Wait, what? “Engaged?”
“Yes, it’s only just happened,” she says softly.
“How the hell did I not know about this?” Camryn asks.
“Honestly, it’s not a big deal,” Olivia says, shrugging her shoulders.
“You’re telling me getting engaged isn’t a big deal?” I ask her.
“No, well, not for me, anyway. It’s not like we got engaged because we love each other,” she confesses.
“What do you mean?” Vanessa questions her.
“My father is dying …” Tears well in Olivia’s eyes.
“Hey, come here.” I pull the petite little princess into my lap and give her a big cuddle, it seems like she could use it.
“Dad’s best friend is the Duke of Roxburghe, and they believe that if I marry his son, it will strengthen both of our estates. My father agrees with him, and so they have arranged for me to marry his son, Marquess Edmund Lumley.”
“It’s the twenty-first century, arranged marriages don’t exist,” Charlotte pipes up, looking utterly repulsed.
“Unfortunately, in noble circles, the practice is alive and kicking.” Olivia smiles sadly.
“At least tell me the man is good-looking and not old enough to be your father,” I ask her, because I can’t imagine what it must be like to be forced to marry someone you don’t love. Look, I’m sure it happens a lot more than we know, but this is happening to someone I know, and I don’t like it.
“No, no, far from it.” Olivia grabs her phone and shows me a picture of her fiancé. He’s hot.
“I’d let him arrange anything on me.” I pass her phone around to the girls.
“Yep, I could’ve done a lot worse in the looks department. But the problem is … he’s a notorious womanizer, and I’m … well …” She lets the words trail off.
“You’re what? A beautiful woman? A smart, intelligent, sexy woman?” I answer for her.
Olivia blushes. “Thank you, but I mean, I’m … well … you know, not as experienced as he is. I have only been with a couple of men, and they were lackluster at best.”
How can this gorgeous creature only have had subpar sex? This won’t do. “Then, it’s lucky you have come to the right place, especially when we’re partying with rock stars. Think of me as your white knight of non-virtue here to corrupt you. You want to learn things that will help you feel more confident in the bedroom with his royal hotness … then you’re going to get the best education this weekend. I’m sure one of the Dirty Texas boys would love to show you the ropes.”
“Just not Evan,” Sienna pipes up.
“Or Christian,” Vanessa adds.
“Yes, yes, ladies, retract those claws, and Finn is off-limits,” I add, looking at Isla.
“Remember, I’m staying strong.” She smirks.
“Yeah, not this weekend, you’re not. I’m totally psychic, and you two are totally doing the nasty. And probably not Oscar'cause he and Stacey have someFifty Shades of Greything happening.”
Stacey just shrugs and smiles.
“That leaves Axel. Yes, he’s kind of perfect. I bet he’d totally be up for some sexual experimenting.”
Olivia shakes her head. “He’s too experienced for me.”
“No, he is perfect, seriously, plus you’re totally his type. He likes brunettes, and we all know Axel doesn’t do relationships.” The rest of the girls agree.
“I’m pretty sure Axel could get any woman he wants. There’s no way in the world he’d look at me,” she says, looking at me.
“Um … hello, have you not heard about Derrick Jones, stylist to the stars? I can so totally transform you, but you’re already gorgeous.”
