“I like the sound of that.” Before he can kiss me, James’s grandmother is walking up to us.
“Come sit by me, dear. I’d love to get to know you better.” James’s grandmother pulls me from his side. He gives me a consoling look before moving to sit by his sister and Sean.
The table is lined with several dishes, at least three different kinds of roasts, pudding, vegetables, and sides. They know how to do Sunday roast at the palace.
“Don’t look so worried. I don’t bite. At least not in a few years.”
James’s grandmother is a tiny human, but her reputation precedes her. The images of her at her husband’s funeral showed a stoic woman without a tear in her eye.
“Would you get me another gin before you sit down, darling?” She hands me her glass, and I top her off before sitting beside her.
“What’s a Sunday lunch without a little pick me up?” She smacks her lips after taking a hearty gulp.
“So right, ma’am.” God, could I sound any more foolish calling James’s grandmother ma’am?
“Zara, dear. Please do not call me ma’am. It’s Minerva. Ma’am makes me sound old and fussy.” Her wrinkly hand settles on my forearm as meals are distributed to everyone. “I’ve got a few years before I’m old and fussy.”
“Sorry, Minerva.”
“Now, how are things going with my grandson? Still have his head up his arse about this whole image thing?” She takes a bite of the roast and pierces me with a withering stare. I don’t know what I expected from her, but it was definitely not this.
“I think he’s been doing much better.”
“Don’t spin things for this old bat. I want the details.” Shock must be written all over my face, because James is looking at me like he’s ready to jump to my rescue. I give him a small smile before turning back to his grandmother.
“If it makes you feel better, I don’t think there’s been a single mention about his playboy ways in a few weeks.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Well, that’s not exciting, now is it?”
“Isn’t that the whole purpose of the two of us being together? To rehab his image?”
Minerva waves me off. “Where’s the fun in that? My Edward and I used to get into all sorts of trouble together.”
“Why don’t I remember hearing about any of that?”
“Because we didn’t have to worry about the paps like you do now. If you ever want to know about any of the hidden spots in palaces around the world, I’m your woman.”
I almost choke around the bite I took. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.” The thought of getting sex advice from James’s grandmum? I can’t think of anything more mortifying.
“You probably won’t, but that’s alright. I can see how happy you’re making my grandson.”
A flush creeps over my cheeks. “He makes me happy too.”
Minerva pops another bite into her mouth. “From the pictures I’ve seen, you’re quite the couple.”
“You keep track of us in the tabloids?” I take a cooling sip of my own drink.
“A way to pass the time. I’m old, and most of my friends are gone. No one cares about me at this point, so why not see what’s going on with others?” She shrugs her shoulders as if this is no big deal.
“I wish we didn’t have to worry about them.” The press lingering outside my house still makes me anxious.
“Comes with the territory. I have no doubt that you’ll be able to handle them with all the dignity and grace that my grandson does.” She squeezes my forearm before going back to her meal.
It’s been an eye-opening afternoon. Being surrounded by all these people who love and adore James makes me fall that much harder. He’s kind and caring. He makes me laugh, and I’ve never felt sexier or more desired than when I’m with him.
I never thought I’d fall in love with my fiancé, but here I am. Doing it just the same.
Chapter Fifteen
