“Just yours,” he confirmed.
Why not Edwin’s as well?
This smelled, and I didn’t like it. Not one iota.
With a sigh, I stood. “I’m coming.”
I met Edwin’s eyes, and he rose with me, automatically picking up his portfolio as he moved. He would accompany me, as always, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support. Also, if I had to run for it, I could snag him and take him with me.
It said something about my state of mind that I was already considering running away.
Captain Rowan followed us out the door, automatically giving me protection. No one trusted Valentina to behave and not accost me.
We traversed the hallways in silence. I was already pissed off and dreading this meeting, which left me in too foul a mood to make chitchat. Ramsey took us to the king’s personal study, which I didn’t like, because he’d never given me good news in this room. This smacked of trouble.
I entered the room, wary and cautious, and wasn’t relieved to see just the queen and king. Honestly, that made me more irritated. What were they up to now?
“James,” Patrick welcomed warmly. “Please, don’t be nervous, come sit with us. I’m so sorry about the other night. It was reported to me Valentina barged into your chambers, and I’m quite wroth with the girl for pushing her agenda like that. I have her under house arrest at the moment, so you can rest easy.”
“Thank you. I do feel better hearing that.” Which was true, but Vuheia defend me, what was this man up to? The caginess in his eyes shone brightly.
I sensed Edwin and Captain Rowan taking up station near the door behind me, as they were wont to do during meetings such as this. On hand if I needed them, but unobtrusive until called for.
The sitting area of the king’s study was simple—an array of four chairs and a low tea table, with a massive desk beyond it. They sat in the chairs, a tea set spread out on the table,untouched. I took the chair opposite them but didn’t fully settle. My instincts were insisting I run. Now.
I was inclined to listen.
“Cut to the chase,” I requested.
Patrick’s face twitched into a frown before smoothing out. “As you like. James, as I’m sure you’re very aware, we can’t just send Valentina back.”
I grunted, not agreeing or disagreeing. I did understand the problem.
“She’s…well…technically despoiled by Victor, and unlike every other time he’s done this, I can’t just wave money at the problem and make it go away. Young as she is, her parents still have every right to demand she marry into our family to restore her reputation.”
Also correct and not something I could argue.
“But we can’t have her marry Victor,” Beatrice tacked on, speaking very gently, as if I was some cornered animal who might tear her arm off if provoked. “Surely you see that.”
I stared at her for a long moment before speaking. “I understand that by having Victor and Valentina marry, it would give Victor a boost toward the throne, despite him not being technically of the royal family right now. He could use the political leverage through his wife’s family to reclaim the throne, and when you deny it, use that as justification to rally an army and make trouble. Not that many would support him, but enough would to make it problematic.”
Her expression eased. “Then you do understand.”
“A child could understand. This isn’t deep.”
“Then you understand why we need you to—”
“No.” I lashed the word like a whip, cutting her off.
Beatrice startled, pressing back into her chair, expression offended.
I didn’t regret my tone and kept the same harsh volume. “No, I will not be sacrificed on the altar of Victor’s mistakes. I understand why you’re worried, yes. I understand you’re in a very difficult position because of your son. That’s your problem to navigate, not mine. That’s his sin to pay for, not mine. I willnotmarry Valentina or even enter a brief engagement with her to smooth things over. It’s about fucking time you stopped smoothing things over for Victor and let him actually suffer the full consequences of his actions.”
“We can’t do that,” Patrick burst out, a tic forming at the corner of his eye. “This entire country will face the repercussions!”
He might be right, but frankly, I didn’t care about the fallout. They were asking me to do the one thing I would never do. Asking me to once again forfeit Edwin for a woman who had almost driven me insane.
I could not, would not, do this.
