Princess In Denim Read Free

already did that with that swan dive I did outside. Where're you going? The ticket counter's over there."
    Arched eyebrows told her better than words ever could have that Princess Moira didn't do ticket counters.
    "Oh."
    "This way, Your Royal Highness, Miss Marshall," Emma advised them softly.
    Emma had called Chloe by her first name for the past nine years. It unnerved Chloe to hear her get so formal now. She knew it was because they were in a public place, but it was just one more reminder that her life was changing. She just hoped it was going forward, not in reverse.
    "Princess Moira!" a man yelled.
    Moira didn't look, but Chloe did, out of curiosity. In the nick of time, Emma held up her pocketbook and blocked the photographer's aim.
    "Don't let anyone get your picture, Chloe," Moira whispered.
    And then Chloe understood. No one in Ennsway had seen the princess in sixteen years. If either of them got their picture splashed in a newspaper, their whole plot could be in jeopardy. Not that anyone would splash Chloe's picture anywhere. She was just a California blonde wearing a ball cap, a short jacket, and jeans. Not a photo op that would earn anyone a paycheck.
    As instructed, Chloe put her hand up to the side of her face as the camera flashed repeatedly, until John and Teddy performed their last outgoing-staff function and blocked the photographer's progress. Even then, Chloe worried about a long-distance paparazzo catching them. It would be a shame to have come this far, to have sold all her possessions, just to call it all off at the last minute because of an ambitious photographer.
    Being a princess had definite advantages. Chloe, Moira, and Emma weren't stopped by anyone, but were promptly escorted out to the private jet awaiting them.
    "We're almost there," Moira encouraged her.
    "Good. I brought my notes with me so I can go over them again on the plane. I have a couple questions already."
    Moira led the way up the steps, followed by Emma, followed by Chloe. As she boarded the plane, a dark-haired man in a conservative brown suit and tie stepped forward, bowed and introduced himself to Moira.
    "I am Humphrey, Your Royal Highness. I will bring you up-to-date on all the changes in Ennsway since you've been gone." He sounded quite stuffy, and when he glanced down his nose at Emma, it was clear he thought she was on her way out.
    Chloe remained behind Emma's back and kept her face averted. If this guy was a member of the new staff, she and Moira had to trade places immediately, before he got a good look at either of them. She pulled the bill on her ball cap lower over her eyes, and Moira left her sunglasses on.
    "Your brother hired me especially for you, as your private secretary."
    Private secretary. What the heck did he think Emma was?
    Chloe cleared her throat, the only way she dared signal her distress at this point. If Emma suddenly dropped out of the picture, Chloe was going back home. There was no way she could fly to a foreign country and masquerade as its royal princess without Emma's round-the-clock help. It would be a bit complicated to slip back into the old life she'd shed like a snakeskin this past week. But it could be done. Perhaps her neighbor wouldn't mind returning the rocking chair she'd given her; who needed to rock a new baby, anyway? Perhaps her landlord hadn't already found another renter. Perhaps she could get her jeep back without paying a ridiculous penalty.
    Yeah. Right.
    "Emma is my private secretary, Humphrey," Moira said, in a tone that Chloe hadn't been able to master after an entire semester of Assertiveness Training 101.
    "Your Royal Highness," Humphrey continued, "if I may point out that she has been away from Ennsway for sixteen years... It would make more sense if she stayed on as my assistant."
    Chloe swore she could hear her heart thumping faster than a cornered jackrabbit's. Go, Moira.
    "Assistant will be a fine position for you, if you want it, Humphrey."
    "But, Your Royal