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“I’ll be happy with whatever you choose as long as we’re together.”
She lifted her head and smiled. “Dang, Savva. You always seem to know the right thing to say. I know you took prince lessons somewhere.”
Despite her words, her cheer seemed forced. For a moment, I wondered if she’d somehow learned of my original plan to get her pregnant, but I’d already disposed of the original condoms. We’d had unprotected sex only that first time, and we wouldn’t know for sure for at least another two weeks.
Once is enough.
Pushing my trepidation aside, I asked, “Are you worried about what will happen?”
“Yeah, kinda.” She sobered and looked out over the water. “When will we make the formal engagement announcement?”
“Next week, I think, but no later than the end of July. We’ll want to give the palace staff as much time as possible to plan our wedding too.”
“Which needs to happen before the twenty-sixth of August. I guess you’ll be getting a wedding ring for your birthday.”
“I’ll also be getting you.”
“And a whole new democratic country. Don’t forget that part.” She shuddered, then added, “We have to tell Val and my daddy first. I don’t think your mama will be too happy about you marrying the housekeeper.”
“I believe we had this discussion earlier this week. You’re not a housekeeper. Aside from that, she’s quite fond of you.” I tipped up her chin and kissed her. “Not everyone gets a chance to raid Princess Valeriya’s closets and jewelry chests.”
As I’d intended, the reminder made her laugh. “True. Praise God I didn’t lose anything, but I’m looking forward to giving it all back.”
“And what of your father?” I asked. “How do you think he’ll react to the news?”
“He’ll ask if I’m happy. As long as he thinks I am, he’ll be delighted.” She sighed, then tried for a smile. “Sure wish we could tell him in person, but he’ll be too busy to come all this way on such short notice.”
“We’ll work something out. Perhaps a videoconference for now, and once the formal announcement is made, we’ll travel to visit him in person.”
“Thank you. That sounds perfect.”
She hugged me tightly, allowing me to hide my smirk of satisfaction. I wouldn’t spoil the surprise, but Damaris would have everything she wanted.
CHAPTER 11
DAMARIS
Wearing one of Val’s elegant dresses, I stepped from the helicopter into the waiting arms of my fiancé.
Swallowing hard, I let him escort me into the palace instead of grabbing my own luggage. Shit was getting real, and I needed to get myself together and fulfill the promise I’d made.
I promised to be Savva’s princess, and I couldn’t go back on it. A quarter of a million people were looking at him to protect them from Russian occupation, and I needed to stand up and do what was right.
“Welcome home.” Meeting us in the grand foyer, Princess Valeriya held out her hand, then pulled me into an embrace. “Dear Damaris, did you follow my rules?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Before I did anything else, I presented the case containing all the jewelry she’d loaned me. “First off, no lost pearls, thank the good Lord. I’ll get the clothes back to you tomorrow.”
She laughed and took the case, then kissed my cheeks. “I’ve spent the week cleaning my closets, and already moved scads of clothes into your room.”
“Oh, goodness.” I glanced at Savva and hauled in a breath when he gave me an encouraging nod. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”
“Never mind that. It gives me an excuse to go shopping for things that suit me. Tell me all about your trip.”
“Prince Savva took me to Vasamuseet, and we rode horses around the city, then had a supper cruise in the harbor.”
“And you took many pictures?”
“I think I filled up my whole phone with photos.”
