Always with the responsibilities.
Everyone thinks that being a member of the royal household means dripping in jewelry and wearing pretty clothes and having the world served on a silver platter.
That is true, but it’s much more than that.
“Yes, sir.”
“Enjoy your time with Sebastian and Nina,” Mum says. “And please send them our love.”
“I will.” I offer them a cheerful smile. “And I’ll be home in time for the dinner.”
“Goodbye, daughter,” Father says.
“Goodbye.”
I hang up the phone and let out a deep sigh, then toss my cell on the bed and roll onto my back, staring at the ceiling. My parents don’t understand. They met when my mother was in her early twenties and have been inseparable since.
It’s rather difficult to find the man you’re supposed to spend the next seventy years with when you’re under this kind of pressure.
Fortunately, I don’t have to think about that right now. I have thirty days to relax. And thankfully, Sebastian and Nina haven’t tried to pry into why I came here so abruptly. They’ve given me space to sleep, read, and daydream.
This lake house is perfect for all of those things. At more than ten-thousand square feet, there is plenty of room to be alone. But I know that if and when I want their company, I’m always welcome to join them.
I walk into the closet and choose a sundress for the day, slip my feet into Hermes slides, and walk down to the main living area where we usually congregate. Nina’s spreading something on a bagel. Nick is outside on the deck, close enough to see Nina but out of earshot.
Sebastian and the other security members are nowhere to be seen.
“Where is everyone?” I ask as I reach for a banana and sit at the island. I love how open the kitchen is to the rest of the living space, and how from anywhere in the room, a person can look out the floor-to-ceiling windows to the lake beyond.
“They’re in a meeting,” Nina says with a smile. “Would you like a bagel and cream cheese?”
“I’ll share it with you,” I offer, and Nina happily slides half of her breakfast over to me. “Thank you. What kind of meeting?”
“Well, since you’ve been here for a week and we don’t know how long you’re staying, the security team is trying to decide if Phillip should stay or go, and what to do if he goes.”
“Where are they?” I set the bagel down and stand from the chair.
“In the guest house,” she replies and frowns. “Tell Nick if you’re planning to go down there.”
“It’s twenty yards away.”
She narrows her eyes. “Ellie, you’re my sister-in-law, and I love you, but you know what happened when we rebelled against the rules.”
“I almost died,” I murmur. “Fine, I’ll tell him.”
I walk to the glass door and crack it open. “Nick? I’m going to head down to the guest house.”
“I’ll let them know,” he says and speaks into a device on his wrist. “The sparrow is headed to HQ.”
I close the door and smile at Nina. “See? I follow the rules.”
Nina laughs and takes a bite of her bagel. “Want me to come with you?”
“No need. I’m here for thirty days. I’m going to let them know.”
I wave at her and walk through the house to the door closest to the guest house. As I step outside, I see Phillip walking up the path.
“I’m capable of walking twenty yards without an armed guard. Especially here.”
“Humor me,” he says and escorts me to the house. He opens the door for me, and when I step inside, I’m met with more testosterone in one room than should be legal.
It’s a lot.
“What is it, Ellie?” Sebastian asks after the men all stand and bow their heads to me.
“I’m staying for thirty days,” I announce. “I understand this meeting is about how to handle me, and I’m updating you of my plans.”
Liam frowns and glances down at the paper on the table in front of him.
“Is that a problem?” I ask him.
“Your Highness,” Phillip begins, “we were just discussing whether I should stay or go back to London. I would usually stay with you wherever you are in the world. That’s my job, of course.”
“You’ve been with me for ten years, Phillip. Just tell me what’s wrong.”
“My wife is about to have our second child any day, Highness. I’d rather not miss it, but—”
“You didn’t tell me she’s expecting,” I interrupt and break protocol long enough to lay my hand on Phillip’s shoulder. We never touch our employees, but I consider Phillip a friend. “Of course, you should go. Today. Straight away. And please, keep me posted on how Cynthia and the baby are doing. Send photos. You know I love babies.”
Phillip smiles kindly at me. “Thank you, but it’s not that easy.”
“Why ever not?” I look around the room with a frown. “There are eight men in this room, not counting my brother, each who are more than capable of looking after me. I’m not a troublemaker.”
Liam smirks, and I narrow my eyes on him. “Do you have something to say?”
Liam starts to speak, but Sebastian interrupts. “Nick and Liam have full-time assignments,” he says. “The other men are assigned to the house in shifts. So, we’re looking at manpower and who to assign to you in Phillip’s absence.”
I nod. “I understand, and this isn’t my area of expertise.” I watch Liam as I speak. “I just wanted to give you the information.”
I turn to leave, but Liam stops me. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
I nod and continue out the door, marching back to the big house. I’ve been attracted to Liam since I first laid eyes on him last year.
He’s tall, dark, and mysterious. He looks dangerous. He’s sexy as can be, and I don’t have much experience when it comes to men. So, whenever I’m around him, I feel like a bumbling idiot.
Ah, well, at least he’s not assigned to me. I’ll just stay out of his way, and everything will be fine.
“What do you mean Liam’s assigned to me?” I demand, staring at my brother as if he’s daft. “Liam is your personal security.”
“Charles is coming to Montana,” Sebastian replies calmly. Charles has been around since I was in nappies. But Liam’s in charge of the Montana property. “Phillip is leaving this evening after Charles arrives, and Liam will be assigned to you for the duration of your stay.”
I glance at Nina, who hasn’t said a word. “Don’t look at me.”
“Why is this a problem?” Sebastian asks.
“It’s not. It’s just a surprise.”
I have to be around Liam 24/7 for the next thirty days? My sex-deprived body might spontaneously combust.
“What am I missing?” Sebastian asks Nina, who just shakes her head innocently.
“You’re not missing anything.”
Thank God for Nina. She knows I have a crush on Liam. But I can behave professionally.
I’ve been doing it for over twenty-five years.