“Lord Stuart isn’t going to do anything to you. I know he made you mad the other day and you joked about wanting to hurt him, but?—”
“I wasn’t joking! Damien knows that.”
Leo rubbed his temples. “We’re late for lunch.”
“So?”
“So, everyone is here forus. Please, let’s go sit down. We can talk later.”
I am really hungry.
“Fine,” Evelyn agreed. “But we aren’t done.”
She followed Leo into the dining room and they took their seats. Unsurprisingly, only Lord Robert was in a good mood during lunch.
“My family will be here tonight!” He beamed. “It’s been too long since children have run around this palace. Although that may change soon enough now.” Lord Robert winked in Evelyn’s direction, and she could’ve toasted marshmallows using the heat radiating off her cheeks.
“Gods help us. Robert, they aren’t even married yet,” Lord Grégorychided.
“I think we’ve rushed them enough without interfering withthat,” Lord Nicolas added.
“The king will needlegitimateheirs, though, won’t he?” Lord Stuart smirked.
“I don’t believe this discussion needs a quorum, gentlemen,” King Tristan said firmly.
“I’m sorry,” Leo whispered to Evelyn, who was too mortified to speak.
I’m not the only one. Hannah looks like she would rather die than stay in this room any longer. I don’t blame her.
48
Centerpieces
After lunch, Evelyn had hoped to join the Fontaine siblings and Nicolas on the beach, but other plans had been made for her.
“We’re needed for wedding preparations,” Leo explained.
“I thought the staff was taking care of everything,” she whined.
“They thought thebridemight have an opinion.”
“I didn’t even get to pick the day, but now I’m supposed to have a preference for napkins and centerpieces?”
Leo frowned. “It’s your wedding. I want you to like it.”
A stab of guilt cut through her. She hadn’t meant to complain. “Of course I will. Just no roses.”
“I already gave that order. Now, come on.” Leo guided her to the front door. “You haven’t even seen the venue yet.”
“I thought the wedding would be in the ballroom?”
“No, we have a much better spot.”
He led her along the western road, past the docks.
“Are we going to talk about Lord Stuart?” Evelyn asked as they walked. “All he does is cause problems.”
“I can limit his access to the palace,” Leo said. “But I can’t justify removing him from his position.”
