Page 63 of Royal Hottie
I go on. “And I have some more happy news I’d like to share.” I smile down at my beloved. Her cheeks flush pink. I turn back to the group. “Ruby and I are engaged.”
Everyone cheers, my brothers whistling and hooting. I lean down and kiss Ruby’s smiling, blushing cheek.
Once the noise dies down, she lifts a hand. “Thank you, everyone. We’re very happy.”
Anna comes around to hug us both. “Congratulations! Ruby, I’m so, so glad everything worked out. I hope this means you’ll live here on Villroy.”
“Actually,” Ruby says, “we’re going to be travelling for my work and his, shifting around for a while. Probably until we’re ready to settle down to raise a family.”
“I wish you so much happiness,” Anna says, her voice more subdued. She gives us a watery smile.
Gabriel pops out of his seat, comes over to congratulate us, and then guides Anna back to her chair.
I catch Emma’s eye. “Congratulations,” she says tightly.
“Thank you, and congratulations to you too. You must be so excited the big day is tomorrow.”
Abdul listens intently to her answer.
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Of course. It’s taken quite a lot of planning, and now it’s finally here.”
“Nine years,” Abdul says. “That’s a long time to wait.”
“Right,” I say. “Well, we’re all looking forward to it.”
Gabriel and Anna take their leave soon after while the rest of us go to the parlor to continue the party. It’s the second week of November and too cool to go up to the rooftop garden. Emma excuses herself promptly at nine, as is her custom, sticking to her usual bedtime. She has a strict schedule for everything, a strict routine of her own devising. I hope marriage loosens her up, though from the look of Abdul, also neat and proper, maybe it’ll just be more of the same. Hell, what do I know? Maybe that’s what she needs.
~ ~ ~
The next day, I walk with Ruby toward the palace chapel, where Emma will soon be married. Ruby wanted to take a peek before the ceremony and look around. Probably wants to take pictures too. She does love historic architecture and design. And I love her more than I ever thought possible. Last night we all stayed up late in the parlor, drinking and chatting, so my siblings had a chance to get to know Ruby. Each of them, in turn, let me know they thought Ruby was perfect for me. I couldn’t agree more.
I take Ruby’s hand, entwining our fingers together. She turns to me and smiles, her green eyes bright. I smile back, an ebullient joy filling me as I think of our shared future. I wonder where we’ll ultimately land for a permanent home. At the palace? A separate home on Villroy? Maybe in nearby France? Or in the US? I consider different locations and ways this could work, especially with children. Wherever it is, our home will be filled with love.
I spot Gabriel and Anna in the hallway dressed in their formal wear of a black tux and peach gown respectively, appearing quite the elegant duo. “Hello,” I call cheerfully. “Beautiful day for a wedding.”
Gabriel stalks toward me, his expression grim. Anna hurries to catch up with him. I’m instantly on alert. Maybe something’s wrong with Mother. Maybe she’s too upset to come out of her rooms for the wedding after all. This will devastate Emma. They’ve always been close.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Emma’s gone missing,” Gabriel whispers urgently. “Have you seen her?”
“No. Did you check with Silvia?” Our sister planned to help Emma get ready.
“Of course I checked with Silvia,” he snaps. “She said Emma was in her gown and asked for a moment to herself. When Silvia went back to the room, she was gone.”
“It’s a big palace,” Ruby says. “She must be around here somewhere. Maybe she’s visiting with your mother.”
“Yes, that,” I say, turning to Ruby with a smile. “You’re brilliant.”
“She’s not with Mother,” Gabriel says through his teeth. “We checked. We need to spread out and scour the palace without raising any alarms.”
I nod. “Ruby and I will take the east wing. You and Anna take the west wing.”
“Do you think she bailed on her wedding?” Ruby whispers.
Gabriel lifts his chin and says in a haughty voice, “Of course not. She’s likely lost track of time due to pre-wedding nerves. Nothing serious. We’ll reassure her and all will be well.”
“Actually,” Anna says slowly.
