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)
Dougal raises one brow. “Aye. I am. And I’ll be sure to do a fine job of being her husband as well. She’s a high-needs woman, to be sure. But then, I’m a very giving man.”
“Yes, you are. Which way is the kitchen again?” Lady Helena asks, heading for the hallway. “We’re going to need juice and maybe some little snacky things. I can’t decide between sweet and savory. What do you think would suit?”
“Not sure. But there’s bound to be something that’ll do.” Dougal follows his fiancée. “Let’s see what’s in the fridge.”
Father and son both seem to be somewhat stupefied. At least, they’re both staring at the newly betrothed couple as they leave the room. The expressions of disbelief for Alistair and horror for the king are rather comic.
“I just want to say right now, we are not having a double wedding.” I also head for the exit. “Do not let her talk you into it.”
“No,” agrees Alistair. “Where are you going, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“To give you two some privacy.”
A line appears embedded between his brows. “You could wait with Mother and Dougal.”
“I’m not standing there watching those two make out. Don’t ask me to do that. It’s too much.”
“Fair point.” He holds out his hand. “Stay with me. Please. I trust you. There’s nothing we’re going to say that you can’t hear.”
The king opens his mouth to no doubt disagree, but Alistair repeats, “Nothing.”
“You’re serious about her,” his father says. Though it’s strange to think of him that way. He’s been a grim face in magazines and online gossip sites my whole life.
“You know, you’ve been this distant disapproving figure since I was born. That’s the only contribution you’ve made to my life. So you’ll understand when I say your opinion regarding my fiancée is not required.”
I hold Alistair’s hand and keep my mouth shut. For now, at least.
The king tugs on his cuffs and stands up straight. “I understand my sister shared the details regarding the opportunity for you to attend some smaller official events this spring. To be introduced to the public and to meet more of the family in a somewhat formal setting. It would be a chance for you to be recognized to a certain degree.”
“Listen to you,” drawls Alistair.
“I’m being as forthright as I can be.”
“Which is not much. The optics aren’t great, are they?” he asks. “Your heir doing a runner and all. Those rumors about your own marriage falling apart.”
The king’s lips are a fine line. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Of course not. Because we’re not really family. Family are the people who care for you, and that has never been you.”
“It would be foolish of you to be pining for some emotional outpouring from me.”
“But when you use me to deflect attention with the media, you put Lilah in the frame as well. I don’t like that.”
“The world knows who you are, Alistair. There’s nothing I can do to remedy that.”
“There’ve been many things you could have done over the years to try and ease the way for me. Whether it be encouraging your pet paparazzi to give me space or to send a simple message of support and fatherly affection. But you chose to do none of those things.” Alistair’s fingers tighten around mine. I give his hand a squeeze. Just to let him know I am with him. And his grip eases some. “Now you decide I can be useful.”
The king’s nostrils flare like a pissed-off stallion. There’s every chance Alistair gets his temper from that side of the family. Though he generally hides it better.
“I have no interest in attending your garden party, Father. Nor will I be marrying someone you choose for me. What I will be doing is spending time with my fiancée and working on my relationship with my mother. Someone who I can now see I have been a complete dick to for no good reason.”
“You should be with someone suitable,” the king argues. “Someone who could handle the public demands of your position.”
“I should be with someone I love who makes me happy.”
“As if that lasts...” The king scoffs. “You have a position to uphold. Like it or not, you come from bloodlines that require things of you.”
“I don’t owe you a fucking thing.”
“Marrying this woman would be a mistake. She is—”
“It would not be wise of you to finish that sentence,” Alistair says in a low tone.
It would also be fair to say I have had enough of being insulted by royal assholes this week. “Time for some fresh air. I’m going to go stand out by the pool. Right there where you can see me, okay?”
Alistair frowns. “Keep the glass door open, please.”
I nod and give his hand another squeeze before heading out the front of the beach house. The king doesn’t deserve any sort of acknowledgment from me. Let them look down on me all they like. I refuse to care what they think. Life is too short to worry about the opinions of assholes.