“That’s not a good idea.”
“Maybe not, but it’s the only idea I have. Keep an eye on me. When I meet your gaze, get the guests’ attention, and we’ll make our announcement.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“You got us this far. Let me finish the job. Do you trust my abilities to be devious and conniving?”
“I do.” I laughed, and he grinned right back.
He winked at me and, without another word, strode across the room, not toward my father but toward Ted.
What the hell was he up to?”
~~Gage~~
One of two things would happen in the next several minutes. Either the prince would have me booted out of this shindig or he’d be rendered speechless and wouldn’t know what hit him until it was too late.
I singled Ted out of a small crowd of guests and pulled him aside, informing him of my plans. His eyes grew wide with horror. The poor guy was terrified, but he nodded his reluctant agreement.
Ted and I walked together across the room and waited for the prince to disengage in conversation. Even I knew enough etiquette to guess interrupting a royal family member deep in conversation with some guy in military uniform wouldn’t be the best way to introduce myself to my future father-in-law. While I’d always thought Alisa looked like her mother, I could see subtle similarities between him and Alisa. They were both tall and slender, and Alisa had his eyes.
Finally, the prince finished his conversation and turned, noticing Ted and me standing behind him. Ted shrank backward under the man’s hard gaze, but I held my ground and merely stared back before bowing slightly.
“Your Highness,” I said, hoping I’d addressed him properly. “I’m Gage Harmon.”
He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement. “What can I do for you, Mr. Harmon?” The slight impatience in his tone indicated he considered me an annoyance and not someone worthy of his attention. His dismissive attitude irritated me enough to spur me on.
“Let me get right to the point. I’m here to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage. I have already procured Theodore’s blessing.” I had no idea what Ted’s title was. I’d probably screwed up big-time.
The prince blinked several times. I’d rendered him speechless, which had been my intention. The old shock and awe strategy.
“We’ve known each other for over two years and are deeply in love,” I continued.
“Gage has deep roots to the aristocracy in Great Britain, which could be useful to the monarchy,” Ted added helpfully, and I could’ve killed that little bastard.
What the fuck was he saying?
“I wouldn’t say that.” I scrambled to correct Ted’s assertion. I had no fucking clue where he’d gotten that idea, and I should’ve made myself clearer. My grandma had always told us kids that an omission of the truth was still a lie. My granny was a wise woman. I, on the other hand, was an idiot.
“He’s also from very good American stock,” Ted added.
I shot him a glare, which he happily ignored. He was trying way too hard to sell me to the prince when he didn’t know a damn thing about the real me. Then again, neither did Alisa. No one did. Not even my best buddy, Riley. My formerly private life might be in jeopardy, yet I was going through with all of this despite the possible disastrous outcome.
“A union between Alisa and Ted is imminent,” the prince said. His glare now encompassed Ted, who shrank back in fear, leaving me to fight the good fight by my lonesome.
I glanced over my shoulder, giving Alisa the look. The situation was starting to deteriorate, and I had to get a handle on it now.
“But surely you can understand love, Your Highness. Alisa and I are deeply in love.”
I must have been convincing, because he cocked his head and studied me. Since I was completely in earnest, my words must’ve impacted him on some level. Perhaps he’d married for love or been in love at some time. Regardless, understanding flickered in his eyes for a moment.
“I can understand being in love at your age—” I wondered if he was referring to Alisa’s mother.
“Having your blessing means everything to us. Thank you!” I interrupted him and, before he could protest, literally ran to the front of the room, where Alisa had just clinked a spoon against a crystal goblet. I snagged a couple flutes of champagne from a silver tray on the way by. All heads turned to see what the new princess was about to announce. Curiosity and confusion were written on the majority of the faces turned toward us. They’d been expecting an announcement, but they hadn’t been expecting Alisa to be making it.
“Guests and family, I’m happy you’re all here on what will be one of the happiest occasions of my short tenure as a princess.” Alisa could command a room when she needed to. She won them over with her dazzling smile and stunning beauty. She also had this special something that made people feel at ease around her and special, as if she were talking to them and only them. It was a gift, and one I also possessed when necessary.
On cue, she turned to me and held out her hand, essentially giving me the floor. I moved to stand beside her, taking her hand in mine. What we were doing was unorthodox and outrageous, but it just might work.
“Thank you,” I said. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Gage Harmon. Alisa and I dated in college for two years and have found this separation to be too much for either of us. We are deeply in love. Just this moment, I’ve asked her father for her hand in marriage. His Highness understands the power of love for family, for a woman, and for his country. As a man who wants his daughter to be happy, he couldn’t possibly deny us and has given his blessing. I’m honored and humbled that a woman such as Alisa has agreed to be my wife, and we are also honored to share this moment with you.” I held up a champagne glass and so did Alisa. We clinked glasses. Maybe the prince didn’t exactly give his blessing, but I hadn’t given him time to refute it either.
There were murmurs and gasps around the room, but the well-bred guests lifted their drinks and toasted us. After which time, we were inundated by well-wishers and the curious with congratulations. All hell would break out later, once the guests had left.
I chanced a glance at the prince. He was deep in conversation with Ted’s father. The king and queen were standing to one side. Every one of them looked grim.
“We’re in deep shit,” I whispered to Alisa during a lull in the well-wishers.
“Tell me about it. You couldn’t have possibly gotten my father’s blessing.”
“I didn’t give him a chance to say no. That’s good enough.”
“As good as we’re going to get. They can’t stop us now. It’s out there, and now they’ll be forced to support our union.”
“Your idea was devious and clever, Lis.”
“It was. I learned from the master.”
“And that master would be me?”
“Absolutely.” She laughed, and her laughter warmed my heart. We could pull this off, and I found myself wishing we were getting married, but such a thing was truly impossible. I had a football team to make, and she had her own duties on the other side of the world from mine.
The line formed again, and I was back to shaking hands and being introduced to a ton of well-dressed guests. Many regarded me with open interest, a few with disgust, and most with open curiosity.
The butler approached us warily, as if any interaction with the rebels would reflect badly upon him.
“Giles,” Alisa said with a fake smile.
Giles bowed low. “Your Highness, the prince and His and Her Majesty would like to see you both in their private receiving room in one hour.”
Alisa and I exchanged glances.
“Thank you, Giles. We’ll be there.”
Giles paused, and a smile played at the corners of his mouth. “I suggest you wear armor and come prepared for battle.”
Alisa beamed at him. “Oh, we will.”
The butler bowed again and excused himself. I almost wished I could’ve done the same,
but I was in this deep; I might as well start swimming.
Chapter 19—Meeting with Monarchy
~~Alisa~~
A year ago, I didn’t know these people. Yet, in that year, they’d become as important to me as my mother and my longtime friends. Almost as important as Gage.
That unbidden realization shocked me to my very core like touching an exposed wire and feeling it right down to my toes. I’d concocted this entire scheme not only to get out of an arranged marriage but to keep Gage closer to me, maybe even take it so far as to actually marry him?
In theory the idea was outrageous. A football player and a British princess? Most of the commoners who married into a royal family gave up their own careers to do it because, as I’d learned, being a royal was more than a full-time job, especially in Britain. I couldn’t ask Gage to give up his football career before it’d even started. Despite the setbacks he’d suffered this last year, he was going places, and most likely going places without me.
Not that he’d be interested in marrying me for real. We’d never discussed a real marriage. I’d never told him I’d loved him, never admitted what was deep in my heart even though he had.
Together, we followed Giles down the hallway as he escorted us to the Green Room. I wasn’t sure why we were meeting in one of the public rooms rather than the king and queen’s private quarters. There had to be a significance to this I didn’t understand. The castle was still foreign to me, and I hadn’t explored the majority of the huge structure, but I’d been in this room multiple times as it was also a library.
I’d never done it in a library. Perhaps Gage and I could—
I cut off that line of thinking before my heart conjured up scenarios I’d never see turn to reality.
We stopped outside the door to the Green Room, while Giles rapped once and was admitted.
“He’s going to announce us,” I told Gage.
He nodded and stared straight ahead. If he was nervous, he wasn’t showing it. In fact, he had his game face on. He reached for my hand and squeezed it, not letting go. I clutched at the lifeline he offered me. I didn’t have any such game face, and I suspect my nerves shone like a beacon for all to see.
“It’ll be fine,” he whispered with another squeeze of his hand. He wrapped his fingers tightly around mine, but not so tight he cut off my circulation. His hand was warm and dry. Mine was wet and clammy. I had to admire his nerves of steel. Still staring ahead, he added, “Sometime soon, I’m going to fuck you in this room.”
Before I could respond, the door swung open, and my grandparents’ head butler stood in the open doorway. “His Majesty and Her Majesty will see you now.” He stood aside. Giles was behind him. As we passed, the man did something very un-Giles-like. He winked at me, and I had to suppress the giggle bubbling up from deep inside. If I allowed myself to giggle, horror of horrors, I’d probably end up hysterically crying.
The king and queen sat regally in ornate chairs befitting their station. My father stood at my grandfather’s side, one hand on the chair. My stepmother was perched on the edge of an antique chair as stiff as she was. As usual her mouth was puckered as if she’d just sucked on a lemon. The woman sucked on a lot of lemons in my estimation.
The king motioned for us to take a seat on the Victorian couch across from them. Still holding hands, we sat as one and waited for the inquisition to begin.
We didn’t wait long.
“Princess Alisa, your earlier behavior was reprehensible, inexcusable, and disturbing.” The king scowled at me, and I merely smiled sweetly back.
“I am deeply apologetic, Your Majesty, but it had to be done in the name of love.”
“In the name of love?” the queen murmured, yet she didn’t sound nearly as upset as expected.
“Yes, ma’am. In the name of love. Gage and I are in love. I cannot marry another. He may be American, but I believe he is an appropriate choice for a princess who will never sit on the throne.”
“And why do you consider him an appropriate choice?”
“Gage is kind, strong, brave, and honest. There isn’t a better match for me in all the world. You will find his background irreproachable. He is an acceptable match for this princess.”
Gage stared oddly at me, as if he wished I’d shut up. I couldn’t understand why he seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden.
My father glowered at the two of us. “I’m most disappointed in you, Alisa. Such subterfuge and manipulation are not in keeping with your status as a princess.”
I lowered my head, looking contrite and feeling it. “I know. I’m sorry, but Ted and I are not a match. Ted is also in love with another.”
“He is?” This was news to the king.
“Yes, Your Majesty. He is in love with Lady Irene.”
The king rubbed his jaw thoughtfully but didn’t ask in any further questions.
“Your behavior is still shameful and inexcusable,” my father huffed in indignation.
I kept my head bowed. “I know, Father.”
“Why didn’t you talk to one of us?”
I lifted my gaze, and my rebellious nature reared its sassy head. “I attempted to explain the situation, and none of you would listen.”
Father and son exchanged glances. Princess Abigale, my stepmother, harrumphed.
“Gage, are you from the Harmon family of Connecticut?” the queen asked. Her question came out of left field and defused the situation before it exploded into irreparable pieces. I gave her a small, grateful smile.
“I’m from Virginia, ma’am,” Gage hedged but cast a blinding smile in my grandmother’s direction. I hadn’t met a woman yet who could resist that smile, including me, and judging by the smile now lighting up my grandmother’s face, also her.
Virginia? I’d never known he was from Virginia? As far as I’d known, he’d spent his growing up years in California.
“I’m acquainted with a few of the Harmons. Perhaps they are related?”
“I have no idea, ma’am.” Gage’s eyes grew wide, almost like a deer in the headlights. I’d never seen him like that before.
“Estrangement happens in the best of families. We all have our secrets.”
“I don’t know that they’re estranged or even related.” Gage gave her a shrug.
“We all have our skeletons. No need to defend yourself, dear boy.” Grandmother waved her hand to dismiss the subject.
My grandfather and father frowned, not able to fathom the reason for this friendly exchange between Gage and the queen. We were fortunate she’d taken a liking to him. She’d be an incredible ally.
“We must give them our blessing, Ferdinand. The cat is out of the proverbial bag, and we must gather ranks and support Alisa’s choice, even if Gage was not our choice.”
The king’s frown deepened, showing his immense displeasure. My father grimaced and refused to meet my gaze. I’d disappointed and angered him. For that I was immensely sorry.
“May I say something else?” I asked.
“Why stop now?” my stepmother sniped at me. Her ill-timed remark didn’t earn her any points with the rest of the family, even if they might have agreed with her in principle.
“I am deeply sorry to have disappointed you. Your approval means the world to me and to Gage.”
They merely stared at us and said nothing. Their silence grew oppressive.
“Please don’t blame Alisa,” Gage spoke up. “This was my idea, not hers. I love her so much. I was desperate. I couldn’t bear to see her marry another.”
The queen nodded. “I don’t approve of your methods, but I can sympathize with your plight.” She turned to her husband expectantly. He sighed, as if he knew he wouldn’t win this battle.
“We will present a united front. We have given our blessing. The wedding plans will commence. The only thing that changes is the groom,” my grandfather said.
“Where do you plan to live, dear?” Grandmother asked. “Mr. Harmon is a football player. He can’t live in our country during
the season.”
“We’ll split our time between our two countries.” I spoke with way more confidence than I felt.
“I believe we’ve had our quota of surprises for one day. Leave us to discuss this development. You may go,” said my grandmother.
Gage nodded, and the group stood, excusing us.
We got out of there as quickly as we possibly could, with Giles as our escort.
“That went better than expected,” I said in relief.
“Yeah, it did. Let’s lose him and find a room to christen,” Gage whispered. His blue eyes shone brightly with the promise of a good time once we were alone, not an easy feat to accomplish even in a castle this large.
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all evening.”
He flashed one of those hot grins of his.
When it came to sex, we were always on the same page.
~~Gage~~
Giles stuck to us like glue, and we weren’t able to shake him, not that we didn’t try. We’d won the battle if not the war, and both of us were hot as hell for each other. Regardless, Giles wasn’t cutting us any slack.
Figuring we’d probably stretched our luck too far for one night, I kissed Alisa goodbye at the first-floor landing of the grand staircase, only to be interrupted by Giles clearing his throat. With a reluctant sigh, I set out on a quest to find my room, while Giles escorted Alisa to hers.
I walked down a long, deserted hallway with ancient carpets and old paintings lining the walls. This was Alisa’s heritage, and if I allowed myself to think deeply about who she now was, I’d probably run as far and fast as my legs would carry me.
In an attempt to tamp down my panic, I thought about—what else?—sex.
Did this old castle have cameras in all the rooms? Would we be giving the security staff an X-rated show if we decided to christen a room here and there? I’d do some digging and find out what I could find out. Perhaps Walter would assist me.
I found my room eventually and took a long shower. Afterward, I climbed naked into the huge, empty bed and burrowed under the covers.
Tackled in Seattle Page 14
