Page 116 of The Duchess Effect

Dani was still tormented by the experience. By the fact that the bombing had occurred, by her behavior at the hospital, and by the Company’s refusal to name it and shame it.

“Yes. Princess Catherine and I both did.”

The prime minister’s lip curled. “And is it true the bombing was underreported in the U.K.? And the authorities hesitated to identify it as a hate crime?”

“It’s true. Unfortunately.”

“But in America, they looked into it, yes? And now the authorities here have backtracked and labeled it properly? All because of the attention you brought to it with your visit?”

Heat burnished Dani’s cheeks. “You make it sound like I’m some sort of social justice mastermind. Trust me, I’m not.”

“You made wonderful use of the power of your position,” she insisted, capturing Dani’s gaze and refusing to let it go. “Thanks to you the matter will not be shoved under a rug. It can’t be. The eyes of the world are watching. And judging.”

Dani swallowed and her stomach churned. She had a feeling the queen would not approve of this conversation. But then, the queen wasn’t here. And Dani found herself unable to go against her home training and shut down a woman who resembled her Aunt Gladys.

“How have you found it being here?” Mrs. Auguste asked, narrowing her brown eyes.

“It’s been interesting. Different.”

“Hmmm,” she said. She moved closer and lowered her voice. “Have you noticed it?”

“Noticed what?”

“You, me, and my husband. We’re the only brown-skinned people in the room. Did you notice that?”

“Not actively, no.”

But Dani had been aware. How could she not be?

“I know why my husband and I are here. Do you know why you’re here?”

Dani could feign confusion about what the prime minister was asking, but she wasn’t keen to do either of them the disservice by pretending not to know the deal now.

“I have a pretty good idea.”

“I will admit to being fascinated, like everyone else, by your relationship with Prince Jameson. Seeing his declaration of love after the tribute ball was very romantic. I’m sure he meant it, but you have to know that you’re only being tolerated because the queen wants to use your image to show a more progressive Commonwealth. To make us relinquish our plans to leave.”

Dani caught Bettina and Imogen watching them, their disdain evident. She thought back over her interactions with the queen. Finally, she peered down at what she was wearing.

“I know.” She nodded, looking up, tears burning in their desire to run free. “You aren’t the first to say so.”

At least not in so many words. Hadn’t every warning she received insinuated the same thing?

“You seem like a wonderful young lady, quite different from what I’d been expecting. I wish it didn’t have to be said at all.”

The door opened and the footman announced, “Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Jameson.”

***

Jameson’s gaze searched the people gathered until he spotted her. He exhaled and his heart walloped his rib cage. It had been four days, but seeing Dani reanimated his spirit. As if he could now view the world in color where before it had been sepia-toned.

Without a word, the queen took his arm and exerted the right amount of pressure to steer them to where Dani stood with the prime minister.

She needn’t have bothered. He hadn’t planned to go anywhere else.

“Your Majesty,” Dani said, dipping into a curtsy.

“You look splendid, my dear,” the queen said, approval—and a touch of triumph—in her voice. “Doesn’t she, Jameson?”

---