Forbidden Duke (Princes of Avce Book 4)

by Victoria Pinder

  Remington shook his head. “Absolutely not. My contract is for Cassidy.”

  Chelsea’s lips parted in shock. “My sister? Are you serious? She’s awful.”

  Remington crossed his arms. “And she’s about to be Lady Sky as she’s already agreed. Your family needs the money, clearly.”

  At least they both understood what was happening with the Bright family.

  Chelsea crossed her arms and stared at them both like they were evil. “What happened right here cannot be discussed with anyone else, ever. I need to marry fast.”

  “You don’t get to dictate terms after trying to destroy my engagement,” Blackwell said, but Remington tapped him on the arm, getting his attention.

  A knock sounded at the front door and Remington opened it before his servant arrived.

  Remington ushered Lord Paston into the sitting room and Chelsea’s tears began to fall. “Father! These men are not nobles.”

  Her tears did not affect him at all. Blackwell adjusted his collar. “Lord Paston. Please send your daughter home. We have business to discuss.”

  Lord Bright hugged his youngest daughter. “Where is Cassidy?”

  Chelsea even spoke like a child. “She went to work already, Daddy. Lord Sky wishes to marry her but she doesn’t want to.”

  Lord Paston looked past him and toward Remington. “I will speak to Cassidy about your proposal this evening Lord Sky. Chelsea, please go home now. I’m here to speak to Gigi and His Grace, the Duke of Oakley.”

  She hugged her waist and said, “But-”

  “Go.” Her father repeated and opened the door for her.

  Chelsea walked like she was a little girl about to throw a tantrum. Her father closed the door behind her the moment she crossed the threshold. He then took off his gray driving cap. “First, Lord Sky, what is this about marrying Cassidy?”

  Remington folded his hands in front of him and bowed. “It’s my grandmother’s dying wish.”

  “I understand. I’ve hoped one day Cassidy would stop working and accept her position as a lady. She’ll be more agreeable once her mother and I speak to her.” Lord Paston spoke like it was a fact.

  Donna might ask Cassidy to move in with them if she thought for a moment she’d been coerced. Donna was very clearly American in her thinking, and part of him understood why. At least his own mother gave him a choice on who to marry.

  Right now, Blackwell needed to be clear. He widened his stance. “I am withdrawing my contract for Chelsea’s hand, Lord Bright. Your daughter did not take the news well.”

  The older man’s eyes softened. “Was that why she was crying?”

  Blackwell felt his cheeks heat so he looked down. “She tried to show she was the better choice and disrobed herself and my fiancée walked in.”

  “Ahh.” Lord Bright said and Blackwell looked up. Bright cleared his throat and continued, “I will go see Gigi now. It sounds like you have somewhere else to be as well, Your Grace.”

  Perfect. His business with the Brights was completed, though he might be best man at his friend’s wedding to another, if Remington asked. For now, he needed to see Donna. He nodded his goodbye to both men. “I’ll have my courier send over the check. Thanks again.”

  He left and his shoulders felt lighter.

  Donna needed to understand. He’d not hurt her by choosing another.

  He drove his Ferrari home without obeying the speed limit. A few minutes later he parked in front of his estate and ran inside faster than he intended. She wasn’t in the living room. “Donna!”

  Her friend, Beth, popped out of the chair behind the stairs with a book in her hand. “She doesn’t wish to talk to you. Where were you?”

  Donna had trust issues, but she trusted Beth, perhaps more than him. He took a breath that went deep into his chest and said, “Discussing the contract withdrawal with Chelsea’s father. I’m now free to marry Donna within the hour, if she’ll have me.”

  She put the book on the side table and stared at him. “She said you cheated on her.”

  This was stupid. He’d never hurt her. Just last night, he’d promised to cherish her by kissing every inch of her skin. He stepped toward the stairs. “I need to talk to her. Now.”

  “Did you?” Beth asked.

  He turned and stared over his shoulders. The last thing he needed was accusations all his life. For now, he stood firm. “No.”

  She pointed toward the stairs. “Then she’s in your bedroom, packing.”

  He rushed up the stairs. They needed to talk. This had to end as he felt like he spun in circles by her lack of trust. He threw open the door and saw her zipping a black suitcase. He went beside her and lifted her chin so they were eye to eye. “Donna, I need you to start trusting in me.”

  She jutted her chin out like he was being an idiot. “Chelsea didn’t have her shirt on. If I gave you another five minutes, she’d have been naked.”

  True, but he’d have thrown her off before she ever went that far. Chelsea had taken him by surprise. He stood with his feet wider. “I didn’t expect her to strip when I told her I intended to marry you.”

  “Ugh.” She stepped away from him. “She was in your arms.”

  No. He puffed his chest—he had a clear memory of what had happened. “My arms were at my side.”

  “Don’t use semantics.” She waved her hand in front of her, like she didn’t want to hear him.

  He reached out and brushed her arm gently as he stared down at her. “Donna, please start trusting me. I don’t know how to handle you running away or using Harry’s mistakes against me.”

  Her face blushed and she trembled. “I’m not running and not blaming you. She was in her bra. Black lace.”

  Her doubts weren’t healthy for him either. He took his hand back but leaned forward. “And I didn’t touch her; I didn’t ask her to do that. I didn’t even know she was going to attack me to show me what I was missing because I chose you.” He stepped back. “But I can’t spend my life defending myself to you.”

  Silence hung in the air. He’d rather move his mother back to Colorado than deal with his integrity being questioned for the rest of his life.

  He turned to leave when Donna asked in a small voice, “That’s what really happened?”

  He flipped around, angry and uncertain. “Yeah. You walked in.”

  She stared at him though her gaze began to water.

  He steeled his spine against more tears, though hers always affected him. He loved her.

  She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry I judged you.”

  He nodded, relieved that she’d listened to him. “I’m sorry too—I didn’t realize what was going on.”

  Neither one of them moved. Blackwell remained wary. She hurt him by doubting him every time something happened. She’d shared her past, and he’d met that idiot Harry.

  She stepped forward and touched his arm. “If I promise not to overreact again can we kiss and make up? It’s just that I care about you so much.”

  Donna was still in his heart. He felt like he deflated once he let his own anger go. He took her hand in his. “You swear you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt?”

  She nodded, clearly eager to start again. “I will.” She brushed his cheek. “Seeing another woman in your arms made me angry.”

  “If the situation was in reverse, I’d be jealous.” He leaned closer, and rested his forehead against hers. Donna was everything he’d ever hoped to find in a woman. He held her in his arms. “Okay, Donna. I love you.”

  “And I love you too.”

  He didn’t need anything else. He claimed her lips as his own and led her toward the bed. He needed her and she accepted easily. Soon, they’d plan the wedding and he’d have her every day and every night in his bed. Perhaps then he’d have enough.

  18

  The bed shook and, with her eyes closed, Donna twisted to avoid whatever caused the shaking. She tugged the covers over her head to block the light, but the mattress near her knees dipped.
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  She peeked through the sheet and saw that Blackwell was creating the earthquake. Already dressed in black pants and a light blue button down shirt, he looked ready for the day. She sat, rubbed her eyes and asked, “What’s going on?”

  “My mother is speaking to the Queen.” He motioned with his head toward the window.

  Her heart stopped. She wasn’t ready for company. She was naked. She asked with a hitched breath, “The Queen of England, or the Queen of Avce?”

  He stood and offered his hand to help her out of bed. “Avce. And technically they are in the dowager house.”

  Thankfully. His mother was more equipped to deal with the queen. She rose, taking the sheet with her until she realized that was stupid and let it go. “Why?”

  She rushed into the bathroom to clean up without waiting for his answer.

  He followed her while she brushed her teeth. “She’s booking the church for our wedding. The King of Avce is technically in charge of the church’s schedule though the Patriarch of Venice is the closest bishop. Unlike in England, the church has always worked with the Crown.”

  The wedding she’d witnessed for the prince and princess had been extreme in tradition and ceremony. She splashed water on her face and said, “I thought we could have a small wedding here at Woodbridge Hall, in the ballroom.”

  He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “If that’s what you want, that’s fine, but we can use the small chapel in the back of the church as the official religious ceremony.”

  A huge, fancy wedding wasn’t something she could handle well. She wiped her face with the softest towel she’d ever used and slipped her bra on. “Sounds good.”

  Blackwell leaned against the door. “The only issue is that my friend Remington is getting married and he turns thirty before me.”

  She walked past him and grabbed a pair of underwear from the top drawer in the closet. She slipped them on and asked, “Who is he marrying?”

  His eyes widened. “Cassidy. It’s been decided and I’m to be the best man.”

  “You’ll do a lovely job.” She spoke fast but thought about how tense Cassidy had been in the car yesterday. She’d offer her friendship and an escape plan if needed.

  Blackwell went through her dress selection, which had somehow grown since yesterday. His mother and Beth must have bought her a few things. “They are having a bigger wedding though. We’re keeping it small, as you requested.”

  “Absolutely. I can’t handle big.” She checked out the new clothes. Prada wasn’t a normal label in her wardrobe and her heart sped up.

  Blackwell chose a black skirt and jacket and passed it to her. “Put this on.”

  She glanced at the label, Chanel. It was a soft fabric and the conservative cut would fit her well.

  He tugged on her arm. “My mother is saying goodbye to the queen. Come.”

  She buttoned the skirt and Blackwell handed her a white Dior shirt. She blinked but then put it on and added black flats, and centered her white flower necklace so at least she had something of herself still on.

  He pulled her toward the bedroom door. “Hurry.”

  “Where are they going?” They ran down the flight of stairs. “And why are we rushing?”

  “Don’t you want to know when our royal appointment is to get married?” Blackwell opened the front door.

  She straightened her clothes as they walked onto the driveway and Blackwell towered beside her.

  The queen’s car was brought out of the garage.

  A second later, Martina, his mother, Beth and the Queen of Avce walked together down the small path from the dowager’s house.

  Her heart raced. “Is that Beth?”

  Blackwell smoothed his shirt sleeve like he had a wrinkle there. “Yes, she joined my mother for the negotiations to represent you.”

  Beth truly was family. She took a deep breath and prepared to meet the queen. “Beth has no one in Miami since her husband of forty years died last year.” It had been a bad year for them both.

  Without hesitation he asked, “Do you want to ask her to move here? I have a nice property nearby. She could walk over every day or my driver could be of service to her.”

  “Yes, that would be awesome.” She wrapped her hand around his.

  He glanced at their hands and smiled at her. He then led her toward the others. “Let’s find out our date.”

  They walked closer to the group and Donna automatically curtsied. “Your Majesty.”

  The queen smiled at her and Donna thought it seemed genuine as she said, “Your Grace. Miss Smith. Two of my daughters-in-law are also from Miami and they are hoping you’ll join them for tea.”

  Yes, she’d read in the Miami Herald’s society section about how the insurance agent and the local teacher both ended up married to European nobility—she and Beth had laughed and insisted things like that didn’t happen in real life. She’d read a lot of things when she worked in the library. “I’d love to.”

  The queen nodded. “Perfect. I’ll let them know to send for you.”

  “Thank you.” Blackwell stood taller. “And Your Majesty, when can we marry?”

  The queen briefly met the gaze of Beth and Martina like they shared something in common then she tugged her white gloves on. “As you only want the chapel, you’ll have to post bans today, but you can have it for tomorrow or in three days.”

  “Three days,” Donna chose fast. There was no way she’d be ready tomorrow. It would be impossible.

  Beth’s eyes widened. “You want to wait?”

  “I want a dress.” Donna lowered her head. “I’ll need to shop for a few things though you know I’m not a great shopper.”

  The queen snapped her finger. “Come to tea with me this afternoon. We still have the latest designs from my daughters-in-law’s wedding samples. I have a room full of wedding dresses. Have anyone you like.”

  Overwhelmed by her generosity, Donna inched backwards, into the shade of an oak tree. “You don’t have to…”

  Beth stepped forward. “We’re both coming, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

  Donna’s skin pulsed with nerves. “Beth?”

  Her friend walked over to her and said quietly, “If we find a dress today, you can marry tomorrow. Isn’t that what you want?”

  Now her face felt hot as she stared down at her black flats. She wanted to be married to Blackwell already. “I don’t want to impose.”

  The queen stayed still. “It’s no imposition. Please find one you like and our seamstress can tailor it for you.”

  None of this seemed real. Donna tugged her ear and met Blackwell’s gaze. “I wasn’t prepared-”

  He placed his hand on her lower back and helped her come forward again. “Donna, go. I’ll post the bans and go riding with Remington. See you for a nice dinner?”

  “Okay, sounds lovely.” She kissed his cheek. Soon it would just be the two of them, forever, and she’d create a new life here.

  The queen gestured toward her black limo. “Follow and meet me at the palace, unless you want to, as you say in America, ‘hop in.’”

  Her face went numb when Blackwell’s mother nodded her agreement. Donna stepped closer to Blackwell, who said, “We’ll follow but Lady Oakley will join you for the ride.”

  “Excellent.” His mother and the queen went inside her limo made private with tinted windows.

  They waved anyhow and waited until the limo passed through the open black gate.

  One of Blackwell’s cars came out for them and waited where the limo had just been.

  Donna took his hand again and rested her forehead on his chest. “Blackwell, I’m scared—what if this is a mistake?”

  He massaged her back and waited till she looked up at him again. “Go. Meet the American princesses. You might make a few friends and feel more settled here.”

  Yesterday afternoon she hadn’t been her best and he’d given her another chance. She held him close. “You sure you’ll be okay?”

  He gave her a smile
with those dimples of his that made her melt. “No women allowed for my afternoon. Remington and I will ride and exercise the horses.”

  Everything was set. Today she would choose a dress to get married in and her life would become an adventure better than the stories she’d read. “Can we honeymoon in Paris?”

  He winked. “Of course.”

  She let go of his hands and turned toward her friend. “Are you ready, Beth?”

  Beth nodded but said to Blackwell, “Donna needs the proper clothes to be a duchess. Your mother promised to help her, like we did yesterday, but I wanted to know your thoughts.”

  He stared at her blankly and then walked over to help Beth into the car. “I think the accountant set up an account for my future duchess years ago. I’ll have the paperwork for Donna when she gets back. And Donna wants you to move here permanently, so I’ll get the driver to pass the house I think you’d like.”

  Beth scoffed. “I can’t afford European taxes on my retirement.”

  Donna’s heart stopped. She needed her friend.

  Blackwell said, “The house is part of my estate. Don’t worry about property taxes or anything. Consider joining us.”

  Beth nodded. “I’ll think about it.” She ducked inside the car. “Have the driver point out the house—it wouldn’t hurt.”

  Donna kissed Blackwell, intending a light meeting of their mouths, but he held her close and kissed her hard, stealing her breath.

  He then helped her inside and closed her door.

  The driver took off in the same direction and once they reached the gate, Beth patted her knee. “Donna, have I told you I like this fiancé much better than your last?”

  For once everything was good in her life and no dark clouds hung over them. She smiled and said, “No, but we better not dawdle anymore. We have an appointment with the queen.”

  She looked behind her and saw Blackwell waving them off. She pushed the window down and waved back. “Goodbye, Blackwell.”

  Now she had her chance. She just needed to be thankful. Nothing could go wrong.

  19

  Donna’s entire body froze when she entered the room full of white dresses. The light from the tower windows against the butter yellow and white walls made this space feel magical, though she should have expected it. This was a royal palace.