“I’m not saying it was right. I’m just saying … you are Princess Mary’s grandson, and it isn’t entirely appropriate that your girlfriend talks about her sex life to the public.”
“Mum—and I’m directing this at you because as someone who worked his way up in life, Pa couldn’t give a shit about appropriate behavior and backgrounds—I know you’ve had a difficult year, so I don’t want to be an arse. However, considering the many aristocratic girls you’ve shoved my way over the course of the last year, I need your promise that you didn’t have anything to do with this.”
“I already told you I didn’t. Ipromise.”
“Good. Then I need you to do something for me.”
“What would that be?”
“When you meet Lily, and you will meet Lily, you will be kind to her.”
“Of course I will.” She sounded offended.
“No, I mean it, Mum. No introducing me to women you think are more suitable behind her back or in front of her. Ever.”
“Sebastian—”
“Lily isn’t going anywhere. Whatever thoughts you might have in your head about the future, let me clarify them for you. One day I am going to marry Lily Sawyer. That’s where our relationship is heading, and not you, not Granny, not Queen Anne, or a battalion of Royal Marine commandos are going to stop us. I love you all, but if any member of this family does anything to try to ruin my relationship with Lily again, I will walk away from all of you for good. If you don’t want that to happen, I’d start treating Lily like your daughter-in-lawnowbecause one day she will be.”
There was a moment of silence after my impassioned speech and then Pa cleared his throat, “Understood, son. And I’m very happy for you. I’d love to meet Lily if you feel this strongly for her.”
“Thanks, Pa. You will. Soon,” I promised. “What about you, Mum?”
Mum let out a shaky exhale. “I understand. She must be quite something, then, if you’d throw us over for her?”
I winced at the hurt in Mum’s voice. “I love her, Mum. I love you too, but I won’t be made to choose. That was the point I was trying to make.”
“You said the same thing to your mother, love, when they didn’t like me,” Pa reminded Mum.
“I did, didn’t I.” Mum’s tone softened. “Okay, Sebastian. I promise to treat Lily well.” Then she repeated dazedly, “She really must be something.”
“She is.”
“Well, I look forward to meeting her too.”
“So that’s a promise not to interfere?”
“Believe it or not, my darling, your happiness means more to me than status.”
Relief shuddered through me. As honest as I had been in my ultimatum, it would have killed me to walk away from my family. “I love you both.”
“We love you too, darling. Well, I best go. Apparently, Mummy and I need to have a serious conversation.”
We said our goodbyes and I turned toward my friends whom I hadn’t realized were standing behind me, silently listening in.
Maddie started clapping as Harry and Sierra burst into laughter. Lily’s roommate grinned affectionately at me. “Bloody hell, do I wish Lily had been here to hear that speech. Should I tell her to start planning the wedding?”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”
“I wonder if she’ll let us choose our own bridesmaid gowns?” Sierra mused.
“Do I need to wear a tux?” Harry smacked me on the shoulder. “Or with Lil being Scottish, are we talking kilts and flying hairy balls?”
“I hate you all,” I lied as I jumped into my SUV with the sound of their good-natured taunts ringing in my ears.
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
LILY
