“That would be acceptable,” Richard concluded. “Frederick, you will therefore escort her at dinner, where you will be charming and courteous. Unintimidatingly.” He waited a beat. “Daphne is an important assignment. She is the crown princess, after all. The catch of Europe, some might say.”

Freddie raised an eyebrow. As Richard moved on to other logistical details, my phone buzzed again.

Is my father pimping me out?

I grinned and looked up at Freddie, who smirked back at me.

“Bex?” Nick said. My head swung over to find that he and Richard were waiting on me to say something. “You can do that, yes?”

“Um, of course,” I said. “I’d love to.”

“Did you even hear what I said?” Richard looked cross.

“Yesssss,” I said unconvincingly, hoping I hadn’t just agreed to sing the Dutch national anthem in their native tongue.

“Bex will schedule the tiara test,” Nick said smoothly, but I didn’t miss that his glance darted between me and Freddie.

Richard turned back to his pile of papers, but I had been addressed directly, and I decided I shouldn’t miss my chance. “Is there anything else I can do to help?” I asked.

His lips curled coldly. “How are you at napkin folding?”

“I meant…in general. During this horrible time,” I said. Nothing. “I am proud to be part of your family, and I’d really like to help shoulder the load.” Silence. Agatha cleared her throat. “Anyway…keep me in mind, I guess, if it would make anything easier for…anyone.”

“It would certainly be the first time.” Richard pointedly turned the page on his packet. The staple immediately came out with it and flew across the room. He looked pained. “Now, let us start with a brief primer on the dignitaries in attendance…”

“That was sweet, dear,” Elizabeth murmured, looking as if she felt sorry for me.

Nick pressed his thigh to mine. “I’ll see what I can do,” he whispered under Richard’s droning.

And when he got home, much later that night, I was waiting for him on the stairs, wearing nothing but the Lyons Emerald and a diaphanous robe.

“Hello. To what do I owe the honor?” he asked, bemused.

“Yourself,” I said. “And your hot, hot awesomeness.”

He dropped everything he’d been holding and pawed at the knot in his tie. “This cannot be just because I’m full of irresistible trivia about clogs now.”

“That’s part of it,” I said. “But I also got a phone call this afternoon from Marj. I’m off the bench. And I am…” I tugged at the belt on my robe. “…really happy about it.”