Ivy nodded. ‘They are totally meant to be together, although Olivia was a little worried that he’d forgotten Valentine’s Day altogether. I’m glad he’s here to work everything out – and I’m glad the whole Alex and Olivia thing is out of the way. I mean, he’s a prince!’
Tessa winced. ‘Yes, I suppose a prince and a normal girl is a silly idea.’
The tone in her voice made Ivy’s spy senses perk up. Slowly, a pattern began to form in her head. She remembered Alex glaring after his mother was rude to Tessa over the tea, and how wistful he was talking about playing with Tessa on the fountain when he broke his arm.
Olivia had said: someone else he wants to be with. Ivy thought of all the times she’d seen Tessa upset and all the tension between her and the Queen. When Alex skated away on the lake, it could have been because he couldn’t face her – because he was hurting.
‘It’s you!’ Ivy declared. ‘You’re the “someone else” Alex wants.’
Tears filled Tessa’s eyes. ‘It’s true. We’re in love. We grew up together and had always been really good friends. Then, last summer we went horseback riding together in the woods.’ Tessa smiled through her tears. ‘We stopped for a picnic in a field of daisies and he kissed me. It was the most romantic, wonderful moment of my life.’ She sniffled. ‘But his mother has forbidden us to be together.’
‘That’s awful,’ Ivy said, putting her arm around Tessa.
‘She’s dead against us because my family were servants.’ Tessa’s eyes flashed. ‘She’d rather make her son miserable than allow a commoner like me into her family. It would almost be better if I were a human.’
Ivy sat down on her coffin with a thump. All the time she had thought Alex was being mean to Tessa, but he was really just in pain.
‘This isn’t fair,’ Ivy said. ‘His mother is trying to force you both into being someone that you’re not.’
‘I’d like to talk to her,’ Tessa said, ‘but she refuses to give me an audience. I just want her to see who I am . . . to see behind my uniform.’
An idea started to form in Ivy’s mind. One that might actually work.
‘I’ve a plan,’ Ivy declared, ‘and you are not allowed to say no.’
Chapter Ten
Outside the ballroom, Olivia was wringing her gloved hands together and pacing up and down – hard to do in a floor-length silk dress.
There was a buzz of noise from inside the ballroom, soft music and people chattering. Olivia wanted to know who was in there and what the room looked like. Ivy had said the decorations were killer.
More than that, she wanted to be inside so that she could avoid the whole walking-in-with-Alex issue. But, being part of the host’s family, her arrival had to be announced. She had strict instructions from the Countess to wait by this third entrance door once most of the guests had arrived.
The trouble was that she still hadn’t told Jackson about being presented with Alex.
I should have said something! Olivia scolded herself. But their moment in the library had been so delicate and so happy that she hadn’t wanted to mess it up.
She turned on the spot, ready to march across the hallway again and almost tripped on her hem, Ivy-style.
Get a grip! Olivia told herself.
She heard footsteps and looked up to see Jackson striding towards her. She had never seen him looking so handsome. He was wearing a tailored tux with satin lapels and shiny shoes. He had a handkerchief in his pocket the exact colour of her dress.
Jackson bent at the hips and kissed her hand. ‘Mademoiselle,’ he said, seeming to enjoy the formality, ‘you look stunning.’
Olivia felt her heart leap. This was such a special moment, but she was going to have to tell him right away. Any minute, everyone else would arrive.
She took a breath. ‘Jackson, I don’t want you to think anything of this . . .’
‘You mean, of this wonderfully romantic Valentine’s Day ball?’ Jackson asked, grinning.
‘Um,’ Olivia said. Being so sweet about this is only making it worse! she thought. ‘It’s not necessarily romantic,’ she protested.
Jackson started to dance with her, smoothly. She could smell musky cologne and wanted to just melt into his arms.
‘I think it is,’ he whispered.
Olivia closed her eyes. She had to tell him. ‘Jackson, before you arrived, I agreed with Alex that I –’
‘You two are such a great couple,’ came a voice from behind Jackson. It was Prince Alex, looking very smart with his hair slicked back, and wearing a white tuxedo.
Jackson pulled away from her and turned to face him. ‘Thank you.’
Olivia felt the panic rising up. This was the moment – Jackson was going to be stunned and probably super mad. He’d made so much effort to make her Valentine’s Day special and she’d ruined it.
Alex gave Olivia a wink. ‘You’re going to be the envy of the ball, walking in together.’
Olivia’s knees went weak. ‘Really? Thank you,’ she said, hoping he knew she meant for being so understanding.
Prince Alex turned to Jackson. ‘I hear from Ivy that you play a mean game of tennis?’
Jackson smiled. ‘I try.’
‘We’ll have to see how you do tomorrow, then,’ Alex said. ‘The courts at the palace are covered, so we can play year round.’
‘You’re on!’ Jackson said with a smile.
Olivia wondered what Alex was going to do about walking in with someone. ‘What about you . . .’ she began.
‘Don’t worry,’ Alex said. ‘Ivy sent word with Nadia that she’d rescue me.’
‘Your Highness,’ Olivia said with a curtsy. ‘You have been so nice, the whole trip. I’m very glad I got to meet you.’
‘That’s what friends are for,’ he replied.
The Countess clicked down the hallway towards them in a purple sparkling dress, incredible dangling diamond earrings and silver high heels. ‘Oh, good, you’re here! We’re just about to be announced. Everyone’s waiting.’
The Count followed behind, looking dashing in a grey morning suit with a deep red cravat. His moustache looked bushier than Ivy had ever seen it.
‘Have you . . .’ the Countess asked quietly. ‘Is your father feeling better? And where’s Ivy?’