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“But the main reason I was asked to step in and represent Her Majesty today is because my fondness for education is well known. I prefer to think of myself as a scholar. Others have called me a nerd.”
More laughter. That was a good sign. His shoulders lowered and he relaxed a bit more.
“Whichever term is used, I embrace it because I believe in the written word. So do you. It’s why you’re here. You were chosen for this honor, based on your excellent essays honoring the role of women in society. And if you are an example of our future generation of scholars, then I posit we’re in very good hands indeed. Duchess, would you like to say a few words?”
He understood the sounds of surprise and distress that greeted his invitation. Dates had been invited to events, and it wasn’t unusual to see a significant other watching from the sidelines, but to have a person who wasn’t a member of the royal family be asked to say a few words on behalf of the queen?
Outrageous.
He knew the comments, segments, think pieces, and social media posts that would result from this gesture, and he planned to prepare her for it, but he was also very proud of her. Of the way she carried herself as she made her way to stand at the lectern.
As if she owned the building.
But for good measure, he skimmed those assembled with a quelling glance.
“Thank you, Prince Jameson. And thank you to the royal family for allowing me to be here today. When I learned about the event, and who was being honored and why, I begged Prince Jameson to let me attend. Not because I was a good student; I was not. But because I know a little something about honoring kick-ass women.” Dani gasped and swung to face him. “Can I say kick-ass?”
He widened his eyes. “You just did. Twice.”
The audience chuckled and her expression was so adorably dismayed it was all he could do not to kiss her. Handholding had been pushing it; the palace would go apoplectic if they actually embraced during the festivities.
“Strong women,” she amended, laughing. “I wouldn’t be here without the strong women in my life. And on that note, I’m going to stop while I’m slightly ahead. Congratulations to the essayists and to the parents and teachers of these creative students! I look forward to meeting you all.”
She pressed her hands together and nodded at the applause.
“Now, if you’ll please,” another palace aide said, as others assembled the guests into a line.
Jameson briefly touched the small of Dani’s back when she rejoined him. “You were wonderful.”
“That bit works every time.”
He frowned. The part when she’d “accidentally” cursed in her enthusiasm and had been charmingly remorseful? That hadn’t been genuine?
The aide gestured to him and Dani. “Your Royal Highness. Duchess.”
They moved along the procession, greeting the students and theirfamilies. He shook hands and spoke to everyone, asking their parents questions and chatting with the students about their studies.
But he couldn’t help being entranced by Dani to his left. He received his usual smiles and respectful regard, but Dani was greeted with such warmth and appreciation, especially by the students. They were drawn to her, like a beloved family member. It was startling to bear witness to it, as he hadn’t seen anything like it... ever.
Did the power lie in her not being a member of the royal family or was it a quality innate in her?
And was that a part of the show, too?
Jameson exhaled a silent sigh of relief when he reached the last student. “Hello, Candice. Congratulations.”
Candice took his hand and dropped into a shaky curtsy. “Your Royal Highness.”
The guests had been told that bowing or curtsying wasn’t required, nevertheless, most of them made an attempt.
He mentally flipped through all the essays he had read and linked up Candice’s name with the corresponding paper.Oh!“I really enjoyed your perspective on the imperative of prioritizing the education of women globally. The Brigham Young quote you used was particularly effective: You educate a man, you educate a man. You educate a woman, you educate a generation.”
Candice had been the only student to approach the essay with an eye toward racial and class disparities.
“Thank you so much, sir,” she said and beamed, pride straightening her posture. Her gaze flicked to Dani and her mouth dropped open. “Oh my God!”
“How you doing?” Dani asked, flashing the teen a brilliant smile.
Candice bounced from foot to foot, flapping her hands. “It’s actually you.”
