by Jenny Frame
A million thoughts rushed around Roza’s head, and she didn’t know which to say first. “I spoke to my brother, Lex, and he says he will support us and try to lobby the King on our behalf, but even if he doesn’t approve, I’ll leave everything behind to be with you. Please give us a chance.”
“Calm down, Princess—take a breath. Okay?”
“Okay. I’m sorry. I’m just going out of my mind here,” Roza said.
“I was calling you to say I’m taking a few weeks off work and going home to my parents’ house. To take stock and think away from the press and—”
Roza’s heart sank. “You’re leaving me?”
“If you’d let me finish, I was going to ask you to come with me, if Major Ravn approves. It’s a quiet little village in the middle of nowhere. If we’re careful in travelling there, we could have some time away from the press. Time to be ourselves, and work out what we want and if this can work.”
Roza had never felt happier in her life. “Yes, yes. I want that, Lex. I can show you we can work.”
“There’s another reason. I want to introduce you to my family. They are everything to me, so it’s important you meet.”
Nerves started to set in. Would Lex’s parents resent her for bringing all this adverse publicity into her life? Because of her image, would they disapprove? Inside she knew she would face anything to be with Lex. “I’d love to meet your family.”
“I’ll call Ravn then, and try and sort out the logistics, and you can start packing, Princess.”
“Thank you for wanting to fight, Lex.”
*
Roza’s apartment was chaos since Lex’s phone call. Between trying to pack quickly for her trip and Ravn frantically organizing security, no one had a minute to think. Roza had called Bea to let her know what her plans were, and both Bea and George thought it was a great idea for her to have some time away. Everything was set apart from packing.
“Do you want to take the blue dress, Roza?” Perri held up the garment for her perusal.
Roza looked up from packing all her hair and make-up products and thought hard for a second. “No, too formal. I’d like to take everything, but I don’t want to look like the stereotypical princess and turn up with twenty cases.”
Perri laughed softly. “You’re nervous, aren’t you?”
“A little. I’m worried they’ll be expecting the princess from magazines, and wonder why on earth Lex got involved with me.”
“Don’t be nervous. I’m sure they’re good people, if Lennox is anything to go by.”
Roza brought her make-up case over to the luggage bags, and said, “Do you like her then?”
“I do. She’s a good person and has a very calming influence on you,” Perri said.
“Let’s just hope Father sees it that way. Oh! I forgot. Lex said I’d need walking shoes,” Roza said with a heavy sigh. “She wants to take me hiking. Why she thinks walking long distances is fun, I’ll never know.”
Perri put the blue dress back into the wardrobe and said, “I’ll go and call a few sports shops, and have the boots couriered down to Lex’s. Excuse me.”
Roza couldn’t remember when she had last felt so happy. She was positively giddy and those butterflies were exhausted by the amount of fluttering they had to do in her stomach. She giggled and threw herself back on the bed.
Chapter Eighteen
They picked up Lex at her friend Vic’s house and made their way from London to the remote rural village of Lower Fieldworth, in the Chiltern Hills in the county of Buckinghamshire.
Roza had been quiet since they left London, and Lex hoped this trip was what she really wanted. “Princess? You okay? You’ve been quiet.”
“I’m just nervous, I suppose. I hope your family likes me.”
Lex took Roza’s hand. “Are you kidding? My little sister will adore you, and Mum and Dad will love you. You know Poppy follows all your comings and goings on the fashion websites. You’re super cool, according to her.”
That made Roza smile. “I hope I live up to expectations.”
They drove through the front gates to the large farmhouse property, and pulled up outside the front door, where Lex’s mum, dad, and sister were waiting for them.
Lex squeezed Roza’s hand and said, “Here we are. The King family home. Are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” Roza said confidently, but inside she was unbelievably nervous.
Lex got out and opened the door for Roza and helped her out. Then she watched Lex hurry over to her family, and to Roza’s surprise, they greeted her in one group hug, then they happily exchanged kisses and more hugs.
Roza held back, not quite sure what to do. If she found the domestic family life of the British royal family more relaxed than hers, then the King family were in a different category altogether.
“Roza, come and meet my family,” Lex said, beckoning her over to them.
Lex’s family had the brightest and warmest smiles and appeared to be genuinely happy to meet her.
“Roza, this is my dad, Jason.”
Jason moved to kiss her on the cheek, but stopped himself and held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Princess Rozala.”
Roza took his hand and kissed him on the cheek, making him smile. “It’s Roza, and it’s wonderful to meet you.”
Lex moved on to her mum. “My mum, Faith.”
Faith was a beautiful woman who clearly took care of herself. Apparently taking her cue from Roza’s response to Jason, Faith moved to kiss Roza on each cheek. “Welcome, Roza. We’re so happy to see you.”
Lex put her arm around Poppy and said, “Lastly my baby sister, Poppy.”
Poppy was a pretty young woman with long, wavy light brown hair. “Hi, Princess Roza, your outfit is super sweet.”
Roza could tell immediately she was going to love Poppy. She gave her a kiss on the cheek, and said, “Thank you. I love your jeans—Gucci, if I’m not mistaken?”
Poppy looked more than delighted she’d noticed. “Yes! Lex bought me them for Christmas.”
Roza turned and smiled at Lex. She really was the most kind and loving person she had ever met.
“Lovely to meet you all,” Roza said. “I’m sorry about all the security people and equipment descending on you.”
She saw Poppy’s eyes go wide as she caught a glimpse of Major Ravn behind her. “Oh, sorry, this is my head of security, Major Ravn.”
Ravn stepped forward and nodded her head respectfully. “Mr. King? I believe the officers I sent to you this morning have a space ready where we can base our team and equipment.”
“Yes, we have the stable block around the side of our property. It’s more of a self-contained flat really—we redeveloped it for when our elderly parents are visiting. It has two bedrooms, with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Let me take you there now.”
“Thank you, sir.”
When Jason walked off with Ravn, Faith offered her arm to Roza. “Let me show you to your room, Roza. Lex and Poppy can get the suitcases.”
*
They had a simple lunch around the table in the kitchen. Roza sat back and listened to the laughter, jokes, and family conversation she wasn’t used to, and Poppy excitedly asked all about her favourite fashion designers and the models she had met. She was a lovely bright girl.
Afterwards she took a nap as she felt a headache coming on. It had been a whirlwind of a couple of days, and she was now just starting to feel the after-effects.
She awoke to a wet sensation on her cheek. Her eyes sprang open and she came face-to-face with a large caramel-coloured dog. She started to giggle as he continued to kiss her face and wag his tail incessantly.
“Okay, okay, nice to meet you too.” Roza giggled as she stroked behind his head, and the kisses stopped so he could enjoy the ruffling of his ears. “You look like a big overgrown teddy bear. What’s your name, I wonder?” She saw a name tag hanging from his collar. “Noodles? Is that your name? How sweet.” He gave her an excited bark and ran off out of the b
edroom.
Roza heard noises coming from the garden beneath her window. She looked at her watch. “Two hours I’ve been asleep? God, I must have been tired.” She walked over to the window to see Jason, Lex, and Poppy play Frisbee with the aforementioned Noodles, who was now jumping high in the air to catch the disc. They even have a goofy family dog. Could the Kings be any more like the classic TV idea of the perfect family?
This kind of family was alien to Roza and quite overwhelming. Were all real families like this? Was this what she had missed out on?
As she watched Lex and Poppy fight over the Frisbee, laughing and play-fighting, she realized Lex was so different around them. So much more light-hearted and easy-going, and less controlled.
She had a desire to be part of it, but was nervous too. She walked downstairs and tentatively stepped into the large farmhouse kitchen. Faith was standing at the range cooking all sorts of delicious-smelling food.
Faith must have sensed her presence because she turned around and said, “Hello, ma’am.”
“Hello, and it’s Roza. I would like just to be Roza here.”
Faith nodded, seemingly understanding. “Did you have a good nap?”
“Yes, lovely. A big teddy bear with a slobbery tongue woke me up,” Roza said.
Faith sighed. “Noodles. I’m sorry, Jason was supposed to keep him downstairs so he didn’t bother you. He’s Poppy’s beloved Labradoodle. We had one of our neighbours take him for a walk while you arrived and settled in. He can be a bit boisterous.”
“It’s no problem. He’s a lovely dog.” Roza hesitated, not knowing what to say or do next. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Everything is bubbling away nicely, but why don’t we sit and prepare the strawberries for dessert. I’d like to get to know you without Poppy taking over the conversation.”
Roza smiled and went to quickly wash her hands before sitting at the kitchen table. “Poppy is such a sweet girl.”
Faith laughed and brought over the large bowl of strawberries and two knives for them to use. “Sweet, but talkative. You know, you’re going to have to field a million questions before you leave?”
“That’s okay. I think she’s great. I only have an older brother, so it’s nice to be around a girl closer to my age.” They started to slice the fruit. “I hope I’m doing this correctly.”
“Perfect. If you don’t mind me saying, Roza, you seem tense. I hope it’s not us?”
“Oh no, not at all. I suppose I am tense. I don’t want you to judge me on my image in the media.”
Faith surprised her by covering her hand in a comforting gesture. “Jason and I would never judge anyone on what others say. We want to get to know you for ourselves, and because Lex obviously cares so much about you.”
“I care about her. I’m sorry that her private life was invaded because of me, and I’m sorry if you were embarrassed,” Roza said shyly.
“We aren’t embarrassed by what Lex went through. She had an addiction, an illness, and we helped her. All the people that matter know that,” Faith told her.
“I think she’s the bravest person I know.”
Faith never said anything but her warm smile gave Roza the impression she had passed some sort of test she didn’t know she was sitting.
They continued chopping the fruit quietly for a few minutes before Faith said to her, “I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries, Roza, but you look so much like Queen Maria.”
This was the first time someone had said those words that she didn’t feel shame inside. The feeling was different altogether.
“Did I upset you saying that?” Faith asked.
“No.” She plopped another strawberry into the bowl. “It used to. I used to feel guilty, and angry, when people said that.”
“Why?”
Roza let out a breath. “I suppose, I felt guilty that she died because of me, and I felt I could never live up to her. She died for someone she would never know.”
Faith listened and then said, “I had a lot of problems during Poppy’s birth.”
“What happened?”
“Poppy was a very late baby and a complete surprise to Jason and me, although Poppy prefers to say a precious gift rather than surprise.” They both chuckled. “We were happy with one child—Jason had little time during his surgery days and I was busy with my business—and when my doctor gave me the news I was more than shocked. Jason hit the floor. I was convinced it was the menopause.”
“I bet Lex was surprised,” Roza said.
Faith got up and collected the meringue bases that had been cooling on the side and took a large tub of cream from the fridge. “Surprised but very excited. She always wanted a little sister to look after.” She placed them on the table and started to whip the cream in a bowl. “The first time I saw Poppy’s scan I fell head over heels, and every time she kicked inside me, I managed to find more love for her, even though I thought I already loved her with all my heart.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Your mother knew you and loved you from the first time she saw and felt you inside her. You were her daughter already, even though she couldn’t hold you in her arms and, like me, I’m sure, would have willingly given up her life for her child.”
Faith’s words hit somewhere deep inside her, somewhere she had kept locked away for a long time, and the emotion overcame her.
*
Lex checked their bedroom and couldn’t find Roza. She went downstairs and eventually followed the voices to the kitchen. When she took a step in she found a sight she was not expecting—Roza crying and being comforted in her mother’s arms.
She knew she should be doing something but couldn’t move her feet. Her mum looked up and indicated for Lex to leave. Lex managed to make herself move and wandered out into the front garden of the house. She took a deep breath and tried to calm her hammering heart. Seeing the two women she loved embrace like that had a profound effect on her.
Roza and Vic were right. She had to try and be with Roza no matter what King Christian would say about it, and no matter the risk to her sobriety. That was her problem to deal with and shouldn’t interfere with her love.
No more pulling away from her. Roza deserved the full devotion of her love. Thea had kept her on an emotional rollercoaster and she was doing the same thing. Roza needed security and certainty in her life. She needed to know that someone would be there at the end of every day to love her and take care of her.
She walked around the gravel driveway to the side of the house and saw Poppy sitting on the wall watching Roza’s security team. They were busy going in and out of the stable building, setting up security equipment and organizing patrols of the property.
“Hey, baby sister. What are you doing sitting out here on your own?” Lex sat on the wall beside her, put her arm around her shoulder, and gave her a squeeze.
Poppy immediately laid her head on her shoulder. “Watching her.”
She said that with almost a purr to her voice. Lex followed her line of vision and was surprised to find Major Ravn at the end of it. She was directing her men, and had dispensed with her tailored suit jacket, showing her crisp white shirt, tie, and shoulder holster.
Lex sat back in surprise. “Major Ravn?”
“Yes, I’ve never seen anyone like her in my life. She’s like ten feet tall and so, so strong, and she’s got this scary, sexy thing going on.”
“She’s also about forty years old with a wife and two kids, Pops—you’re sixteen.”
“So? I’m allowed to look, aren’t I?”
Poppy had grown up so fast. The thought of her lusting after someone did not fill Lex with joy. One day someone would return that look. “I thought boys were your thing?”
Poppy gave her an incredulous look. “You are so old-fashioned, Lex. People under twenty-five don’t limit themselves to one gender or another. We are attracted to the person.”
“Well whatever, don’t be attracted to Ravn, okay?”
/>
Poppy sighed dramatically. “I can dream.” She bumped Lex’s shoulder. “So, big sister, how did you manage to catch a beautiful princess? Does she know that you drink kale and spinach juice, run at disgusting hours of the morning, hang off mountains, and are generally annoying?”
Lex laughed. “Mostly. She’d probably agree that I’m annoying.” As Lex thought back on their time together, she realized she’d tried to resist Roza all along until she had been caught. “I don’t think I caught her. She caught me and I’ve been trying to get away ever since.”
“Are you crazy? She’s Princess Rozala of Denbourg, one of the most beautiful women in the world, a style icon, and you’re trying to get away from her?”
When it was put like that, it seemed so simple. “I’m clearly an idiot.”
Poppy took her hand and smiled. “No, not an idiot. You’ve just been alone so long that you’re scared.”
“When did you get so wise?”
“Mum teaches me,” Poppy said.
Faith King was wise, smart, maternal, and loving, everything a mother should be. Lex couldn’t imagine not having that influence in her life, something Roza never had, but maybe this was something she could share with her.
Lex spotted her father coming out of the kitchen carrying a large tray filled with covered dishes.
“Lex can you help me? Your mum’s made food for Major Ravn and her team, and there’s another couple to come.”
That was typical of her mum. Ravn had said her team would go to the local hotel for meals, but obviously Faith had other ideas.
“No problem, Dad.”
As she stood Poppy jumped up excitedly and said, “I’ll help take food over to Major Sexy.”
Lex laughed, and gently pushed her. “No more drooling over Ravn. Go and help Mum.”
Poppy stuck out her tongue at her. “You’re such a spoilsport.”
*
Dinner with the Kings was like one of those cosy family scenes Roza had seen in cheesy Christmas films, and didn’t quite believe actually existed in real life. The family teased each other back and forth, told stories about themselves, and generally laughed their way through the meal.