Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 157491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 630(@250wpm)___ 525(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 630(@250wpm)___ 525(@300wpm)
“Hello, my lovely men. Fancy seeing you here!” My words are overly exuberant to detract from the imminent flood of tears. “How was school?”
“Rubbish,” Hugh offers, wiping my kiss from his cheek. “And we already had this conversation.” Before he can point out we agreed no kisses in public, Archie cuts in.
“We had apple cake for dessert at lunch.”
“Yum!” I press a matching smacking kiss to Archie’s cheek then run my hand through Hugh’s thick hair. Oh, what the hell! I press another stealthy smacker to the side of his face and laugh at his annoyed expression.
“Mum,” he complains, scrubbing the spot with the sleeve of his sweatshirt this time.
“Oh, you’re in trouble, mister.”
I meet Holland’s expression before it’s slips over my shoulder because those words weren’t for Hugh.
“Your grace.” I turn in time to see Niko incline his head. “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Or so they tell me.” No longer bashful, he’s wearing an expression that’s more him. Cool, confident, and unbothered by the stuff that troubles us mere mortals.
“Where is Sandy?” I ask, swinging back to Holland. Something in her expression causes me to gather the boys closer.
“He’s on his way to London.” But then her countenance lightens, her lips settling into something that looks like begrudging amusement. “I’ve got to hand it to you. You timed it perfectly.”
“Thanks for being my accomplice.”
“Oh, no!” she says with a stuttering laugh. “You’re not pinning this on me.” She looks about to add something more when she turns to the boys instead. “Can you two get your mom’s bag from the back seat?”
“We brought your laptop,” Archie says. “And your diary. And we packed our swimsuits.”
“Come on, Arch.” Hugh throws his arm around his brother’s shoulder. “They want us to leave so they can say things they don’t want us to hear.”
“Be thankful,” Holland retorts. “I could’ve stuffed cotton in your ears. Now, scoot. And don’t forget your jacket.”
“He won’t need it where we’re going.”
“Well, that remains to be seen.” Holland suddenly sends Niko a cool look. “They’re not going anywhere yet.”
“Hang on a minute.” I half turn, not quite able to take my eyes from my sons yet needing to know what I’m missing. “What’s this about? What’s going on, Niko?”
Holland’s dark brows climb at my use of his name. “I wish I could tell you,” she replies with a grin. “I can’t quite work it out, except the part where you two are getting married.”
“You told!” I explode, sending my betrothed a look of loathing. My attention swings back to my sister-in-law. “Do the boys know?” Holland shakes her head and I quickly direct my venom to the man standing behind me. “I can’t believe you’d do such a thing.”
“I told Alexander,” he answers equably.
“And Alexander told me,” Holland adds with a grin. “From the road, so to speak.” She sends Van a pointed look. “Man, is he pissed.”
“Wait? Sandy went to London? Why? To stop me?” Confused, or indignant; honestly, I’m not sure what that was. I’m annoyed Niko told him and annoyed that Sandy would go haring off to… to stop me? Like I don’t know my own mind. Like I can’t make my own decisions. Not that it’s exactly my decision, but he doesn’t know that.
Bloody men!
“He was already on his way there,” Holland says. “I told him you weren’t flying back tonight because you were ill and then Van called. Next thing I know, he tells me not to leave the house, that security is being stepped up, then he goes haring off. Meanwhile, you haven’t been answering your phone. He was worried about you,” she adds with a touch of censure.
“But I haven’t had any calls.” I shake my head. My phone is in my bag on the plane. I’m not about to get back on the thing to get it—I might miss something. “I don’t understand.” Or maybe, on some level, I really do. “When exactly did you call my brother?” My attention flicks to Niko.
“Before I came back to the house this afternoon.”
“Before we discussed this?” I hiss.
“Before I proposed. Before you said yes.” I suppose his demeanor is supposed to be endearing. Sort of, aw, shucks, look at me. Aren’t I hopelessly in love?
Liar.
“You told him before you proposed?” Holland sounds delighted. “I guess someone is a little confident.”
“I knew I’d wear her down in the end.”
Holland snickers, but I don’t have the bandwidth. I suppose I should be thankful she doesn’t know the real reason we’re getting married. Sandy, on the other hand, had obviously rushed off for that reason. And increased security at the castle.
“But Sandy asked you to stay home,” I find myself saying.
“I guess I’m not the only one who likes their man a little bossy. And a little sweet.” Her gaze flicks over Niko’s jacket pointedly.