Page 10 of A Royal Obligation
“Of course. I spoke with Lady Charlotte, and she would be honored to stay at the palace and spend time with you. She is overjoyed at the idea of helping with the school renovations. She does have one request though.”
“Anything.” Barrett practically sighed with relief.
“She has asked that I come with her. I was a member of her team for the children’s center project and am now—”
“Done.” Barrett cut her off. “We would love to have you both here for the foreseeable future.”
“Great! When would you like for us to arrive?”
“Is next Friday too soon?” he asked shyly.
Jules checked the calendar in front of her. “I think we can make that work. We look forward to seeing you soon.”
“Wonderful. I think there was something else I was supposed to tell you, but I can’t think of it now.” He paused. “Oh well, I will have our secretary message you the information you will need once she is back so that I don’t mess that up, too.” He chuckled. “Thank you so much, Miss Smith. For your discretion and your assistance.”
“Please, call me Jules. And the pleasure is all mine. Have a good day, Your Highness.”
“You as well. Thank you, Jules.”
Jules hung up the phone and squealed. "I’m finally going to Wistonia!”
Jules danced around to the latest Adele album as she packed up the room she had just finished unpacking the prior week. For someone who hated moving, she sure had done a lot of it lately. Luckily, her whole life fit in three suitcases, so it didn’t take too much time or effort to repack everything.
As she took her clothes off hangers, she thought about her week working as Charlotte’s assistant. Her favorite task had been following up with the volunteers at the children’s center to make sure everything was running smoothly thus far. She had already made a minor error when reviewing the budget of an upcoming dinner party for their family, but Charlotte had simply waved it off.
Jules had continued to learn more about Charlotte, and the more she got to know her, the more she admired her. Charlotte was graceful but her words could also pack a punch, and people took what she said seriously. Working for her family hadn’t been anything like what Jules had expected, and that was why she had enjoyed it so much. She was still getting to make an impact, and that was what brought her the most joy.
Jules folded her clothes and put them in piles as she wondered what Wistonia was like. She made a mental note to go early and do some exploring on her own.
I can’t believe I’m going to be staying in an actual palace! Who would’ve thought that a passionate speech in a ladies’ restroom would lead me to this job?
She had never been one of those girls who had dreamed of becoming a princess and living in a giant castle, but now that it was actually happening—the castle part, not the princess part—she was overflowing with giddiness.
As she put some of the already folded clothes in one of her suitcases, a knock sounded at the door. She walked over and opened it to find Lady Charlotte standing there.
“May I come in?”
“Of course.” Jules moved so that she could enter. Looking around at all the piles of things in her room, she added, “Sorry there aren’t many places to sit right now.”
“That’s quite all right. I’ll only be a moment.” Lady Charlotte paced the front of the room. “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind telling me what Barrett said about me? You said he seemed like he wanted to get to know me better?” Her cheeks were crimson.
“I wish I had more to tell you, but our conversation was brief. He only mentioned how he wanted to get to know you better and could use your insight for the school project.” Jules tapped her lip with her pointer finger. “He did refer to it as an extended stay though. That has to be a good sign. This all seems like perfect timing before you turn thirty next year, too. Are your parents excited? Have you told them yet?”
Charlotte nodded. “My father was thrilled. He always wanted me to marry up and the only thing up really is a prince. I can’t say my goals have always aligned with his. If it was up to him, he would’ve drafted a marriage contract with King Henry when I was a child to betroth me to Prince Barrett.” She continued to pace the length of the room, moving around the obstacles of stacked clothing.
“Luckily, my mother talked him out of it, insisting I have a shot at finding love and my own happiness. That was when he set up the rule that I have to marry by thirty to receive my inheritance though. He’s always believed that men need to be the ones to handle the money.”
Jules rolled her eyes and Charlotte let out a giggle.
“My thoughts exactly. It does appear to be good timing, and I know Prince Barrett has to marry someone of royal standing to inherit the throne, too. So maybe this will work in both our favors.” She gazed out Jules’s window and sighed. “I guess only time will tell if we are a good fit for each other.”
“Have you spent much time together?” Jules asked.
“We have attended some of the same diplomatic dinners, balls, and other royal events. But we have never spent much time alone together.”
“I hope this will give you the opportunity to be able to figure everything out.” Jules paused, wondering if she should ask this next question. “You don’t have to answer this if I’m prying too much, but has there never been anyone else that has caught your eye? I only ask because I find it hard to imagine that men haven’t tried to pursue you in the past.”
“There’s someone I’ve had my eye on since I was a teenager, but I don’t think anything will ever come from that. I don’t think he really sees me as an option.” Charlotte dropped her eyes to the floor. “There have been some men that have tried to court me, but they all ended up being money chasers who expected extravagant dates and gifts and wanted the high life of living rather than me. One man even took me to a five-star restaurant and basically ordered one of everything on the menu and then pushed the bill toward me at the end of the date.” She sighed.