Royal Promenade by Suzanne G. Rogers

Author:Suzanne G. Rogers [Rogers, Suzanne G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Idunn Court Publishing
Published: 2021-03-01T22:00:00+00:00

Once the princess had concluded her brief remarks, Kellan joined Paddy on the other side of the partition. His friend gave him an exasperated glance. “You knew who she really was, didn’t you?” Paddy murmured. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“It was not my secret to keep.”

“What happens now?”

“The Minfo plans to broadcast nonstop coverage of The Making of the Princess. Then, they will feature a romantic triangle leading up to the Promenade.” Kellan grimaced. “That’s where I come in."

Paddy peered at him. “You’re going to be acting the part of a suitor?” He made a sound of disbelief. “Don’t let your head get all swelled by the attention.”

“Don’t worry.” Kellan averted his gaze. “My fame will be brief and fleeting before I flame out into obscurity.”

Seer bustled over. “Ranger Stratford, you’re to escort the princess as she circulates at the party.”

Kellan’s spirits lifted. “Certainly.”

Paddy smirked. “Never mind me. I’ll be waiting here, playing the part of a bodyguard.”

Kellan chuckled as he threaded his way through the crowd. When he spotted Alice in the throng, however, Blade was already at her side. He hastened over nevertheless and offered Alice his arm. “Princess, may I escort you around the room?”

Blade’s smile was tight. “I’ve got it covered, Stratford. Why don’t you get yourself a drink and circulate?”

A muscle worked in Kellan’s jaw. “Why don’t you?”

Alice’s smile was filled with charm. “I’d be delighted for both of you to escort me.”

King Justin swooped in with a hearty laugh. “I see young men are lining up already.” He held out his arm and Alice went to join him. “Thank you for your attentions, gentlemen, but I’d like to escort my daughter tonight.”

As the king and the princess sailed off through the crowd, Blade slid Kellan a hostile glance. “You haven’t got a chance, Ranger.”

“And you haven’t got a clue, Blackmon.”

They broke apart but not before Minfo cameras caught it all. Obviously, Minister Seer had set the whole confrontation up and this was only the beginning. If Kellan hadn’t been under orders from the king, he never would have put up with such nonsense. Disgusted, he crossed over to the bar for a glass of sparkling wine.

As he sipped his drink and watched Alice circulate, she radiated confidence and good cheer. The aristocrat speaking with her must have said something witty because she laughed. Kellan’s spirits soared at the sight of her merriment and he was glad the shadows were lifted from her features. In the next moment, however, he felt like a penniless child gazing through a shop window at a toy he could never afford.

Blade sauntered over with a glass of amber liquid in his hand. “You look like someone kicked your puppy.”

Kellan returned the gibe with one of his own. “Why aren’t you rubbing elbows with your betters?”

“Because they are my betters and won’t have anything to do with me yet.” He stared into his glass. “Once Alice and I are engaged, the aristocracy will finally consider me worth their notice. At

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