Up the final incline, Michael nearly reached for Scottie’s hand but pulled back just in time.Reflex.From his days with Purnell.He was always reaching for her hand.For her.
He hadn’t seen most of the extended family since Purnell’s funeral.With Scottie on his arm, perhaps they’d refrain from asking how he was getting on.How he washealing.They’d not dare ask if Lady Royal was his new love interest.Well, except Mum.She’d bowl such a question straight down the lane.
The night on the portico when they talked, he’d refrained from saying too much about good ole mum.Scottie could make her own assessment.Why smear her with his palpable contempt?
“Kate said your grandmother was a lady-in-waiting to her mother.”
“Yes, they were good friends.She may have been one of the few outside the family and Privy Council to know about you.Queen Rosemunde confided in her.”
“And your grandfather?”
“A brilliant businessman.He ushered Pratt Printing into the twenty-first century.When he retired, he served in parliament for fifteen years and later joined Her Majesty’s council for technology and modernization.Both my grandparents remain politically connected, which means all sorts will be here tonight, including the head of the rakish RECO party, MP Hamish Fickle.”
“MP Fickle.Isn’t he from the Midlands?”she said.“I read about him in the paper.Kate left it on our tea table.I’d like to talk to him about Eloise Ltd.”
“Not tonight, Scottie.There’s no telling how he’ll spin a conversation in the press tomorrow.He lives for the talkies and his social media account.As it is, you’ll be posted across the internet before the first hour of the party.”
They reached Granny’s signature hedge framing a carpet of green grass.The manor, to his right, was of golden red brick, trimmed in ivy and anchored with green shrubs and gold and red flowers, with royal blue woven in.
“Maybe this wasn’t a good idea,” he murmured.
“For me or you?”She grabbed his arm.“Come on, I’ll be on my best Lady Royal behavior.”She stopped.“Michael, will they wonder why you brought me?Will they think I’m your date, as indatedate?”
“If they do, they’d be wise to keep it to themselves.”
Just his luck, Mum was the first to greet them.“As I live and breathe!You came.I said I’d not believe it until I saw your face.”She squeezed his arm and kissed his cheek.“Lady Royal, it’s an honor to have you with us.”
Mum was no fan of the House of Blue because she’d always considered them competition for her husband’s (now ex-husband’s) attention and for her sons.But thirty years after she left, anyone and everyone with a position was a friend to Jeanette Pratt.To be fair, the way she welcomed Scottie sounded genuine, if not a bit sweet.
“Lady Royal,” Michael said, “my mother, Jeanette Pratt.”
Scottie offered her hand.“Thank you for allowing me to attend.”
“Of course, of course.I saw you had a bit of a rough start for the spring season, what with the business with the woman falling over the quay.”
“Any one of us would’ve tried to save Mrs.Johansdotter and her daughter.”
“Yes, but it wasyou, wasn’t it?”
“Well, I did give her a push,” Scottie said.“It was the least I could do.”
Mum stepped back, slack-jawed, then managed a rough laugh.Michael had never felt prouder.Touché, Scottie O’Shay.
“Let’s go meet Granny and Granddad.”Michael placed a hand on Scottie’s back.“Nice to see you, Mum.”
Check.He’d seen his mother, and now the rest of the evening was his.
They found his grandparents in a large tent strung with lights and filled with music, guests milling to and fro.The couple sat in velvet-covered mahogany chairs atop a small platform, king and queen of their little kingdom.Granny stood when she spotted him.
“My dear lad, you came.Your granddad and I have missed you.”She embraced and kissed him, then held his shoulders, beaming.“We’re so looking forward to you joining Pratt Printing one day.Your mother assures us—”
“Granny, may I introduce Lady Royal Blue, Queen Catherine’s daughter.”
“I am well aware of Lady Royal Blue.”Granny clasped her hands in her lap and peered down her nose.“I do hope you enjoy your evening and, um, your soon return to America.”
Granddad received Scottie in a more congenial manner.“We’re honored to have you at our celebration.”
“It’s an honor to be here.Congratulations on your anniversary.”
