Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“I’ve never caught you unawares, Victor.” As we hug, her assessing gaze flickers over me. “How many times have I called off the royal announcers over the years?”
Fuck, time to focus. “You blow me away, Grandmother.” My hand cradles her cheek.
“Please sit, please sit. Though time has passed since you've graced me with your presence, I don’t require boasting.” She waves a hand to excuse any such flattery I can offer. “Compliments are for a weaker sort.”
Over tea and scones, we chat about old times.
“My dear Victor, there were so many times that I considered taking you from that brut. In the beginning, I expected your mother to take a direct stance. However, taking Silas’s firstborn may have been a blessing and a curse.”
“I survived.”
“Have you, my dear grandson?” She pauses to sip her tea, but I realize there is more for the Queen to say, so I wait. “There's a pressing matter that has come to my attention. You’re cavorting around with a young woman—”
“I thought Americans were among our greatest allies.”
“You understand what I’m referring to?”
I steep my fingers together. “Sad thing is, I believe I do.”
“Similar to your father, you appreciate such unique beauties. Yes, the young lady is very keen on the eye, or so I’ve been told as is every young lady your father entertains. Albeit this is your first, your last?”
“I assure you, there will never be any others. Just Miss Whitson.” Using my finger, I push away my cup of tea. “I—”
“Of course, there won’t. You did not inherit such a negative trait from your father. However, you must grow tired of her soon.”
Her eyes test mine for defiance, which I release, jaw clenched. “That’s out of the question.”
“Alright, not soon.” A callous wrist flicks.
“Grandmum—”
“Now, because you are a clever, refined version of Silas . . .” She almost winces while saying the name of her youngest child. Last but not least, as far as scandal goes. “You will do well always to remember that your present will never be your future concerning that friend of yours.”
“Yes, my Queen, I will never forget what you’ve said,” I snarl, which isn’t indicative that I intend to follow through with the order. Regarding my duchy, Her Majesty has always suggested; however, her firm stance is new. To imply that I must one day break it off with Luxury is out of the question. My grandmummy simply did not take heed. My statement will stand until the end of time.
“Now for Arlington. When will you return home?”
“I’ve conducted a meeting at Tudor Enterprises this month and will also deal with a few issues in my dukedom.” As far as I'm concerned, I won’t be calling it home.
“You’ve visited this month already? The month has just begun. What are your plans?” The Queen scoffs and then decides to change her mind. “I know that Arlington is not a place you prefer to frequent for an extended period. We all miss Emeli and—”
“Grandmother, please forgive my intrusion. I appreciate my duchy.” My face chisels like stone. It has been almost eight years since I’ve heard the utterance of that name, but just thinking of Emeli’s death prepares me for bloodshed.
For a moment, I can almost glimpse her inquisitive brown eyes. The way Emeli’s dark hair tumbled over her fair skin.
“Yes, dear, I know you appreciate your dukedom. So, I must—”
“Grandmother.” I begin to cut in again and give a smile as an apology. For the moment, she is not my Queen; she’s my blood. There's an exchange between our eyes. Her pale gray ones fill with tears as I predicted. We never finish discussing my full return to Arlington, and we never will.
“My apologies, Grandmother,” I proffer and glance away. Like Luxury, when we first met, these tears are real, not a form of manipulation. However, they serve a purpose.
When the Queen’s eyes glisten with tears, our discussion about Arlington simply falls away. My grandmother is the epitome of strength, having led an entire country. Yet, there are still tragedies that break down the strongest of them all.
21
Luxury
Although I’ve enjoyed the lush green countryside of Arlington since arriving, I keep trying to run into the same unyielding brick wall that seems to breathe fire and friggen brimstone.
Princess Mary.
Yup. Let’s say I’ve sought her attention. There’s stock in the fool-me-once, fool-me-twice doctrine, but I’ll succumb to one last-ditch attempt. Blame it on my love for family.
Jane had said unless I see Mary in passing, an appointment was the only way to get her attention.
Now, I see where Victor’s gotten his elusive ways.
While he attends his monthly meeting at Tudor Enterprise this morning, my mind runs away with me. But didn’t Victor already go to his monthly meeting? Maybe that was last month. When he left, I didn’t ask for fear of being a nuisance, and he didn’t offer a tour of his company.