardly roll my eyes. “I expect so. A pregnant woman in her late thirties is classed as a high-risk pregnancy.” I lift my cup and saucer and sip some coffee, catching Eddie’s eye. He’s shaking his head at me in dismay, but I can’t help my snide quips where John is concerned. I would say he is above his station, but being the Heir Apparent, the only higher station is our father. The King. That being said, if he didn’t treat me with such contempt all the time, then maybe I wouldn’t retaliate. Not for the first time, I dread the prospect of John being King and Helen Queen Consort. Both will thrive on the power and throw their weight around with the family, probably more than my father does. It will be a lower form of hell than I am already in.