Some Like it Easy (3 page)

His mother smiled at him and patted the sofa next to her. Taking a seat, he let her place a hand on his arm. “Hello, Mother.”

“I’ve missed you, my darling boy. I wanted you to join me in London last month for the opening of a new show, but Armand insisted you had to remain in school.” Perfectly aged and graceful, Marie Dagmar embodied everything elegant about her position as Grand Duchess and matriarch of their family.

“He was correct.”

Marie Dagmar raised her eyebrows a fraction. George wasn’t certain who was more surprised by his automatic support of Armand’s position, his mother or himself. “I see. You’ve decided to take on the task of discovering a career, then?”

Apparently, but he decided against examining his change of heart too closely. “I believe Armand was correct. My life has lacked a certain focus. While I am not as accomplished at business as he, nor in diplomacy as Sebastian, I believe it is high time I determine where my place will be.” Though stating the idea aloud didn’t necessarily make it true, he discovered a new liking for the concept. “I’ve decided to transfer to New York University and take a General Studies tract while I research my area of focus.”

“Excellent.” She cupped his cheek. “You will be brilliant at whatever you set your mind to. I’ve always known you possessed the capability, and now you have the determination.” The absolute pleasure and pride in her tone was a first for him. Unfortunately, the sound of feminine, lyrical laughter announced the arrival of his cousins. Rising before his mother could tap his thigh in reminder, he was on his feet as the sisters Grace sailed into the room. Ella and Rose were arm in arm, Frankie a half-step behind them, and all three preceded their parents—his aunt, Princess Sofia, and her husband, Major Grace.

A round of kisses pressed to cheeks and firm handshakes began and George ceded his seat on the sofa to Aunt Sofia. No sooner had the Graces settled in than Tetyas Irena and Svetlana entered. The dowager aunts were nearing ninety and, though both were of delicate health, possessed spines of steel.

For the first time in what seemed like a decade, the whole of the Dagmar dynasty occupied one room—new and old members mingling. Settling into a quiet spot, he watched the dowagers corner Armand with a series of requests while quietly, but effectively, snubbing Anna. Though they were unfailingly polite in their petty cruelty, they did not approve of the family head marrying a commoner. If the behavior bothered Anna, she didn’t say a word. Instead, she settled with Meredith to chat with George’s mother and aunt.

Sebastian adeptly disengaged from Armand’s conversation and ignored their brother’s dark look as he crossed the room to join George. “They’ll be excusing themselves to dine in their rooms after we’ve had drinks.”

“Where are the Novaks?” Wasn’t Anna’s whole family also in residence for the holidays?

“They’ll join us at five. Armand and Anna decided the first hour of drinks would be the immediate family, then our guests will come in later. Richard and Kate will be joining us then, as well.” Until Sebastian mentioned them, George had failed to notice Armand’s best friend and his wife were also not present.
Lucky them.

“Wonderful.” Taking a sip of his wine, he spared Sebastian a lingering study. “You look happy.”

“I am. Meredith and I have another six months before we can have the official wedding, but…”

“You haven’t told anyone?” George knew Sebastian would observe all the official protocol, including a one year engagement followed by an official wedding in front of the masses. He also knew the couple had slipped away for a weekend in Las Vegas over the summer.

“I have no idea what you’re referring to,” Sebastian said, but he did so with a grin. “We would certainly not upset tradition with any rumors of elopement.”

“Oh, let’s not. Simply bring up my abysmal record at university if you want to change the subject.” For Sebastian, he would be a whipping boy. His brother glanced over at Meredith and wore the smile of a man most content. George was happy for him.

“You don’t want to be there.” Sebastian’s candor surprised him. “Of course you don’t do well.”

“I didn’t particularly see a point to it all.” Or, rather, he hadn’t. “I have no desire to run the corporation or even to work for it.” Especially not with Armand. His older brother was involved in every aspect of his life already. He would prefer Armand behave as his brother, not his liege and employer.

“So don’t. Find a field you enjoy and work there.” Sebastian gestured toward Alyx and her husband. “You told Alyx you were interested in filmmaking.”

“Do you really think Armand would allow me to pursue so bourgeois a profession?” Not that he possessed any lasting interest in filmmaking. His earlier curiosity about Hollywood had more to do with it allowing a passing excuse to chat with his charming cousin than it being a calling.

“I think Armand would support your actual interest in anything,” Sebastian said with a sigh. He lowered his voice further as he turned his back to the room and faced George directly. “He has borne tremendous pressure for both of us. He wants us to be happy and successful.”

“If he wanted me to be happy, he wouldn’t be cutting me off.”

“Wouldn’t he?” His middle brother had always been more like Armand than George. Both older, both invested in the family and both always too busy for more than a quick conversation here or there. “George, you’re not happy. Only a blind man would miss it. You are enormously dissatisfied with your life. You take reckless chances without a thought in your head for the consequences.”

The accuracy of his criticism stung. Rather than argue with a biting remark, George drained his wine glass.

“Little brother, go to school. Take every class. Throw yourself at them. Figure out what you want to do. I guarantee, if you find your passion,
I
will take your cause up with Armand.” Sebastian gripped his shoulder. “I know what it is like to give up and nearly lose what you love. Don’t cheat yourself out of finding a passion that consumes you. Trust me, it’s so much better than trying to be what you think everyone else wants you to be.”

Despite the formality of the event and his discomfort with personal confidences, he exhaled a long breath. “How do you know? How do you know what that passion is?”

“You don’t.” An unhelpful answer, if ever there was one. “No one knows what their passion will be—or whom.” He glanced at Meredith and, as if she knew he looked, she met his gaze. They both smiled, small, nearly imperceptible, and the moment became terribly intimate. “Passion drives us. It may not be what you do for a career, but you need something more than parties and appearances to fulfill you.”

“The last time I became involved in something, it nearly got us all killed.” He’d traveled to Belaria and been enchanted by the royalist party—their deep convictions, desperate thirst for something
more
, and the unflinching desire for change. He’d been seduced by their cause because he’d never felt deeply about anything before.

“Well, let’s avoid politics this time.” No judgment, only fraternal amusement.

Accepting the humor at face value, George nodded. “I’ll take it under advisement.” Further conversation halted at the arrival of the Novaks. Anna rose to greet her parents and brothers. Only three of them were present, the fourth brother remained on deployment, apparently.

Oddly, Penny was not with her family. Sebastian excused himself to join Meredith. Conversation in the room escalated as another round of drinks were served and a second footman began a round with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. Exchanging his empty glass for a fresh glass—sherry, this time—he paced toward the still open doorway.

“Looking to escape?” Anna’s soft voice washed over him and he spun to face his sister-in-law. Her position as Armand’s wife gave her a rank nearly equivalent to that of his brother, so he inclined his head to the princess,

“Not at all. I thought your sister might have gotten lost again.” The words slipped out before he could think better of them.

“Again?” She paused to look at the hors d’oeuvres, her expression tightening. “No, thank you.”

George waved the man off with two fingers and frowned. “Are you ill?” Should he get Armand’s attention?

“No.” Her discomfort seemed fleeting because she smiled and seemed to recover. “Just not particularly hungry at the moment. You said Penny got lost earlier?”

“Ran into her in the wrong hallway. She seemed a bit turned around.” No reason to mention her presence in his suite or their conversation.

“That’s Penny. She was probably exploring.”

Maybe another exploration delayed her arrival for dinner. “Should I go offer her an escort to supper?”

Her mother called her from across the room, but Anna paused and said, “No, she won’t be joining us, I’m afraid. She wrangled one of the drivers into taking her into the city.” Then she was off.

Curiously, disappointment threaded through him. Sighing, he considered his options. Stay and make polite conversation or excuse himself and return to his suite. Chances were, no one would notice his absence.

“George.” Kate’s greeting drew him out of his internal rumination. Richard Prentiss’ wife and a retired bodyguard, Kate was one of the few ‘family’ members who didn’t look at him as if he were a disappointment.

“Katherine.” He smiled and kissed her hand by way of greeting before shaking Richard’s offered palm. “Do you mind if I borrow your husband for a moment?”

“Not at all. Just be sure and return him in the same condition you got him in.” She strolled away and Anna greeted her with a quick hug.

“Made a decision, have you?” Richard’s frankness was one of his more admirable qualities.

“I have. Will you be making the arrangements?” Confirming his plans didn’t sound so dire after all, and his mood lifted.

“Absolutely. Where to?”

His response was immediate. “New York.”

“Do you want to choose your classes?”

“I thought Armand had already dictated what I need to take.”

Richard accepted a glass of wine from the footman and waited for the man to move away before responding. “He did, but so long as you willingly take a full course load, he’s persuadable regarding the classes.”

“Let me check the catalog. I’ll have my preferred list to you tomorrow.”
Worth an attempt, wasn’t it?

“Well, well.” Richard’s slow deliberate tone lacked rancor. “Maybe the brat prince has decided to grow up.”

“Debatable, Mr. Prentiss. However, I am open to…further explorations.”

Chuckling, the attorney nodded. “I have faith in you, kid.”

Odd.
The nickname gave his confidence a boost that sustained him throughout the rest of the cocktail hour and nearly made up for Penny’s absence.

Nearly.

A
fter letting
herself into her apartment, Penny dragged her suitcase and carryon through the door. Fortunately, her plane managed to land before the snowstorm kicked off. The fat heavy flakes falling outside would turn city into a snow globe in no time. “Honey,” she called out as she stripped off her gloves and hat to drop them on her bags. “I’m home!”

“Baby!” The squeal echoed from the back of the apartment. “You made it!” Seconds later, Mallory Ward raced out, sliding across the wood floor in her footie pajamas to sweep Penny into a hug. Best friends since kindergarten, they had been roommates since transplanting to New York. Both from Kansas, both from large families, and both determined to make it in their chosen profession, they made a perfect match.

“I did!” She laughed, returning the affectionate squeeze. “I did have a gloomy moment when they said the snowstorm headed in this direction, but I talked Anna into letting me move my flight up So I flew commercial and came home early.” Avoiding the royal kerfluffle and tension pie between Armand and his youngest brother had nothing to do with it. Penny’s brother-in-law made intense seem tame.

“Fantastic. I ordered pizza. It should be here in a few. You have time to shower and then dish. Tell me all about Zurich…”

“St. Moritz,” Penny corrected and let Mallory grab one of her suitcases while she took the overnight bag. Together, they hauled them through the fifteen hundred square foot apartment—two bedrooms, one bathroom, studio space along with a kitchenette—they called home.

“Oh, whatever, Regina Rich. Tell me about spending the holidays with
royalty!
” The emphasis on the last word made Penny laugh again.

“It was actually kind of boring. Almost like being in Kansas. You know, except for the lack of cows and corn.” She stripped and stuffed her clothes into the dirty hamper. She’d have a huge haul down to the laundry room sooner rather than later, since she was almost out of clean things. Mallory perched on the bathroom counter while Penny turned the water on and slid into the shower. “But I think Anna’s pregnant.”

“Really?” The squeal climbed on a note of delight and Penny stuck her head out to glare at her bestie.

“Not a word. She didn’t say anything to anyone about it, but she had a peaked, fragile look all week and Armand hovered even more than normal.” Her sister would be a great mom and Armand… Well, he had patriarchal disapproval down to a fine art. Her brother-in-law’s gimlet eyed gaze—focused his youngest brother—hadn’t escaped Penny’s notice. Whenever George and Armand were in the same room, George seemed to shrink in on himself.

Did he try to make himself smaller on purpose?
One thought chased another and she closed her eyes as the hot water washed over her. The one truly sucky part of travel was the feeling of miles and miles of grit accumulated on her skin.

“Cross my heart and hope to die.” Mallory was still rambling and Penny smothered a yawn before shampooing her hair. “What about your brothers? Did they all make it out there?”

Translation, how is Hank?
Rolling her eyes, Penny took the time to rinse out her hair before answering. Mallory’s crush on her older brother used to be fun, but now it bordered on pathetic, mostly because Hank was a bonehead. “Everyone made it except Brand. He’s still deployed.” Two of her brothers went into the military. One was out and the other seemed determined to make it his career.

“Aww, that sucks.”

Though she didn’t press for more details, Penny decided to be generous. “Hank’s working in London for a few months. He’s been training in personal protection and has his first assignment with the family of some tech billionaire.”

“Oh.” Disappointment weighed heavily in the single syllable. “Great, smack dab in the back pocket of some heiress. He’ll be required to follow her everywhere and be her big, strong
man
.”

Penny sighed. That would teach her to keep her big mouth shut. After rinsing one final time, she turned off the water and grabbed a towel. “He’s doing personal protection, Mal. Not being a gigolo to the rich and famous.”

“I know, but…people who can afford bodyguards are all rich and sinfully attractive because they can afford better bodies.” Her friend scooted off the counter and slid toward the doorway while Penny bundled her damp hair into one towel, then wrapped a second around her body. “He’s going to be around all those hot bods and sexy money.”

“I just spent a week with the obscenely rich. The bodyguards are like fixtures. The crown molding gets more attention than they do.” After the warmth of the shower, the air in the apartment chilled her damp skin. “Can you turn the heat up a couple of degrees? I need to dry off and get changed.”

“Can do. Want me to open some wine to go with the pizza?” Since neither of them made much money, they splurged once a month on a bottle of wine. It was January and they’d both been away for the holidays, so they hadn’t blown the wine budget for the month yet.

“I think I’ll have water. I’m already beat and I need to login and check my schedule for this week.” Also, she’d drowned her liver in liquor and wine for the past week. Five course meals were always served with alcohol. Water sounded perfect. Another sigh and this time Penny stopped moving to stare at her friend. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” The lie was so transparent, Penny just stared at her. Mallory’s shoulders slumped. “Dad’s talking about running for Senate.”

“Oh.”

“Mom is pissed. Christmas was joyful.” The irony lacing the last word wasn’t lost on Penny.

“I’m sorry, Mal.”

“Yeah, me too.” But she left to go turn up the heat. Mallory’s father had started off as an assemblyman in their local town then became mayor before Mal had been in kindergarten. When they were in fifth grade, he’d run for Congress and won. Fifteen plus years of service later, he’d promised his family twice he would retire from the DuPont Circle rat race and twice he’d reversed the decision.

If he really did plan to run for Senator…Penny scrubbed a hand over her face. Mallory hated her father’s political life. She hated that their family events became political rallies and she hated her mother’s unhappiness.

“Hey,” she called out. “I changed my mind. Let’s open a bottle of the good stuff, eat pizza and watch chick flicks.”

“Sold!” The excited reply carried just enough uptick in her mood that Penny had to smile. Padding into her bedroom, she smothered another yawn. She didn’t sleep on planes. It was only late afternoon New York time, however, so she couldn’t crash yet. Digging out her flannel pajamas from the dresser, she sighed at the snuggly feel.

Footie jammies were the only way to go in the middle of winter. After toweling her hair dry, she found her comb and grinned at the sound of the doorbell.
Perfect
. Pizza, wine and movies on a snowy afternoon. The day couldn’t get better.

Her phone buzzed. She dug it out of her purse to see Anna’s name and a text asking if she’d made it home. Firing off a quick response, she dumped her phone back into her purse. It buzzed a second time, but Penny didn’t need another mother and she could find out what Anna wanted later. Instead, she padded out to the living room. “How much do I owe you for the pizza?”

“Um…” Mallory’s less than illustrative answer didn’t prepare Penny. George Dagmar stood in the middle of her tiny living room, flanked by two men in suits.

“You’re not pizza.”

The corner of his mouth curved faintly. “No. I’m not.”

She wasn’t often tongue-tied, but she couldn’t fathom why Armand’s brother and his entourage of goons lurked in her apartment. Maybe she should have read the second text message after all.

“What are you doing here?”

“Penny!” Mallory sounded scandalized. “You
could
introduce us, especially since his boys already frisked me.”

“They did what?” Penny swung around to look at Grady, George’s head bodyman or guard or whatever they called him. “Why the hell are you frisking my roommate?”

“He did not touch her.” George waved his man off.

“He could.” Mallory grinned wider and Penny rolled her eyes.

“Okay, rewind and start at the beginning.” She twirled her finger, only then remembering the comb she held, her footie pajamas and damp hair.
Fantastic
. She looked like a refugee from a girl’s slumber party. Pointing to Mallory, she said, “Go open the wine.”
Cause I really need it.
Pointing at Grady, she said, “You two get out. It’s too small in here for this many people.”

“Ma’am, we need to do a full sweep…”

“Then do it and get out.” Everyone paused while Grady motioned to the second man. Folding her arms, Penny waited for them to complete their ‘inspection.’ It took longer than the size of the apartment would seem to warrant.

When the second man returned, he said, “There’s a fire escape off the…”

“Doesn’t work.” Penny and Mallory spoke in unison. When her roommate went silent, Penny added, “They don’t work. The ladders don’t extend. In fact, the only thing they’re good for is hanging out in the summer or on nice days.”
Or when I need a smoke, but you don’t need to know that.
Her cigarette addiction came and went.

George didn’t smile, but Penny didn’t miss the glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

“We’ll be outside.” Grady beckoned the other man. They stepped out and closed the door, but not before Penny caught sight of more suits in the hall.

“Mallory,” Penny said, glancing at her friend who remained rooted to the spot. “Wine?”

“Oh. Right. On it.” She disappeared into their kitchenette, and Penny faced off with the prince in her living room.

“You have two minutes. What are you doing here?”

“I’m moving in.”

Oka-a-a-ay.
That wasn’t the answer she’d expected.

C
heeks ruddy
from a shower and damp ringlets of honey brown hair gave Penny a fresh-faced innocence he’d not noticed when she’d stormed through his bad mood in Switzerland. Even her oversized pajamas looked adorable—and a little sexier than he’d ever imagined possible for flannel.

The color in her face seemed to deepen at his announcement. “You’re doing
what
?”

“Next door. I’m moving in next door.” He’d assumed Anna would have told her. Certainly Armand kept his wife apprised of the details. “I took your suggestion.”

“Okay, you’re going to have to catch me up. The words you’re speaking are English, but I’m missing something here. You’re moving into my apartment building? Here? In Brooklyn?”

“Well, technically Manhattan, but yes.” He paused when her roommate returned, juggling three wine glasses and a bottle. Accepting one with a polite smile, he blinked when Penny took her glass and the bottle. She drained the full measure then refilled it. “Are you all right?”

“No, not really. Back to the story, princeypoo.”

“Very well. You suggested New York University. I’ll be beginning the semester there this week. The apartment next door will be my residence and my men will take the other apartments on this floor.”

“But we have neighbors.” Penny looked at her roommate. “Giles. Carter. Lisa. We have neighbors.”

“Don’t look at me. I’ve been in DC since break began. I got home this morning.” Mallory plucked the bottle out of Penny’s grasp.

“Armand likely relocated them when he made the decision.” His brother would have seen to all the details. Or, more correctly, he would have delegated someone to see to all the details. “I’m sure he gave them a sum to purchase them out of their leases. Since he owns the building, he can—”

“He, what?” Penny made a strangled noise and whirled to march out of the room. George frowned as she disappeared down the short hallway and a door slammed.

“Well,” Mallory said. “Would you like to have a seat? We’re having pizza.”

“Maybe I should go.” He hadn’t intended to upset Penny.

“Oh, she’s cranky. She hates to lose hours on a flight. She never sleeps on the plane, and she wasn’t planning to have company. Sit. Tell me everything. Are you really a prince? Your brother owns our building?” The woman barely paused for a breath and then she said, “Wait, if he owns the building why hasn’t he given us better rent rates?”

Searching for a place to set his glass in the crowded room, he sorted through her rapid-fire interrogation. Clutter covered every surface of the small flat—wigs, pens, pencils, sketchpads, strips of clothing, spangled scarves, books and more. If a rhyme or reason existed within the disarray of their living quarters, no identifying markers gave it away.

“Oh, here.” Mallory shoved some magazines off a corner table, and they fell with a thump into a basket on the floor. “We’re still in post-finals chaos here. I flew out on Friday, Penny on Saturday, and the new term starts tomorrow. Guess I could have cleaned up some, but we weren’t expecting company.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Penny reappeared as she spoke, phone in hand, as a knock at the door announced the arrival of their pizza.

“Agreed…” Or he would have agreed, but Mallory rushed to the door. “I appear to have interrupted your evening.” He hadn’t thought much beyond seeing Penny and letting her know he’d accepted her advice. Save for their brief discussion his first day in St. Moritz, he’d been unable to speak to her beyond family gatherings. She was always with her sister or her mother when she wasn’t sneaking off.

“Yes.” Her swift agreement was a blow to his ego. “But it’s fine. I’m pissed at Anna—or Armand, maybe both, not you. How much pizza did you order?” She looked around him at Mallory.

“Large veggie, fully loaded. Should be enough for all three of us. I’d figured it would cover breakfast tomorrow, but we have some pancake mix. We can have those, instead.”

“Do we have milk?” Penny laughed.

“No, but they taste fine with water.”

“Blech.”

Utterly mystified by the vibrant exchange, he couldn’t stop watching the volley of words.

“Fine. I’ll stop by the corner store on my jog in the morning and get milk, you pampered princess.” Mallory scrunched her nose, and the two burst out laughing. “Now, I’m going to get the nice paper plates, because we have company.”