by Ellie Hall
He sighed. He should’ve felt relieved that he knew the truth before things had gone further, before he’d proposed and they’d married. He’d avoided disaster.
The vision of Penelope swooning that first day—he knew right then she was someone different, someone special, someone to open his heart to real love. He didn’t want to admit it then but that’s how he felt and her deceit didn’t extinguish it in one single blow like the candles on a birthday cake.
He thought of her words as he got the puppy. Then of her standing in front of the court and courageously telling the truth. His heart felt torn in two. He didn’t know what to do other than that he needed to talk to her and the queen—she had a role, however unbeknownst, in the situation too.
As he stepped into the hall, Genevieve intercepted him. “Now that you got that little problem out of the way, we can move forward.”
Oliver fought the urge to direct all of his anger at Genevieve. She was relentless. “Even if it doesn’t work out between Penelope and me, you and I will never have a future together. That was made clear when the queen asked you to leave. As this is my castle, I command you leave.”
Winston exited from a nearby door. “There you are, Sir. The queen has nearly arrived.”
“And Genevieve was just leaving. Please ask the royal guard to escort her off the premises. She’s banished from this castle.”
“Is that official, Sir?” Winston asked.
“Indeed.”
“You can’t do that. You’re not the king.”
“I will be.”
“You’re not marrying Penelope or whatever her real name is.”
“Her real name is Penelope, Sir,” Winston said. “And you’ll find her in her room preparing to also take her leave.”
Oliver rushed away from them and down the hall. He needed to know what was going on and whatever happened next needed to be his choice.
Chapter 25
Penny
A royal envoy climbed the road leading to the palace. Penny recognized the flags on the limousine and knew the queen was on her way. For a moment she wondered why she hadn’t been at the soiree, but it was hardly her business. Queen Beatriz wasn’t actually her aunt. Penny sighed as she stuffed the last of her belongings in her bag.
She half expected the royal guard to burst in at any moment and arrest her. In fact, she was surprised they hadn’t—perhaps they didn’t want to cause a fuss and knew she wouldn’t get far in Concordia.
From below, orders were given and the queen paraded into the castle. She sighed. It was a lovely, fairytale life while it lasted. Even though she’d lied, she had real, true feelings for Oliver. In fact, the queen was like the aunt she’d never had.
Addie appeared in the doorway and said, “Miss, the queen requests your presence.”
“You don’t have to call me Miss, anymore.”
“Oh, um,” she stammered.
The lady’s maid led Penny through the maze of halls and into the throne room.
Several guards and footmen stood in the room but the throne was empty. “Miss, the queen is still Oliver’s guardian, insofar as his princely duties are concerned, that is until he marries. So what she says goes.”
“Of course.” Penny knew that and was prepared to accept the consequences.
As minutes passed, sweat collected on the back of Penny’s neck yet her fingers, toes, and forehead felt cold. She couldn’t shake the nervous chill that grew with every second. Were they preparing the hangman’s noose? The guillotine? The firing squad?
Maybe her sister would swoop in and object, act as her lawyer, and defend the case. Then again, Penny had done wrong. There was no denying that.
Finally, the queen entered, along with several advisors she recognized as well as some dignified and official looking people in the silver and blue of Concordia. Oliver followed, wearing a grim expression. There was a bunch of formality as the queen stood in front of the throne. She nodded at Penny who stepped forward.
“What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I apologize.” She explained how she went along with the case of mistaken identity. “I was swept up in the romance of it all, which was wrong, I know. But everything I felt for the prince, came from my heart: the source of truth. I hope you forgive me someday but more importantly, I hope he does.” Penny took a step back and lowered her chin toward her chest, feeling defeated, depleted, and dejected.
The queen stepped forward and put a crooked finger under Penny’s chin, lifting it to meet her eyes. They were crystal clear and blue.
“My dear, I’d figured it out early on.”
“What? How?” Penny asked, aghast. Then again, the queen wasn’t in her position of power because she was a pushover.
“I realized there was something amiss when you told me your birthday. My niece Penelope wasn’t born in May. However, you do look remarkably alike.” She paused, pursing her lips.
Penny prepared for the final blow and prepared her last meal request: cookies.
“My dear, I suppose I was swept up too. You were sweet, captivating, and most importantly real in a way that I welcomed after these many years of hearing so many yes, Your Majesty’s and having only polite and well-meaning but bland conversations. You’re a far better niece than my actual flesh and blood. She only called to inform me of the mistake when she saw your image in the news when I’d selected you at the ball. She didn’t even have the decency to answer the royal mail when I’d announced she was elected as a royal-in-waiting. She doesn’t respond to the birthday cards or holiday greetings. I suppose she misses her mother and it’s difficult but I miss my sister and Penelope is a little piece of her. She’s family but certainly doesn’t act like it. I wasn’t all that honest either and the truth is, I’m rather fond of you, dear. You’re like a breath of fresh air.”
Penny bit her lip to keep from smiling.
“Oliver, what do you have to say?”
“I’m shocked, quite frankly. I didn’t expect this or see it coming. But I was in love. I cannot let that cloud my better judgment.” His eyes flitted over to Penny’s and then landed on the queen. “However, I fantasized about sneaking out of the palace and impersonating a regular person numerous times. So, in a way, I understand.” The side of his lip lifted in a half smile.
Penny tried but failed to keep her eyes from his. She was magnetized even as she felt the sting of his anger and disappointment.
“Penelope, even though I heard the queen’s part in this I’m confused and hurt over this whole thing, but I forgive you for doing the right thing, for being honest and humble.”
“What about me?” the queen asked. “Do you forgive me, Oliver?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She cuffed him but they smiled at each other. “And happy birthday to you.”
“Penelope got me a puppy,” he boasted.
“Did she now? Well, it is not welcome at the palace.”
“Wait’ll you meet Duke, you’ll change your mind,” Oliver said.
Penny still couldn’t quite find her own smile despite the banter because nervousness still pulsed in her limbs, her belly, and chest.
“Whatever happens next, it needs to be my choice—I cannot have my every decision made for me. Do you understand?” Oliver asked the queen.
Before she could respond, the door flew open and Emma stood in the entryway. Her hair was perfectly styled, she wore a pair of tall boots, and walked with a purposeful stride.
A new panic seized Penny. How’d she get in? She couldn’t have sneaked into the castle, surely it was heavily fortified. She’d already broken enough rules and didn’t need it to become a family affair.
Emma smiled mysteriously at the queen who then nodded. She crossed the room in a couple of strides before wrapping her arms around her sister. “I missed you so much.”
“Me too. But what are you doing here? Um, I just confessed that I am not Penelope the queen’s niece.”
“No, you are Penelope Jones,”
Emma declared proudly. “The—”
Penny’s nod was polite but confused as she interrupted. “And you’re Emmaline Jones,” she said the obvious.
“But not for long. I’ll soon be Emma Wheaton.” She flashed her engagement ring.
Penny leaned in. “I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to celebrate but there’s kind of a situation going on here and you’re supposed to do this little curtsy bow thing when in the presence of the queen and Prince.”
Emma shook her head.
“This isn’t helping,” Penny hissed.
“Actually, royalty does not have to greet royalty in that way.”
“Emma, I told you, I was pretending to be Penelope. I was caught up in the idea that—”
The queen held up her finger in the universal symbol of just a moment. “Genevieve, come out, right this instant.”
Penny looked to Oliver, then to her sister, and back at the queen.
“Genevieve, your queen commands you come out of your hiding place.”
The former royal-in-waiting emerged from behind a tapestry.
“See? Very little gets by me.”
Genevieve, shoulders hunched. Sheepish, she stepped onto the carpet. Once in the room, she cocked a hip and tossed her hair over her shoulder.
“I banished you from the castle,” Oliver said.
“I was just preparing to leave.”
“Guards,” Oliver called.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like her to stay a bit longer. She has a hard time listening but is great at spreading rumors and gossip.” Queen Beatriz’s lips formed a thin line.
Genevieve nodded. “It’s true. I managed to keep the estate going by selling rumors about the prince to the press.” She smiled haughtily.
“This has only recently come to my attention. The total amounts paid to you for to provide gossip sites slander about Oliver, you’ll be required to donate that sum to a charity of Oliver’s choosing. Now, listen carefully,” the queen ordered. Then she gestured to Penny’s sister.
Emma took a deep breath. “About a week ago I received a bundle of mail. Included, was a letter from the office of the Royal Families of England. I thought it was some kind of scam or timeshare offer. But I contacted them and it turns out…” Emma held up the letter.
Before Penny read it, she pulled the envelope Mrs. Wong had given her out of her pocket. She tore it open and read.
She suddenly felt faint. Her throat tightened and the room turned hazy like she peered through foggy glass.
“Penny,” her sister said, drawing her back to reality. “I tried to tell you over the phone. I suggested you not to confess because we are royalty.”
“It’s true,” the queen said. “That’s my seal and all. I didn’t make the connection because this had been authorized ages ago and I’ve had so much loss in my family I tried not to get too hopeful.”
“Wait, I don’t understand,” Penny’s voice was thin.
“Your father, Leopold, was my brother. We don’t speak of him much in polite circles because he was a bit of a cad.” The queen’s nostrils flared. “But it had occurred to me that due to that fact, he might have produced heirs.”
Penny’s mouth fell open. “Are you saying—?”
“Mom confirmed he’s our father but she didn’t know he was titled. In fact, she thought he was a poor musician and told herself never again. She’d only be with rich men after him. Can you believe this?” Emma asked, throwing her arms around Penny.
“Where is he now?”
“I’m sorry to say he passed away several years ago. He also had a substance problem, a propensity for heights, and a bit of recklessness that is ill-advised,” the queen said measuredly.
“What does this mean?” Penny almost couldn’t process the questions rushing at her.
“It means that you are indeed my niece. Who’d have thought I’d have two nieces named Penelope. It was a family name though—my mother’s.”
Penny’s gaze flitted over Genevieve who was a mixture of shocked smugness and landed on Oliver.
He reached for her hand but she wasn’t sure if she deserved it. She hadn’t been honest.
The queen clasped both their hands. “Penelope, I wish you hadn’t lied but I see the way you look at Oliver and the way he looks at you. It’s clear you enjoy each other's company and make each other happy. Marriage isn’t easy especially ones that are arranged. Leading a nation isn’t easy but you have each other. If you so choose to live a life together, I would be most pleased.” She pressed their hands together.
The rest of the people in the room faded into the background as Penny met Oliver’s eyes.
“I ask one thing of you, please always be honest,” he said.
Penny smiled. “I will always. I promise. And I ask one thing of you.”
He tilted his head in question.
“Please call me Penny.”
He leaned in as though to kiss her.
The queen cleared her throat. “I take that as an affirmation that you agree to go forward with the engagement.”
“Yes,” they both said at the same time.
She smirked. “In that case, I will go explain to the court of Concordia the misunderstanding. It’s of prime importance they feel like their monarchs are solid, reliable, and most importantly honest.” She bustled out of the room, dismissing Genevieve in the process.
Emma extended her arms to give Oliver a hug. “Welcome to the family. Now, Will is wandering around the village looking for cookies so I’d better go find him and leave you two to kiss and make up.” She winked and whisked out the door. “I’ll be back in a jiffy because we have a lot to celebrate.”
Oliver opened his mouth to speak but Penny cut across him. “I need you to know how sorry I am. A relationship cannot be built upon deceit. I also know how important honesty is to you. I told myself I’d only pretend to be the princess for a night. Then another and another because I was falling for you. At times, quite literally swooning.” A smile snuck onto her lips. “I hope you forgive me, Oliver.”
“I accept your apology. Just please don’t pass out on me again. But if you do, I’ll catch you, Penny.”
“I won’t. There’s another, older meaning to the word courage that has to do with the heart, speaking the heart, and I’ll never do anything other than speaking the truth from my heart.”
Desire and certainty played across his refined features and lips.
Her heart melted at that and she felt fizzy inside; excited tingles zinged through her.
“You said you’d only hoped for a night.” He lowered onto one knee. “I am prepared to give you more. A lifetime in fact. Penny, will you marry me? Will you be my queen?” he asked as emotion filled his eyes and he opened a small velvet box.
Penny’s hands flew to her mouth as he presented the ring.
“I will.” She threw her arms around his neck.
He lifted to his feet, taking her with him and hugged her back.
She felt so secure, so loved in his arms.
“I will be your queen if you will be my king,” she said.
“I will,” he said. “Golly, I love you, Penny,” he said.
“I love you,” she said.
She beamed as he slid the ring on her finger. It sparkled and cast orbs of light onto the walls of the throne room as Oliver spun her around.
When they came to a stop, Oliver looked deeply into her eyes. “Penny, we must go honestly and courageously into our future together.”
“And wildly and freely into our future together,” she added, lifting onto her toes as he dipped his head to meet her lips.
Want to find out about Charlotte, see more of her adorable daughter, Birdie, and if a certain Texas cowboy can convince her to open her heart?
Read an excerpt from book 3 in the Only Us Billionaire Clean Romance series:
Only Forever with a Billionaire
Chapter 1
Charlotte
Charlotte Wheaton had once fallen in
love. Or so she thought. His name was Montgomery Douglas. After a year of courtship, she accepted his proposal and vowed her life to the man. She believed it was forever. They had a daughter. She’d done everything in the proper order, followed protocol, and check off the boxes. She thought she had gotten it perfectly right. But then how had everything had gone so wrong?
As she arrived at Robertson Royal Gardens for her brother Will’s Wedding Eve party—a combined bachelor and bachelorette party slash rehearsal dinner—, she couldn’t help but think about how she had done everything by the book and failed. Meanwhile, her brother did everything out of order, backward, and unconventionally, but had somehow succeeded. She wasn’t jealous or bitter, just curious. How did he manage to have a modeling career, build a gym empire, and find everlasting happiness? Meanwhile, she juggled several jobs, was a single mum, and alone.
She couldn’t bring herself to step out of line or do anything he considered normal—things that were wild, reckless, and sometimes ridiculous.
Except for Emma. There was nothing absurd about her. Will had somehow found the love of his life. It was clear, by the way they stole little glances at each other while they greeted guests, that she felt the same way.
In fact, her brother’s odd ability to make lemonade out of lemons had trickled into how the two women had met—not that Emma was in any way a lemon; no, she was more of a peach. A perfect peach and they’d become good friends.
Charlotte had been walking the dogs (job number one) and ran into Emma at a park. They’d met a few times randomly after that, then for tea where Emma consulted her about her love life. Now, she was marrying Charlotte’s brother. Small world? Small city? Or was it fate? Destiny? Charlotte wasn’t sure, but she did know that she was fated, destined to be alone.
A long sigh escaped as her cousin, Juliette, approached with wide-open arms. They kissed on each cheek in the European style. Juliette started chattering, asking about the proposal, the wedding, and the honeymoon. She wanted all the details.
