A Crown for Christmas by Rachel Van Dyken

Author:Rachel Van Dyken [Dyken, Rachel Van]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Van Dyken Enterprises
Published: 2018-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Phillipa

I prayed for rescue.

I hadn’t seen Fitz all day, and we had a diplomat dinner that I wasn’t prepared for at all. Nor did I want to attend.

I would sit at the head of the table with my mother.

We’d smile and welcome the guests.

Talk business.

Drink expensive champagne and wine.

And I would be bored to tears.

On top of that, I was almost always asked how I was supposed to rule without a man by my side—by the very men who would rather golf than do their own duty.

It was so backwards.

Why not ask me how it was going to be different? How I’d like to cause change in a country that desperately needed it?

Our roads were fine, but we had just broken ground on a new children’s hospital and needed donations; I would be surprised if they were even aware we needed them!

To make matters worse, I’d lied to my mother about what had transpired between me and Fitz, leading her to give me an hour-long lecture on safe sex.

Or as she stated it, safe procreation for the realm.

Literally, word for word, that’s how the conversation started.

Her sex talks could kill a person’s libido on the spot.

I put on some creamy red lipstick and donned my black gloves. They went all the way past my elbows, and the silk felt smooth against my skin.

Plus, they matched the white and black gown perfectly. I rarely wore strapless dresses to dinners, mainly because I didn’t want to constantly be tugging the dress up, and this one was heavier than most. This time, I used double-sided tape and hoped for the best.

This time, I wanted to look my best.

For him.

I adjusted my small tiara in the mirror and then very slowly made my way to the door and opened it.

Fitz was standing there, waiting, his smile wide, his massive shoulders tucked into a black tuxedo jacket with all of his medals hanging on the left-hand side. The guy had enough royal decorations on the front lapel of his coat to make a person go blind.

I used to hate it.

It always felt like he was bragging.

Tonight, however, I felt proud.

“Here’s a thought.” He leaned in and put his hands on my hips, drawing me closer to him. “We pretend we’re both sick and lock the door to your bedroom. If I turn up Hallmark really loud, they’ll just think we’re in the holiday mood.”

“Which we would be…” I smiled, loving the warmth from his body. “If we were watching Hallmark instead of eating a boring dinner.”

“I don’t believe I said anything about watching the TV.” He tapped my nose and then brushed a kiss across my lips, so soft I almost didn’t feel it. “Doubtful I would be able to keep my hands off of you this time.”

“And last time?”

“I was being a gentleman.”

“What changed?” I hooked my arm in his as we started walking.

“Everything,” he whispered under his breath. “Besides, I’ve suddenly discovered there’s no fun in people assuming we’ve done anything when I haven’t even gotten the chance to seduce you.

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