and queens. Kelsey might not care about what she derisively called “princess perks,” but Mallory loved jewelry. Jewelry with a history? Just touching them gave her a thrill and a chill. “I think that gives me license to bitch about retrieving them.”
With a glance at the gilt-and-porcelain clock on the mantel, Kelsey’s snide demeanor changed to one of sympathy. “Oh. You got lost again, didn’t you? That’s the real reason you’re complaining.”
“I think my brain was still dazzled by everything I saw in the vault. I got turned around when I came out and ended up on the wrong floor by, ah, the green sitting room?”
“That’s it. I’m getting Elias to get you a map. The Royal Protection Service must have schematics of this place they use.” Kelsey’s boyfriend used to be her bodyguard. Before love became one heck of a conflict of interest in his career. He still worked for the RPS, just training new recruits.
After carefully setting the jewelry box on the corner of the bed, Mallory grabbed a pillow and thwapped Kelsey’s shoulder. Repeatedly. “They have maps? Why didn’t you give me one when I got here?”
“Honestly, I didn’t think of it. I’ve always got someone escorting me. I’m sorry.” She scrambled off the bed to give Mallory a tight hug. “I forgot that you only get bodyguard protection when you leave the palace.”
Yup. Because regular ladies-in-waiting didn’t get security. To the rest of them on the palace payroll to Princess Genevieve, Grand Duchess Mathilde, and Duchess Agathe, LIW was just a job.
But for the non-blood-related sister of the princess who’d taken a bullet for the royal family, things were different. The guilt the House of Villani carried for her attack meant full protection when off palace grounds. Which wasn’t as awesome as it sounded. Not all the bodyguards were as scrumptiliciously hot as Elias.
Putting the pillow back on top of the other seven with their pale lavender satin embroidered with golden peacocks, Mallory said, “Have him produce a map by morning and I’ll forgive you.”
“Done.” Kelsey popped open the case and put on the earrings. “Do they look weird?”
“They are stunningly beautiful.”
“Exactly.” She hurried into the closet/dressing area, which was bigger than their entire Manhattan living room, to look in a mirror. “Do they look weird? Because I’m not in a fancy gown or anything?”
Kelsey had come around to the idea that jewels and, yes, even tiaras were necessary in her new lifestyle. She had not, however, come around to the idea of wearing them every day.
“Your stylist suggested this particular pair. I’m quite certain they’re appropriate.” Mallory watched her sister push her blond hair behind her ears. Then pull it forward to cover them. Then flick the delicate golden drops. “If you stop fiddling and fussing with them.”
“The kids will think they’re weird.” Kelsey was on her way to a fundraiser for Moncriano Youth Services. Her job was to hang out with the kids and help them decorate sneakers. As a former graphic designer, Kelsey could whip their sketches into real designs on the computer by the end of the night. The gala guests would then bid on them for exorbitant amounts.
Seriously, it seemed like more than half of Mallory’s job was coaxing Kelsey into doing all the things she didn’t want to do.
Which was, hey, no different than her role as older sister and decades of prodding and pushing Kelsey into doing her chores. Or finishing her homework. Or writing college application essays instead of just creating logos and branding for her portfolio.
With 200 percent more patience than she actually felt, Mallory calmly said, “You have to mix and mingle with the glitterati first. They’ll appreciate your earrings. Remember, you have cachet now. There are people who are attending just to say they rubbed shoulders with a princess. And they’ll spend more money in an attempt to impress you. If you look the part.”
The mirror perfectly reflected the snarky side-eye Kelsey rolled at her. As well as reflecting the famous Villani violet eyes…that looked nothing like her own green eyes.
Not to mention that standing next to her sister drove home that Mallory’s auburn hair and rounder cheeks bore zero shared resemblance. Really, it was a miracle their parents had kept the secret of the two sisters not actually being blood-related for so long.
Kelsey elbowed her. “That sounds a lot like the speech you gave me two hours ago.”
“Why should I reinvent the wheel? Sometimes efficiency is more important than innovation.”