The Duchess Diaries: The Diplomat's Pregnant Bride / Her Unforgettable Royal Lover / The Texan's Royal M.D.

She could sit here for hours, she thought lazily. Listening to the crack of the Ping-Pong paddles, watching the tourists nose through the kiosks, nestling her head on the solid heat of Jack’s arm. She didn’t realize her eyelids had fluttered shut until his amused voice drifted down to her.

“You going to sleep on me again?”

“Maybe.”

“Before you zone out completely, let’s set a date for you to make a visit to D.C. My folks are anxious to meet you.”

That woke her up. The little she knew about Jack’s family suggested they probably wouldn’t welcome her with open arms. Not his father, anyway. But she’d promised. Digging into her purse, she checked the calendar on her iPhone.

“I can’t do next weekend. Does the second weekend in June work for you?”

“I’ll make it work. Go back to sleep now.”

Seven (#uf787832a-bba3-5d25-8934-389f8b91f761)

Gina ended up making the jaunt down to Washington a week earlier than expected. Her change of plans kicked off the following Thursday morning with a summons to Samuel’s office, where her boss relayed a request from the head office.

“Nicole just called. She needs you to fly down to D.C. You’ve got a reservation on the two-twenty shuttle.”

“Today?”

“Yes, today. TTG’s coordinating a black-tie reception and private, prerelease movie showing for two hundred tomorrow evening.”

“And Elaine needs help?”

Elaine Patterson managed the TTG’s Washington venue. Gina had met the trim, elegant brunette once when she’d flown to New York for a meeting with Samuel.

“Elaine’s father had a heart attack. She’s in Oregon and her assistant just checked into the ICU with a bad case of pancreatitis, whatever the hell that is. The rest of the staff is too junior to handle a function this large. Nicole wants you to take charge.”

Samuel shoved a folder across his desk. “Here are faxed copies of the timetable, menu, floor plans, proposed setup, list of suppliers and contact phone numbers. I had them also email copies so you’ll be able pull ’em on your iPad in case you need to make changes on the fly. You can stay in the venue’s bridal suite. It’s fully equipped and stocked.”

“But...”

“I’ll cover the consult you have scheduled for this afternoon.”

“What about the Hanrahan retirement party on Saturday? I’m lead on that.”

“I scanned the file. From the looks of the checklist, you’ve got everything in good shape. I’ll take care of the last few prep tasks and get Kallie to pull floor duty with me.”

Gina thought fast. She’d have to call Maria to see whether she could come in Sunday and check on Grandmama. If she could, Gina might extend her stay in D.C. for another day, possibly two.

The prospect of spending those days with Jack made her heart do its own version of a happy dance. She could feel it skittering and skipping as she let drop a casual comment.

“My calendar’s pretty light on Monday. I don’t have anything scheduled that can’t be moved. I may take some comp time and stay over in Washington.”

“Fine by me.” He flapped a hand. “Just get your butt in gear.”

* * *

She got her butt in gear!

A call made while the cab whisked her uptown confirmed Maria would be happy to check on la duquesa Sunday afternoon. When Gina dashed in and explained the arrangement, Grandmama issued an indignant protest.

“I’m neither crippled nor incapacitated, Eugenia. There’s no need for Maria to come all the way in to check on me.”

“She’s not doing it for you, she’s doing it for me.”

“Really,” the duchess huffed. “It’s not necessary.”

“I know. Just humor me, okay? The thing is, I may stay over in D.C. a day or two. Jack wants me to meet his parents. If they’re available, I’ll try to cram in a visit.”

“Indeed?”

That bit of news stifled any further objections from her grandmother. Her faded blue eyes lingered thoughtfully on Gina’s face for a moment before she commented dryly, “How fortunate the purple washed out of your hair.”

Extremely fortunate, Gina thought as she rushed into the bedroom. She hurried out again after stuffing toiletries, a sequined tuxedo jacket she appropriated from Sarah’s closet, black satin palazzo pants and some casual clothes into a weekender.

“I’ll call you,” she promised, dropping a kiss on her grandmother’s cheek.

She hit the lobby and had Jerome flag her a cab to LaGuardia. Collapsing in the backseat, she fished out her phone and called Jack. His cell phone went to voice mail, so she left a quick message. For added insurance, she called his office and got shuffled to his chief of staff. Her nose wrinkling, she asked Vickers to advise his boss that she was flying down to Washington.

“Certainly, Ms. St. Sebastian.”

He sounded a little more polite but about a mile and half from friendly. Gina wanted to ask him what his problem was but she suspected she already knew the answer.

She made her flight with all of five minutes to spare. When the adrenaline rush subsided and the plane lifted off, she rested her head against the seat back. The next thing she knew, the flight attendant was announcing their imminent arrival at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Gina blinked the sleep out of her eyes and enjoyed her view through the window of the capital’s marble monuments.

The short nap left her energized and eager to plunge into the task ahead. She wheeled her weekender through the airport with a spring in her step and exited into a beautiful June day only slightly tainted by the exhaust pluming out of the cars and taxis and shuttles lined up outside the terminal.

Gina didn’t have to dig deep to know why she was so jazzed. The idea that Nicole trusted her enough to step in at the last minute and take charge of a major event had given her self-confidence a shot in the arm.

Then there was the chance she might cram in some time with Jack. That possibility prodded her to whip out her cell phone and take it off airplane mode. The flashing icon indicating a text from Jack put a smile on her lips.

Just heard you’re en route to D.C. Call when you arrive.

She crossed the street to the parking garage and aimed for the rental car area while she tried his private number. He answered on the second ring.

“You’re here?”

The sound of his voice moved the smile from her lips to her heart. “I’m here. Just got in.”

“This is a surprise. What brought you to D.C.?”

For once she managed to catch herself before blurting out the truth. He didn’t need to know the possibility of spending some time with him was one of the reasons—the main reason—she’d jumped at this job.

“I’m a last-minute stand-in to coordinate an event tomorrow night.”

“Which event?”