She was silent for a moment, breathing deep, overcoming her trembling.“You know, I hate when you dismiss me like that.Dismiss my care for you.You may be my protector when we’re out there, but when we’re like this, I’m your friend.You don’t get the high ground all the time, which by the way, I think you’re doing with your mother.”
“My mum?”
“Maybe it’s none of my business, but you can’t stay mad at your mom forever.Life is too short.Has she ever tried to apologize?Or do you like that you can hold it over her that she walked out on her husband and sons?”
There was a passion, a truth, slicing as it was, in her words that left no room for debate.
“I thought we came out to the garden to settle your nerves and devise a plan to tell Her Majesty.”
“What do you think I’m doing?Settling my nerves by telling you to make it right with your mom.”
He laughed softly.“She sort of apologized yesterday when we had tea.But in a backhanded way.Sorry she left but that’s the way it had to be.”
“It’s a start, Michael.”
“Why do you care, Lady Royal?”
“Because when you’re caught in a mob with people ripping at your hair and clothes and chanting for you to go home, you gain a bit of perspective.”
His gaze lingered on her face a moment.“Did your father teach you to speak your mind so boldly?”
“Yes, along with my grandmother, Shug, who is no shrinking violet.”Scottie turned to him, the swing still swaying to and fro.
“Thank you, Lady Royal.I mean it.”Just like that, his breathing became deeper, easier.Lady Royal was safe.“Purnell was all sugar.But she spoke her mind.She was on me to make peace with Mum as well.”
“I’m sorry I never met her.”
He nodded, catching a swell of emotion.But if she were, he’d not be here now with Scottie O’Shay firing off truths and wrapping another layer of his affection around her little finger.
“I want to go home, Michael,” she whispered into the silence.“I’ll tell Kate what happened and call Dad before he freaks out.That’s two mobs in two weeks and I need to be home.”
“For good?Cut your trip short?”
“I don’t know.”She pressed her fingers to the corners of her eyes.“As much as Kate needs me, I’m not sure I’m doing much good here.And I miss being the expert on my job.I miss my friends and Dad.I barely know his fiancée.I wasn’t raised in this royal world, Michael.”She landed a foot on the ground, stopping the swing.“I came because she asked.Because Cap dropped a bomb on me about being in love with his ex-wife.Because I was curious and unsettled, wanting to try on the Blue name.But I’m not a Blue.I’m the American stir stick.The title Lady Royal Blue is not for me.”
“I regret calling you a stir stick.You’re using it as an excuse.The people cluster to you, Scottie.They want to know you.That’s the good of a stir stick.Why not sleep on your decision?Speak with your mother and your father.Then decide.”
“I’ve been thinking about it since I was swept away with the mob.”
“We should go, get you inside the palace.I’ll retrieve your things from the motor.”Leaving Scottie on the swing, Michael walked a few feet then paused in a large drop of sunlight.“I was eight when Mum left.Evan was six.We were the rope in my parents’ tug-of-war.The way of the Crosses or the way of the Pratts.When Mum left, I remember thinking, ‘A family can end?’Evan cried himself to sleep for weeks.I dined on morsels of fear for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Yet I carried on, wanting to be the strong big brother.Both parents worked long hours, so we spent a lot of time with our nanny.Eventually Dad took a lesser position in the House of Blue diplomatic core to be more present for us.”
“I get it, I do.There’s always been a part of me wondering who I’d be if I had my mom.Shug did her best as a substitute.But she was also the grandma who spoiled me.”
“Our grandparents loved us but were drawn onto sides.I gave myself to football and running round with my mates.The Cross PF Youth Club was founded and sponsored by our family in the late 1800s, so I had easy access to the pitch.”
“We are born into our families, Mick.”The last of the Midlands tension vanished at her use of his nickname.“Rich, poor, common, or royal, it’s what we make of ourselves, and whatever God-given talent and reason He’s given us are the real tricks of life.We must choose to be the kind of people we want to be.It’s ours to command.”
“Then don’t give up on us, Lady Royal.”Michael returned to the swing.“Give us boorish Lauchtens a chance to behave properly.”
“I don’t know, Michael.Maybe this is not where I’m supposed to be.”
“If you quit, they win.You don’t seem like a quitter to me.”
“I’m also not a fool.If Lady Royal was my future, I’d dig in, but right now, I need a taste of home.”She stood and without hesitation slipped her hand into his.“Do you understand?”
When she looked into his eyes, he was convinced they were the only two people in the world.“I daresay, I do.I believe your mother will too.”
“Thank you.”She rested her head on his shoulder, and suddenly the storm of the day seemed worth it.His heart thumped a little faster, a little louder, but he’d not shift away.
