by Leanne Banks
Stefan brushed a kiss over his daughter’s cheek. “Sweet dreams,” he said, echoing Eve’s frequent nighttime wish.
As soon as Eve and Stephenia walked toward the bedrooms at the other end of the suite, Stefan turned toward Pippa. “How are you?”
“Well, thank you. And you?”
“Also well. Your studies?”
Pippa resisted the urge to squirm. She’d been forced to put her academic work aside during the last week. “Demanding as always.”
“You’ve been quite busy since you returned from Italy,” he said. He pulled out a computer tablet and turned it on.
The uneasiness inside her grew. “Moving makes for a busy time.” She hesitated to ask but went ahead anyway. “What is your point?”
“Some photographs of you were posted on a social network just before dinner. I’ll be surprised if they don’t make the rag sheets by morning.” He showed her a series of photos of her holding hands with Amelie in the ocean. “The woman looks familiar,” he said in a cool voice.
Her stomach knotted, yet at the same time an overwhelming relief swept through her. “Good eye, Your Royal Highness. That’s Amelie Lafitte.”
Stefan clenched his jaw. “What in hell have you gotten yourself into?”
Pippa sighed. “I got myself involved with a family experiencing a tragedy.”
“What tragedy? I’d heard Amelie had been ill for some time, but if she’s swimming, she must have recovered.”
Pippa shook her head. “Amelie is terminally ill. She’s—she’s dying.”
Surprise crossed his face. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He cleared his throat. “That said, any association with the Lafittes is understandably forbidden. You must stop your involvement at once.”
Pippa shook her head. “Oh, I’m sorry. That’s not possible.”
Stefan tilted his head to one side in disbelief and disapproval. “Pardon me, of course it’s possible. You merely send a message to the Lafittes with your good wishes, but tell them you’re unable to continue the association.”
“I can’t and won’t do that. At this time of all times, I would hate myself for pulling away from them.”
Stefan’s jaw tightened again. “Pippa, after I received these photos, I asked my security detail to investigate the situation with the Lafittes. It has been brought to my attention that you’ve used family connections to secure a cottage for them. Not only that, Paul Lafitte, whose presence in this country is illegal, is living in this cottage. How do you think your cousin Georgina will feel when she learns you’ve used her cottage to house a criminal?”
“He’s not a criminal,” she said, unable to fight a stab of impatience. “He’s a man with a broken foot and he’s about to lose the love of his life.”
“Pippa, this is not up for discussion. What you’ve done is illegal and dishonest.”
“I’m not proud of being dishonest with all of you. I’ve hated every one of the lies I’ve had to tell, but your attitude made it impossible.”
“I don’t think you understand what a black mark this will make on our name. I insist you sever your relationship with the Lafittes,” he said. “Please don’t force my hand on this.”
Pippa fought a sliver of fear, but her anger at his manipulation was stronger. “Are you threatening me? With what? Let’s not keep it a mystery.”
He paused, then narrowed his eyes. “If you don’t stop your association with the Lafittes, I’ll be forced to consider revoking your title.”
Pippa absorbed the potential loss and made her decision in less than two breaths. “Then do what you have to do. I’ll do what I must do. Helping the Lafittes through this painful time is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life. If I lose my title over it, then c’est la vie. Good night, Stefan,” she said and walked out of his suite.
Her heels clicked against the familiar marble palace floor. It crossed her mind that if Stefan carried through with his threat, this might be the last time she walked these halls. Worse yet, she realized, she might lose her relationship with her family. Her chest tightened with grief. Her hands began to shake and she balled them into fists. As much as her dysfunctional family drove each other crazy at times, Pippa loved them with all her heart. She would never get over losing them.
Deep in her heart, though, she knew that she would hate herself if she turned her back on the Lafittes. Stefan had forced her to make an impossible choice. She prayed she would have the strength to live with the consequences.
* * *
The connecting flight from Madrid began its descent into Chantaine just after 8:00 a.m. Nic rubbed his eyes, which felt like sandpaper. He looked at the passengers beside him and behind him. By some miracle, all three of his brothers were on the flight. Alex, his youngest brother, sat beside him gently snoring. Paul Jr., who went by James, and Michael sat across the aisle in the row behind them.
The plane had a bumpy landing. Nic hoped it wasn’t a sign of what was to come for the rest of his brothers’ visit.
Alex awakened, rubbing his face. He narrowed his eyes at Nic. “Looks like we made it. Are you sure our father isn’t in a Chantaine dungeon somewhere?”
“You never know with Paul Lafitte, but he wasn’t when I left,” Nic said. “Besides, you’re not here to see your father. You’re here to see your mother,” Nic said. “If you’re man enough.”
Alex scowled, but Nic knew that very same challenge had gotten Alex and Nic’s other brothers onto the plane. He’d made a strong, no-holds-barred demand, and thank goodness, his brothers had responded.
“There’s a car waiting,” Nic said. “When we get to the cottage, you’ll have a good meal.”
An hour later, the driver drove the limo toward the cottage. The ride was mostly silent, but Nic figured he would be paying the price for the intimidation and manipulation he’d used to bring his brothers to his mother. Despite their anger, their brothers drank in the sight of their mother’s island.
“Not bad,” James said. “Never visited Chantaine before. Mom always said it was beautiful. She was right.”
Alex gave a dry chuckle. “Who says they would have let us on the island?”
“You got on this time,” Nic said.
“Because you’ve donated a ton of money and enhanced Chantaine’s economy,” Alex said.
“There are worse ways to spend money,” Nic said.
The limo pulled into the driveway.
“Quaint,” Paul Jr. said.
“A friend helped out,” Nic said. He wondered how Pippa was doing. He knew that moving from the palace was a huge change for her. He and his brothers got out of the limo and walked to the front door.
Paul opened the door. On crutches, he looked at his four sons in shock. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“We’ve already done that several times over,” Paul Jr. said. “Where’s Mom?”
Paul’s expression hardened. “She’s asleep, and if you can’t show her respect and kindness, you can go the hell back where you came from,” he said and slammed the door in their faces.
Silence followed.
“Same ol’ dad,” Michael said.
“Yep, sonofabitch, but he was always protective of her,” Alex said.
“When he wasn’t in prison,” Paul Jr. said.
“This is stupid,” Nic said. “Let’s just go inside. Dad will have to deal with it. I’m sure Goldie has a great meal for us.”
“Who’s Goldie?” Paul Jr. asked.
“You’ll know soon enough,” Nic said and inserted his key into the door and pushed it open.
Paul had apparently hobbled to the back of the house. Nic turned on a baseball game and Goldie immediately showed up with platters of appetizers and sandwiches, along with beer. Beer before lunch may have seemed inappropriate, but in this case, it was
for the best. His brothers commented on the food and the game while downing a few beers.
Finally, his mother appeared in the back of the den. “She’s here,” Nic said, turning off the TV. His mother was gaunt and tired, but clearly delighted to see her sons.
“Am I dreaming?” she asked, lifting her lips in a huge smile.
“Go,” Nic said in his brother Michael’s ear.
“Me?” Michael asked.
Nic nodded, and half a breath later, Michael sprang to his feet and enveloped his mother in hug. “I’m sorry I haven’t—”
“No sorries, no apologies,” Amelie said, hugging him in return. “I’m so happy to see you.”
A moment later, James rose and pulled her into his arms. “Mom, I’ve missed you.”
Alex finally stood and made his way to his mother. “I’m the worst of your sons,” he confessed.
“No,” she insisted with a smile. “You are all the best sons any woman could want because you came to see me before—” She broke off, her smile fading. “Before I turn into a butterfly.”
Nic’s heart wrenched at the sight before him. It had taken an enormous effort to make this happen. He just wished it hadn’t been necessary.
His mother pretended to eat and sipped some lemonade while she enjoyed the visit with her sons. Amelie asked each of them about what they were doing. None were married and none had children, much to her disappointment. She encouraged all of them to enjoy Chantaine as much as possible during their visit, but Nic knew his brothers were leaving at 5:00 a.m. the next day.
After a while, Nic could tell she was growing tired. “We should let you rest,” he said.
“In a bit. I have something to say first,” she said. “You’re not going to like this, but I raised you to be extraordinary men, so now’s the time for you to man up.”
The room turned silent. His brothers grew restless.
“Take a deep breath. Listen. It won’t be that long. You can handle it,” she said. “The truth is your father broke the rules because he was determined to take care of me. He was determined to keep me in the same way a princess should live because, after all, I could have been a princess. How do you compete with that? How do you produce a lifestyle fit for a princess, even though I didn’t ask for it?”
His mother’s words sank into him. He’d never realized what a burden his father had taken on when he’d stolen his mother from Prince Edward. It made him think of his current relationship with Pippa.
“Can’t deny that was tough,” James said. “But he made our life a living hell by destroying the family reputation.”
“True,” his mother said. “But that was a long time ago. It’s time to get over it.”
Silence followed.
“Excuse me?” Michael said. “Get over it? His disreputable dealings are the gifts that keep giving. We had to move out of the state to reestablish ourselves.”
“Well,” his mother said. “It’s time for you to get over it. You’ve reestablished yourselves. Paul is nursing a broken foot. I have two things to ask of you,” she said. “Be true brothers. Stand together. Be family. And forgive your father,” she added.
Nic felt his brothers close up like locks at Fort Knox. “Love you, Mom,” he said and moved toward her to give her a hug.
She embraced him in return. “Thank you,” she said. “You made a miracle.”
“No, it was you,” he said. “I just added a little muscle.”
“I’m getting tired. I should go to sleep. Can we get a photo of me with my boys?” she asked.
Goldie took a few photos and his mother went to bed. His brothers sacked out in the guest room and guest quarters. Nic considered calling Pippa, but he was drained. He resolved to call tomorrow afternoon, after his brothers left and he caught up with some rest.
Nic arranged for the limo that took his brothers to the airport in the early predawn morning, then went back to sleep. Hours later, a knock on the door awakened him. Goldie, wearing a tortured expression, dipped his head. “I’m so sorry, sir. Your mother has passed on.”
Chapter Twelve
Numb from the news, Nic dialed Pippa’s number as he paced his room an hour later.
“Hi. Welcome back,” she said.
Her voice was like oxygen to his system. “Thanks,” he said. “I have some bad news.” He paused a beat because he’d already had to say the same thing several times. “She’s gone.”
“Oh, Nic, I’m so sorry. I’ll be right over,” she said.
“Good,” he said, feeling a shot of relief that bothered him. Now, more than ever, he needed to keep himself in check. There was just too much to do and his father was a mess.
He made several more calls, unsure what to do about a memorial service. Thank goodness, his mother had made her burial wishes clear in her will. She wanted her ashes spread in Chantaine. Nic suspected his father would fight it.
He heard a vehicle pull into the driveway and immediately went to the door. Pippa stepped from the car and rushed into his arms. “I’m so sorry. How are you?” she asked.
Feeling her in his arms was a balm to his soul. “I’m okay. We knew this was coming.”
“But you’re never really ready,” she said, pulling back to search his face.
“True, but we were more prepared than most,” he said and led her into the den.
“How is your father?” she asked.
“Not good,” Nic said. “He was having some pain with his foot, so he spent the whole night on the patio. My brothers were sleeping in the guestroom. I think my father must have taken an extra dose of pain reliever because he didn’t even wake up when my brothers left early this morning. Goldie went in to take her a croissant and some juice. He was the one who found her. My father was horrified that she died alone.” His throat closed up.
Pippa took his hand in hers. “But your brothers, did she see them?”
Nic nodded.
“It’s almost as if she was waiting to see them again and that gave her permission. You did a wonderful thing by bringing them here,” she said.
“Trust me, I had to be damn ugly to them to make it happen,” he said.
“And now there are other things to be done. Arrangements,” she said. “How can I help you?”
Nic took a deep breath. “I need one more favor. My mother wanted her ashes spread here in Chantaine.”
“And a memorial service, too,” she said, her eyebrows furrowing together in concern.
“Yeah,” he said.
“I’ll do my best. Not sure Stefan is speaking to me at the moment,” she added in half jest.
“Why? Is he still upset that you moved out of the palace?” Nic demanded.
Pippa waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Stefan’s always bothered about something. It’s his nature. What about your brothers? You said they’d already left.”
“They’re on their way back,” he said. “I’d like to do this quickly and get my father back to the States. There are too many sad memories for him here and he’s going to have to find a new normal for himself.”
Pippa nodded. “Okay, I’ll go out by the pool area and make a few calls,” she said and left him to his list.
Fifteen minutes later, she returned, relief on her face. “I was able to get permission for your mother’s service. Because the weather has been good, I wondered if you would like it to take place outdoors. There’s a lovely green park on the other side of the island that people use for all kinds of occasions including memorial services. Chairs can be set up for your family.”
“That sounds good. Thank you,” he said, mentally checking the decision off his list. Nic felt as if he had a million-mile journey in front of him. Pippa made everything feel easier, but soon enough, he would be back in the States and he would be handling everythin
g by himself. Again.
* * *
Two days later, Pippa took a seat at the end of a second row of chairs arranged for Amelie Lafitte’s memorial service. She didn’t want to call attention to herself. By a stroke of luck, or fate, she’d located a minister who had lived in the same orphanage as Amelie. She was pleased that someone who had known Nic’s mother would lead the service.
It was a beautiful morning. Amelie would have loved it.
“Excuse me, is that seat taken?” a familiar voice asked her.
Pippa looked up and surprise raced through at the sight of her sister-in-law, Eve, and her sister Bridget. She stood, feeling as if her heart would burst with gratitude. “I don’t know what to say,” she said. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Of course we’re here. You’re family. This is where we’re supposed to be. Stefan didn’t come because he didn’t want to turn things into a madhouse,” Eve said. “But he sends his condolences to you and the Lafittes.”
Pippa hugged Eve. “You must have given him a Texas-size lecture because the last I heard, I no longer had a title,” she said.
Bridget rolled her eyes. “He’s got to make that threat to each of us at some point. He just can’t stand not having control sometimes, most times,” she added and held out her arms. “Come here. Shame on you for suffering by yourself. Why can’t you be more like me and make everyone suffer with you?”
Bridget’s remark made her laugh despite how emotional she felt. “I knew none of you would approve,” Pippa said. “But I couldn’t turn my back on them.”
“That’s one of the many reasons we love you,” Eve said as she took her seat. Bridget also took hers.
Within the next moments, many people arrived, taking seats and crowding around the area. “I didn’t know this many people remembered Amelie,” Bridget said, surprised at the number of people gathering in the park.
“You would understand if you’d met her. I wish you’d had the opportunity,” Pippa said, her eyes suddenly filling with tears. “She was a magical person.”