minutes, I need to change and put some makeup on.”
“Louisa sounded stressed and excited at the same time,” Julia told Nick as they got ready to go out.
“Divorce is very stressful I would imagine,” Nick said. “But it’s a stress we’ll never know, Julia, because neither of us will be anything but faithful, passionate and respectful to each other.”
“I know that, Nicky. But she sounded excited as well, as if she has some secret.”
“You know Louisa doesn’t keep secrets, Jewel, so we’ll know what’s she’s up to within the hour.
Rodriguez and Louisa found a quiet table for four and sat waiting. The flash of a camera startled Louisa.
A reporter and photographer approached the table. Louisa expected Rodriguez to tell them to get lost.
However, Rodriguez smiled at the man .
His mother’s social secretary had done his job well.
“Excuse me, Sir? I met you at the Paris Grand Prix where you took overall honors, I’m Josh Greenly with the Sporting Daily Paper and Website. Are you in England for the Sales at Cheltenham? Buying some more horses for your stud farm?”
“Not primarily, I came over on personal business, but that’s a good suggestion, Josh. Perhaps we should go tomorrow, Louisa, and buy you another jumper? You only have one. I like buying you things, Louisa.”
The reporter looked at Louisa.
“Oh, Louisa Browning Spenser...you look lovely. How are your Olympic aspirations coming along?”
Rodriguez smiled at Louisa and then at the reporter.
“Ah, Louisa will not be riding for England in the next Olympics.”
“No?”
The reporter was surprised. Louisa Browning’s Olympic aspirations were well known throughout the equestrian community.
“I am certain the Espagnolian selection committee will be delighted Louisa will have citizenship by then,” smiled Rodriguez. “We spoke to the Chairman this afternoon, and they are extremely pleased she will be available to ride for us.”
“Oh, really, that’s a scoop! Moving to Espagnolia are you, Louisa?”
“My fiancée will be moving to Espagnolia as soon as her divorce is final. We expect to be married in about eight weeks, before our child is born,” smirked Rodriguez.
“Child?”
“Louisa and I are expecting a son early in the New Year. He will be eighth in line to the Espagnolian Throne.”
Louisa turned deep red, but kept smiling.
“Well, congratulations to both you,” said the reporter, surprised.
“Hmmm, my girlfriend is a presenter on What’s Happening. That’s an entertainment programme on Channel Five nightly. I happen to know she’s doing an interview not far from here right now. She’d love to have you on her programme tonight, Sir. Would you mind if I called her?”
Rodriguez smiled. This was going better than he and Mama had dared to hope.
“Please, call your girlfriend. My fiancée and I would be delighted to be on television this evening.”
The waiter approached the table, and Rodriguez ordered a bottle of champagne, a vintage Pol Roger, and asked that it be served when the other couple arrived. He also ordered sparking water for Louisa, and a generous selection of canapés.
Julia and Nick arrived at the entrance to the lounge the same time as the television crew.
“Oh, there must be a celebrity here,” exclaimed Julia. “How exciting, I wonder who?”
“They seem to be heading over to your sister,” said Nick. “Who’s that with her?”
“No idea, but wow, he’s something else. Quite an improvement on William, that’s for sure. Let’s get over there and find out who he is.”
Louisa waved at them, Rodriguez looked over and smiled, and they were quickly seated.
The young television presenter, having been graciously granted an interview by a smiling Rodriguez, reiterated what her boyfriend had passed on, and took some close-ups of Louisa’s ring as she asked her how long she had known Rodriguez.
“Years,” said Louisa airily. She was enjoying the attention. “We ride
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