“Maybe I was wrong.”
I imagined Evgenia’s ears steaming, but her next words sounded nothing but amused.
“But what about that girl? Don’t you want to see her?”
My breath quickened, palms going sweaty.
“Leo?” Elliot replied. I leaned precariously forward, trying to get closer. They had paused momentarily. “We said hello last night.”
“Um, yes, I know, I was there,” Evgenia said with a laugh. “Anyway, I didn’t mean her. I was talking about the other one. Carina.”
“Carina?” Elliot parroted back, and my heart froze in my chest. I couldn’t decipher his tone. If only I could see them properly. “She’s so young.”
“She’s sixteen. You’re nineteen. It’s nothing.”
Evgenia was rapidly falling in my esteem.
“Last time I saw her, she was practically a child . . .”
Exactly! I wanted to scream at them.
“Well, now she’s practically a woman. Beautiful. And a bit sweet on you, I think.”
Dammit, I couldn’t hear Elliot’s response—they’d started moving again. All I heard was Evgenia’s tinkling laugh, as if Elliot had said the most hilarious thing.
Five
For the second time in two days, I let Carina have her way with me. She poked, prodded, and strapped me into a deep-navy tea dress, my least heinously boring dress, according to her. I walked into one of the Scandinavian’s larger galleries, wearing my fashion like armor. My shield: hair curled into pretty ringlets, eyes lined with kohl, and lips painted a shocking red. Like the previous evening’s party, the concert was being held in the royal private public quarters. The crowd inside the meticulously appointed Andersson Lounge was small, maybe fifty people. They were the most elite of the elite participating in the Valg Season, plus their parents.
My eyes scanned the room, and I feigned calm, despite the way my heart was pounding in my chest. Finally I found Elliot holding court by the canapés. I scolded myself for locking onto him like a heat-seeking missile. He’d been here only twenty-four hours, and I’d lost all sense. My eyes flitted to Evgenia, Max, and Ewan. Yes, I decided, I would be equally interested in the entire rental party, like a good host.
Everyone cut a dashing figure. Max and Ewan had forgone dress whites for dapper suits of deep blue and emerald green. Evgenia sported another stunning vintage dress, a little black French classic.
“Who are you staring at?” Father asked, following my line of vision. “Those outfits are . . . interesting.”
“Those are our renters, Father,” Carina said, ignoring his comment. “Come, you should meet them.” Carina took off with him before I could protest. I forced confidence into my step as I followed them across the room. This was how I would proceed. Bravely, composed. Elliot would not rattle me.
“Max, Ewan, Evgenia,” I said, approaching them, taking the lead. Elliot’s back was turned to us as he talked to some far-flung royal cousin whose name I couldn’t remember. “Allow me to introduce my father. His Royal Highness King Gerhard Kolburg. He is very eager to meet you.”
Eager or not, my father performed the part, graciously accepting their bows and curtsy, a benevolent smile turning his lips. “Oh, please don’t call me King,” he demurred.
“Of course,” Max said as my stomach stirred with worry. “Your Highness, we wouldn’t dream of it.” Father’s smile turned genuine. He loved the HRH distinction. I let out a relieved breath. Max was doing perfectly.
“Let me just say that I hope you are enjoying our modest ship while we enjoy our little vacation on board the Scandinavian.”
“Hardly modest, Your Highness,” Ewan jumped in. “Prinzessin Sofi is the finest ship I’ve been privileged to stay on.”
“Surely nothing compared to the grandeur of this ship,” Father parried.
“She is lovely, to be sure.” Ewan nodded. “But so large. We prefer the intimacy of your Sofi.”
Color me impressed by our renters’ bullshitting talents. Evgenia and I locked eyes, hers reflecting my amusement. She sidled up next to me, opening her mouth to say something, but then Father started calling out.
“Elliot! Elliot Wentworth. Come over here.”
Oh, no. I pasted on a smile just in time for Elliot to join our little circle and stand on Evgenia’s other side. At least I wouldn’t have to look directly at him. We might burn each other to ashes for the power of our glares.
“Good to see you again, Your Highness,” Elliot said. I thought I caught a tightness to his voice, though maybe it was my imagination.
“My boy, what brings you here? And in such a fine suit!” Father cast an askew glance at Max and Ewan in comparison.
“Evgenia invited me,” Elliot answered as Evgenia linked her arm in his. “I hadn’t seen Max and Ewan in ages, and I was keen to see old friends here.” His gaze drifted over to Carina. “And the suit? I have only the one.” He laughed. “I haven’t changed that much.”
“I helped him choose it, of course.” Evgenia picked an imaginary piece of lint off his shoulder, leaning into him.
“Oh, are you two . . . ?” My father asked the question I wouldn’t dare. He knew what we were before and wanted to ensure Elliot was completely off the table.
“Oh, God, no!” Evgenia laughed. “What is it with your family trying to pair me off with every man they see me with? I am very much single, if you know any eligible young women.” She winked. I found her growing on me, even if she was trying to push Elliot toward my sister. But she was bold and bubbly, with a frank sense of humor, and I liked that.
“You might have some trouble finding . . . like-minded individuals in the Valg Season,” my father said. I could have smacked him.
“Not everyone is looking for a wealthy husband to whom to attach herself,” I snapped without thinking. “Plenty of people marry for love, and don’t have trouble finding it.”
Six pairs of eyes cut to me. Elliot’s in particular I could feel crawling over my skin. He must have been thinking I was the biggest hypocrite. I did not have a history of marrying for love.
“Ooh, I like you,” Evgenia cooed.
“Hear, hear!” Max chimed in. “Now, what about you, my dear? I see both you and your sister have on name tags, so you’re in the thick of it. What are you two looking for, then?”
“Not girls.” Carina chirped a nervous laugh. What was with my family embarrassing me tonight? Then I caught her gaze, which was squarely on Elliot. So that clarification of her dating preferences was for his benefit. “I’d like to marry for love, though.” She ducked her head as her cheeks flushed pink. This was awful.
“That makes one Kolburg for love, then.” Elliot tipped his champagne glass in my direction. “And one for ruthless pragmatism.”
“That’s right,” I said, glaring back at him. “I will be flinging myself at every man with a substantial fortune whilst consuming my body weight in alcohol.” Father nodded his approval, while everyone but Evgenia looked at the floor. My new best friend laughed, bless her.
“On that note, we’re going to go hunt down some beverages,” she said, hooking me by the arm and pulling me out of this conversation from hell. Evgenia swiped two glasses of champagne, handing me one. “That was ghastly. But you’re fun.”