“I’m serious. I don’t know any other man who would spend as much time with orphans as you do, and the fact that you’d like to make a couple of them your family makes you truly special. You are a lovely man, Alistair.”
“You are quite exceptional yourself, Miss Choate,” I say sincerely. “I’m quite pleased that our families are going to be united.”
“I suppose you can call me your sister-in-law,” she teases.
“I would be honored to be your brother.” Well, that didn’t quite come off the way I meant it to.
“Hardly my brother.” The look she gives me starts my blood heating to a low boil, as it’s not a very sisterly expression.
“I guess it’s time we start to pack it up,” I tell her. Because, hand to God, if we don’t leave here soon, I’m going to go back on my word, and I’m going to wrap my arms around her and never let her go.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sheila
“I wish I could be a fly on the wall when your goddaughter is here,” Sheila tells the queen.
“Ah, but you can.” Charlotte stands up and walks out of the parlor. Motioning for her friend to follow her, she explains, “The walls really do have ears here.”
Sheila hurries after the queen into the dining hall.
Charlotte approaches the far corner of the wall, then taps on it in several places before leaning her body into it. The panel pops open, revealing a small secret room. “These are all over the palace,” she says. “They date back to times when the court was full of plots and intrigue.” With a laugh, she adds, “Luckily, now that we’re no more than figureheads, no one seems that interested in killing us.”
“How exciting!” Sheila exclaims. “Not the part about people wanting you dead. The part about me getting to be in the same room as the action.”
“You get to do more than be in the same room.” The queen shuts the door so they’re both inside. Then she flips a switch to illuminate the space. Pulling over a step stool that’s been propped up against the wall, she instructs, “Climb up to the second step. There’s a peephole that looks out of the eye of the horseman in the painting on the other side of the wall.”
Sheila giggles, “It’s like an episode of Scooby Doo. They always had paintings with peepholes.”
The queen smiles. “I remember watching that show as a young girl. My brother used to love American cartoons.”
Sheila releases a squeal of delight when she finds the spyhole. “I can see the whole room! But now I want to hear what’s going on as well. How will I do that?”
“I don’t have access to any bugs,” the queen tells her. “And I’m not sure I could get any without raising suspicion, but I could give one of the servants a telephone to hold under their tray. That way you could hear the conversations of guests they’re near.”
“That’s better than nothing,” Sheila decides. “I feel like we’re the main characters in an old spy movie.”
Charlotte smiles enthusiastically. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.”
“If things work out like we think they might, I have an eligible son and you have two single daughters. Who knows what might happen?”
Lutéce
The sun is nearly setting by the time Alistair takes me back to Bree’s house. “I cannot thank you enough for saving me from a dull day of scheduling meetings,” Alistair says as he pulls into his driveway.
“What is it you do, exactly?” I ask him. “I mean, do you have a specific job?” As an American, my knowledge of royal life is limited to what I see in the movies or read about in People magazine.
“I’m what you call a working royal,” he tells me. “I chair several committees on my parents’ behalf. I raise money for charity, and I act as the playboy prince to give the young women of the country a fairy tale to dream about.” He says the last part with an edge to his voice.
“I’m starting to think you’re nothing like how you allow yourself to be portrayed,” I tell him.
He turns the ignition off. “I have no say in how the press treats me. They write what they want, and the truth has very little do with it.”
“Yet, you seem to be photographed with an inordinate number of women.” I look at him out of the corner of my eye.
“Are you following me in the press?” he asks. “Because if so, I can assure you that you learned more about who I am today than you will ever learn from the tabloids.”
I feel like a kid who just got chewed out by the principal for spreading rumors in class. “It’s very hard to pick up a paper in this country and not see your face,” I tell him.
“Yes, well, how does the saying go? Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. But in my case, don’t believe anything you see, either.”
Our wonderful day together seems to be ending on a sour note. “I’m sorry if I offended you,” I tell him.
He turns toward me and his expression softens. “You didn’t. It’s just that in the short time I’ve known you, you are one of the few people who has made me feel like a normal person. I suppose I don’t want you thinking badly of me.”
“Would you like to come in?” I ask him. “You could teach me how to play backgammon.” Way to entice him, Lu.
“I would like that very much,” he says, “but unfortunately I have a function to attend tonight.”
“The charity auction?” I ask. His surprised expression has me adding, “Your sister is going as well.”
“Ah, I see. If that’s the case, why aren’t you joining her?”
“She only had one ticket. But to be honest, I’ve had my fill of events for a while. I think I’m going to start bowing out so I can spend more time at the orphanage.”
“Smart girl,” he says. “Sadly, the auction is only one of three places where I’m expected to show my face tonight. My mother keeps our calendars quite full.”
I open the car door as he asks, “How about a raincheck?”
“Absolutely,” I tell him. “Just name the date.” I emphasize the word date in hopes that it might actually become one.
“I’ll consult my calendar,” he says. “But in the meantime, I will be breakfasting on my terrace every morning this week at eight. Please feel free to wander over and try my toaster waffles. People rave about how I get them to the perfect crispiness without crossing the line into dryness.”
“Maybe I will,” I say with a chuckle. “Thank you again for a wonderful day, Alistair.”
“It was entirely my pleasure, Lu.”
I walk up to Bree’s front door feeling like a giddy teenager. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed spending time with a man without feeling pressure to decide whether or not he’s worth investing more of my time.
Alistair is fun, interesting, and very kind. On the face of it, he’s the perfect man. As I walk into the house, my phone pings.
Busybody: Hey, hon. I just wanted to check in to see how you’re doing.
Me: Hi, Mom. How was your flight home?
Busybody: You know, it was flying. What have you been up to?
Me: I’m spending a lot of time with Bree. I’m also spending more time at the orphanage in town.
Busybody: Really? What do you do there?
Me: I talk to the kids. I was thinking I might give piano lessons if I can find anyone who’s interested in learning.
Busybody: Well, that sounds wonderful.
Me: Mom …
Me: …
Me: …
Busybody: What, hon?
Me: What would you think about me adopting?
Busybody: A baby?
Me: No, a four-year-old.
Busybody: I think that would still be a lot of work for a single parent but it sounds like you might have already met that child.
Me: Her name is Beatrice.
Busybody: Should I fly back over and meet her?
Me: No!!! How about if I just keep you posted?
Busybody: Okay, but the minute you need me, I’ll be on my w
ay.
Me: Thanks, Mom.
Busybody: I love you, LuLuBug. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.
While I know that’s true, the thought of my mother coming back to Malquar so soon is enough to cause the hair on my arms to stand on end. I need this time away from her as much as I need the break from my old life.
I decide to take a bubble bath and then settle in with a good book. Even though I’ve been busy while I’ve been here, the knot of stress I’ve been carrying around for so long has finally begun to shrink. I feel like a different person in Malquar. I might actually be turning into a person I enjoy spending time with—one that isn’t a perpetual ball of worry and anxiety.
Then, of course, there’s Alistair. What in the world am I going to do about him?
After thirty minutes in the bath decompressing, I wrap myself in a robe and walk into my bedroom. Through the open window I hear Alistair’s voice from outside. He sounds stern. “I’m not going if she’s going to be there.”
I can’t hear the response which leads me to believe he’s talking on the phone.
“I’m sorry Mother, count me out. I’ll go straight to the gala at the museum.” He’s quiet for a moment before adding, “Yes, I know I should be over her by now, and I am, but that doesn’t mean I have to put myself within five kilometers of her if I can help it.”
I have no idea who Alistair is talking about, but I do know one thing. He doesn’t sound the least bit over whoever she is. My heart sinks into a pit in my stomach.
Maybe Alistair isn’t interested in me because he’s in love with someone else.
Chapter Thirty
Queen Charlotte
“Why in the world did you warn Alistair that Ellery was going to be at the auction tonight?” the king demands.
“Because I want to remind him how much he loathes the girl.”
“Yet, you’ve invited her to supper in a few days, and you aren’t telling him about that.”
“Alfred, my love, you are just going to have to trust that I know what I’m doing.”
“I do trust you, but at the moment, I also find you scary.” The king finishes tying his bow tie in the mirror. “You’ve never been quite so involved in our children’s love lives before. It’s a little unnerving.”
“They’ve never been so old before,” she says. “If I’m going to get those grandchildren I have my heart set on, I need to be more proactive.”
“Yes, but what if one or both of our sons aren’t over Ellery, and they start something up with her again? Do you really want her to be the future mother of our grandchildren? Or the cause of our sons not speaking to each other?”
Charlotte picks up her perfume atomizer and sprays it in the air in front of her before walking through it. “I have always liked Ellery, and so have you. She made a horrible mistake leading on both of our sons, but if one of them genuinely forgives her and falls in love with her, I would welcome her into the family.”
“You would welcome a social climbing user?” Alfred demands angrily.
“I thought you were the one telling me to stay out of our children’s love lives,” the queen retaliates.
“My point is, Charlotte, that if you’re not going to take my advice, at least do your best to protect our sons from their past mistakes.”
The queen shakes her head. “I know what I’m doing, Alfred.” Then she picks up her phone and makes a call. “Ellery? It’s Aunt Charlotte. I’m not going to be able to go to the museum gala tonight, and I wondered if you would stop by and make my apologies for me.”
“Charlotte …” the king warns.
His wife motions for him to be quiet. “Yes, just tell the curator, Mr. Heinrich, to direct any questions to Prince Alistair. I just tried calling that son of mine and he wouldn’t pick up his phone …”
Alistair
I suppose the good news is that by skipping the auction, I’ll only have two stops tonight instead of three. That ought to put me home an hour or two earlier.
All I can seem to think about is what a wonderful day I had with Lu. First breakfast, and then a picnic. I could have spent the evening with her as well if not for my prior commitments.
The National Museum Gala has always been a favorite event. The guests pull out all the stops by dressing to the nines. The mood is always festive and fun. I briefly toy with the idea of going over to Bree’s and asking Lu if she’d like to join me, but I’m guessing no woman wants to be asked out to a formal affair at the last minute. Also, she already told me she was looking forward to a quiet night at home.
It only takes me twenty minutes to drive to the museum. Five minutes after handing my car off to the valet, I’ve had my photograph taken no fewer than twenty times. As soon as I enter the museum hall, a glass of champagne is thrust into my hand and my friend Harry has his arm around my shoulder.
“You got here early,” he exclaims. “I didn’t think you’d be here until after nine.”
“Yes, well, it seems that Ellery is back in the country and has decided to go to the auction. As you know, I will move mountains to avoid seeing her.”
“I don’t think things are going according to plan,” Harry says while pointing across the room. “Isn’t that Ellery?”
I turn quickly to look before cursing under my breath. “My mother’s intel must be off. Well then…” I hurry to drink my champagne and hand Harry my glass. “I’d best be going.”
“Nice try. You’re supposed to give the speech at the unveiling of the new impressionist wing.”
I feel her presence before I see her. “Alistair,” Ellery practically purrs.
My flesh reacts in such a way that it feels like it’s covered in fire ants. My skin is positively crawling in disgust. “Ellery.” That’s all I say. Heaven knows I’m not going to kiss her hand and tell her how nice it is to see her. It’s not.
“I haven’t seen you in ages. One might think you were trying to avoid me.” Ellery is slim and blonde and every ounce a lady on the surface. Too bad she’s really a two-timing blight on humanity.
“One would be correct if that is what one assumes,” I say dryly while going out of my way not to make eye contact with her.
“Alistair, I’ve apologized again, and again. Is it my fault that I was taken with two handsome princes?”
Harry decides to speak up. “It rather is, Ellery. You were the one who dated them both without coming clean about it.”
“Oh, shut up, Harold,” Ellery spits, drawing out his full name—the one he’s forbidden anyone to use. “I’ve loved both Andrew and Alistair since we were children. It was nearly impossible to make up my mind over who I wanted to be with.”
“Ah, so you decided to lead them both on. Not very sporting of you, I’m afraid.”
“Worry not, Harry.” I turn so I’m only looking at him. My back is toward Ellery. “Neither Andrew nor I are the least bit upset anymore. You have to care about someone to be hurt by them.”
“If that’s the case,” Ellery says, “why are you avoiding me?” Before I can answer she signals a photographer, then leans into me and kisses me on the mouth. Flashbulbs burst all around us. Damn her. It would appear that she’s trying to stir up talk that we’re back together.
I spend the next hour acting like my ex doesn’t exist. Unfortunately, she spends the entire time trailing around after me. How is it that I never saw her for who she really is?
After two hours, I finally turn to her and say, “I don’t think Andrew is planning on coming here tonight, so you might want to head off.”
“I will always be fond of Andrew,” she tells me, “but you know as well as I do that you’re the one I truly love.”
My eyes dart around the room looking for an escape. If I respond to her the way I want to, I’ll make a scene that will have my own mother putting me up for adoption. When I spot an exit sign, I grab her arm and order, “Follow me.”
Ellery practically has to run to keep up with me, but I don’t slow my pace. I am so infuria
ted with her at this moment, I worry my head might blow right off my shoulders.
I don’t stop walking until I’m standing in the statue garden in the museum’s courtyard. Even though there are several heaters to keep people warm, the lighting is still dim, which means that it’s practically vacant. People come to this event to be seen, not to hide.
“How dare you suggest that I’m the one you truly loved? You left me for my brother.”
“I still love you, Alistair,” she replies passionately. “The truth is, my mother pressured me to pursue Andrew, but you were always the one for me.”
“Listen to me closely,” I tell her. “I will never enter into another relationship with you. Not a romantic one, not a friendly one. We are through. Now, if you’ll please stop following me, I would appreciate it.”
Then, like my words have summoned the devil, sparks of light start to flash around us. We are once again being photographed. It’s no wonder Lu had a hard time believing me when I told her I wasn’t a womanizer. The press is relentless.
I learned long ago that it’s pointless confronting them. If I do that, the story they invent will only be worse. For that reason, I simply walk back into the museum. I don’t stop to see if Ellery is with me.
After making a brief speech to officially open the new wing of the museum, I make my final stop of the evening—a cocktail party that my friend Helena is throwing to christen her new home.
My plan was to only stay for thirty minutes or so and then hightail it out of there. But when I got there, I discovered that it was so nice to see my old friends that I stayed longer than planned. I also drank more than I should have. But who could blame me after having to deal with Ellery? I decided to spend the night so I wouldn’t be a danger on the road.
It isn’t until I’m walking out the door at ten the next morning that I remember I invited Lu over for breakfast at eight.
Crap on a cracker.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sheila
You're So Vain: A Royal Haters to Lovers Romance (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers Book 4) Page 15