by Leanne Banks
She turned the key and pressed the accelerator. The engine coughed to life. The summer heat combined with her wig and droopy dress made her feel as if she were suffocating. Pippa pushed the button for the air-conditioning, but only hot air blew from the vents.
“Bloody hell,” she muttered and drove out of the parking lot.
* * *
Nic heard the sound of an engine backfiring outside his window. Glancing away from his tablet computer, he saw a gray-haired woman in a black dress exit the car and felt a ripple of pleasure. She’d come. He hadn’t been sure she would. Pippa was an odd mix, and he’d already learned the hard way her first loyalty was to her family. She’d probably endured some pressure from her security guy and maybe even her family if they knew about it.
He was surprised she continued to visit. After all, her conscience should be clear. She’d made a dying woman’s wish come true. Heading for the door of the guesthouse, he wondered why Pippa clearly felt the need to do more.
He stepped outside and caught sight of her walking toward the back door. “May I help you, miss?” he called, relishing the opportunity to tease her.
Whirling around with her hands on her hips, she stared at him, the gray curls of the wig so stiff they didn’t move. “Very funny,” she said. “As if you didn’t handpick this lovely disguise.”
“It worked, didn’t it?” he asked as he strolled toward her.
She gave a reluctant nod. “Yes, but the car is another matter.”
“I’ll get Goldie to do something about the engine backfiring. We wouldn’t want to call attention to you.”
“The car may be a little over the top,” she said. “It’s distinctive and there’s no air-conditioning.”
“That must be hard on a woman your age,” he said and bit back a grin. Lord, he felt like someone had turned on the light for the first time in two days. His mother had been alternately ill and sleeping. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
Her expression of contempt waned slightly. “You made it easy.” She sighed. “How is she?”
He shook his head. “Not good. Sick or sleeping for close to thirty-six hours. It seems she gets a burst of energy and uses up all of it, then she can barely lift her head for days. I never know when one of these dips is the beginning of the—” He broke off. “Something bad.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m really sorry.”
Feeling as if he’d revealed too much, he looked away from her and shrugged. “Part of the program. I’ll deal with it. Good thing I’ve got Goldie. He’s a licensed practical nurse, too.”
Pippa blinked. “Goldie appears to be a man of many skills. Where on earth did you find him?”
“He and my father were in prison together. Goldie’s record wasn’t expunged, but he was a good guy. I hired him and he developed a hobby of educating himself. I paid for all the courses, but they’ve ended up benefiting me.”
He felt her gaze on her for a long moment.
“I would like to meet him, please,” Pippa said. “So far, I’ve only caught glimpses of his talents and abilities.”
His gut tightened with something strange he almost couldn’t identify. It took several seconds. Jealousy? He racked his brain to remember when he had felt this way before and couldn’t. He led the way to the house. “Sure, I’ll introduce you to Goldie. He’s in the main house probably putting together a gourmet meal for dinner.”
“He’s a chef, too?” she asked.
“Oh, yeah, that was another one of his certificates. It’s paid off in spades.”
“The palace would love to have someone like him… .”
“Don’t even think about it. But if you do, he’ll turn you down flat. He’s the most loyal ex-con ever,” Nic said.
“That remains to be seen,” Pippa said. “The Devereauxs have seduced more than a few of the best of the best.”
He stopped at the front door and turned around to meet her gaze. “I know that better than most.”
Her cheeks heated and her eyes darkened. She cleared her throat. “Um…”
“Yeah, um,” he echoed, saving her a response and opened the front door. “Let’s go inside.”
He guided her past the foyer into the kitchen. “Goldie,” he said in a low voice.
The multitalented man appeared within two seconds, wearing an apron around his waist. “Yes, sir.”
Goldie was sixty, but looked fifty because he worked out. He was bald, muscular, with a gold hoop in his right ear. He usually wore a black T-shirt and black pants. He looked intimidating, but Nic knew he had a heart softer than that of a teddy bear. “Her Royal Highness, Princess Pippa Devereaux, this is Gordon Goldwyn.”
Goldie gave a solemn bow. “Your Highness, my pleasure,” he said.
Pippa smiled. “My pleasure,” she said. “You’re a man of many talents. Thank you for delivering my car to me at the beach and also leaving the envelope and car for me.”
“I’m honored to serve,” Goldie said respectfully.
“How is it that you are talented in so many areas?” she asked.
“I’m a lifelong student. Some things I learned got me into trouble. I’m fortunate that Mr. Lafitte encouraged me to explore my interests. Would you care for a drink or something to eat?”
“I’m fine. Thank you very much.”
Goldie nodded, then turned to Nic. “Can I get something for you, sir?”
Nic waved his hand. “No, thanks. Any sign of my mother?”
“No, but your father is getting restless watching her,” Goldie said.
“You’re saying he could use some TV time. Sports Central,” Nic said.
Goldie nodded. “A game would be even better.”
“I got a million on DVD,” he said.
“Then you’ve got what he needs,” Goldie said.
At that moment, his mother walked into the room, looking gray and gaunt. “I’m thirsty,” she said.
Nic rushed to her side. “What are you doing?”
She leaned against him. “I’m Lazarus rising from the dead. Hopefully, I’ll do it a few more times,” she said and stared at Pippa. “You look familiar. Are you someone who went to school with me?”
“Not quite,” Pippa said with a smile. “But I would have loved that.”
His mother frowned. “Were you in the orphanage with me?”
Pippa shook her head. “No, but you and I went to Bebe’s Crepes together.”
His mother stared at her for a moment, then smiled. “Princess Pippa,” she crowed. “I love the look,” she said, stretching out her hands. “You’re my old best friend Rosie.”
Pippa nodded and he saw that she was holding back her laughter. “Thank you so much. I’m sure Rosie is a most excellent person.”
His mother nodded. “She is, but you are, too.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “May we please have some refreshments?” she asked.
“What would you like, ma’am?” Goldie asked.
“Something fruity,” she said. “Orange juice or lemonade.”
“I’ll bring both,” he said. “Please take a seat in the den.”
Nic assisted his mother to sit on the sofa. “There’s no need to treat me like an invalid,” she complained.
Nic gritted his teeth. Every other day, if not more often, his mother was almost an invalid. Yes, he was happy as hell that she didn’t want to be treated like one. In his mind, that meant she might be around a little longer.
Pippa put her hand over his and met his gaze as if she knew everything he was feeling. Still dressed as a gray-haired lady wearing a baggy dress, she looked like an angel to him. An angel he wanted more than he’d ever wanted anyone else.
Chapter Five
Pippa concealed her alarm at how weak Amelie appeared. Just two days ago, s
he’d seemed an entirely different woman, going off by herself for a jaunt to the beach.
“I want to go on another adventure soon,” Amelie announced as she sipped lemonade. “I’d like to go today, but I’m too bloody tired. Tomorrow will be a different story.”
Pippa caught sight of Nic rubbing his forehead and face. She could see his shoulders bunch with tension. “Just let someone go with you so we don’t have to call out a search team.”
“A search team isn’t necessary,” Amelie said with a stubborn tilt of her chin. “I was fine.”
“You were asleep on a public beach. You overestimate your energy level,” he said.
She waved her hand in a dismissing gesture. “Plenty of people doze on the beach. It’s one of the pleasures of life. You wouldn’t understand because you don’t know how to relax.”
“If you would agree to a GPS monitoring anklet…”
Amelie’s eyes widened in indignation. “I’m not on house arrest. I refuse to be treated like a prisoner during my last days.”
“It’s just for tracking. Safety. It would give me some peace of mind,” Nic added.
“Well, it wouldn’t give me peace of mind walking around in public with an anklet designed for criminals.”
Nic sighed. “I’m worried about you. What if you collapse and there’s no one there to help you? Is that really the way you want to go?”
Pippa cringed at his bluntness, but she could tell he was feeling pressed. She honestly wouldn’t like to be in his situation.
Amelie lifted her chin. “I don’t get to choose the way I want to go. If it were up to me, I’d transform into a butterfly and float away, but the doctor says that’s not possible.”
A tense silence followed. Pippa felt it inside her and took a deep breath to ease it. “Well, I can see that the genes for independence and outspokenness are quite strong in both of you. I’m sure both of you enjoy those qualities in each other.”
Nic glared at her, but Pippa forced herself to smile. “Mrs. Lafitte, perhaps you and I could go on an outing tomorrow or the next day, depending on how you’re feeling. With my new disguise, I believe I’m safe to go anywhere.”
Amelie smiled in delight. “Call me Amelie. And you don’t look a thing like yourself. That wig is so horrible, I think you may look even older than I am.”
“Thank you,” she said and shot Nic a wry look.
“I’ve been thinking I’d like to learn a new hobby. Years and years ago, I learned to knit, but I’ve forgotten everything. Do you know of any knitting shops on Chantaine?”
Ignoring Nic’s astonished expression, she nodded. “I know of one downtown. If you feel like it, we could also have lunch.”
Amelie seemed to brighten at the suggestion. “Lovely. This will be wonderful. I like having something to look forward to.” She paused and glanced at Nic. “Have you heard anything from your brothers?”
“No,” he said, and Pippa noticed the slight clench of his jaw. “You should let me call them again.”
She shook her head. “You did that last year when I had my last treatments and they all visited then. It was a disaster with your father. I was just hoping things could be different now.” She sighed. “There are some things we can’t change. Best not to focus on them. I’ll look forward to my outing with you tomorrow,” she said to Pippa. “I think I’ll sit outside by the pool with a book and this lovely lemonade.”
“It’s a beautiful day,” Pippa said. “I think you’ll enjoy it.”
Goldie appeared in the doorway. “Can I get you something to eat?” he asked.
Amelie made a slight face. “If I tell you I’m not hungry, you’ll tell me I need to eat something to keep up my strength. Crackers,” she said.
Goldie’s face fell. He’d clearly hoped her appetite had improved. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you sure I can’t join you outside?” Pippa asked.
“No, thank you, darling. I just want a little Chantaine sunshine,” Amelie said and carefully rose from the sofa.
As soon as Amelie left, Pippa turned to Nic. “What is wrong with your brothers? Even my terribly dysfunctional family came together at the end of my parents’ lives. Surely your brothers could do the same. It’s the only humane, compassionate choice. You must make them come here at once.”
Nic leaned toward her and gave a short laugh. “Here’s a news flash, Princess. There’s no royal decree available for the Lafittes. Besides, we don’t respond well to attempted force or manipulation. My older brothers are holding on to a mile-wide grudge against my father. My youngest brother makes sure he’s too busy to be contacted.”
“But you must have some influence with them,” she said, appalled at the situation.
“My oldest brothers would make the trip if they didn’t have to face my father,” Nic said. “My mother won’t allow that. She refuses to turn her back on my dad even though she’s earned the right more than once.”
Frowning, Pippa rose and paced across the lush burgundy carpet placed on top of the ceramic tile floor. “There’s got to be a way. Perhaps Goldie or I could take your father for a drive—”
Nic shook his head. “Not gonna happen. My mother wouldn’t allow it.”
“Well, we will just have to figure out another way,” she said.
“We?” he echoed, rising to walk toward her.
Her stomach dipped as he moved closer. She kept trying to forget his effect on her, but every time she felt she was successful in staying focused on Amelie, Nic did something to upset her equilibrium. Unfortunately, it took very little. Seeing him stand and breathe was apparently problematic for her.
“I’m still not sure why you feel my mother’s problems have anything to do with you,” he said, looking down at her and resting his hands on his hips.
“Technically, I suppose they don’t, but I would think any compassionate person would want to help,” she said.
“Including Stefan?”
She bit her lip. “If Eve had anything to say about it, yes, he would help. I know you believe Stefan is a monster, but he’s not. Just as he believes you are the very devil, and you’re not.”
“Good to know you don’t think I’m the devil,” he said.
She opened her mouth to retract her statement, then decided against it. “I will try to come up with a solution for your mother and your brothers. In the meantime, I can take Amelie shopping tomorrow, but I’ll be busy the day after. I’m supposed to escort some soccer player around the island, then accompany him to a charity fundraiser that evening.”
He lifted an eyebrow and his eyes glittered with something that gave her pause. “Is that so? Is the fundraiser at the St. Thomas Hall?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, it is.”
“This should be—” His lips twitched. “Fun. I’m invited to the same fundraiser.”
“Oh,” she said, her stomach taking a downward plunge. “You probably weren’t planning to attend, were you?”
“I hadn’t decided, but I could use some entertainment. May as well.”
“But what about your mother?”
“It will just be for the evening,” he said. “Goldie can call me. I’m not glued to Chantaine. I’ll have to leave for business commitments within the next couple of weeks.” He paused. “I’m at peace with my mother, and she’s at peace with me. We have no unfinished business.”
Pippa felt the oddest sense of calm and excitement from Nic. She’d never, ever felt that combination before. She took a deep breath and pushed past her feelings of panic about her feelings. That peace Nic had just mentioned, that was what was important. She felt it and knew it deep inside her. “I’m so glad that you have a good relationship with your mother. It will help you after—” She broke off, not wanting to say the words.
“After she’s gone,” he sai
d.
Pippa nodded slowly.
“Because you didn’t have the best relationship with your mother,” he said.
“It wasn’t horrible,” she said quickly. “It was just distant. Our family was different. We weren’t raised the way most other children are raised.”
“It’s different being royal,” he said.
She nodded.
He reached out to take her hand in his. His fingers felt strong and sure wrapped around hers. “Most people don’t have perfect childhoods. You take the good and screw the bad stuff.”
His simple words gave her the biggest rush. They reverberated inside her. She wanted to be that person who could take the good and screw the bad. Every once in a while, though, she felt caught between herself as the chubby preteen who didn’t feel worthy of her parents’ attention and a grown woman who was on her way to earning her doctorate. The touch of his hand just made her want more… At that moment, Nic made her feel she was capable of anything she wanted to do and be.
A loud cough sounded. Mr. Lafitte stood on crutches at the entrance of the room. “Where’s Amelie?” he asked, looking more than a little rough around the edges. His hair stuck up in a wild Mohawk and his jaw was heavily whiskered. “Is she okay?”
Pippa automatically pulled her hand from Nic’s while Nic turned to his father. “She’s fine. Outside by the pool.”
Mr. Lafitte slumped forward slightly. “Good. As long as she’s not swimming.”
Nic winced. “Good point. Goldie,” he called, “can you see my mother?”
“She’s in a lawn chair, sir.”
“Good.” Nic took a quick breath. “Can I walk you to your car, Great-Auntie Matilde?”
Pippa felt a flash of realization. She’d forgotten she looked thirty years older. She smothered a laugh at herself. She’d been concerned that she was giving Nic mixed signals.
Well, she would have if she didn’t look like his grandmother. Walking out of the cottage, she waved at Amelie and strode the rest of the way to the horrid vehicle she would drive to the library, where she would change out of her outfit and return to her identity as Princess Pippa.