Complete Me (Royals Saga Book 7)

by Geneva Lee

  Clara glanced around the room. “Where’s Belle?”

  “I loaned her to David,” he explained. “I felt he needed a friend with him. It might be his idea not to see one another, but he’s the possessive one in the relationship.”

  “Oh, really?” Clara couldn’t hide her surprise, and Edward felt a slight surge of annoyance.

  “In case it hasn’t escaped your attention, I am not my brother.”

  “I noticed,” she reassured him. “Well, if Belle has David duty, I get Edward duty.”

  “You sound like a nanny,” he accused. There was nothing like feeling like a third wheel on his wedding day, but Clara shook her finger at him.

  “I needed a nap, so I could stay up late,” she said, “but now I’m all yours.”

  “I won’t tell Alexander.” Her explanation softened him. The truth was he was taking out his nerves on her. She didn’t deserve that, especially if she wasn’t feeling well. “Did Elizabeth keep you up?”

  Clara shook her head, absentmindedly chewing on her lower lip. “She’s finally sleeping through the night.”

  That meant Alexander had. Although he enjoyed teasing her about Alexander’s libido, he didn’t particularly want to know the details of his brother’s intimate life.

  “Let’s get you dressed,” Clara suggested, “and you could use a shave.”

  Edward felt along his jawline and grimaced. “This is why I need David around. I would have gone to the altar looking scruffy.”

  “In his future absence, you can use a mirror,” she advised him as they set off for his bedroom.

  Since David had insisted on tradition, Edward had taken his father’s old bedroom. Plaid paper covered the walls in hues of navy and camel, and oak wainscoting lined the room’s perimeter. Between the thick, canvas drapes and the hunting portraits, the entire space spoke to a repressed British masculinity that didn’t suit him. Although Ralph Lauren might disagree.

  “Is this what you’re wearing?” Clara studied the tuxedo hanging on the wardrobe door.

  “Yes.” Edward swallowed a little as he looked at it. He supposed this what most women felt when they looked at their wedding gowns—a curious mixture of apprehension and excitement. It was classically cut with a double breast that reminded him of Cary Grant. He felt like he was stepping back in time whenever he wore it, but unlike the antiquated bedroom, it was into a period of glamour.

  “You are going to look dashing.”

  It was exactly what he needed to hear.

  “Are you nervous?” she asked, taking a chair by the door.

  He shook his head, moving into the adjoin bath to start the hot tap on the sink. “Not exactly. I can’t describe it really. I feel…”

  “Ready?” she offered him.

  That was exactly it. He was ready. It was strange that he had spent so much of his life denying who he was. It had been David that made him realize he didn’t want to be anyone else save a man who could deserve David’s love. “Yes, but I’m still anxious. I know that doesn’t make sense. I keep thinking David will come to his senses and bolt.”

  “David has been ready to drag you to the altar for years,” Clara reminded him. “He’s not going to bolt now.”

  Still. Edward went to the bar cart his father had always kept well-stocked and poured two glasses of Scotch. A drink couldn’t hurt to steady his nerves. It was a tradition he didn’t mind observing, but when he held one out to Clara, she shook her head.

  “None for me. It will put me to sleep. Alexander kept me up all night.” She yawned for good measure, but Edward saw through it.

  “Not drinking and afternoon naps?” he pointed out.

  She did her best to feign innocence. “It is the holiday season.”

  “Don’t make me read about it on the tabloids.” The royal bump watch was due to start up any day now that Elizabeth was walking. Apparently, Clara had seen fit to give them something to actually watch.

  “We haven’t told anyone,” she said in a low voice. “I thought we would wait a little longer.”

  His eyebrows knit in confusion, and he brushed a rogue curl from his forehead. Then it dawned on him. She didn’t want to upset Belle. The third member of the trio wanted a baby as well. While it wouldn’t surprise anyone that knew Clara was pregnant once more, he understood her desire to keep it to herself.

  “Your secret is safe with me,” he promised.

  “What secret?” Alexander demanded, poking his head into the room.

  “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you,” Edward explained.

  “I’ll leave you two for a bit.” Clara excused herself, and Alexander’s eyes followed her out of the room.

  “She’s only in the hallway,” Edward reassured him. Sometimes he thought his brother might fade into nothing without the presence of his wife, and yet, their love was a comforting reminder that the real thing still existed.

  “I came to give you a pep talk since Dad isn’t here,” Alexander said. “But then I remembered how uplifting his pep talk was when I got married.”

  “I thought he threatened you.” Edward recollected that he’d been asked to leave the room that morning. It was the last time he had spoken to his father until the church. A shiver ran down his spine at the memory. Today would be different. That’s precisely why Edward had wanted it this way.

  “He did, mostly.” Alexander smiled sadly. “But he also told me about marriage. I didn’t pay much attention to him, to be honest. I wish I had now.” He paused for a long moment as if paying a silent tribute to him. “What I do know is that you and David will be fine.”

  “Is that it?” Edward couldn’t help but laugh.

  “I thought about giving you advice about your wedding night duties, but I didn’t think I was the expert there.” Alexander gave him a meaningful look, and they both laughed. “If you are willing to fight for each other, you’ll make it through. All you need is love and a lot of stubbornness.”

  The Cambridge men had that in spades.

  Alexander pulled an envelope out of his pocket. “Your official documentation. I’ve signed and stamped and decreed.”

  Edward pulled the papers out and stared at them. This was actually happening.

  “I couldn’t decide if I could make you both the Duke of York,” Alexander explained, “so I thought I’d ask you.”

  Edward grinned at the thought of the two Dukes of York. It was certainly a new precedent that he was about to set. “I’ll ask David.”

  There was no pressing need to decide right now. For a few blissful days they would be able to keep their marriage private. Eventually, the world would weigh in but tonight was about love. Everything else could wait. He’d struggled a lifetime to get to this place, and soon, with his friends and family, at his side, he would finally be home.

  25

  Belle didn’t like being apart from Smith, especially on their anniversary, but today it couldn’t be avoided. Edward had insisted she keep an eye on David, but she had other concerns preoccupying her. That’s how the two had wound up in the village only a few hours prior to the wedding.

  “I’m glad you don’t need your hair or make-up done,” she confessed to David as they parked their borrowed Range Rover in front of a row of shops.

  “It’s my complexion,” he teased.

  She couldn’t disagree. The rich hue of his skin accented his cheekbones and jawline. “It’s actually a shame that you and Edward can’t have babies biologically. They would be gorgeous.”

  “Don’t I know it?” David said with a blinding grin. He was in a friendly mood today. Although the two had spent time together before, they never had a chance to bond outside the presence of their other friends. When she’d called upon him for help, he had jumped at the chance. Maybe he was as eager to get to know her as she was to get to know him. Of course, it could also have something to do with their secret mission.

  “Speaking of…” Belle squared her shoulders and turned to study the shop windows.

&nb
sp; “It’s over there.” David pointed to a small store at the corner. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her toward it.

  It was hard to say which of the two of them was more excited.

  “You know,” Belle said breathlessly as they stepped into the pharmacy, “by next week, you’ll be all over the tabloids if you get caught dragging a blonde into a pharmacy.”

  “Imagine if they caught a snap of this!” He tossed her a long, blue box from the shelf. If the thought of being hounded by the paparazzi bothered him, he didn’t show it. Edward had done a fair job keeping the press away from him, but once they were married all bets were off. “Should you do it here or back there?”

  “I think I better pay for it,” she said with a laugh.

  The cashier rang them up, glancing in confusion at the two of them. Belle realized she was wearing a wedding band and David wasn’t. Rather than explain herself, she simply crossed her fingers for dramatic effect and dashed out of the shop with the bag.

  David followed her, almost doubled over. “She’s still scratching her head.”

  “I don’t see why it was so strange.” Belle felt inexplicably indignant over the whole thing.

  “I’ve been holding hands with Edward in there all month,” he reminded her.

  “Well, then, we’re just one big, happy family, aren’t we?” Belle planted her hands on her hips and tossed her hair.

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  She stared at the strip, sitting in the locked bathroom. Despite his enthusiasm, David had understood why she wanted to tell her husband first. How long could these bloody things take anyway? But within a matter of moments, a second line began to appear. It was faint. Belle turned the test around, trying to make certain it wasn’t a trick of the light.

  Two lines.

  She could see it. She could say it. But she couldn’t seem to believe it. There was only one way to make this feel real to her. She needed Smith.

  It took her longer than she would have liked to track down a pair of boots and some gloves. When Smith had decided to go out with the gameskeeper, she had thought it would be the perfect opportunity to sneak into the village without him. She couldn’t bear disappointing him if the test had come back negative, but it wasn’t negative. It was positive.

  “I’m pregnant,” she said to the empty room as she tugged on the boots. The room didn’t respond. The room was not being helpful.

  She had less than two hours until the wedding, and maybe it was stark raving mad, but she was going out into the Scottish tundra to track down her husband. She simply couldn’t wait any longer. Damn reason and common sense.

  Norris gawked at her when she reached the door wearing the galoshes and one of Smith’s overcoats. Her own outerwear was more pretty than practical. That would have to change, she realized. Now, she was dressing for two. She couldn’t be without hats and socks and other important protection from the elements. Somewhere inside her a tiny voice reminded her that the baby was probably the size of the speck of dust, but it didn’t matter. If she read that wearing bubble wrap was good for the baby, she would. It was a very good thing she’d insisted on staying behind the scenes at Bless. She could only imagine what her clients would think of that.

  “Mrs. Price, can I drive you somewhere?” Norris offered.

  She shook her head. “I need to find Smith.”

  “I’m sure he will return shortly.” Norris tried to steer her from the door. “I don’t think he would want you out in the cold.”

  It hardly mattered what either man wanted. She was going to do this. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”

  Either she scared him or he decided it wasn’t worth it to upset a woman on a wedding day—even if it wasn’t her wedding day—because he backed down.

  Outside it was significantly colder than Belle had realized. She prided herself on being an indoor girl. Although she’d spent parts of her youth in the country, she usually stayed out of the cold. Belle could cope with a dusting of snow, this was much more. Her feet sank as she stepped onto the grounds, the snow coming past her ankles. Finding the boots had been a very good idea even if they didn’t do much against the cold. She was fairly certain she had frostbite before she even got a hundred meters further.

  She had just resolved to turn back when a Range Rover rumbled toward the house. It broke as soon as it saw her, and the door swung open. Smith jumped out and rushed to her.

  “What on earth are you doing out here?” The more time he spent with the staff, the thicker the traces of his Scottish accent became.

  Maybe this was where they should get a proper house for the baby, Belle thought. Smith seemed at home here. She had never imagined that she would want an estate of her own. Now it seemed necessary. Then again, there was the issue of snow.

  “Belle!” Smith grabbed her by the shoulders. “Your lips are blue. Let’s get you inside.”

  It wasn’t until he said it that she realized just how frozen her lips had become. She wasn’t even certain she could speak. Although she hadn’t made it very far from the house, he insisted she ride back in the Rover. As soon as they were through the front door, he swept her off her feet and carried her to their bedroom.

  Smith knelt before her and took off her boots, rubbing her toes until blood started to flow again.

  “What were you thinking?” he asked, not able to keep a bemused grin from his face.

  Belle looked into his green eyes, losing herself for only a moment. Would the baby have those eyes? The thought stirred her back to life and the rest of the chill began to melt away. The trouble was that Smith wouldn’t stay still long enough to tell him.

  First, he insisted on starting a fire. Then he found her socks. He called to the kitchen for hot tea.

  “I am not an invalid,” she called after him when he inquired with the butler about a hot water bottle.

  “What were you doing out there?” he asked, carrying the cup and saucer to the bedside table.

  “I needed to find you,” she began.

  “I was coming back, beautiful.” He tucked a few, loose strands of hair behind her ears.

  “We should be together for our anniversary.” Why couldn’t she just bring herself to say it? Perhaps because the more she saw her outing through Smith’s eyes, the more she understood it. Would her whole pregnancy be filled with random acts of insanity?

  The butler reappeared with the water bottle and Smith excused himself to the loo to fill it. He was through the door before it registered with Belle. She sat up in the bed. This was the second time in a month that she’d left something lying around that she shouldn’t. This time the look on Smith’s face when he wandered back into the room was very different than the first.

  He was still staring at the test, a curious mixture of wonder and shock plastered on his face.

  “Beautiful?” He looked up to her, his eyes full of questions.

  She bit her lip and nodded. “I came out to tell you, but I think the words got frozen along with my toes. Happy Anniversary.”

  “Are your toes okay?” He dropped the test on the bed and reached for her feet. “Do you need me to rub them? Are you hungry? Maybe you should lie down?”

  “I don’t think we can do the whole nine months in one day,” she said with a laugh. Her hands reached out to beckon him to her. Smith climbed into the bed beside her and wrapped his arms around her. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Smith laid down, placing his head in her lap. Turning to her belly, he places a soft kiss where his child grew. Then he slowly began to sing. Tears prickled Belle’s eyes as she recognized it. It was as bittersweet as their story, but as filled with promises, too. When he finished, they stayed like that, dreaming of the future.

  26

  With no bride present, the grooms decided to eschew tradition and escort themselves to the altar. Clara led the party with Elizabeth in her arms. Unfortunately, the flower girl was more interested in eating the rose petals than dropping them. I couldn’t help but stare at my wife a
s she made her way across the room. There was none of the pomp and circumstance of our wedding, and somehow the intimacy of the event seemed to erase that fateful day.

  When Edward had first shared his plans to marry David, my only concern had been regarding his security. Now I knew that my family was safe, which left me free to focus on the happiness that I’d been robbed of on my own wedding day.

  Edward and David entered through doors on the opposite side of the room and walked slowly toward one another, stopping when they reached me. We’d chosen the parlor because the Christmas tree provided a beautiful backdrop. Someone had snuck in earlier in the day and removed most of the ornaments in favor of dozens of white roses tucked into the evergreen branches.

  “Please join hands,” I instructed the two, shooting Edward a wink. He wanted a traditional wedding, and I would do my best to give it to him. “I was told to keep this short, because Mrs. Watson made a cake.”

  Edward rolled his eyes, but everyone else laughed. If my little brother thought he was going to get away without being embarrassed, he was mistaken. I considered it part of my official role. My brother looked dashing in his classic tuxedo while David had opted for a more modern cut. Somehow the contrast seemed to fit them as perfectly as they fit one another.

  “Over the last few days I’ve shared some thoughts about marriage with Edward, and he told me I wasn’t very helpful. I think Clara might agree with that assessment.” She nodded vigorously but she couldn’t keep a smile off her face. “So, I decided I wouldn’t talk about marriage, I would talk about love. But only for a few minutes, so we can all have cake.”

  “Thank God,” Edward interjected.

  “I used to believe that love was a fairytale,” I began, “and maybe I was right, because one day, a princess walked into my life. She made me believe in love. She brought so many of us together. Edward once thanked me for showing the courage to choose love over duty or tradition. But she was the one who was strong enough to break away from the expectations and the fear. Before I met her, I felt alone. Now she will always be with me. That’s what love is: a constant companion, a best friend who sticks beside you, a soft place to call home. She showed me that. That’s why love is so powerful: it can never be broken, even when one of you breaks. Love never loses faith, even when there is nothing left to believe in. Love shines a light, even in the darkest hours. All of us are searching for our happily ever after, but the luckiest of us know that it isn’t a place or a destiny. Happily ever after is a person.