Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
The kids all laughed as Landry grinned and then quickly slapped a hand over his mouth in mock embarrassment, causing them to laugh harder.
“Right, no one said anything, so I’ll assume I’m alright. Thank you for having me, my husband Kenji, my cousin Cora, and my friend Jamie here today. We are honored to start this program with you because we all believe that exercise and outdoor play are important.
“I grew up in Regent’s Park, where I had space to run, space to move, and space to believe I could be something more. Later, I went to a school with Jamie here,” he said, thumbing over his shoulder, “where we met and formed memories out on the field. In one particular rainy and cold cricket match, a young, strapping viscount claimed victory over a much less talented—”
Jamie blurted, “Oiy!” with a good-natured grin on his face.
The kids all laughed as Landry acted apologetic. “Alright, alright. Although I’m sure I won that match, only because he’s one hundred percent American and I’m only half-American, how ’bout that?”
The kids cheered and agreed.
Landry was an incredible actor. There was no trace of nerves in his manner. “Every one of us should have a safe place where we can make connections. Where we can be bold, be strong, and believe in something bigger for ourselves, regardless of our postcode. Where we can take care of our bodies and improve our health while getting a break from the rigors of our academic studies. Which is why the Winthrop and Davencourt Foundations are helping Killian Prep enlarge this outdoor sports area and open it up to other schools. But this isn’t just a sports area. It’s a launchpad. Maybe you’ll use it to train for something big. Maybe you’ll use it to shake off a tough day. Or maybe, just maybe, this will be the place where you and your mates make memories that will last a lifetime.
“Access to safe outdoor spaces for exercise and play should not be a privilege. It should be a promise. A promise that you will have what you need to pursue a long and happy life with healthy habits.
“So today, when you run, when you kick a ball, when you cheer for each other—and hopefully for me because I’ll need it against you lot—know that this space belongs to you. Because you deserve it. Because your future deserves it. And because I know you’re going to do incredible things with your minds and bodies, if you use your imaginations and stick with your mates.”
After handing the podium over to Jamie, Landry moved back to take his place beside me. I glanced up at him with affection and pride for an incredible job well done.
Which ended up being the photo from our sports day event that went viral.
Lord Hawling Dedicates Youth Sports Program While Devoted Husband Looks On
“Could have been worse,” Cora said later while I had my final fitting with the tailor in the large laundry room behind the kitchen.
Landry scrolled on his own phone, his long legs spread out in front of him on the worn terra cotta tile. “True. They could have gotten a close-up of the fact that I did, in fact, have something in my teeth. What is that? A leaf? I ate oatmeal for this very reason.”
“You look happy,” she observed. “Which is more than anyone will be able to say for my mother when she sees the photo of me shaking Jamie’s hand after besting him at archery. I can imagine the conversation now. ‘Cora, dear, how do you hope to attract a titled husband if they think you might shoot them?’”
Landry snickered. “Well, from the dopey expression on Winthrop’s face, he wouldn’t mind being shot if you were the one holding the bow.”
Cora smacked Landry’s shoulder smartly. “Be nice,” she commanded. “Jamie’s sweet. And he didn’t for one moment try to pretend he’d only lost because he was going easy on me, either. It was a fair contest, and he congratulated me like a true sportsman.”
“Oh, it’s Jamie, is it?” Landry teased, provoking Cora to smack his shoulder again, harder this time. “And do you want Jamie going hard on y—oiy! Leave off! Don’t bruise the viscount!”
I barely paid attention to their sibling-ish squabbles. I was too busy staring at the photo of myself. I hated to admit it, but whoever was writing the headlines had gotten it right.
I huffed out a breath. “I never expected to be anyone’s dutiful husband,” I muttered. “It’s embarrassing.”
Landry quirked his lips at me while his eyes danced. “They didn’t say dutiful. They said devoted. Devoted, Kenj. I’m sending the link to the Brotherhood. If anyone will laugh at the irony, it will be Bash and Silas.”
I didn’t mention that I’d already gotten a text from Zane with a row of hearts and swoony-face emojis and a long, drawn-out d’awwww.