Page 48 of His Royal Matchmaker

It’s no longer a good flutter, though, like the kind I used to get when Hugo was around. Instead, I feel like I might vomit.

“Several,” I reply professionally. “But you’ve been rather busy with the German finance minister for the past forty minutes.”

“Duty calls.” He straightens his already perfect bow tie.

“You also said you would talk to women on this trip,” I remind him, while wondering if I even care anymore.

“Indeed,” he says coolly. “And I have not forgotten.”

“The night is young,” I assure him. “The Countess of Kassel is here. She’s on our list — Cambridge-educated, speaks four languages.”

Hugo follows my discreet nod toward a tall blond woman across the room. “She looks… proper,” he says without enthusiasm.

“Proper is good for a future queen, isn’t it?”

He shrugs, his shoulder brushing mine. “I suppose so.”

A waiter passes with fresh flutes of champagne, and this time I take one. The bubbles tickle my nose as I sip, and I know I might regret it tomorrow, but right now I need something to take the edge off of tonight.

“You don’t have to babysit me all night,” Hugo says suddenly. “I promised my mother and you that I would make an effort. I will. You should have fun. Enjoy yourself.”

“Our past events have taught me otherwise. Sorry, Your Highness, but when it comes to love, you do need babysitting.”

What I don’t say is that I’m enjoying standing beside him, being mistaken for someone important enough to be in his orbit. I also don’t mention that every time I imagine introducing him to the countess or any of the other carefully vetted women on my list, I feel a tightness in my chest.

A flurry of excited whispers fills the ballroom as a famous actress arrives. I’ve seen her movies, but it’s the first time I’ve gotten a look at her in person, and she’s even more beautiful in real life. Like everything else right now, though, I can’t seem to find it in myself to care.

“Hugo, darling!” A woman’s voice interrupts us.

She’s elegant, probably in her fifties, with a French accent and perfect posture. She kisses Hugo on both cheeks before turning curious eyes to me.

“Catherine,” Hugo says warmly. “May I introduce Emily Neale? She’s a… friend visiting from America.”

Friend. Not matchmaker. Not employee. I extend my hand, which she takes briefly.

“Emily, this is Catherine Eder, an old family friend.”

“Lovely to meet you,” I say automatically.

She looks between us, a knowing smile forming on her lips. “Hugo, you’ve been holding out. When your mother mentioned you’d be at the gala, she didn’t mention you’d be bringing someone special.”

I open my mouth to correct her, but Hugo speaks first. “Emily and I are still getting to know each other,” he says smoothly, neither confirming nor denying her assumption.

Catherine practically beams. “Well, it’s about time. I told Julia you simply needed to find the right woman.” She leans in conspiratorially toward me. “He was quite the heartbreaker in his youth, but always a gentleman.”

“I was standing right here the last time I checked,” Hugo says dryly.

Catherine pats his arm. “And now look at you — all grown-up and finally loved-up. I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her.”

My champagne suddenly goes down the wrong way, and I cough discreetly into my hand. Loved-up? The way he looks at me? I force a smile that feels stretched across my face.

“You’ve caught us,” Hugo says with a charming smile, surprising me further. His arm slides around my waist in a gesture that seems both protective and possessive. “But we’re keeping things quiet for now.”

Catherine nods conspiratorially. “Of course, of course. The press would have a field day. My lips are sealed.” She mimes locking her lips before drifting away to greet another guest.

The moment she’s gone, Hugo’s arm drops from my waist. “Sorry about that,” he says, looking genuinely apologetic. “She’s a terrible gossip. If I’d corrected her, the story would have changed six times before reaching my mother. This way, she’ll keep her ‘secret.’”

But I just stare at him. What’s he’s saying doesn’t make any sense. If Catherine’s a gossip, she’ll spread news no matter what, and now everyone will think Hugo and I are dating. It’ll make it even harder to find him a match.

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