AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dani stared at the Princess Royal, the one-eighty shift in her comprehension making her unsteady.
“Did you know Kabira was in the other bed?”
“No.”
“Do you care?”
“Yes! That poor girl and her face...” Catherine’s lips trembled.
“But you chose the more palatable optics of the little white girl with blond hair and her arm in a cast?”
“That’s who thehospital administratorchose for our visit,” Catherine clarified.
Oh.
“You don’t have a problem expressing your opinions, do you?” Catherine asked.
“No, I don’t.”
“I can tell. Even during the ball when you confronted my mother, you spoke your mind. I respect that about you. I have my own opinions, too. But those are private. In public, there’s a party line and you’re expected to follow it. Especially if you want to remain a working senior royal.”
It was like being in a fun-land house of mirrors.
“People looking in from the outside always think they understand our way of life. And they come in believing they can handle it. We aren’t insular for any nefarious reasons, but because it’s easier to slot in someone who’s grown up in, and understands, this world.”
Catherine may have a point. Dani had assumed she understood what she was stepping into by agreeing to do these engagements. And she could admit her assumption had been bolstered by herneed for the exposure her participation would bring. But Dani didn’t have a fucking clue. Those events with Jay had been like dipping her toe in the water. This one with Catherine was akin to being caught in a rip current, pulling her offshore and into water above her head.
“My mother is very aware of this. And yet, she’s granted you unprecedented authority and access you haven’t earned.”
What did that mean? At this point, Dani was tired of asking. And irritated. Why did everything have to be so fucking cryptic with this family?
“Do you remember your last event with Jameson and what you said?”
Dani frowned. “I said a lot of things. You need to be more specific.”
“‘I’m sorry it’s taken so long for this to happen.’” Catherine pulled the quote as if it were sitting on the tip of her tongue, waiting to be called to action.
“Yes. The girl was crying because she’d never seen anyone who looked like her in the family that was supposed to represent her country. And I wanted her to know what that meant to me.”
“But it was seen as a criticism of the royal family.”
“By who?”
“The palace wanted to pull you from events.”
“This came from the queen?”
Catherine shook her head. “The palace!”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me!”
“Just... be careful. I love my mother and respect her more than anyone I’ve ever known. It’s taken a lot for her to hold this all together. But that doesn’t mean she should be trusted. Keep your eyes open.”
Catherine turned to gaze out the window, signaling the conversation was over.
“Oh, and Duchess?”
Apparently, Dani was wrong. Catherine had more to say.
