CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

“Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the royal family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. Once the land was purchased, they decided to rebuild as the building was no longer adequate for their needs. Prince Albert decided to build a new castle as the current one was considered not large enough for the royal family. The foundation stone was laid by Queen Victoria herself on the twenty-eighth of September in 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch. The Castle was completed in 1856, and the old building was demolished. When Queen Victoria died in 1901, Balmoral Estates passed to King Edward VII, and then from him to each of his successors,” Mari read from her phone. “That’s what the official site says, anyway.”

“A castle wasn’t adequate for their needs?” Lillian commented. “I guess that’s true when your wife is busy having nine kids.”

“Supposedly, they really loved each other. Even though it was the 1800s, royals still married to keep the royal blood pure back then,” Mari replied. “Listen to this. ‘He is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same color as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful.’ She said that about Albert before they were married. I think that’s pretty amazing. I mean, so what if they were cousins, right?”

“Aren’t we all pretty much just distant cousins thanks to those two?” Lillian remarked. “It makes it better, I think, to marry outside of a royal family. Elin, it’s one of the reasons I keep suggesting marrying someone with no title. You can be sure you’re not related to them then.”

“Oh, come on… We’re not all related, are we?” Mari asked.

“I’d imagine we’re at least second or third cousins with many royals,” Elin joined in.

“Even the ones from Denmark?” Mari asked.

“Oh, I knew it!” Lillian slapped her younger sister on the shoulder playfully. “You’re into Erik, aren’t you?”

“I don’t want to be,” Mari replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “But he’s handsome and funny. He’s also really smart. I think he reads more than me.”

“No one reads more than you,” Lillian stated.

“I’ll be right back,” Elin said, standing up.

The flight from Norway to Scotland wasn’t a long one, but she felt cooped up with her sisters and wanted to stretch her legs a bit before they landed. She found Ingrid sitting toward the back of the plane with her laptop open, likely working on something.

“Hi,” Elin said. “Mind if I join you? They’re talking about Mari’s infatuation with Prince Erik. They’ll be at it all week.”

“Of course, Ma’am,” Ingrid replied, closing her computer.

“You don’t have to stop working. I just felt a little claustrophobic over there. They have a way of making me feel that way sometimes.”

“How?”

“Christian and I are twins, and we’ve always been close. Those two sort of formed a bond the moment Mari was born, and even though they’re a few years apart, it’s always been those two and then Christian and me. We all get along, of course, but they’re extra close.”

“And Christian is gone now,” Ingrid nodded in understanding.

“You’d think I’d be used to it by now. We went to different universities and served in different places, but I think nine months in the womb together formed a pretty solid bond, and I’m never going to get used to him not being around,” she replied.

“Well, this seems like a girls’ vacation, so it’s probably good that he’s not here,” Ingrid replied.

“Princess Alexandria was nice to invite us. Palmer and Elizabeth will be there, too, so I’m excited to see them again. I feel like, even though I see them several times a year, I still miss them between visits.”

“They seem like great friends,” Ingrid noted.

“They are,” Elin replied, looking out the small plane window. “And I’m hoping you’ll enjoy yourself, too.” She turned back to Ingrid.

“I’m here for work, Ma’am,” Ingrid said.

“No, you’re here because Lillian and Mari thought it would be silly to have three secretaries with us while we’re on holiday. But with everything going on right now, we needed one, and everyone knows you’re the best,” Elin replied, smiling at her. “But you shouldn’t be working the whole time. It’s a holiday, Ingrid.”

“Ma’am, forgive me for saying, but it’s a holiday for Queens and Princesses. It’s a work week for the private secretary tagging along.”

Elin realized she’d lost this battle and nodded, accepting defeat but still hoping that while they were at the Scottish retreat of the British royal family, she’d be able to get Ingrid to at least take a break. The invitation from Princess Alexandria had come at a tough time. The news of Christian not wanting to take over after his father had somehow leaked out of the palace, and the family had been forced to make the announcement, deciding then to find the best time to announce the King’s retirement. Christian had then returned to his military service, and the cameras had turned their attention to her, now the next in line for the throne. Elin already wanted a break, which probably wasn’t a good thing.

When they landed, they took the car that had been sent to pick them up to the castle. Mari and Lillian were in the middle row of seats, talking about what would happen if Prince Erik and Mari started dating or, one day, married. They were giggling like two happy schoolgirls, which made Elin happy. She was in the back seat, with Ingrid at her right staring down at her phone, responding to emails and other messages. Elin worried that the chances of Ingrid taking a break while here were slim to nil, given how focused she seemed to be now.

“I am so ready for a weekend in a big, comfortable castle with giant fireplaces and gorgeous views,” Lillian said wistfully.

“You live in a palace,” Mari reminded her sister.

“In a city. Balmoral is in the country. There’s just something about being in the country that relaxes me.”

“You’ve had the opportunity to move to the country for years,” Mari countered. “You can’t seem to figure out how to decorate the place with the giant fireplaces and gorgeous view.”

Elin laughed at the truth in that statement. It really was beautiful, though, and she stared out the window watching the fields and trees pass them by as their vehicle went higher and higher toward the estate grounds.

◆◆◆

“Thank you for having us, Alex. This place is beautiful,” Elizabeth offered.

“You’ve been here before,” the Princess replied.

“But it’s been years, and I can see you’ve updated a few things since then,” Elizabeth said.

“The roses outside,” Palmer added.

“Yes, I had them replanted and expanded the garden a bit,” Alexandria replied. “And I’ve added onto the old drawing room. It needed more sunlight and more space.”

“Well, it looks great,” Elizabeth concluded.

“It’s your first time here, though, right?” Palmer turned to Elin.

“Yes, it is. And it’s gorgeous. Thank you for inviting us.”

“Of course. I planned on inviting you all sooner, but I’ve been so busy recently. The older I get, the more I take on, and the busier I get. I was sorry Gretel wasn’t able to make it, but she’s going to take over Sweden, so she’s probably dealing with the same things I am right now. Elin, how have you been doing with Christian’s decision? That’s the biggest royal news since those two got together,” she said, pointing to Elizabeth and Palmer.

“Probably since we announced Elizabeth was pregnant with Sophia, really,” Palmer said, smiling at her wife. “We got a lot of news with that. And then with Leif, too, but mainly Sophia.”

“Yes, it was about who the donor was, whether or not he had royal blood or would one day try to make a claim on Sophia.”

“They wondered if we’d used my egg, which would make Soph not royal by blood,” Palmer added. “It was a whole thing.”

“I honestly could do without all of that, and I know I’m going to have to go through it, too. At least, I had you two. You’ve set such a good example for us, lesbians, wearing crowns,” Alex noted.

Elin swallowed hard and nodded because Alex was right: Palmer and Elizabeth had been the best examples of what it meant to be gay as part of a royal family. They both worked hard for St. Rais and were completely dedicated to one another and their families. Elizabeth only had Victoria now and her husband and kids. Palmer had her parents and her younger sister, Camilla. Elin glanced at her own younger sisters and smiled, knowing how much she loved them and only wanted happiness for them.

“Didn’t you arrive with someone else?” Alex asked.

“Pardon?” Elin said.

“I thought there was someone else with you when you arrived. I remember you asking for another room.”

“Oh, yes. Ingrid, my private secretary, came with us. There’s a lot going on back home, so while we could use a holiday, we also need to stay connected.”

“Well, where is she?” Alex asked.

“Probably in her room. Ingrid can be all work, no play at times,” Lillian replied.

“Invite her down here,” Alex said.

“She’s very formal. I doubt she–”

“I realize we all have these titles that make people bow their heads at us, but we’re all just people. I hate the idea of her sitting in her room working while we’re all down here drinking wine and relaxing by the fire,” Alex said. “Can we all agree that while we’re here, we’re just Elin, Elizabeth, Palmer, Alex, Mari, and Lillian? That might make it easier for her.”

“That’s really not a problem for me,” Palmer said.

Elizabeth smiled at Palmer and nodded.

“Good. Then, go get her, Elin. I’ll pour her a glass of wine. Does she like red?”

“Merlot,” Elin replied, standing up. “And those toffee biscuits we had earlier.”

“I’ll get them from the kitchen.” Alex stood.

Elin nodded and headed out of the room and up the stairs toward the guest room Ingrid would stay in while they were here. It was supposed to be a few days away, and Elin hadn’t planned on bringing Ingrid, but Lillian didn’t want to bring Katrin, and Elin definitely didn’t want Markus or Steven around, so it made sense to ask Ingrid to come with them.

“Ingrid?” she said while she knocked.

“Yes, Ma’am. Come in,” Ingrid replied.

Elin opened the door to the bedroom and saw Ingrid sitting cross-legged on the full-size bed in the modest room. Ingrid moved quickly to stand.

“No, please… Sit.” Elin held out her hand, indicating that Ingrid shouldn’t move. “You’re still working?” she asked.

“Yes, we’re getting a lot of comment requests, and I’m trying to sort through the ones that really matter and then work with the publicity team to determine how best to respond.”

“Ingrid, it’s late. You didn’t come down for dinner.”

“I had something brought up. I ate, I promise,” the woman replied.

“Will you come downstairs, please? It’s strange with you up here and all of us down there.”

“Ma’am, it’s your holiday.”

“Ingrid, please,” Elin requested, sitting on the side of the bed. “You deserve a break.”

“Ma’am, I don’t fit in down there. You understand that, don’t you? I’m employed by the royal family; I’m not royal. Every woman down there–”

“While we’re here, I’m Elin. Princess Alexandria is Alex. Elizabeth is– Well, you get it. You’re Ingrid. We’re all just people.”

“That’s easy to say,” Ingrid replied.

“Don’t bow down your head or call any of us Your Royal Highness, Your Majesty, or Ma’am. It’s pretty simple actually,” Elin told her. “Alex is pouring you wine right now. It’s merlot. She also has those toffee biscuits you love. She’s putting them out for you now.”

“Toffee biscuits?”

Elin smiled and said, “Come on.”

“I need to change,” Ingrid noted.

“Why? You look great.” Elin’s cheeks flushed then, and she stood quickly from the bed. “We’re all wearing our pajamas, Ingrid. Look.” She motioned to the red-and-black flannel pants she was wearing with the white-and-red matching shirt.

“I’m wearing shorts, Ma’am.”

Elin eyed her.

“Elin,” Ingrid corrected.

“Well, it is colder down there, so feel free to change if you’d like. I’ll leave you alone and meet you in the hallway.”

“Not downstairs?”

“No, if I don’t wait for you out there, you’ll make up some excuse and stay up here.”

Ingrid laughed and said, “You’re probably right.”

“I’ll be right outside the door. And don’t think of jumping out the window. We’re a few stories up, and there are rose bushes down there.”

Ingrid laughed again, which Elin loved so very much.

“Give me a minute.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Elin teased.