Page 16 of Royal Hottie
He offers me the glass with a wink. “For a supremely gifted gallivanter.”
I flush at the memory of our shared gallivanting kiss. “Why, thank you.” I take a sip and catch Maya’s frown before she turns to look out the window.
~ ~ ~
Phillip
Other than the initial commotion at the dock, the rest of our trip runs smoothly. The palace staff is like a well-oiled machine when it comes to our outings. The shopkeepers are notified of our presence, and each store will close to customers during our visit with them. They’re willing to do this because they know I have funds and any item I buy will instantly become popular. The fact that it’s a Tuesday in September also makes it easier. We’re not asking them to give up their busy weekend traffic.
We begin at le Passage Pommeraye because Maya is eager to find a new outfit and Ruby wants to see a historic shopping mall. They’ve cleared it for our private shopping trip for two hours. The moment we step inside, Ruby is enthralled. What was initially a passage between two streets is now a glass-covered, elaborately decorated three-story gallery of shops with a grand central staircase.
“Oh, look at these columns!” Ruby exclaims, pulling her phone out of her purse and snapping pictures. “And the arch, the clock, the cherubs!” She points at the carved cherubs overlooking the passage. “Aren’t they darling? Even the windows are gorgeous!”
It is charming, a very typical French neoclassical style. The enclosed shops used to be outdoors, so they have their original windows with intricately carved plaster trim and wrought-iron flower boxes under the sill. The arch of the passageway features more fancy trim and a large clock. The glass ceiling lets in muted natural light.
I turn to Ruby. “Are you just going to keep taking pictures, or are we going to shop?”
She stashes her phone in her purse. “You and Maya hit the clothing shops. I’m going to check out some of these quirky-looking places. This place is magic!”
I leave her to it.
An hour later, Ruby is still off shopping somewhere, and Maya has emerged with her new outfit—a rust-colored blazer over a matching T-shirt with black trousers and black leather high-heeled boots. She’s let her hair out of its bun, and the transformation is startling. She doesn’t look like the Maya I grew up with. She looks like a stylish young woman, sexy even, with her dark brown hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders.
“Maya, you look lovely. You should get away from the palace, meet people your age, and socialize more.” She rarely takes time off.
“Thank you, sir.” Her cheeks flush pink. “Where would you have me go?”
“Wherever the cool guys your age go. Maybe here or Paris.”
She tucks her hands behind her back. “Paris is a long train trip.”
I realize my easy access to the yacht and jet have made me take my freedom for granted. “Well, then, on Villroy.”
“There’s not that many young men left there; only a few have joined their fathers in the fishing trade.” She’s probably known them her whole life and hasn’t felt strongly about any of them. I suddenly want more for her than an unrequited crush on me. I want her to get out there and grab her own happiness. I never gave much thought to how insular life was for her. She’s young. She should be out partying, dating the wrong guys, and having fun while doing it.
I rub my stubbled jaw. “Well, that is a problem. I think that will turn around once the queen’s ideas get off the ground with the day spa and natural beauty product line. We’ll likely have an influx of young people and visitors.”
She murmurs noncommittally, seeming unconvinced.
“Maybe one of my brothers can introduce you to a friend or—”
Her cheeks flush scarlet. “Please don’t trouble yourself finding me a date, sir.”
I shut my mouth. I’ve never spent time with Maya outside the palace walls, and it reminds me of my privilege. I must remember gratitude and continue my efforts to give to others. That’s the only meaningful use of what I’ve been given. Maybe Lana did me a favor by dumping me. I was at such loose ends I threw myself into distractions—women, yes, but also filling my schedule with charity events and going anywhere they wanted royal representation. Gabriel was still shunning the spotlight at the time. I’d long been a contributor to Global Sun Water, but it was a face-to-face meeting with the director at a fundraiser that led to my more active involvement.
“Phillip! Maya! Look at these treasures!”
I look up to the second floor, already smiling, where Ruby stands overshadowed by two carved Grecian columns with finials. Two burly shopkeepers hold the columns upright.
Ruby calls down to us. “These weren’t even for sale! They were decorations. Aren’t they amazing?”
Maya nods and smiles.
The columns look fake. I imagine they’re chipped wood. “Wow.” It’s all I can come up with.
The men head for the grand staircase with the columns, and Ruby trots ahead of them. When she reaches us, she tells us in a low voice, “They were a steal! I’m going to sand them down and do this paint finish that will make them look less Grecian and more royal fantasy suite.”
I have no idea what she means, but she’s glowing with enthusiasm, her green eyes sparkling, her cheeks flushed pink, and I can do nothing but agree. “Wonderful choice.”
