“Thank you, and thank you for being such a good friend to Amelia and a support to us both. Now, there was one thing I wanted to ask you, Katie.”

“Anything, Principe.”

Byron took a sip of coffee and set the cup down on a side table. There was something she’d been mulling over ever since they had arrived back in London. A phone call to Katie’s parents had confirmed her thoughts.

“Now that Amelia is Principessa, things are going to change. She will have her own way of doing things, her own ideas for the running of the household. We plan to make this house our home, our base, and travel from here.”

Katie smiled warmly. “That’s wonderful. The Principessa will want to be near her family.”

“Quite,” Byron’s said. “I had a conference call with my parents and your parents in New York. They are very happy with my mother and father, and we all feel it’s time for everyone to move on. Make way for a new generation.”

“What do you mean?” Katie asked.

“Your parents wish to stay with my mother and father, and I would like you to take your mother’s place as my head of household.”

Katie looked shocked. “But there are lots of staff and attendants a lot older than me that would expect the job.”

Byron cupped her cheek and smiled. “They don’t have your enthusiasm, intelligence, or close relationship with Amelia. She counts you as a friend, and she needs a friend close to her as she embarks on her new life.” Katie stared in silence for a few moments before Byron said, “Well? Is that a yes or a no?”

Amelia came over to join them and Byron naturally put an arm around her waist.

“I can stay and have breakfast. I don’t have my first client till twelve o’clock.” Amelia looked between Kate and Byron and said, “Wait, what am I missing?”

“I told Katie we were making London our home, and offered her the job of head attendant of our household.”

“Oh yes, please say you’ll do it, Katie,” Amelia said excitedly.

Byron watched on happily and the two women shared a hug, and immediately began talking about house plans.

“We need to redecorate this whole house, and make it something less like Dracula’s castle,” Amelia said.

“Exactly! We need to bring this place into the twenty-first century,” Katie said, sitting on the bed with Amelia. “I can’t wait to tell Alexis. She’s going to hate it.”

Byron couldn’t help but chuckle along with them. Alexis’s feathers did tend to ruffle when Katie was around. She walked to her dressing room. It was a strange but oddly comforting experience to hear them chat and plan her life.

* * *

Amelia said goodbye to Katie, then opened the dressing room door and walked in. She saw Byron trying to choose her suit for the day.