Royal Scandal

by Marquita Valentine

  Beaumont’s blue eyes water and his cheeks turn pink. “You’re welcome, Your Highness.”

  “Charlotte,” she corrects. “Call me Charlotte.”

  I swear Beaumont looks as though he’s about to break down, but he tips up his chin. “You’re welcome, Charlotte.”

  “Fuck that shit,” Theo says as he slumps into the nearest chair. “I think paternity tests are in order.”

  “Out of the question,” I say. “His confession goes no further than these four walls. Am I clear?”

  “Della should be here to hear this,” Charlotte says quietly. “We shouldn’t be having a family meeting without her. She’s family now.”

  “She was asleep when I left and I didn’t want to wake her,” I counter. “Besides, the meeting wasn’t planned. Davies’s visit wasn’t expected, but you are correct, Della is family.”

  “Then you should have waited,” Imogen says, tipping up her chin. “I would have.”

  I bow slightly. “Yes, Your Majesty, but time was of the essence. Perhaps when you grow up and have to be responsible for more than dressing yourself, you’ll find that the easy way is not the right way.”

  Her face pinches. “I don’t appreciate your flippant manner. If I were queen, I’d have Beaumont escort you out.”

  “Don’t you dare try to intimidate me, little girl.”

  “And I wouldn’t do such a thing,” Beaumont says.

  “No one asked you,” Imogen calls out. “Now do be quiet.”

  “When did you become such a snob?” Charlotte accuses, then gazes up at Beaumont. “I’m so sorry.”

  Imogen rolls her eyes. “Don’t apologize to him of all people.”

  “Gen.” Theo’s voice is sharp, nothing like his usual devil-may-care style, which speaks to the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in now. “This is not you.”

  “On that I would agree.” I take a step toward her and take a calming breath. “If you’d like to speak about what’s really bothering you in private afterward, I’m ready to listen.”

  At first I think she’s going to tell me to stuff it, but then a look of pure contriteness appears. “Thank you.” She turns to Beaumont. “Please accept my apology.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” he says softly.

  “In any case, I do have good news.”

  “Della’s pregnant!” Char all but squeals. I swear she loves babies as much as Della. At one time she wanted to become a teacher, until I informed her that a background check would have to be performed and she wouldn’t be able to pass it.

  “Afraid not. We’ve decided to stay married, regardless of what Parliament says.”

  Imogen and Charlotte both sigh dreamily.

  “Maybe next time you’ll have baby news,” Imogen offers, her way of making up for her nasty words and snobby behavior toward all of us. “I should love to be an auntie.”

  A slight twinge runs through me, not at what can never be but at what I’ve continued to withhold from Della. Tomorrow, after everything is sorted with Davies, I will tell her the truth.

  I am tired of the lies.

  “Perhaps.”

  Chapter 20

  Della

  I’m in the middle of wiping down the baseboards in a laundry room that’s twice the size of my bedroom and fancier than our dining room when Lola comes out of nowhere and hits me over the head with a feather duster.

  I fall on my tail, hitting the marble floor with a thud.

  “Ow!” I rub my butt. “What was that for?”

  “That was for your stupidity. Why are you here?”

  I give her an odd look. “Because I like not getting fired.”

  “Are you sure it’s not to prove a point?” Fisting her hands on her hips, she tosses her hair. “You know, like you’re still Della from the block. Still one of the girls working for a living.”

  “I’m here because I work for As You Wish Cleaning.”

  She nods at Peter, who is standing in the hallway like he’s got nothing better to do than watch me. Which he doesn’t, but still…

  “Does everyone who works as a maid get security?”

  “He’s here because—”

  “You married a prince, cutie. Don’t you think it’s time you act like a princess?”

  I roll my eyes. “Haven’t you read Cinderella?”

  “Yeah, and she didn’t keep cleaning rich people’s houses.”

  I stand up. “Fine. I’ll quit when you do.”

  Her mouth opens and shuts. “I don’t have other choices.”

  “Oh really? I don’t see anyone else in the room with a degree in nursing.”

  “That’s not fair. You know I fainted on my first day.”

  “I’m sure you’re not the only one to ever do that.”

  “This isn’t about me,” she counters.

  “Six months ago, you graduated with a degree that you worked your tail off to get. I know because I helped you study. I made flash cards and let you practice—”

  She waves a hand at me. “It didn’t work out. I’m better suited for this.”

  “If you were, then you wouldn’t have ever gotten your degree. You would be content, like me, to clean rich people’s houses and go home smelling like bleach.”

  Lola leans against the wall, vulnerability shining in her dark eyes. “I guess you’re right…Mom.”

  “Thanks.” I toss my rag at her. “I actually enjoy my job—you know this, Vicky knows this, and so does Colin, which is why he hasn’t said a word about me quitting. There’s nothing wrong with me finding joy in making things sparkle and feel comfortable. And there’s nothing wrong with deciding that this is not what you want and using your degree to become what you were meant to be.”

  Lola smirks a little.

  “What?”

  “Sounds like something a princess would say.”

  “I’m no princ— okay I am a princess, but in name only.”

  Lola flattens her lips, then marches to the door and closes it, then turns the lock.

  Peter pounds on the door. “Oi! Open up.”

  “We’re fine, Peter,” I shout. “Lola and I need more privacy.”

  “I’ll be right here, Princess.”

  Lola shoots me a meaningful look. “Told ya.”

  “You had to shut and lock the door to tell me that?”

  She shakes her head. “No, I wanted to know if you and Colin are in the same section of the baby department. In other words, have you told him and what did he say?”

  Tears—happy ones—actually spring into my eyes. “Actually, he said we could visit other departments because he loved the entire building, not just that small section.”

  She beams at me before hugging me tight. “He’s a good guy.”

  “Yes, he is,” I agree.

  Letting go of me, she takes a couple of steps back. “Okay, girl. I’m going to get really real with you.”

  “How is that different from any other day?” I ask with a laugh.

  “I don’t think you actually like being a maid.” I open my mouth to protest but she silences me with a patented Lola look. “I think you like cleaning up after people and telling them what to do because you love being the mom. You’ve always been the mom, always taken that role…even with Tressie when she got old.”

  I tilt my head to one side. “Tressie would kill you for saying that.”

  “Which is why I’m telling you that here, far away from her house with security at the door.”

  I snort, biting back my laughter. “Go on.”

  “If I agree to go back to nursing, then you tell Colin you want to be a stay-at-home mom. Bake cookies, be one of those annoying presidents of the PTA, and post pictures of your perfect family doing perfect holiday crafts on Instagram.”

  “How did you know?” I ask. It’s like she’s been reading my diary from third grade, which is entirely possible.

  “Anyone who’s been in your presence for longer than five minutes knows.” She smiles. “Take it from me,
my mom would have given anything for the choice to stay at home. She didn’t have that. Neither do a lot of women, and this is something you’ve wanted—to be a mom who takes care of her family. And you’re married to a man who wants to take care of you right back.

  “Life’s about choices and this seems like a no-brainer to me,” she adds.

  I bite the side of my lip. “You really think so?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  As she unlocks and opens the door, I can’t help but think she’s right.

  Once we’re finished with the last house, I race home to shower and change. Colin mentioned that there would be a huge family dinner at his house this evening and I want to look perfectly princess-ey.

  We still haven’t quite worked out the whole living arrangement, but I kinda like what we have going. Plus, Aiden and Pierce think it’s the best thing ever to have sleepovers at Tressie’s.

  Colin is waiting as I step out of the shower, with only a towel wrapped around me. He’s wearing a pair of gray slacks and a darker shade of gray shirt. It’s open at the throat and he looks good enough to lick.

  “Looks like I got here just in time.” He grabs the edge of my towel and pulls me to him. I have no choice but to follow or let the towel fall. “How was your day?”

  “Long. Messy. Dirty.” I giggle as he runs his hands up my thighs. “Stop. I have to get dressed.”

  He glances at my clock. “We have time.”

  “No, we don’t.”

  “Fine. You got me.” He lets go and moves to the bed, sitting on the edge. “There’s something I’d like to talk to you about tonight, after dinner and after the boys are in bed.”

  “Sure thing.” My heart flips in my chest. “Um, there’s something I’d like to talk about now.”

  “And that would be?”

  Nervously, I let the towel drop and grab my lingerie from my dresser drawer. “I want to be a stay-at-home mom, for Aiden and Pierce, and later with future kids. Babies. Whatever. What do you think?”

  “I haven’t a clue. Your lips are moving, but all I see are your tits.”

  Quickly, I snap on a lacy bra and equally lacy panties. “Better?”

  “No, not really.”

  Grabbing my robe, I throw it on and cinch it tight. “How about now?”

  He grins, then turns serious at my frustrated stance. “I’m sorry. I was teasing. Sort of. I did hear you, though.”

  “And?”

  “Darling, if that’s what you want, then that’s what you shall have.”

  “You won’t think that I want to live off you?”

  “Pretty sure it’s my responsibility to make it possible for you to have that choice.”

  “You sound very old-fashioned.”

  He tilts his head to one side. “I’m a man, love. We have not evolved as quickly as the female of the species would like.”

  “What if I want to stay a maid forever?”

  “Then you stay a maid forever.”

  I blink at him. “You’re serious.” I shake my head. “Forget what I said. I know you’re serious. I know you.”

  “Yes, and I know you.” He stands and crosses the room, taking me in his arms. I love when he does this. There were so many times when I ached for him to hold me, ached for him to kiss me…and now I can be held and kissed by him all the time. “It’s no secret that you want to be a mother, to take care of us all—hell, you’ve done it for a decade now—and I’m not the sort to make light of that. It is a noble profession. One of the most important jobs on the planet.”

  I swoon a little—okay a lot—at his formal speech. It’s one of his tells. He’s trying to say the right thing and convey how sincere he is.

  “Lola said you’d go for it.”

  “Lola is a very smart woman.”

  I grin. “The next time you see her, you should tell her that.”

  “Will she like me then?”

  “Miracles happen every day.”

  He rolls his eyes. “That would be a no. At least you like me.”

  “I adore you,” I say, imitating his accent. Raising my brows, I glance pointedly at the bed. “I think you’re right, we do have some extra time before dinner.”

  “Oh, do you?” He lifts me in his arms by my thighs and presses me against the wall. “How’s this?”

  A few heated minutes later, in which he skillfully removes all my clothes and his, while keeping me in one position, I finally get to answer.

  “Amazing.”

  Chapter 21

  Colin

  We walk to dinner, hand in hand, under a cool, starry night. Small, solar-powered lights make the path to my house glow. I’m more than a little anxious for tonight’s dinner to go well.

  Well, not anxious…more like frustrated and at my breaking point with Davies and Parliament. He had the unmitigated gall to be a no-show at lunch today and sent round a car to deliver a personalized message that he would attend dinner instead.

  “If you squeeze my hand any tighter, it’s going to fall asleep,” Della says.

  Shit. I let go of her hand completely, then gently grab it and kiss her knuckles. “My apologies.”

  “Why are you so edgy, especially after I blew your mind.” She winks at me, clearly pleased with how I responded to her mouth around my cock. Hell, I’m slightly amazed I can be so edgy after that. Or after I fucked her against the wall.

  “We have a special guest at dinner that I was not counting on.”

  “Special but not welcome. Gotcha,” she says with a firm nod. “I’ll say ‘bless your heart’ a lot.”

  “Davies won’t know what hit him.”

  She makes a face. “Ugh. Not him.”

  “Yeah, him. However, I want you at my side. He’s in my house, at my table, and there’s nothing he can do to surprise me.”

  “Because you know who everyone’s dad is?” she asks.

  “Yes, but Davies doesn’t know. Or rather we think he doesn’t know.” When I revealed what Beaumont had confessed, she’d taken it in stride. By in stride I mean she gaped at me for a full minute before finally asking me if I was pulling her leg.

  If only.

  “It’s just wild and I don’t mean to make light of y’all’s situation, either. Can you imagine how Theo and the twins feel, growing up thinking one guy is their dad and all along it’s another. And that guy has been taking care of them all along, too.”

  “I have an inkling.” I also have heaps of guilt. Aiden and Pierce have no idea who their real parents are…and Della doesn’t know the truth of their parentage, either.

  What a bloody mess.

  Bedtime for the boys cannot come fast enough so I can ease my conscience and do the right thing by this beautiful woman at my side.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t say a thing.”

  “It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s Theo.”

  I help her up the stairs, her high heels making her teeter slightly. “Have you talked with him? Let me rephrase that—have you listened to him?”

  “Didn’t have time. Imogen and I had to have our chat.”

  “The ‘grow up and assume your duties’ chat.”

  “That’s the one.”

  “You should have let me play the bad guy. You’re always the bad guy,” she says.

  I pause at the door. “You would do that?”

  “We’re a team, Colin. We’re family and family knows when to step up.”

  That’s certainly one way of looking at it.

  Peter opens our door and we walk inside, hurrying down the hallway to the dining room where everyone awaits us. We are more than a little late and Davies will take it as a personal insult.

  Not that I give a damn.

  “Finally,” Aiden says dramatically. “I’m starving, Daddy, and my neck itches.”

  Davies glances from Aiden to me, then back again. He’s not seen the boys since we were exiled.

  “Did you get into anything today?” Letting go of my hand, Della rushes to his side and st
arts inspecting him. “Your neck is a little red.”

  “Can I sleep at Grandma Tressie’s house tonight?” he asks, making me question the validity of said itch.

  “Me, too,” Pierce chimes in.

  “If your dad and Tressie say it’s okay, then I say okay, too,” Della replies, completely taken in by the two schemers.

  The boys fist-bump each other and I hold out a chair for Della. With a quick kiss to both boys, she hurries around the table and sits. I join her and place my napkin in my lap, then start drinking straightaway.

  “Are children usually allowed at the table?” Davies asks.

  “Things have changed since you were born in 1836,” Theo says.

  Tressie coughs rather delicately into her napkin. “How else can children learn manners if they’re locked up in their own room?”

  “I wouldn’t know, madam.”

  Tressie sniffs. “It’s ma’am—I’m not a lady of the night.”

  And. Here. We. Go.

  “Pardon?” he asks.

  “When in Rome, you don’t call the locals whor— ugly names,” she says, toning her language down for the boys. “Besides, I was born in 1839, so we’re about the same age.”

  Theo chokes on his liquor and the twins snigger into their glasses. Only Peter and Beaumont remain impassive. Then again, they’ve seen their fair share of crazy in this household.

  Davies stares at Tressie, like a man faced with a blank wall who has to solve the puzzle that’s written on it…under penalty of death.

  “My apologies, Mrs. Hughes.”

  “You’re forgiven.” She nods at him like a queen on her throne giving out pardons.

  Staff fills the room and begins to fill our plates with delicious food. We all wait for Tressie to bless the meal, then begin to eat.

  “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Prime Minister?” I ask.

  “I thought David Cameron was prime minister,” Tressie whispers loudly to Theo.

  “Wrong country and he’s no longer prime minister,” he replies.

  She winks at him with a nod. “Got it.”

  “Due to new information and a new vote in Parliament, we are declaring that the Sinclair exile is null and void…with the promise and signature from Queen Imogen that she will return in due time to assume her royal duties and provide the Isle with an heir.”