Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Go on, darling.” Lady Helena smiles encouragingly. “You might as well tell her.”
“Right.” Alistair clears his throat. “Lilah and I are... Yes...we, um...”
“We’re thinking of a July wedding,” I say. “Just something small and intimate.”
“Absolutely no more than a few hundred of their closest family and friends.” Lady Helena plays with her pearls. “And of course, an exclusive will be sold to a respectable media outlet. Photos and a tell-all interview. Merchandise will of course be on sale once we get their official website up and running. Coffee cups and tea towels and suchlike. All of good make. It wouldn’t do to be stingy.”
The princess falls into a nearby chair as if she might faint. Though even that is done elegantly. “He’ll have my head for this.”
“I’m reasonably certain that’s no longer legal,” says Alistair, barely hiding a smile. “But don’t quote me on it.”
“He was hoping you might take an interest in a distant cousin. She’s quite a nice girl. A little horsey for me, but not everyone minds that.”
“That’s not going to happen,” says Alistair.
“You don’t understand. The king is finally willing to acknowledge you. So long as you agree to certain caveats, of course.”
The blood drains from Lady Helena’s face. “He’s willing to what? What did you say?”
“You will never be in line for the throne,” says the princess. “But the king is willing to acknowledge you, and you would no longer be persona non grata.”
Alistair blinks repeatedly. As if he too is taken aback.
Dougal hands me a glass of ice water, and I down a mouthful. And immediately start coughing because the clear liquid is vodka. What a rookie mistake. How embarrassing. Alistair smothers a smile and rubs my back. Always nice to know someone finds me entertaining. How unfortunate that it’s my new fake fiancé who might be about to dump me in favor of finally having a relationship with his father and some strange girl.
“Why now?” asks Alistair. “What’s changed?”
“It’s an offer that won’t be repeated,” says the princess, not answering his question.
Lady Helena sighs. “Lexi, he won’t consider the proposal without the appropriate information. Be sensible. I didn’t raise a fool.”
“In front of her?” The princess gives me serious side-eye.
“Lilah knows how to keep her mouth shut. Come on. Out with it.”
“I have missed you, Hel. Your directness was refreshing...up to a point.” The princess turns away for a moment, staring at the sterile gray wall. “The political climate is more lenient at present.”
“It has nothing to do with the current negative public opinion of him, does it?” asks Alistair.
“There’s also his rumored separation from the queen consort to consider. You would make a wonderful distraction from all that, darling,” says Lady Helena. “You’re rather popular. The dashing Scotsman of royal descent who found success on his own terms. Embracing you now would breathe some life back into him and make him seem more human. It would also help drag the monarchy into the modern age. Something which is direly needed.”
The princess’s gaze is guarded. “These are all just suppositions. What’s your answer?”
“Why should Alistair help you? What have any of you ever done for him?” asks Lady Helena. “Your brother pays me handsomely to keep my mouth shut and stay on my side of the Atlantic. That, however, is a business arrangement. He’s yet to show his firstborn a single kindness. Given time, several great artworks, an estate or two, and a lot of jewelry, I could perhaps forgive him for hurting me. But not my child.”
A line appears between Alistair’s brows.
Dougal hands the princess a drink. You can be certain Her Royal Highness doesn’t cough or choke. She cocks her head. “If they’re engaged, where’s her ring?”
“Oh. I knew I forgot something. How silly of me.” Lady Helena wrestles with one of the many rings on her fingers. “Shit. It seems to be stuck. Dougal!”
“Coming,” says the Scotsman. “Been a while since you’ve taken that one off. Let me just... Oof. There we go.”
The princess gasps. “You’re not giving her the Lennox diamond.”
“Of course I am. It’s the pride of our family. A cherished heirloom that’s worth a small fortune. Here, Lilah, catch.” And Lady Helena tosses the ring.
I lunge for the ring with my usual sporting finesse. But Alistair plucks it out of the air with ease. It’s an obscenely large emerald-cut diamond in a platinum setting. His smile is bemused as he slides it on my finger. He stares into my eyes, and I know this is all just a joke, but it’s hard not to get all up in my feelings. And those feelings have nothing to do with amusement and everything to do with him. Then he gives my fingers a squeeze and turns away, which is for the best. My ability to keep a straight face is at an all-time low. At least I can go to the grave saying I was engaged. Sort of. That’s something new, unexpected, and quite daring. What I really want to know, however, is if I am about to be dumped by my friend in favor of his father.