She told herself not to go overboard with those thoughts and knew she wouldn’t. She didn’t want to get hurt by spinning fantasies. Still, though she might be a fake fiancée about to be a fake wife/princess, she and Dom were in this together. She didn’t like the fact that he was unhappy. Especially if it might be because of something she’d done.
Security guards opened the gold doors to the king’s quarters and Dom invited Ginny and her mom to enter before him. The foyer ceilings had to be three stories high. Everything from lamps to picture frames was trimmed in gold.
Her mother immediately recognized a Monet. She gasped. “Oh, this is delightful! One of my favorites.”
“I’d be happy to give it to you as my wedding gift to you.”
All heads turned as the king entered the foyer.
He kissed Ginny’s hand, then Rose’s.
Rose frowned. “First, I do not have the kind of security I’d need to put that in my home. Second, I’m not the bride. I don’t get gifts.”
“It’s our custom to give parents of people who marry into our family a gift...something like a welcome to the family.”
Her mom’s eyebrows rose as she glanced over at Ginny, who shrugged slightly.
She leaned toward the king and whispered, “We’re really not going to be in your family long.”
He bowed. “A custom is a custom.”
Rose nodded. “Point taken. Do I have to get you a gift?”
King Ronaldo unexpectedly smiled. “Do you wish to welcome me to your family?”
Rose laughed noisily. “Well, honey, I guess I do. Except you have to come to my house to get the gift.”
The king directed everyone to the door again. “Maybe I will. But right now we’re going to the formal reception room to meet the ambassador.”
The king took Rose’s arm as Dominic tucked Ginny’s hand in the crook of his elbow.
She’d never seen her mom flirt. Not even after her dad had died. Not with anyone. Ever. The sight of her mom and the grouchy king—well, flirting—made her want to say, “Aw,” and shiver with revulsion simultaneously.
King Ronaldo peeked over his shoulder at Ginny. “By the way, Ginny, I approve of the dress.”
“This old thing?”
He smiled patiently. “I know you’re coming to understand our customs and our etiquette, so you can’t tease me anymore by pretending you don’t understand. Were I you, I would have said thank you.”
Dominic gave her a look and, suddenly, desperately wanting to please him, she took a quick breath and said, “Thank you.”
“I’m hoping your entire wardrobe and wedding apparel will follow a similar pattern.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I appreciate that you’re allowing me so much say in the wedding plans.”
“Thank your future husband,” the king said as the reached the door of the reception room. “He pleaded your case. Something about pink roses and your friends as bridesmaids lending authenticity to the whole thing.”
Two guards opened the doors. The king walked into the room and led her mother to a discreet bar.
Ginny turned to Dom. “So, you pleaded my case?”
He glanced back at his father. “Saving an argument.”
She reached up and tightened his bow tie. “Well, I appreciate it.”
He caught her hand. “That’s fine. My tie is fine.”
She nodded quickly, annoyed with herself for the intimate gesture and for upsetting him again. “I guess I’m just getting a little too comfortable with you.”
He caught her gaze. “You shouldn’t.”
Ginny stared into his dark, dark eyes, suddenly realizing he wasn’t angry with her. But if he wasn’t angry with her, that left only himself. Was he angry with himself? For asking her for help with cuff links? Or because asking for help with his cuff links proved they were getting close? Becoming friends?
She saw that as a good thing. Within the cocoon of their conspiracy, for the first time in her life, she was taking the initial steps of trusting a man. She didn’t have to worry about consequences. There were none. She knew they were getting divorced. There was no way he could hurt her. And the little bit of intimacy with the cuff links had been warm and wonderful.
But obviously, he didn’t feel the same way.
The ambassador arrived and Ginny played her role exactly as Dom wanted her to play it. They had a toast with the ambassador and his wife, Amelia, who then toasted the newly engaged couple and wished them happiness.
The ambassador then handed them a small box. Dominic opened it, smiled and handed it to her.
She glanced inside and her gaze jerked to the ambassador. “Emerald earrings.”