“If you say so. You know her better than I do.” That was a lie. I knew how it felt to have her lips on mine and how her ass tightened when I squeezed it and the soft moan she let out when I ran my tongue along her lip. Did he?God, I hope not.And if he did, I didn’t want to know. But I also knew that her mom’s favorite treat had been white-chocolate-covered Oreos and that Birdie preferred runny eggs and loved bagel breakfast sandwiches.
“Sabine Thorne is very intelligent, and she is beautiful,” Leroy continued. “You two would make a great pair when it comes to economic plans and how to further our nation in trades and allies. And since her family has been around the court for generations, I think it would be a smooth transition.”
Oliver nodded like he was mulling over what his dad was saying.
“But then again, I’ve known Nixon Levy since I was in primary school, and we’ve been friends for decades. They’re a down-to-earth family and it might take a little work on both of your ends to figure out how to adjust, but I think you could do it.”
“It’s a lot to ask someone to marry me and take on all this responsibility. But if you’re going to corner anyone tonight, I suppose that’s who to go for.” Oliver laughed nervously, shaking his head as he stood up. “I’m going to try to take a nap since it will be a late night. You should go take one too, Knox.” He patted me on the shoulder.
“I can’t. I have too much stuff to get done around the grounds.”
“That will change, I assume, when Oliver takes over, correct?” Leroy inquired.
I glanced at Oliver, who was shaking his head warningly at his father. I tilted my head inquiringly.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with him about it,” Oliver answered, clearing his throat.
“Well, you have my attention now, so go on,” I pushed.
Oliver sighed and sat back in the chair he had just vacated. “When I take over, I’m going to need a Chief Counselor. Someone to help me make decisions and stand in for me when I can’t make it to events. Just until Rosie is older or I have an heir who can do those types of things.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. I knew that Oliver trusted me as a friend and brother—but to be trusted as his stand-in? I was deeply honored, but was it something I would want? When I pictured my future, I always thought about being outside, walking the grounds with Eugene, chopping wood for the workshop, fixing leaky fountains, and salting pathways. I had never imagined myself giving speeches to foreign ambassadors or hosting fancy dinners in Oliver’s place. It seemed like an alternate life.
“Wow.” I cleared my throat, buying myself another moment to think, and ran my hand over the back of my head. “When do you need a decision?”
Oliver looked to Leroy.
“We’ll need to know before the coronation,” Leroy answered.
I nodded. A little over a month—that was doable. I needed some time to mull this over and decide if it was what I wanted for my life. “Let me think about it. It’s an honor and I don’t take it lightly. It deserves the respect of some contemplation.”
“I know you don’t take it lightly. That’s why we both think you’d be the perfect person for the job.” Oliver inclined his head to Leroy, his smile hitched up one side of his face. “Now, on to more important things.” He stood again, this timestretching his arms over his head. “I have an appointment with a pillow and blanket.”
We stepped out of the royal convoy of cars and straight into what could only be described as a winter wonderland. The Thornes’ manor was one of the oldest in the country, but you wouldn’t know that by how well cared-for it was. The lime-washed stone shone under lit sconces that hung above each of the dozens of windows lining the home. Winter ivy trailed the side of the manor and circled up and around a tower overlooking the back of the property where the garden party was to take place.
Leroy and Isobel led the family procession up the steep stone staircase into Kanter Manor. The train of Isobel’s maroon dress flowed down at least three steps behind her, leaving Oliver and Xavier to follow several paces behind their parents. We entered through the frosted-glass doors into the foyer, where we were greeted by Lord and Lady Thorne.
I was glad that I had Evelyn and Rosie by my side as we made our way to the party. I hated the formality of walking with the family. It brought with it far more attention than I was comfortable with, with all eyes on us any time we entered a room. Evelyn had her arm looped through mine and she gave my bicep a small squeeze, surely feeling the tension that ran through my body.
“Gram, I’ll bet you ten euros that by the end of the night, one of the girls is crying and making a scene,” Rosie whispered across me to Evelyn.
“I’ll bet you fifteen that someone pretends to faint in front of Ollie,” Evelyn countered with a sly smile.
I rolled my eyes. These two and their wagers. After thewedding was finally over, I was going to have to check their bank accounts and make sure they hadn’t bankrupted each other.
“Should we tell Knox about the bet we made about him?” Rosie asked Evelyn.
“Absolutely not. If he knows, he’ll screw it up for everyone.”
“You both are out of your minds.Especiallyyou, you old bird,” I winked at Evelyn.
We processed through the manor and out to the back terrace. I didn’t often find myself speechless, but my breath was taken away by the garden. A sprawl of winter jasmine was edged with pots of blooming camellias ranging in shades from shell pink to cherry red. The sea of color in contrast with the white snow was stunning. Mixed in with the natural aroma of pine that suffused all of Wexstone, there was a faint smell of witch-hazels.
Tables and heaters were arranged along the stone terrace, with forest-green faux-fur blankets laid across the back of each chair. Below, on the middle terrace, couches circled two large, brick-lined fire pits. On the lowest level before the expansive gardens sat a string quartet playing Christmas music.
“Oh, there’s Mazie! I’ll see you later,” Rosie said as she practically sprinted to her friend.
There were times that I really felt for Rosie. It had to be hard being the youngest member of the royal family and having to attend these events. She often brought books and would sneak away with her security detail to find a nook or library to read in. But lately her parents had been making sure that she had friends at the events so she wouldn’t be by herself. I admired that, even with everything else going on, they were still able to see what their daughter needed and gave her people her own age to socialize with during the chaos.
