The Royals Series

by Bay, Louise

  “Have a great night. I’m going to play in your dressing room for a while and then make my way home.”

  “Have fun,” I said.

  “Let’s both have fun tonight—and share the details tomorrow at the Dorchester.”

  I blew her a kiss and headed down the sweeping staircase. I tucked my clutch under my arm and used one hand to pick up my long skirt and clung onto the old oak balustrade with the other. If I managed to get down these stairs without falling, I’d call tonight a win. I was much better barefoot or in wellies.

  Halfway down where the two sets of stairs joined leading down to the hallway, I glanced down to find Logan grinning at me, in a dinner jacket that made him look even broader and taller than he already was. As much as I liked being barefoot in jeans, there was nothing like a man in a dinner jacket to make my pulse race and my stomach flip.

  “You look completely breathtaking,” he said, shaking his head.

  And Logan in his suit looked better than any man I’d ever seen. The man never looked anything but movie-star gorgeous despite his attitude, but in a handmade tuxedo, he took good-looking to a whole new level.

  “You said black tie,” I replied.

  “And you decided on breathtakingly beautiful,” he said and held out his hand as I reached him. “But no change there.”

  I tried to bite back a smile, pleased that he’d said it, even though I didn’t believe it.

  “Have a good evening, Miss Darcy,” Lane said.

  “Thank you,” I said, grinning despite the fact I was about to share the evening with someone I couldn’t even decide if I liked.

  Outside the front door, a black Lexus idled, a driver at the wheel. It was a strange choice. He could clearly afford a helicopter, so I was more than a little surprised that he hadn’t picked me up in a Bentley or a Jaguar—something a little more showy—but I was pleased he hadn’t. He opened the door and guided me inside before rounding the back and joining me. He grinned as we pulled out in silence.

  “I thought I might arrive and you would claim to be washing your hair or something,” he confessed.

  “I told you I would go to dinner with you when you lost the planning application.”

  Logan chuckled. “When, not if?”

  I shrugged and glanced out of the window. I wondered where we were going, but didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of asking.

  “Seriously, Darcy,” he said. I turned and he looked into my eyes as if I was the only thing he was thinking about. “If you really don’t want to be here, then we’ll turn around. I don’t want to take a woman out who has no wish to be in my company.”

  It was as if my annoyance at him was a balloon and he’d popped it with a pin. The problem was, if I hadn’t wanted to go to dinner with Logan, I wouldn’t be here. I was turning my irritation on him, when it should be aimed at myself. I’d found myself wanting to spend time with this man since the moment I first laid eyes on him, when I knew I shouldn’t, and I couldn’t explain it. So I just got angry. “I’m sorry. I’m so used to fighting with you. I don’t know how to switch it off.”

  He swept his thumb under my bottom lip. “Relax. Be yourself. I’ve never seen you fight with anyone but me, so maybe pretend I’m someone else?” he suggested.

  I laughed. “You want me to imagine you’re another man?”

  “You know, you’re the first woman to trample over my ego like it’s a worn rug.”

  I focused on the crinkles around his eyes as he smiled, and that generous mouth of his. I bet women didn’t say no to him very often. “Then it’s long overdue. Ego shouldn’t drive a man.”

  “No? Then what?”

  “Character. Values. The need to make a difference, create a legacy.”

  He nodded, but didn’t say anything, almost as if he was taking in everything I was saying. “And what about you? What drives you?”

  It was an obvious question, but I wasn’t sure I had an obvious answer. “I want to preserve the Woolton Estate.”

  “But isn’t that your brother’s legacy? Your grandfather’s? What about you?”

  “It’s my family’s legacy. Just because I don’t have the title doesn’t mean I don’t feel the responsibility.” I sighed. I should make an effort to be nice at least for the evening. What was I afraid of? “Just because it was my grandfather’s legacy doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be mine. It’s really not Ryder’s. He’s never had the same connection to the estate that I do. Maybe because he went to America when he was right out of university. I don’t know. But I love Woolton. I’ve always loved it. It’s always been a sanctuary for me. A safe space.” I clasped my hands in my lap. “It’s important.”

  He stayed silent for a few seconds, as if he were assimilating what I was saying. I wasn’t used to the men I dated being interested in what I did.

  “So it’s not a burden? It’s such a big place, and it’s just you living there.”

  “I understand how someone might think so, and I can’t say that the responsibility isn’t huge, even overwhelming at times. But overall, it’s an honor.” Glancing out at the darkening sky, it looked like we were headed into London. Most men would head into the city if they were trying to impress a woman, but I wasn’t sure if Logan was trying to impress me or analyze me. Was I here because he was attracted to me? I was sure there were plenty more attractive and exotic women he could take to dinner who wouldn’t trample on his ego.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to make a brief appearance at an event on our way into town. My assistant double-booked me.”

  “You could have canceled dinner.”

  “And lose an opportunity to spend time with you?” He grinned. “Never.”

  I didn’t know if he was teasing me or giving me a compliment. Perhaps both. “You want me to wait in the car?” I asked as we pulled into a dimly lit North London car park. Jesus, it looked like he was about to meet a mafia contact or make a drug deal.

  “I’d like you to come in with me, but do what you feel comfortable with.”

  I squinted as I looked out of the window. “Where are we going?”

  “Live a little. Let it be a surprise.”

  I peered out at the shabby, utilitarian, box-shaped building that had been built in the Sixties. The paint peeling from the window frames suggested that no one had looked after it since, although a stream of teenagers in school uniforms were filing inside, so it wasn’t abandoned.

  Logan opened my door. “You want to come in?”

  What was going on in there and why on Earth was Logan here? “Sure,” I said, stepping out. “Clearly, I’m overdressed.”

  “Not at all. You can get dresses similar on the high street, right?”

  I laughed. “Yeah.” He was probably right, Zara probably did an excellent knockoff of this Gucci number.

  I shivered as his hand met the small of my back and he guided me toward the door the teenagers were all going through. Were we volunteering at a youth club or something?

  As we drew closer, we caught the attention of one of the boys. “Hey, Stevie, look! It’s Wolverine.” His face broke out into a grin and he came bounding up to us, knocking fists with Logan. “We didn’t know if you were coming tonight or if Mr. Graham was going to make the announcements.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Logan replied.

  “I hope you’ve brought your credit card,” another of the boys said as we collected a swarm of boys around us as we made our way inside.

  The bright electric lights overhead lit up a large room lined with informational posters about local services and groups. Rows of orange plastic chairs faced a small stage, most of which were occupied by teenagers in uniforms.

  Behind the stage, a banner read: Welcome Young Entrepreneurs and then beneath in smaller letters, Sponsored by the Steele Foundation.

  “You okay?” Logan whispered in my ear.

  “I’m fine. You making a speech?”

  “We’ll be out of here in twenty minutes, I promise.”

/>   I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it. Take your time.” He had me intrigued.

  Logan smiled and reached into his breast pocket, pulling out some index cards. “You’ll get a good view from here.” He headed toward the stage where he shook hands and swapped pleasantries with several people.

  I took a seat and waited for whatever was going to happen, to happen.

  A woman in her early forties sat down beside me. “It’s so nice that Logan brought someone with him tonight,” she said. “I’m Avril.” She held out her hand.

  I took her hand. “I’m Darcy. How do you do?”

  “He never wants any press or publicity for this. I always think that he should be shouting it from the rooftops. He’s helped so many young people.”

  “How did he get involved?” I asked, pretending I knew what the hell was going on.

  I followed her gaze to where it was fixed to the front of the hall in anticipation. “We’ve all followed Logan’s career since he left—it’s not often that you have an earl go to a state school.”

  Logan had been one of these scruffy kids? Surely not. He was an earl. His family must have had money. He would have gone to boarding school.

  “But especially not one that turns around and builds a multi-billion-pound empire. Kids from schools like this don’t do that. But he defied the odds. And he decided that he wanted his path to be one that created a way forward for others. He passionately believes that these kids just need an opportunity.” She glanced at me, but I didn’t know what to say. Logan had been one of these children?

  Logan stepped up to the podium. “Good evening, pupils of Newham Comprehensive,” he began, and I had to bite back a grin. He commanded the room, stood tall and broad and spoke confidently. I shouldn’t have expected anything less.

  He didn’t talk about his story, although the way the pupils were transfixed by him, it seemed most of them knew it already. Instead, he immediately launched into the reason he was here. “We have had some excellent students in Steele Enterprises on our work experience program in the last twelve months. As well as giving practical experience, it’s important to me that Newham students coming to Steele Enterprises understand what’s possible. I started exactly where you sit now. You need to figure out what you want in life. It’s important to dream big. Then make that dream a reality by working hard, keeping focused. Take the opportunities that come your way. Turn rejection and failure into a lesson. And most importantly, never give up.”

  I felt like an idiot. I’d made assumptions about Logan’s upbringing that were clearly completely off. Furthermore, I’d thought his wealth and privilege meant that he didn’t care about anyone other than himself.

  He went on to speak about the various students who had done work experience at his company in the past year, and then announced the names of those who would be taking the spots for the following year.

  “Now, what you’ve all been waiting for—time to announce who won the investment in their business idea.” He talked through some of the ideas that had crossed his desk and how impressed he was. “What I have enjoyed the most about this year’s entries is the tenacity of some of the applications. I had ten people apply this year who also applied last year but were unsuccessful. Those students aren’t giving up, and I admire that. Others wrote about what lessons they’ve learned when things haven’t gone as they’d hoped. That determination is key to success. Being able to fail and stand up, dust yourself off and try again is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Don’t write yourself off. Failure is the foundation of success.”

  “If it had been anyone else,” Avril whispered, “the students wouldn’t take any notice. They’d think he was some rich snob from London who had no idea what their lives were like telling them what to do. But because he’s an ex-student, they listen. They want to learn from him. Be him.”

  I nodded. “I can see that.” I glanced around at his audience and they were listening like he held all the answers.

  “I’ve decided to invest in three businesses this time around,” Logan continued. “All three of these people worked hard, had clear plans that they’ve followed, adapted and learned from. Most importantly, they’ve gotten them off the ground without any financial help. The first recipient is Stacey Grant, who started up a dog-walking business and needs money to advertise and expand. She’s worked hard, endured failures, but hasn’t let them beat her. I’m pleased to be helping her on her way.”

  Students started whooping and cheering. Avril clapped enthusiastically. “She’s focused on expanding. She already has two other girls working for her. It’s quite incredible. She’s sixteen and two years ago, I worried she’d never hold down a job.”

  Logan cleared his throat and the laughter died down. “The second investment I’m going to make is to David Road’s newsletter app that condenses football news from all over the web for fans who follow the sport internationally. I’ve been impressed with the way David has learned new skills in order to make his business work.”

  “Yes,” my neighbor said in a loud whisper. “David deserves that. It’s so nice that Logan is giving more than one prize. He only committed to one every six months, but now he gives money to any idea that he thinks deserves it.”

  Who was this man she was describing? The man up on stage was nothing like the one I’d been sparring with all this time. He was generous and thoughtful. Cared about people, wanted to invest in something bigger than himself.

  How was it possible to feel so incredibly proud of someone who days ago I’d hated? What else had I assumed about him that I was wrong about?

  “I have one final announcement. I’ve never done this before for a Newham student, but her ideas during work experience coupled with the turnaround in grades and determination to succeed has meant that for the first time, I will have a Newham student working full-time at Steele Enterprises. Julia Simpson has agreed to come and work for me. She’s shown time and again her attention to detail and commitment to stress-testing the ideas you put forward. She’s attended every single workshop I’ve run at the school in the last two years and I believe she’ll be a great asset to my business.”

  If Logan Steele had announced that he was in fact Wolverine, I would have been less shocked. He’d turned my view of him around one hundred and eighty degrees. The man I’d agreed to go to dinner with wasn’t the one I was with tonight. I’d clearly misjudged him. Underestimated him. Logan Steele deserved my respect and admiration, and I planned to get to know him better.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Logan

  Had I upset Darcy by bringing her to the center? Irritated her because I’d put another engagement first? She hadn’t said much since we’d walked out. “Dinner?” I asked as I slid into the car next to her.

  “Sounds good,” she replied, her voice softer than I was used to.

  “Sorry, that was a little out of our way, but it was a commitment I couldn’t break.”

  “Of course not,” she replied. “I’m glad I got to come. Who knew Steele Enterprises invested in dog-walking businesses?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “It was the Steele Foundation. And I want to be encouraging. She was hardworking, organized and committed. That should be rewarded.” I fastened my seat belt as the car got moving.

  “I wasn’t teasing you—you did a great thing. It seems there’s a lot about you I don’t know.”

  “Maybe a couple of things.” It hadn’t been my intention to show Darcy what I did with my old school. I rarely spoke about it with anyone. Even my grandmother didn’t know the extent of my support for Newham Comprehensive. I’d wanted to take Darcy to dinner, but I couldn’t get out of the announcements tonight so there had been only one solution—to take Darcy with me.

  She didn’t seem horrified, and a part of me had wondered if she would be. By my background. By the state of the community center, by the scruffy and sometimes unruly kids. She’d grown up very differently to me—in many ways she was down-to-earth, but there was no
way of getting away from the fact that she’d grown up at Woolton Hall as the granddaughter of a duke, at the ancestral estate.

  “And here I was, thinking you were all about money.”

  I sucked in a breath as I fiddled with my cufflink which seemed to be loose. “Don’t get me wrong. Money’s important to me. Poverty was the best foundation I could have ever had, and a huge motivator.”

  She shifted slightly so her knees pointed toward me. “I don’t get it, though. You’re an earl. At some point your family must have had money.”

  I pulled off my cufflink, which had broken. “My father gambled away all our family’s wealth very shortly after he inherited.”

  “I’m so sorry,” she said.

  I glanced out of the window, not wanting to see pity in her eyes.

  “Do you still see your father?”

  I shook my head. “Not since I was three years old. I have no memory of him at all.”

  “Three? Wow. That’s so young. Did he leave you and your mother?”

  I blew out a breath. I never shared this story. And people never asked. My money and power was all people saw. No one tried to dig under the surface. “My mother died when I was two. Meningitis.” I never cared that I didn’t know my father. I didn’t want to know him. But my mother? I just had a flash of a memory of her. A single snapshot of blue eyes and soft blonde hair, and it wasn’t enough.

  “Is that why he gambled? Because he lost his wife?”

  I rested my arm on the window ledge. “No. It was all gone by then, from what I understand.”

  “And so you went to live with your grandmother,” Darcy said.

  If it had only been that easy. If only my father had wanted to do the right thing by his son. “My grandmother paid my father to give me up, and Badsley was the only thing she had left that was worth anything. He sold me. Took his mother’s money. And she had to give up her home.” Even though I’d bought Badsley back, the wound hadn’t completely healed. My resentment toward my father would last my entire life.

  Darcy slid her fingers over the fist I had clenched around my cufflink and we sat in silence. There was nothing she could say that could make it better, and she knew it. And her touch provided comfort that I hadn’t expected. Finally, she twisted my wrist so my hand faced up. “I bet I can fix this,” she said, taking the cufflink from my palm.