Royal Blood - By Rhys Bowen Page 0,17
actually surprised to find you here. I should have thought Italy was so much nicer at this time of year.”
A spasm of annoyance crossed her face. “Let’s just say that the climate in Italy turned decidedly frosty all at once.”
“Meaning what?”
“Paolo’s horrid fiancée learned about me and put her foot down. She announced that she wants to get married right away. So Paolo’s father told him to shape up and do his duty, or else. And since Pappa controls the purse strings it was arrivederci to poor little moi.”
“You know, you’re beginning to sound like my mother,” I said. “I hope you’re not turning into her.”
“I think she’s had a divine life,” Belinda said, “all those playboys and racing car drivers and Texan oil millionaires.”
“Yes, but in the end what does she have?”
“Some lovely jewels at the very least, and that little villa in the south of France.”
“Yes, but in terms of family? Only Granddad and me and she ignores us both.”
“Darling, your mother is a survivor like me,” Belinda said. “I was upset for a day or so when Paolo showed me the door, but then I decided there are plenty more fish in the sea. But enough about me, what’s this I hear about a royal wedding?” She sank into the art nouveau armchair. I perched on the most uncomfortable modern sofa. “Don’t tell me you’ve been forced to say yes to Fishface.”
“Not if he was the last man on the planet,” I said. “No, much more exciting than that. I’ve been asked to attend a royal wedding in Romania, as official representative of the family. And I’m to be in the bridal party.”
“I say.” Belinda looked suitably impressed. “What a coup! That’s a step up in the world for you, isn’t it? One day you’re living on dry toast, the next you’re representing our country at a royal wedding. How did this come about?”
“The bride specifically asked for me,” I said. “Since we are old school friends.”
“Old school friends? From Les Oiseaux?”
“It’s the only school I ever went to. Until then it was all governesses.”
Belinda frowned, trying to think. “An old school friend, in Romania? Who was that?”
“Princess Maria Theresa,” I said.
“Maria Theresa—oh, God. Not Fatty Matty.”
“I’d forgotten you used to call her that, Belinda. That wasn’t very nice, was it?”
“Darling, one was only being honest. Besides, she wasn’t a very nice person, was she?”
“Wasn’t she? I know she was annoying, following us around and wanting to be included in everything. I used to call her Moony Matty, I remember, for the moon face and the way that she drifted around one step behind us all the time.”
“And she was always pestering me to tell her about sex. Utterly clueless. Didn’t even know where babies came from. But don’t you remember, when we did include her, she betrayed our trust and ratted on me to Mademoiselle Amelie. Nearly got me expelled.”
“She did?”
“Yes, that time I climbed out of the window to meet that ski instructor.”
“That was Matty who told Mademoiselle?”
“We were never quite sure, but I always suspected. She had this smug look on her face when I was hauled into Mademoiselle’s study,” Belinda said.
“Well, let’s hope she’s improved by now. She’s bringing in a couturiere from Paris to design our gowns.”
“Oh, God. She’ll look like a bally great meringue in a wedding dress,” Belinda said. “Who is she marrying?”
“Prince Nicholas of Bulgaria, apparently.”
“Poor Prince Nicholas. I’d forgotten she was a princess, but then I suppose a lot of our classmates were some kind of royalty, weren’t they? I was one of the few commoners.”
“You’re an honorable. Hardly a commoner.”
“But not in your league, darling. I say, what a scream—a bridal attendant to Fatty Matty. Let’s hope the other attendants aren’t her size or you’ll be squished to death among them.”
“Belinda, you are awful.” I had to laugh. We broke off as tea was brought in. I watched Florrie serve it efficiently then depart.
“Your maid,” I said, “she doesn’t have a sister, does she?”
“Florrie? I’ve no idea, why?”
“Because I have been instructed by Her Majesty to take my maid with me to Romania. And since I don’t have a maid to take with me, I’m going to have to beg, borrow or steal one from someone else, or hire one from an agency. I don’t suppose you could do without Florrie for a week or so?”
“Absolutely not,” Belinda said. “I nearly starved to death during that fog. If I hadn’t been able to make a run on