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)
“Thank you, Mother,” he says eventually. “I couldn’t have done better myself.”
“I’d hope not, sweetheart. Nice to see family come in handy now and then, isn’t it?” Lady Helena takes a sip of her drink and turns back to our royal guest. “Lexi, why did he send you and not one of the firm’s flunkies?”
“I daresay, given the topic of conversation, he knew none of them would get past the front door,” answers Her Royal Highness. “I don’t know. Ask him when he calls you again tonight.”
Alistair frowns at his mother. “You’re talking to him that often?”
“I have been lately. The king is in a rare state of agitation. It had been a while since we butted heads. I don’t think I’d heard from him since you dislocated your shoulder surfing a few years back. Tell him there’s to be no more extreme sports. I forbid it. He truly is hilarious. But he enjoys yelling at me and I enjoy yelling at him. It’s a win for everyone, really.” Lady Helena frowns at her empty glass. “This conversation requires further refreshments. Sweetheart, you wouldn’t happen to have a decent bottle of champagne on hand, would you?”
“No,” says Alistair. “Sorry.”
“Time for us to depart, then,” says Lady Helena. “My place or yours, Lexi?”
The princess gets to her feet. “Yours, I suppose. But we can’t be seen together. And you mustn’t tell him I told you these things.”
“No one’s going to tattle. Do stop fussing, old girl.”
They head for the door with Dougal and the security guards in tow.
As soon as they’re gone, Alistair rises and paces the room. Back and forth he strides with a frown on his face. The man is obviously thinking deep thoughts.
“That was a lot,” I say. “A whole wide lot.”
He grunts.
Not knowing where I stand with him sucks. How has this conversation changed things? My family is important to me. The thought of not having a healthy relationship with my parents is horrible. I rub my sweaty palms on the side of my nice new black pants. “I just want you to know, whatever decision you make, you have my support.”
He stops and stares at me.
“You’ve wanted a chance to get to know your father your whole life. This is it. It’s finally here.”
“What are you saying, Lilah?”
“We’ve only known each other a week. Not even that exactly.”
“And?”
“Like the princess said, this might be your only opportunity to make peace with that side of your family. To get to know them. Losing me is obviously one of the conditions. I don’t know why I bother them that badly. But it’s not a big deal... We’re not even really dating.” With each word, my heart and hopes sink further. He’s not stopping me. He’s not saying anything. “Ali, you should take this chance if that’s what you want to do. What I’m trying to say is, it’s okay with me.”
He blinks. “It’s okay with you if we never see each other again?”
“I, um... Yeah. If that’s what you want.”
“Are you breaking up with me?”
“Were we ever really together?” I ask with a wince. “I thought that was still up for debate.”
He holds out a hand and pulls me to my feet. But he doesn’t take a step back, he doesn’t give me any room. I am stuck between him and the sofa. “That’s very self-sacrificing of you, Leannan. Throwing yourself on the sword like that so I can have a relationship with the man who has done nothing but regret my existence since the day I was born. That’s when he wasn’t of a mind to try and manipulate me and meddle in my life, of course.”
I remain silent, not sure how to respond.
“Are you rethinking your very generous offer?” he asks.
“A little. Yes.”
He nods.
I place my hands against his chest and say, “Let me rephrase all of that. Ali, what do you want to do?”
“I’ve already told you what I want to do in the immediate future. My thoughts on the matter haven’t changed.”
“Dinner and drinks. Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Do you have a bottle of good champagne?”
“Several. But I bought them for you. And the last thing we need is Mother and the princess hanging around here getting pissed and reminiscing about the good old days.” He leans down, putting his face close to mine. “It’s the middle of the night in London, but I’ll try to get a message to him. Tell him and his people to back off and leave you alone.”
“The king doesn’t scare me.”
The edge of his mouth rises. “He does a little.”
“Maybe a little,” I admit. “But he’s not going to stop me.”
“That’s my girl.”
17
Alistair’s bedroom is amazing. Floor-to-ceiling French doors lead out to a balcony overlooking the back garden. More of the high ceilings and gray walls like downstairs, but the effect is softened by the furniture. Both the bed and side tables are solid wooden pieces matched with another large white lounge. He obviously spends most of his time up here. There’s evidence of his presence. The huge unmade bed with white linens, bedside tables piled high with books, and an empty teacup and saucer. Because of course he drinks tea. A discarded T-shirt lies on the blanket box at the foot of the bed. I definitely do not sniff it, because that would be weird and wrong. Like it’s my fault the man smells divine.