Page 134 of The Devil’s Lair

Whatever the reason for this gathering, Saskia is at the center of it.

We all sit, and the staff serve the first course. Charles has clearly decided to keep us all on the edges of our seats, because he strikes up a conversation with Nicholas about some business deal or other, and the other family members, realizing he’s not going to spill the beans right away, begin chatting to one another.

Tobias’s hand strokes my thigh, his touch light, but the effect it has on me sends me into a spin. Up and down, up and down, each sweep upward bringing him closer, closer, closer. He slides his hand between my thighs and uses his thumb and fingers to push my legs apart.

I’m sweating.

A quick glance at everyone seated around the table satisfies me that no one is looking at us. I part my legs, and Tobias cups my pussy. He doesn’t move, doesn’t stroke or pet me. He just… keeps his hand there while carrying on a conversation with Vicky like he isn’t driving me up the wall.

At a break in their chatter, I lean closer to him. “What are you doing?”

“Taking comfort,” he murmurs. “You calm me. But if you want me to take my hand away, I will.”

It’s the last thing I expect him to say, but it comforts me, too. I like his hand there, possessive, intimate, yet without demand.

I place my hand over his, caressing his knuckles with my thumb. “Leave it.”

His smile dazzles me.

The main course arrives, and still, Tobias keeps his hand between my legs, eating his roasted chicken with butternut squash puree and crispy potatoes with one hand.

Our plates are cleared away, and once the staff have left the dining room, Charles picks up his dessert spoon and taps it on the side of his glass of water. Everyone shuts up, eager to find out why he summoned us here tonight.

“I’m sure you’re all agog with curiosity about why you’re here,” he says, casting a loving gaze at Saskia. “I apologize for the cloak and dagger, as well as the last-minute nature of my request. You all have busy lives and I appreciate everyone making the time.”

“Speed it up, Dad.” Christian rotates his wrist in a sharp, impatient circle. “None of us are getting any younger.”

Grace gives him a dig in the ribs. Vicky laughs. Alexander glares at his brother. And Tobias… he presses his thumb down hard on my clit.

A breathy sound slips out before I can stop it, and a bolt of lust coils in my abdomen. Vicky catches my eye. She winks, her facial expression telling.

She knows what he’s doing to me.

I grip his wrist and pray for Charles to hurry up before I come at the table. I cannot have an orgasm in front of Tobias’s entire family while his father makes some colossal announcement.

“Circumstances have meant I haven’t been able to share this before now. I’ve been dealing with a delicate situation that required the utmost confidentiality. So, I’m going to say this once, and I expect every single person at this table to adhere to this request: not a single word I say tonight leaves this room. Do I make myself clear?”

Alexander’s gaze sweeps around the table, briefly landing on each one of our faces. “No one will say a word.”

“Saskia.” Charles holds out his hand to his daughter, and she stands and takes it, grinning widely. “Your sister is engaged to be married.”

A collective gasp rises from the table. There’s a pause of a few seconds, then everyone talks at once, firing questions at the bride-to-be and the clearly proud father.

“Christ, I hope you’re giving the guy a huge dowry, Dad,” Tobias says, grinning at his sister. “He must be a saint to take on Saskia.”

Saskia sticks her middle finger up at her brother. “Funny. That’s what we all say about Rebecca.”

Tobias laughs. “No lies detected.”

Charles makes a calming motion with his hands.

“I’ll let Saskia tell you the rest. Suffice to say, this has been… tricky to say the least.”

“Why?” Tobias asks. “It’s not like we’re new to weddings. We’ve had a glut of them in less than two years.”

“Because”—Saskia’s chest rises on a deep inhale—“there is no need for a dowry, brother dearest, since I’m marrying Prince Luis.”

This time, there’s shocked silence. Jaws drop, including my own. Prince Luis, the heir to the throne. The Prince of Wales is marrying my sister-in-law?