Chapter Twenty-Four
“And the first place prize goes to ...”
The announcer twiddled his blonde mustache, dragging on the announcement of the winner of the pie maker contest in true showmanship fashion, but Esme wasn’t truly paying attention. She hadn’t tasted any of the pies. She hadn’t even been there to help her friend make the pie. That had been left to Prince Alex who was gung ho in winning his rivalry against the duke.
The duke and his ringer stood confidently beside the announcer as if certain of their imminent victory. Alex and Jan stood on the other side. As the silence dragged on, Alex reached down and grabbed Jan’s hand, lacing their fingers together.
Jan startled but didn’t pull away from the prince. At any other time, Esme would be focused on that show of affection, ready to
