Chapter 12
Anna Camila combed a snarl from her hair in the bathroom of their suite while Leo read his mail. Next time she sailed, she’d wear a hat, but it was worth the tangles to have faced the ocean with Leo at her side. Time on the ocean would help, and today it had been almost as if her parents had been watching over her out in the bay.
She glanced at herself in the mirror and groaned—thanks to her vanity of wanting Leo to see her face without the fabric she now had freckles and a burn on her nose because of her silliness.
She applied moisturizer to her face that cost way more than anything she’d have bought for herself, confident the thick cream would fix the damage. Once she finished dabbling with her face and hair, she called out to the sitting room, “Be right there, Leo.”
He called back, “I’m almost done myself.”
They were a good team. Hopefully he was working on something important for the future of their country.
She glanced at the time and wondered if her grandmother had moved yet, and if she’d settled in. Leaving the bathroom, Anna sat on the edge of the bed and called her grandmother’s number but it went right to voice mail.
Hmm. Maria was probably safe and sound, but it was better to ask.
Anna called Pierre and on the first ring he answered. “Pierre, I’m checking my messages.”
He laughed like they were still working together in the castle on some formal dinner where they’d stayed late and he’d joked about the silverware costing more than their salaries. “You mean you want to know if your grandma made it to the dower house?”
They knew each other well. She laughed back. “You caught me.”
“Maria Bruno and her staff had a meeting where she laid out her schedule—it revolves around game shows.”
Her grandmother was devoted to certain shows where she said the questions kept her mind sharp. Anna chuckled. “That sounds like her. So she’s moved in?”
Pierre lowered his voice like they were still gossiping about the royal guests who snuck out of parties, “She wasn’t too keen on a second floor bedroom until the staff showed her the service elevator.”
Her grandmother had lived in the home she did because there was hired staff to take care of the elderly. While the royal staff would do a better job, Maria might be more… lonely. She sighed and shared, “Good. I was worried about her hip.”
“Then why didn’t you speak to her?”
Because Pierre always knew everything about what happened to every royal, even if they didn’t live in the castle. She didn’t say that but instead she shrugged and said, “She’s not answering and I wanted to know how the staff and Maria got along?” Her opinionated grandmother had never been upper class.
Pierre smacked his lips together like he was talking about the Duke of Blueridge and the actress caught in the staff office having sex on the housekeeper’s desk. “Everyone’s good. We’re happy the prince married you, Anna Camila, and that your grandmother intends to host her friends three times a week where the staff is to cater to a bingo game, a movie night, and bocce tournaments that will be hosted at the dower house.”
“Sounds like Maria is bringing the retirement community with her.”
“Maria told the staff that they could invite their parents if they wanted to join the party.”
“The dower house will be the new retirement community.”
“And we’re happy to see what changes you bring to the palace when you come back.”
Her ears burned. Why would the staff talk about her? She crossed her arms as she asked, “Why would that matter to the staff? I’m pretty easy.”
“But still, there are changes.” Pierre’s voice hitched up a notch. “Besides, the alternative… Francesca… she’d have been a nightmare of a queen.”
Her stomach twisted like there was more to the story as she said, “I guess.”
“She’s stayed the night at Lord Pascal’s so hopefully that means no more unannounced palace visits.”
Wait. What? Her entire body froze. She tugged her ear that didn’t hold the phone as she asked, “She was at the palaceagain?”
Pierre’s voice cracked as he explained, “Just the once, on your wedding day, to see your prince. But he still chose to marry you so forget I mentioned anything.”
She massaged her temple. Her heart was heavy. Francesca hadn’t let the wedding happen easily, but her ears buzzed like she missed something as she asked, “Is there something else you’re not telling me?”
“No. Why would… umm… look I have to go.” Pierre’s words were short and panicked—she knew the tone.
