“Lady Royal—Clark Wilson,The News Leader.”A dark-haired, bespectacled reporter stood on Eloise’s sales counter, holding up his phone.“Are you aware that land Eloise Ltd.was to purchase was sold out from under them to Reingard Industries?A deal largely brokered by your dead sister-in-law’s father, Lord Cunningham.”
“Are you serious?”She took a step back, then her gaze met with Michael’s.Steady.The best way to deal with this was to face it.“Look, Clark Wilson fromThe News Leader, I’ve been in this country for all of five minutes.What else you got?”
Laughter peppered through the crowd.
“Lady Royal, here—Perry Copperfield, Cable News PF.”He also stood on Eloise’s counter.“How do you see your role in the House of Blue?Are you for the expansion of the monarchy or reduction?What do you think of the Family’s rival, MP Hamish Fickle?”
“Boys, boys, listen to yourselves.”Scottie buttered her words with her southern accent.“I’m just a girl spending time with her mother.Giving her a helping hand.I’m not here for politics.”
“But you’ve engaged several people, including MP Fickle, on matters—”
“Indeed, she has.”Hamish Fickle emerged from the crowd like he was lord of all.“I think Lady Royal’s here to check out the competition.Steal industry and land from Lauchtens to expand O’Shay Shirts’ global brand.”He looked at her as if waiting for her to confess.
“Lady Royal has no such intentions.”Eloise stepped up.“She’s offered to help, even—”
“Don’t be fooled, Ms.Bright,” Hamish said.“Lady Royal’s trip isn’t about a long-lost daughter spending time with her long-lost mother.It’s about a shrewd businesswoman taking advantage of her new royal connections, of our ailing queen, to expand her American business.As if we don’t have enough Americans in places of influence in the House of Blue.”Hamish jumped up on the counter next to Clark and Perry.“We aren’t going to stand for it, are we?”He pumped his fist over his head.“Go home, Lady Royal.Go home.”The chant became wildfire in the crowded shop.“Go home, Lady Royal.Go home, Scottie O’Shay.No more Americans.No more Americans.”
Chapter Thirteen
Michael
He had to get Scottie out of here.They were crushed on all sides.RECO activists shouting down monarchy loyalists.This scenario?His worst nightmare.
He barked commands for all officers to clear the alley behind the shop and for their driver to get into position by the back door.
“Clear the way way—” Michael shoved toward the back where Eloise stood terrified.
“Eloise, I’m so sorry about this,” Scottie said as she was jostled and pulled from behind.“I’ll pay for the damages.”
“Lady Royal, please, be safe.I’ll get that blooming mob out me shop.”
Michael glanced back to see Lennox, then called to the driver.“Tru, we’re coming out the back door.”
“People…jamming the street.”A motor horn blasted over the coms.“Almost there.”
Finally at the clear, Michael pressed open the back door and stepped into the sunshine.The alley was an explosion of shouters and haters.
“Lennox, Schueler, have Lady Royal—” He glanced toward them.“Where’s Lady Royal?Scottie!”Forget decorum.Forget royal titles and traditions.“Scottie O’Shay, where in blazes are you?”
Charging back into the shop, he grabbed Eloise.“Where is she?Did you stash her somewhere?”
“Me?No.She was with you.”
“Except she’s not with me.”He searched the storeroom and the loo.Had she ducked into one of them to hide?
Back out to the emptying shop, he pleaded, begged to see Scottie pressed against some wall of clothing, frozen with fear.But she was nowhere in sight.“Scottie!”
Out the front and into the avenue, a swift river of a mob flowed toward the northern end of the faire.
“God in heaven, help me find her.”And when He did, Michael Cross was resigning his post.
“Michael!”A thin call lifted above the masses.
Scrambling to a lamppost, he leapt up on the concrete base then climbed the post.There.He spotted her.As he jumped off, Lennox and Schueler came running.
“We can’t find her.”Lennox looked panicked as she gasped for air.
“She’s in this mess.Slice through the middle.Use whatever force necessary.”
