Fit for a Queen (Royal Scandals: San Rimini Book 1)

by Nicole Burnham

  Royce sat back in the chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. Almost to himself, he muttered, “I’ve seen that bag before. Give me a minute.”

  She waited, knowing what he’d say, because she recognized the bag, too, on the arm of someone who’d entered the closet under her watch.

  Royce met her gaze a heartbeat later, his eyes flashing. “Helena Masciaretti.”

  Chapter 27

  “Helena Masciaretti,” Daniela repeated.

  Royce looked at her as if he couldn’t quite believe it. “She had the same—or a very similar—bag with her the first day she visited the king’s residence. She put her hand over it as she explained to me that she had some items from her sister to give you for the auction.”

  “Which she did.” Daniela ran her palms over her hair. The strands still held a trace of dampness from the shower she’d taken aboard the Donati. “It took me a while to note her handbag that day. I was dazzled by her suit. It was very pink. The kind of pink only someone incredibly wealthy or high profile can wear, and then only to certain events.”

  He crossed his arms, his expression making it clear he had no clue about women’s suits. “I only remembered the bag because as I talked to her, it popped into my head that it looked like alligator. Don’t know why I thought that—I’m no leather expert—but I did.”

  Daniela’s eyes darted to the screen. “Alligator has a distinctive pattern. The queen had two bags in a stamped alligator pattern that came from the same design house. Both were given to her as gifts.”

  “Stamped?”

  “The pattern is stamped or pressed into leather to make it appear as if it’s made of alligator, when it’s not. I read somewhere that Queen Aletta didn’t like the idea of carrying genuine alligator. The two she owned were well done, however, and likely as expensive as the real thing.”

  “I’ve never heard of that.” He frowned. “Could Helena have owned the same bag as her sister?”

  “Theoretically, yes. It isn’t a rare style.” Daniela thought back to her research. “I’m pretty sure Queen Aletta’s was a gift from an American CEO who’d stayed in the palace as a guest. He sent it about a week after his visit.”

  “That’s quite a thank you gift.”

  “Not if you’re the CEO of the conglomerate that owns the design house. Even so, if Helena happened to have purchased a similar bag for herself, I think it’d be too great a coincidence for her to have carried it the first time she visited me. And for that to be the bag I suspected was a fake when I arrived.”

  Royce’s attention returned to the screen. “Even with the photos, it’d be difficult to prove the swap. And this doesn’t entirely make sense to me. Why would she steal a bag, replace it with a counterfeit, and then switch them back?”

  “Only the immediate family knows about the thefts. But if a fake goes on the auction block, the thefts could come to light in a very public way. An investigation would have to be launched.”

  He pondered that. “In which case, she’d have trouble either explaining her ownership of the original or getting rid of it. She couldn’t simply say she’d borrowed it, or that the queen gave it to her, because that wouldn’t explain the fake that’s been in the closet all this time.”

  “Correct.”

  “But why steal it in the first place? Helena Masciaretti is loaded, isn’t she?”

  “I assume so. She’s run with a wealthy crowd her whole life.” Daniela glanced out the window, taking in the glamorous view. “Thing is, she’s known for her loyalty, both to her sister and to her friends. Something doesn’t add up.”

  They discussed the matter for several more minutes. Finally, Royce braced his hands on his knees and pushed to stand. “There’s nothing more we can determine from here. I’ll let you work. In the meantime, I’ll contact Prince Federico. If Helena is the thief, perhaps she’ll come clean when confronted. Or, if she’s replacing other items, perhaps there’s a way to catch her in the act.”

  “She’s planning to visit again on Monday, but I can’t imagine...” Daniela sighed, letting the thought trail off. “She’s Prince Federico’s aunt. Do you feel comfortable telling him your suspicions at this point?”

  “Comfortable? No. But it’s my job, and I’ve had to tell people far worse. In this case, as you’ve pointed out, nothing has been reported to the authorities. If she’s truly the thief, then the family can deal with the family.”

  “For their sake, I hope it isn’t her.”

  “Agreed, but no family is perfect.” He leaned to kiss her temple, then lingered to draw an enticing line down her side with his index finger before resting his hand on her hip. “I hope your call with Queen Fabrizia goes well tonight. Breakfast tomorrow?”

  “Breakfast tomorrow.”

  He gave her a quick kiss, then was gone.

  Royce snapped to attention at the click of the entry door. He’d just finished checking his tarps and was digging in his toolbox for a roll of painter’s tape. He brushed his hands against the front of his overalls as Daniela entered the room and looked around, her expression cautious.

  “We’re alone,” he told her, keeping his voice quiet.

  Yesterday’s breakfast hadn’t been what Royce originally envisioned. After leaving Daniela, he’d sent a brief message to Prince Federico, letting him know there’d been a development. The prince arranged to meet at Royce’s office before attending a noontime ceremony to open a new section of San Rimini’s farmer’s market. At Royce’s suggestion, Federico agreed that Daniela should join them.

  Federico had listened, his face grim, as Daniela and Royce explained what they’d learned. Federico had stood, paced the small office for a long, painful minute, then turned to face them both. His tone low and even, he said, “I have a plan.”

  It was simple, but it wouldn’t be easy. Daniela already looked nervous. She took a moment to deposit her work tote in the queen’s sitting room, then joined Royce in the great room. Her attention immediately went to the cans of paint and primer he’d lugged upstairs from his van.

  “That’s today’s project?”

  “I’ll give the room a quick vacuum and dust, then start with the primer. I can pause at any time.”

  “All right.”

  “Treat this like any other day.” He gave her arm a quick squeeze, then said, “I saw Samuel Barden as I came through the gate. He told me he made lemon tarts for a reception yesterday and had two full trays left over, more than he can usually give away in the staff break room. He insisted on bringing some to us this morning. I thanked him, then asked if he’d hold off until closer to lunch, so whichever of us sees Miroslav first can give him a heads up.”

  “Smart idea. I’d hate for him to arrive in the middle of Helena’s visit.”

  “She’s definitely coming this morning?”

  “She is.” Daniela checked her watch, then met his eyes with a nauseated look. “In about fifteen minutes. She sent a message late last night to say she’d pulled together her notes on Aletta’s scarves and asked if I’d be ready to look at them.”

  “Then I’ll let you get to it.”

  “I have the easy part, assuming I can act normally. Will you be ready?”

  “I’m set. And you’ll be great.” He gave Daniela a long look, taking in her light blue dress, delicate gold earrings, twisted bun, and—most of all—her brilliant, expressive face. “You always are.”

  She must have understood what he felt, because she grasped his forearm and went on her toes to plant a kiss on his cheek, lingering just long enough to send a ripple of desire up his spine before she released his arm, gave the spot she’d kissed a quick swipe to erase any evidence of lipstick, then disappeared into the queen’s suite.

  Daniela rose when she heard footsteps at the doors to the sitting room.

  “Good morning, Daniela.”

  Helena appeared as perfectly coiffed as ever. She wore a tailored navy blazer, tan slacks, and a white blouse with a collar shaped to mirror the blazer’s lapels. D
iamond studs sparkled in her ears, and she carried a large leather tote in the same buff tone as her wedge heels. Not a single strand escaped the knot of hair at her nape. Though she was smiling, her attention snapped to the suite’s keypad as she crossed the threshold. “You left the door open?”

  “Roy plans to prime the walls later today. It’s so nice outside, I thought I’d open the windows in here and let the air circulate while I had the opportunity. He promised to give me a warning before he starts.”

  As if on cue, a shrike landed on the windowsill, hopping three times and fluffing its wings before angling its head to peer inside.

  Amusement lit Helena’s face. “I hope he takes his time. I’ll be indoors the rest of the day and tomorrow, too, so I appreciate the fresh air.”

  The bird shuffled, then took flight. Helena watched it go, then sighed as she set her tote on the floor to the side of the ottoman and bent to withdraw a notebook. Loose pages spilled from the side. “I located my notes on the scarves, but they aren’t the best. I should have digitized them years ago, but when Aletta became ill, my list of priorities shifted and the task fell by the wayside.”

  “Completely understandable,” Daniela said. She looked in the direction of the closet. “Unfortunately, I laid out all the scarves before I left on Friday night, so they’re still in the closet. I hope you don’t mind?”

  Daniela’s throat tightened as she waited for Helena’s response. Thus far, they’d spent the bulk of their meetings in the sitting room, particularly when reviewing notes and photos. Would Helena sense something amiss?

  The other woman blinked, as if thrown for a split second by the change, but smiled and waved for Daniela to go ahead of her, saying, “No, of course not.”

  When they reached the closet’s center, Daniela swept a hand toward the plush chairs near the large three-way mirror and viewing platform. Several scarves lay unfolded across the chair backs, while nearly a dozen more remained folded and stacked on the carpeted platform. “Whatever you can tell me about these would be helpful.”

  Helena placed her tote behind one of the chairs, then let her fingers drift across a square of peach silk. “I always forget how many she owned. It seemed she received new ones as gifts every other week. It was important to her that she wear them, out of respect for the giver, but it was a challenge to work them into her daily wardrobe.”

  “I imagine.” Daniela stooped to gather the scarves on the platform, keeping her back to Helena. It was awkward, but she managed an angle that made it impossible to see Helena in the three-way mirror. She took her time, then slowly rose and turned, placing the stack on a chair.

  Helena lifted her notebook from her tote once more and held it aloft. “Now, let’s see what we can match. Do you have your computer?”

  “I carried it to the sitting room. I’ll be right back.” As she left to retrieve it, she gestured to the chair beside Helena. “Pick one that catches your eye and we’ll get started.”

  They spent the next half hour going through the scarves one at a time, with Helena referring to her notebook and Daniela matching the items to photos and calendar dates. Helena was extremely helpful, answering questions Daniela hadn’t thought to ask, and even sharing a story about Aletta nearly dropping one of the scarves in the toilet while attending a reception at Buckingham Palace.

  “Let’s leave that out of the description, shall we?”

  “Of course,” Daniela promised. “My ears only.”

  “You’ve worked hard to honor my sister’s legacy. Here and there, a good laugh is in order,” Helena said with a wink.

  As they continued to work, Daniela had to force her mind to remain on task. Helena truly wanted to help. How could someone—a sister—be so dedicated, yet also a thief?

  When they reached the final scarf, Daniela folded it and placed it atop the stack. Helena stood, shrugging to adjust the fit of her blazer, though both her pants and jacket remained unwrinkled despite the time spent sitting.

  The woman had a true talent for presentation.

  Helena’s dark eyes darted toward the section of the closet away from the queen’s private bathroom. “You mentioned in your message that you had questions about one of my sister’s wool coats. Is it hanging with the others?”

  “It is. I’d forgotten about that, so I’m glad you remembered.”

  “Happy to give it a look before I leave.”

  Helena gathered her notes, then shouldered her tote and followed Daniela to where the coats were stored, near the small wardrobe that contained the queen’s wedding gown. Daniela was nearly there when she realized that Helena had stopped. When she turned, she saw Helena had stepped partway into another row and was running her hand along a shelf.

  Daniela went back to see what had caught Helena’s attention. The elder woman smiled as she inspected the sleeve of a calf-length dress in floral silk, one of the items scheduled for the auction. Three different coordinating belts draped from an adjacent hanger.

  “It’s hard not to get caught up in looking at these while I’m in here. It’s like pulling out a photo album with the intention of locating a single shot. You inevitably linger over the rest.”

  “That one’s beautiful,” Daniela said.

  “Yes. She wore it to an Easter service at the Duomo a few years before she passed away.” Helena tore her gaze from the dress. There was an odd look on her face, and Daniela wondered if Helena had heard what she had. Movement from behind her, in the queen’s bathroom.

  Daniela urged Helena forward. “Here, I’ll show you the coat. I don’t want to make you late for your meeting.”

  They approached a rod holding multiple coats. Daniela slid the hangers to reveal a three-quarter length black wool coat with a fitted silhouette. “I looked through the photos taken when the queen visited northern countries, but only saw this on her trip to Canada. Did she wear it elsewhere?”

  Helena frowned before she took the coat from its hanger and inspected the inner tags. “Oh, I remember this now. She only wore it in Canada. Prior to that, she owned a different black wool, but the style had grown dated so she donated it before purchasing this one.” She replaced the coat on its hanger, then said by way of apology, “I wasn’t with her in Canada, and she didn’t wear heavy coats often.”

  Daniela thanked her, but her gut instinct told her that Helena wondered why she’d waited so long to ask about that particular garment.

  Unfortunately, it was the best excuse she could think of to give Helena the opportunity to walk the length of the closet.

  “Excuse me.”

  The deep, familiar voice came from behind them. Alarm slashed Helena’s face, but was quickly covered as Daniela stepped from the racks into the open area to see Royce approaching. She felt Helena step out beside her.

  “Is it time for the primer?”

  “Yes. Feel free to leave your windows open, but I’m going to close the doors from the sitting room to the main living area.”

  “Did you enter through the bathroom?” A note of imperiousness tinged Helena’s voice, but Daniela instantly recognized it for what it was: defensiveness and fear.

  “I did.”

  “I thought the connecting doors from the king’s suite were locked?”

  “I have the passcode.” Both Royce’s features and his voice were honed to a razor’s edge.

  Daniela looked sideways at Helena, whose knuckles tightened around the strap of the tote looped over her shoulder. “King Eduardo gave you the code to enter this closet from his private bathroom? That seems—”

  Helena raised her brows, expecting Royce to finish the thought.

  “A security risk?”

  She merely tilted her head.

  “It’s for security. The items in this closet are quite valuable, as I’m sure you’re aware. He asked that I keep an eye out while Daniela works. Ensure nothing is taken while her attention is focused elsewhere.”

  “I see.”

  “I don’t believe he expected items to be adde
d to the collection.”

  Royce moved a few steps closer, then reached into the row with the floral silk dress. He withdrew the hanger containing the belts.

  Helena stiffened, then laughed. “I’m not sure who or what you think you’re protecting, but Daniela invited me to help her today. Which I have.” She aimed a meaningful look at Daniela, then said, “Last night I realized that one of the belts in my closet was actually one of Aletta’s. We swapped accessories all the time. I never wear it, so I simply replaced it in her collection.”

  She turned and looked at Daniela, “I’m so sorry I didn’t mention that I had it in my bag. I forgot until I saw the Easter dress, since the pieces coordinate. It’s really nothing. You shouldn’t have to go back and catalogue it, since you’ve already dealt with the dress.”

  The smile she aimed at Royce dripped with condescension. “I appreciate that you take your job here so seriously and that you’re keeping an eye out. I’m sure the king appreciates it, as well. But Aletta was my sister. I’m not a security risk.”

  Royce clipped the belt hanger into its spot. His voice even, he said, “There is also the matter of the two scarves you added to the collection as you worked. You had Daniela catalogue them as if they’d been there all along, but you brought them in with you.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He pulled an orb the size and shape of a fresh mozzarella ball from the pocket of his coveralls and displayed it on the flat of his palm so a small lens aimed toward Helena. “It’s on camera.”

  Chapter 28

  Everything about Helena changed in that moment.

  She turned to Daniela with a face as hard as stone. Before Helena could ask the question, Daniela said, “Yes, I knew about the camera. I’d hoped it was for nothing, especially where you are concerned.”