Royal Package - Lili Valente Page 0,17

the princess. Just in case.”

“Thank you, Greta,” I reply automatically before I realize what she’s said. “In case of what?” I ask.

“In case you kiss her, sire,” Greta says, her lightly lined face as expressionless as ever. From the tidy knot of silver hair atop her head to her sensible gray shoes, Greta is all logic and efficiency, always prepared for any scenario.

Still, the fact that I might end up making out with my fiancée has made it onto her radar is disturbing for some reason.

I grunt beneath my breath. “I won’t be kissing her, Greta.”

Her shoulder lifts almost imperceptibly. “Better safe than sorry, sir.”

“No. Kissing Princess Elizabeth isn’t on the menu today. Or any day,” I snap, before backtracking quickly to add, “Not until we’re married. She’s old-fashioned and wants to wait.”

I can’t let anyone aside from my brothers in on my plan to escape this marriage, not even Greta. I’m ninety percent sure Greta is loyal to me and only me, but too many of the servants at this castle are my grandfather’s people and as determined as the rest of my family to see my romantic future play out the way Grandfather intended.

That includes my mother, from whom I honestly expected more sympathy. She’s a modern woman who married for love. Just because she made a bad call with dear old Dad doesn’t mean an arranged marriage is the best choice for me. And it doesn’t mean she shouldn’t make another choice for herself someday. She’s fifty-five, but she’s still a lovely, vibrant woman.

Though I wish she could be lovely and vibrant somewhere else at the moment.

But no, she and Jeffery are coming down the stairs beside the fountain, trailing Nick to the helipad. Elizabeth is going to be nestled in the family bosom, getting cozy before breakfast can play out the way I’ve planned.

Unless…

“Don’t tell my family where we are, Greta,” I say, trotting backward toward the tree line. “I want time alone with Elizabeth before she’s mobbed by crazy people.”

I spin, sprinting away as Greta calls after me, “Understood, sir. But be careful in the woods, the stinging nettles are large this year.”

I lift a hand in acknowledgment, but I don’t waste the precious seconds it would take to turn around. I sprint past the statues standing sentry at the edge of the lawn and then race through the trees, taking a short cut to the landing pad, determined to cut Elizabeth off from the warm family welcome.

She might find them endearing rather than overwhelming, and I can’t risk it. I have to keep Elizabeth un-endeared and undo the damage caused by the stupid parachute.

It’s not too late to get Operation Prince Charmless back on track.

It can’t be.

Pouring on the speed, I leap a particularly large patch of nettles and touch down unharmed on the other side, deciding to take that as a sign that luck is on my side.

Chapter Eight

Sabrina

I’ve barely passed the slowing blades of the helicopter and dared to stand up straight on the sun-warmed tarmac when Andrew races into view, bursting from the trees half a dozen yards away with a strained smile on his face.

“There you are!” he pants, so out of breath, he must have sprinted here from wherever he touched down. He thrusts an arm my way. “Come, then, breakfast awaits. I’m famished, aren’t you?”

He takes my hand, tugging me to the left, away from the broad paved pathway, which presumably leads to the castle and his family, who Lizzy assured me would be here to greet me when I touched down.

Apparently, she’s been in touch with Andrew’s mother via email. They’ve become friendly and made plans to sculpt together before the wedding.

Considering everything I sculpt ends up looking like an animal took a dump on an ashtray, I plan to avoid artsy bonding time at all costs. But I should at least say hello and thank Queen Felicity for all the planning and bill-footing she’s done.

Lord knows my parents have done nothing to organize or fund the festivities.

I glance back over my shoulder as Andrew guides me down a narrow dirt path. “But your family. Shouldn’t we—”

“My family is terribly busy. Too busy to say hello this morning, sadly, but they’ll be around later.” He releases my hand and snakes his arm around my waist, practically carrying me now as he hustles around the trees, making the tingly part of me viscerally aware of how strong he is.

I don’t usually get weak in the knees over silly