A Love that Endures 3 Read online

  Now they just needed a new angle.

  David checked his phone again. Still nothing. No word from Mia and no alternative plan yet. David was getting anxious. Surely just because they’d lost their best chance at contacting Katy, that didn’t mean they’d lost their only chance.

  David slipped on some of the outfit accoutrements that the stylists had chosen for him: a beautiful wristwatch with a wide band, a leather belt that matched his brown loafers, and silver cufflinks for his dress shirt. He looked sharp in dark blue slacks, and, as he threw on the matching blazer, he felt very much like the esteemed palace applicant Calder Rhines.

  But he didn’t quite feel like David Rosen. The fineries, the haircut, the uncomfortable contacts, and especially the clear-lensed glasses he’d put on to complete the ensemble . . . none of those things made him feel like himself. They made him feel like an imposter. A fake.

  But he could deal with that feeling for now. Whatever it takes to get close to Katy. Whatever it takes to try to convince her of the truth.

  A sudden, rapid rapping at the door interrupted David’s thoughts. The carelessness and immediacy of the noise instantly set his teeth on edge. That was no housekeeper. David moved to the door anxiously. Was it the police, sent in to investigate a cause of identity fraud? The hotel manager, who had somehow gotten wise to the sheltering of a criminal and a vagrant?

  Or something worse? Cassie’s fixers coming to impart a warning?

  David sighed as he peered through the peephole, his relief slowly turning into slight indignation as he opened the door.

  “We agreed on one at a time, Mick. Your night is tonight!”

  Mick pushed into the room with his usual frenetic energy. “Nah, lad. You don’t understand. I’ve come with a plan, not to take a nap. Besides, it was no small job getting in ‘ere, even when I told ‘em your fake name. I ‘ad to tell security that I was dressed this way for a performance art piece and I’d sue for discrimination if they wasn’t goin’ to let me in.”

  David furrowed his brow and shut the door, ignoring Mick’s eccentricities. “A plan? What kind of plan?”

  Mick looked around the room distractedly. “Damn. Ain’t been in a place this nice since I was dating this old Irish bird. Lass ‘ad all kinds of money. Still weren’t really worth it though for what I ‘ad to do . . .”

  “Mick,” David interrupted firmly. “The plan?”

  “Ah. Right,” his friend said, shaking himself as though to return to the present. Then a smile crossed his face. “So I got to thinking. What’s another way to get into the palace without a full-time staff job?”

  David shrugged in an exaggerated manner, hoping Mick would get the hint and spit it out already.

  “Outsourcing, lad!”

  David narrowed his eyes and tried to follow. Frankly, it had surprised him to even hear Mick use the word.

  “I used to temp for this company that does catering for the palace. Until they upped their standards, that is. And they never put me on palace duty anyway, bunch o’ tossers.” Mick shook his head but then seemed to get back on track. “Anyway, right before an event like this, they’re bound to be looking for blokes like you!”

  David looked sideways at Mick, the gears in his mind turning, as his friend continued.

  “That big party they’re throwing for your bird and that git who stole ‘er. They’ll cater that thing for sure. Have all of the temp staff come in with their chef hats and white tuxes to serve snacks. You could get in that way! Your princess is definitely going to be there!”

  Mick put his hands on his hips like he was feeling quite accomplished. Behind them, David could hear the shower turn off.

  “So you really think I should confront Katy at . . . her own engagement party?” David’s voice was flat, but Mick obviously sensed his disbelief at the suggestion.

  “Oh, like it’s s’much better to ambush ‘er over evening tea? What’s the difference?”

  “First of all,” David began, “it’s not an ambush. I would never trap her like that and force her to listen. It’s disrespectful, and I won’t do it.”

  Mick waved it off. “You know what I meant!”

  “But secondly, a palace job would’ve been difficult enough. At least as big as the palace is, there was less chance somebody would recognize me on sight. Mia and I talked about this already—it’s just far too risky.”

  David had put a lot of thought into that particular crack in their original plan. Working day by day at the palace in any capacity was a risk. But with so many distinguished guests coming in and out for the festivities, David hadn’t been terribly anxious about having to interact too heavily with Cassie or the king and queen. And despite the odds, he’d managed to have a close call even on the interview.

  But actually catering the engagement party? Yes, Mia would be there. But she would be putting herself in danger if she tried to help in plain view of Cassie. And he’d almost definitely have to serve multiple people who could recognize him, even with glasses and his close-cut beard. His chances of being found out increased exponentially.

  And what then? Have security called on him and get hauled out of the building in full view of Katy herself? How would he be able to get another chance if his first one ended so poorly? That could shut down the plan forever.

  “C’mon, lad. I can give you the address to this place right now. They’re not as strict about hiring as the palace. You could probably walk up and get an interview, dressed like you are.”

  David frowned, his mind frantically calculating odds, going off on a thousand imagined circumstances, wondering if it was worth the gamble.

  But Mick only had to say one more thing to prove his point.

  “You got a better plan?”

  * * *

  “You’re hired.” The portly bald man barely looked up. Instead he scribbled on a piece of paper and passed it to David. “Go pick up your tux here. You pay. We reimburse. You provide your own black shoes.”

  David sat in shock, trying to keep his mouth from hanging slightly agape. Hired? They had barely started the interview. Mick wasn’t wrong about the hiring standards here being a little laxer than those at the palace.

  The man looked up and noticed David’s expression. He exhaled. “Look, Calder. I’m tired. I’ve been working on this palace party nonstop for the past two weeks. They want a fountain and ten specialty drink recipes that we haven’t used before.”

  David listened quietly.

  “Now don’t go repeating this, but you look the part. You sound good. You’ve got more job experience than about eighty percent of my applicants. I’m sure you were expecting a big production of an interview, but honestly, I’m just glad you weren’t another junkie from under the Huntington Bridge.”

  David swallowed nervously.

  “So be grateful and don’t think about it too hard. Oh, and get your suit today for rehearsal tomorrow. We don’t have a lot of time to waste.”

  “Yes, sir,” David said, and stood. Then he exited the small office of the catering company and walked out onto the sunlit sidewalk. He looked down at the address his new employer had just scribbled for him. Only a couple of blocks away.

  David still couldn’t quite believe that he was going along with Mick’s crazy plan. And, even more, he couldn’t believe that this first step had been so easy. But then again, things probably did come easily to people like Calder Rhines.

  As David began walking to the dress shop, he realized how unfair that sentiment was. Sure, the beautiful and moneyed of the world had some obvious advantages. But maybe riches and prestige weren’t always what they were cracked up to be. Take Katy, for instance. She had been lied to, humiliated, and forced into a role that she didn’t want for herself.

  Money could get you a job, a shower, and a nice hotel room, but it couldn’t buy good parents or friends who actually cared about you.

  David stuck his hands in his pockets and continued his walk. He was overjoyed with the turn of events. And Mia woul
d be too, once he called her with the update. She had been thrilled at the idea of the temp agency, even if she was still unsure about using her party invitation to their advantage.

  “I still don’t like it, Señor. But it is our best chance,” she had said over the phone after Mick and David drafted their new plan. “And if this is what it takes to bring Cassandra down, I will help you get the princess alone.”

  And she was right. Mick had been right. No matter how risky, how crazy and dramatic, this was the best option they had.

  But there was also an anxiety in David that he couldn’t quite shake. It wasn’t just because he had to face the woman of his dreams, after so many years and so many lies, and try to convince her of who he really was. And it also wasn’t just because he still felt like such an imposter in his fine clothing with his fake passport.

  No, what frightened David the most was the thought of seeing Katy—perfect, wonderful, beautiful Katy—and then realizing that she might actually be even happier without him.

  Because, truly, then what?

  18

  Katy

  “Do they, uh . . . always travel like that?”

  Katy stifled a laugh from her place beside Oliver on the stone steps of the palace. It was one of many greetings they’d have to do as dignified guests arrived for the festivities. But this greeting was more personal than most for her.

  The king and queen of Lorria were arriving. And they were traveling in style.

  “That’s Mama for you. She likes to remind dignitaries and representatives of other nations that Lorria manages quite well.”

  In stark contrast with the usual dark sedans, SUVs, and the occasional stretch limo, Frederick and Margery de Courtes pulled up in the back seat of a bespoke Rolls Royce. It was the only one in existence, commissioned by the queen herself and flown around the world for the most exclusive events. It was usually only driven from the private jet to the destination, then immediately given maintenance and draped with a custom velvet cover, loaded onto the back of a truck, and shipped back home.

  It was ostentatious, ridiculous, and grating. Very much like the queen could be.

  As the chauffeured vehicle rolled to a stop, Katy and Oliver took a few steps down to meet her parents. It had only been about a week since Katy had seen them last, but several months for Oliver.

  Lucky Oliver.

  The queen stepped out of the back seat first, glancing up at her daughter and future son-in-law and waiting for her husband. King Frederick followed a moment later. After adjusting their formal clothes, they made their way up the steps.

  “Katerina, darling.” The queen approached with outstretched arms. Katy smiled genuinely. The king and queen were a little much at times, but they were still her parents.

  Katy hugged her mother, breathing in the smell of her French perfume, and then pulled away and turned to her father. He embraced her lovingly. “Good to see you, Katerina. The palace hasn’t been the same without you.”

  “I’ve missed you and Mama, as well.” Katy squeezed her father tighter.

  “Oliver, dear. So nice to see you again.” The queen extended her hand to Oliver, who grasped it and delivered a peck to the back of her lightly clasped fingers.

  “Always a pleasure,” Oliver replied congenially. He turned to the king and offered his hand for a shake.

  After some small talk and musings about traffic and the weather, Oliver and Katy led the king and queen into the palace proper.

  “Of course, we’ll want to freshen up a bit before lunch,” the queen told her daughter as they walked through the grand entryway.

  “We have staterooms prepared for you,” Oliver offered. “I’d be happy to assist you there.”

  The queen smiled appreciatively, and the king nodded.

  “Oh, and my parents send their apologies for not being here to greet you. My grandmother is on her way from Wales for the party, and they always accompany her on long travels.”

  “We completely understand. And we look forward to seeing the prince and princess tomorrow,” Margery replied, seeming actually pleased with all the developments.

  Katy tried to keep herself from frowning, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded. This was just what she needed at the moment: more bonding between two families that might never actually unite.

  * * *

  “Doesn't leave much to the imagination,” Katy joked, examining her party gown in a large mirror. The queen had brought it in from Lorria, imagined and sewn specifically for Katy by a famous Lorrellian fashion designer.

  “Indeed,” Cassie replied playfully. “I can still see your neck. Might be too revealing for delicate eyes.”

  Katy laughed. It was actually a beautiful gown, in the shade of sapphire that always brightened Katy’s steely eyes. And the long sleeves looked trendy as opposed to antiquated. But it still struck Katy as odd that, even at an international engagement party, she was expected to adhere to Lorria’s infamous standard of female modesty.

  “At least Mama compromised on the boat neck. It was almost another turtleneck.” Katy laughed.

  But, as it too often did, the good humor turned to ashes in her mouth as the reality of her situation settled in. She was trying on a dress for a party that celebrated nothing. She didn’t love Oliver. Even Oliver knew that. And her best attempts at being honest—that was, really, breaking up—had been met with doubt on her end (is perpetual spinsterhood somehow better than a sham marriage?) or assurances from Oliver. Frankly, Katy didn’t know what to think anymore.

  So she mostly thought about David. The good and the bad, the questions that remained unanswered. His lips, his strong arms, his goofy jokes, all of which had lightened the tension of awkward Lorrellian parties . . . their first kiss, in the snow outside of her winter palace . . . And, of course, the trial she hadn’t watched. The nasty French ex’s tell-all statements. David’s radio silence about everything. It all still felt so fresh and raw, and now that Katy was choosing to think about it, there was so much to ponder.

  Cerise still hadn’t responded to her text the previous night, which was making Katy doubt that she ever would. Really, Katy couldn’t blame her.

  You probably only succeeded in upsetting her.

  “Well, I bet Oliver will look quite dashing. Per usual,” Cassie added, bringing Katy back to the present. Her cousin was standing behind Katy in her powder room, since it would’ve been impossible for her to get into that specially made dress and tighten her corset alone.

  Katy faked a smile. Yes, Oliver probably would be quite handsome for his vaulted engagement party. A picture of English beauty, standing beside his dour soon-to-be wife.

  Possibly. Or maybe he’d be standing next to the scandalous woman who was about to light up the tabloids all over again. Neither prospect sounded appealing.

  Infamous Princess Breaks Duke Oliver’s Heart! Or: Princess Katerina Leaves Duke at Altar! Or maybe something terribly seedy like: Once Bitten? Princess Calls Off Engagement, Can’t Forget Bad Boy Ex. She certainly wouldn’t put it past them.

  Cassie placed a hand on her cousin’s fabric-draped shoulder and made eye contact with her in the mirror. “Are you feeling all right? You’ve been pretty quiet today.”

  Katy nodded. “It’s just kind of hitting me, I guess. It feels like it’s all happening so fast.”

  “I get it,” Cassie replied sympathetically. “I do, hon. But it really hasn’t happened fast at all. Oliver has waited three years for this. It just feels fast because you’re scared of being hurt again.”

  Katy sighed, more vexed than usual at just another instance of her cousin pushing her own narrative while barely listening to Katy’s reality. “I’m not sure it’s that simple. I . . .”

  A knock at the door interrupted her; she quickly looked back at her cousin.

  Cassie smiled. “I’m sure that’s the duke now, come to see his princess.” She stepped away to answer the door.

  Katy followed her out of the powder room. But when the door opened,
she was surprised to see someone else standing outside.

  “My Queen,” Cassie said with a shallow bow, her face smoothing out into a bland, formal look. She held the door open wide for the woman.

  “Cassandra,” the queen replied, nodding in her direction. Then she saw her daughter.

  Queen Margery seemed almost to gasp at the sight of Katy in her party dress. Katy wondered if perhaps she was about to be told how ill-fitting it was. Or maybe how tacky the exposed neck made her look. She’d been getting those little comments all her life. But, to Katy’s surprise, the queen smiled broadly after a pause.

  “Katerina. You look lovely.”

  Katy smiled, the unexpected compliment warming her, though the feeling was bittersweet.

  “I’ll leave you two. Call me if you need me later, Katy,” Cassie told Katy. Then, turning to the queen, she added demurely, “Good evening, My Queen.” She shut the door on her way out, leaving Katy and her mother alone in her room.

  “I hope I’m not imposing, dear. Or interrupting your . . . girl time.”

  Katy wasn’t used to this timid version of her mother. It caught her off guard. “No, Mama. I’m happy you’re here.”

  “We’re so happy to be here, Katerina. So happy to see you all dressed up for your engagement party. And engaged to such a fine man!”

  A fine man whom I can’t bring myself to love. What is wrong with me?

  “And of course we’re happy to be here for Cassandra’s nuptials, as well. Even if the timing is a bit . . . unorthodox.”

  Her mother had been much less diplomatic in previous conversations, but Katy appreciated the temporary restraint. Cassie had been there for her through everything; the least she could do was support her cousin’s wedding choices, even with her reservations.

  “We’ll miss you when you’re in Esserby, dear,” the queen said, her voice genuine. “But they’ve already broken ground on the new home in Lorria. So hopefully we’ll have you back home soon.”