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“Come with me,” James said as he got to his feet.
Amanda immediately stood to follow him. “Is she here in the palace?”
“She has the south wing all to herself. I have the west, and our brother, Theodore has the east. Mum and Dad have the north.”
“I see. It must feel as if each of you has your own home.”
James nodded. “All offices are in the main area of the palace, which is the only area that the public ever sees.” He opened her door and headed down the long hall that led to the south wing and his sister Eloise.
Amanda’s eyes were going in every direction as she looked for anyone who may be dangerous. She had her hand on her weapon. “I should go first,” she told him.
He laughed. “No one is going to be able to hurt me here.”
Amanda sighed. He wasn’t going to be easy to protect. “You’re going to need to listen to me at times. This is my specialty.”
“At times,” he agreed, still forging ahead. When he reached the south wing, he used a key to open the door there. “Almost there.”
When he reached Eloise’s door, he knocked. She opened the door, looking at him as if she wasn’t sure why he was there. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“New bodyguard,” he said. “Eloise, this is Amanda. Amanda, my sister Eloise.”
“What happened to Clarence?” Eloise asked.
“He had ties to some unsavory people,” Amanda said.
“Oh, well then he shouldn’t be a bodyguard.” She opened her door wide and invited them in.
“Amanda needs to borrow some dresses if you don’t mind. We’ve decided that she would be more effective if she posed as my love interest.”
“You decided,” Amanda said. “I wasn’t given a say.”
Eloise sighed. “That’s what happens when you’re spending time with a future king. He’s used to being obeyed.”
“I see that,” Amanda said. Eloise’s apartment seemed to be filled with books. “You’re a big reader!” Amanda said, feeling as if she’d just met a kindred spirit.
“I always have been,” Eloise said. “Do you read?”
Amanda nodded. “My degree is in English literature.”
“Well, the next time you get a day off from protecting big brother, come see me and we’ll talk books.” Eloise led the way across her apartment to her closet, which was the size of Amanda’s entire apartment in New York. She started flipping through the dresses. “This would match your blue eyes.” She held a dress out. And then another. Before Amanda knew what was happening, she held eight dresses in her arms.
“I’m sure this is enough!” Amanda said.
“Maybe for this week!” Eloise shook her head. “We’ll have to get my modiste in here to make some more for you. You’re going to need a different dress every time you leave the palace.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“Not this early in a relationship it isn’t. Eventually, you’ll be able to repurpose your dresses and gowns.”
“It’s not like I’m really in a relationship with your brother. I’m sure this extra threat won’t last long.” Amanda knew the king was ready for his eldest to marry, and that meant he couldn’t have a bodyguard for a love interest. Though, she truly wouldn’t mind more. He was the sexiest man she’d met in a very long time.
Eloise nodded, thrusting one more dress at Amanda. “This is perfect for the parade.”
“Will you be in the parade?” Amanda asked.
Eloise shook her head. “No, I’m afraid most of the work lands on James. Theodore and I have plenty of time to dive into our interests.”
“Like reading?” Amanda asked. As much as she loved her job, she could simply imagine spending all day every day with books at her disposal. For just a moment, she was jealous of the princess.
