Reluctantly Royal

by Nichole Chase

  “You’re welcome.” I cleared my throat and moved back to my seat.

  “You look wonderful.” She smiled at Sam and I felt that tug again. As if she had captured me in a web, something pulling at me—pulling me toward her. “I’m guessing from the peppermint tea that you’re still having morning sickness.”

  “Ugh, yes.” Sam frowned. “And thanks, but I don’t feel wonderful. I feel fat and tired.”

  “How far along are you?” Meredith poured cream into her tea.

  “Five months.” Sam smiled. “I thought I’d feel better by now.”

  “Hang in there. I had morning sickness for what felt like forever, but by the middle of the fifth month I woke up one morning and felt wonderful.” She reached out and squeezed Sam’s hand.

  “God, I hope that happens to me.” Sam smiled wistfully.

  “It’ll be worth it,” Meredith said, and I chuckled.

  “That’s her mantra,” I explained when she turned to look at me.

  “It’s a good one.” Meredith picked up her tea and took a sip. “I’m sorry to crash your breakfast.”

  “Not at all,” Alex offered. “I was very sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing. He was a bright, humorous man.”

  “Thank you.” Her eyes dimmed. “He will be missed.”

  “Do you need anything?” Sam asked. Her voice was thick and I realized she was fighting tears. Though it had been over two years since her father’s death, it was obvious that it was just as raw.

  “Actually, I do.” Meredith looked at me with large eyes and leaned forward just enough that I got a peek of cleavage. “I was hoping that you, Max, would be one of the pallbearers at my granddad’s funeral.”

  I pulled my eyes away from the glimpse of breast and frowned. I had barely known the man and she wanted me to carry his casket?

  “Trust me, I know it’s a lot to ask, but we don’t have much family, and to be honest, we haven’t really been in Lilaria long enough to make many friends.” She looked down at the cup in front of her. “I don’t have anyone else to ask.”

  I cut my eyes at Alex but kept my face blank. How the hell was I going to get out of this? Funerals gave me the heebie-jeebies and being in the spotlight made me irritable. Center stage at a funeral? Fuck me.

  Alex gave a small shrug as if to say there was nothing he could do, but it was Sam who sealed the coffin, so to say.

  “Of course he will!” Sam reached out to touch Meredith’s graceful hand. “We wouldn’t leave you alone in a time like this.”

  “You don’t mind?” Meredith’s face lit up with relief, her eyes turning to me with hope. “It’s so much to ask and I know you don’t do a lot of public appearances.”

  “Um, no, I don’t.” I shot a look at Sam and hoped she could read the promise of torture before smiling at Meredith. “But I can make an exception for you.”

  Damn, I meant to say for him, not for her. What the hell was wrong with my mouth? It kept saying things I didn’t mean. I didn’t mean that I would do it because it was for her. Did I? Shit.

  “That means the world to me.” She smiled, and the room brightened again. “I owe you big-time.”

  That I could work with. There were lots of big things she could do for me . . .

  Stop it, I told myself. The last thing I wanted was an erection at the breakfast table. At least not while my brother and sister-in-law were in the room. Now if it was just me, Meredith, and a little raspberry jam . . . Fuck me. I was hard.

  “Don’t mention it. A little media won’t hurt me.” I waved my hand. Caskets. Dead people. Media galore. Yep. That killed my excitement.

  “Do you need any help with the arrangements?” Sam asked around a mouthful of bacon. You could give her a crown, but she’s still good ol’ Sam.

  “I think I have most of everything covered. There is someone from the palace coming to Thysmer Manor to help with the major things.” She looked at her watch. “Speaking of which, I should probably be heading back. Marty has probably made the nanny cry and there is no telling what my fa— my favorite kiddo has gotten into.”

  I knew instantly why she had hesitated. She was more worried about leaving her father alone than about what her son was doing to the poor nanny. I couldn’t imagine that little boy being that difficult. All you had to do was sit him in front of his video games and he’d probably never move. How hard could that be for the nanny?

  “Let me see you to the door.” I stood and helped pull her chair out.

  “I’m sorry for interrupting your breakfast,” she said to Sam and Alex. “I hope I didn’t ruin your day.”

  “Not at all.” Alex stood and held his hand out to her. “If we can be any more help, please let us know.”

  “Thank you, but you’ve already done enough.” Meredith looked at Sam. “If you need someone to bitch to about being pregnant, I’m your girl.”

  Sam laughed. “Oh, you might regret that. I’m not exactly the glowing pregnant woman.”

  “Pfft. You look fantastic, but a spa day never hurt anyone.” Meredith raised her eyebrows. “And if you need company, I’m your girl!”

  “That we will definitely have to do.” Sam laughed. “But no waxing.”

  “Have you ever tried threading?” Meredith stepped next to me, and it felt strange but good to have her petite frame next to mine while we chatted with my brother and his wife.

  “Oh hell no. I’m never doing that again.” Sam shuddered.

  “I see you have tried it.” Meredith’s laugh was contagious and I felt my mouth pull up into a smile.

  “Never again.” Sam shook her head.

  “Well, we can stick to the calmer things. A prenatal massage for you.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” Sam smiled. “I’ll have Chadwick, my assistant, contact yours.”

  “Oh, I don’t have an assistant.” Meredith laughed. “Just tell him to call me and we’ll hash it out.”

  “You’re going to need some assistance in the coming days.” Sam frowned. “I could send someone over to help out.”

  “No, we’re fine. Besides, the palace has already called me about helping arrange the funeral.” Meredith edged a little closer to the door.

  I wondered what had made her uncomfortable. Not that her face showed it in the least. I was beginning to suspect that a lot of today had been a performance. It was the little, real-life moments that let me get a peek at her real emotions.

  “If you’re sure.” Sam frowned.

  “I am, but thank you.” Meredith stood a little straighter and smiled. “Thank you again for letting me join you this morning.”

  “Of course.” Sam raised an eyebrow I could see the wheels turning in her head and knew that Meredith was most likely going to end up with a bevy of assistants.

  “This way, my lady.” I held open the dining room door and let her walk through ahead of me. The faint smell of lavender floated past me and I took a deep breath.

  “I really appreciate you saying yes.” Meredith seemed to drop some of her strong appearance when she looked up at me. “I’m not sure what I would have done had you said no.”

  “No need to worry.” I cleared my throat. She looked so vulnerable in that moment I would have agreed to anything.

  We stopped at the front door and I saw her car idling out front.

  “It’s a lot to ask of someone. You barely know me and hardly had any time to see my granddad.” She frowned up at me. “He was a good man, though.”

  “I’m sure he was.” I reached out and touched her cheek. Her eyes closed briefly, before reopening with a soft smile.

  “So, I think, are you.”

  “I have my moments.” Warning bells filled my head and I took a step back. “Are you sure you don’t need anything else?”

  “Not right now.” Confusion passed across her face before she straightened her shoulders and her winning smile curved her lips. “Thanks again.”

  “My pleasure.” I watched as she walked down the stairs, her perfec
t ass swaying gently. Definitely my pleasure.

  She got behind the wheel of her car and gave a small wave before pulling down the long driveway. Closing the door, I turned around and came face-to-face—well, face to the top of the head—with my sister-in-law.

  “I’m sending Chadwick over there to help.” She looked up at me with stubborn eyes.

  “What did Alex say?”

  “That I should respect her wishes. But no one should have to deal with all of this on their own and I’ve heard that her father isn’t much help.” She put her hands on her hips, making her baby belly stick out a little further. “Plus Chadwick will just make a place over there. No one tells Chadwick no.”

  “Chadwick will likely tell you no, though.” I shook my head.

  “Why?”

  “He’s not going anywhere while you’re pregnant. Are you kidding me? He barely leaves the house without an emergency baby kit.” Her assistant was almost as excited about the baby as Sam and Alex were, and his planning skills had turned to all things infant.

  “Then he can pick someone to send over there.” She narrowed her eyes. “Or you could go.”

  “What?” I felt my eyes widen.

  “You could go. Make sure she doesn’t need anything. Hang out and keep her father from going off the deep end. Your mother had to pull some strings to keep an interview he did from going live.” Sam shook her head. “I can’t imagine what all Meredith is dealing with right now. And her son must be devastated. Good boy, that one. Smart too.”

  “He is.” I thought about Marty being stuck in that house while everyone talked about the funeral and his grandfather drunkenly said stupid things. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” Her brown eyes widened. “You’ll do it?”

  “I’m no Chadwick, but I think I can help with some of it. Get the boy out of the house anyway.”

  “Oh, that was way easier than I thought it would be.” She turned around and hollered, “You owe me twenty!”

  “What?” I frowned.

  “I bet Alex that I could get you to go help her out.” She smiled smugly. “Mr. Drama-Free-Zone has the hots for a single mother.”

  “I do not have the hots for anyone.”

  She poked me in the chest. “Don’t lie to me. I’m not stupid and I’m hormonal. Lying to me is a bad idea.”

  Turning away from me, she headed back to the dining room. She had a slight waddle to her step which I found adorable, but again, I wouldn’t tell her that. Especially now that she had tricked me into doing what she wanted.

  FIVE

  I TOOK A DEEP breath and let the charade fall away. I was so relieved that he hadn’t told me no, I had thought I would faint. Walking into that home—the home of a ruling family—had been strange enough. Hell, Alex was next in line for the throne and he’d seemed normal enough. But to walk in and ask for something as odd as for one of them to carry a casket? Yeah, that had given me a sour stomach. Who else did I have to ask, though?

  And now. Now I needed to go home and let my father know that he would also be a pallbearer. I had no idea how that would go over. It probably depended on how much he’d had to drink already. A shudder racked my body and I fought the tears that quickly followed. I needed to be able to see to drive. Taking a mighty sniff, I reined in my tears. My father was the one person who never did anything I needed. And if I asked for something? All hell usually broke out.

  Damn you for leaving me with him, Granddad. Anger made me grip the steering wheel a little tighter and I had to take several breaths to calm myself. It wouldn’t do to run off the road because I wasn’t thinking straight. I was the only person Marty had left.

  Lead filled my stomach at the thought and my hands steadied on the wheel. The only other person who was a fixture in Marty’s life was my father and he wasn’t exactly what you would call steady or secure. The urge to update my will and up my life insurance policy hit me hard. Sometime during all of this planning of the funeral, I needed to make sure Marty would be okay if something happened to me.

  As I made the two-hour drive home, I had the horrible thought that I really didn’t have anyone to help with Marty were something to happen to me. Before I had moved to Lilaria with Granddad, I would have thought my best friend, Karey, would take care of him, but now I wasn’t sure. We had grown apart as I’d tried to carve out a place of my own in this new world where I was living. Was she even in a place where she could raise a boy?

  By the time I got home my stomach was in knots. I thought I’d feel better after asking Max to be a pallbearer but instead I had obsessed over scary things.

  “Mom! I beat level six!” Marty ran down the stairs and held his arms up in victory. I clamped down on worries and focused on the happy little boy staring at me.

  “Way to go! That’s the one with the evil robot doctor, right?” I followed him up the stairs so he could show me.

  “Doctor Gear. He’s been kicking my butt for weeks!”

  “Don’t say butt.” I frowned. Living in a home like Thysmer Manor and rubbing elbows with royals and rich people, I’d begun to realize how different we talked and behaved. I’d started correcting Marty so that he would fit in a little better, but at the same time, I didn’t want to change his personality. I wanted him to fit in, but not conform. No reason to lose his sense of self. After all, he was a pretty awesome little boy, if I do say so myself.

  “Should I say a—”

  “Don’t finish that if you want to ever see your game system again.” I raised an eyebrow.

  “Sorry, Ma.” He jumped on his bed, not even a little bit worried. “Look! I left it on the screen with the medal. I can’t believe it. Isn’t that awesome?”

  “Completely.” I reached out and tickled his side.

  “Mom!” He wiggled out of my grasp. “I’m being serious. This was hard!”

  “Huh. We should celebrate.” I tapped my chin. “How about ice cream for lunch?”

  “Really?” He looked at me with big eyes.

  “Really.” I’d do anything to keep that happy look on his face.

  “You. Are. The. Best!” He jumped off the bed and did a little dance. “Oh yeah!”

  “I’ll tell Sarai.” I stood up off the bed. “Go beat level seven while I handle some stuff.”

  “Okay, but don’t forget the ice cream.” He held out his pinky and I twined mine with it.

  “Pinky promise.” I kissed his forehead and pulled his door half shut as I left.

  “My lady,” the head butler called.

  “Yes?” I turned to smile at Gerard. He was the one who had accompanied my granddad to the funeral home. I owed him so much for not leaving him alone.

  “I wanted to let you know that the palace called and their aide is on her way to help with the arrangements. They’ve also asked that you be willing to say something to the town of Thysmer. It’s tradition that the next in line for the title address the people after a death.”

  “I see.” He didn’t go to my father. He came to me. There was a lot left unsaid in his explanation. “And when do I need to do this?”

  “Soon, preferably. Before the funeral, I’d say. The palace aide will be able to help you come up with an appropriate response.” He stood up a little taller. “I’d also like to offer my condolences. Your grandfather was a fine man.”

  “He was a rambunctious old devil with bad habits.” I smiled. “But you’re right. He was a good man.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The doorbell chimed and he turned. “I’ll see to that.”

  “Thank you.”

  I walked down the hall to my room and kicked off my high heels. The things were making my toes go numb. I pulled on some slippers while peeling off the skirt and tugging on a pair of comfortable jeans. I might be a lady now, but I’d just lost a loved one, and all I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and cry. Unfortunately, I had to take care of details. That meant I’d have to forgo my pajama pants, but I wasn’t giving up my jeans. I ditched the cardigan and unbuttoned the gray shirt I h
ad been wearing to reveal the tank top underneath. That was more like it.

  Pulling my earrings off, I put them in a small dish next to my bed, but left the pearl ring on my right middle finger. It was a small, cheap ring. Just wire wrapped around a small freshwater pearl, but I always wore it. Granddad had given it to me when I had Marty. It meant more to me than any of the new jewelry I had acquired since we’d hit the royal jackpot.

  As I headed back down the hall, I heard a voice I hadn’t expected.

  “Is Lady Meredith available?” Max’s deep voice rumbled up the stairwell.

  “I’m not sure, Your Highness. Would you mind waiting a moment?”

  I peeked around the corner before ducking back. There he was, standing there in khakis and an untucked button-up shirt. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Hearing the butler coming up the stairs, I ran back to my room quickly and kicked off the fuzzy slippers I’d been wearing. Why was Max here? Was he going to back out of being a pallbearer? I couldn’t imagine any other reason for him to show up right now. Or ever, really. Not that I was complaining. He was nice to look at and his smile caused parts of me that had been dead for years to heat up. But why?

  “Lady Meredith?” The butler knocked on my open door frame. “Prince Maxwell is here to see you.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be right down.” I looked around my room for suitable shoes. “Would you take him to the sitting room and order some tea?”

  “Of course, my lady.” He started to turn.

  “Um, where is my father?” I didn’t want to throw Max to the wolves.

  “I believe he left this morning to visit the village pub.” His voice and face never changed, but I could see the pity in his eyes.

  “That’s for the best, I suppose.” I shrugged. “Thank you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He bowed quickly and left.

  Rummaging rapidly through my closet, I found a pair of dark red flats that wouldn’t squish my toes but looked cute with my jeans. I liked it when my shoes stood out. It was something like wearing armor. Good shoes made me feel good, which in turn made me feel like I was in charge.

  But why was Max here? I walked slowly down the hall. What was I going to do if he backed out? I still hadn’t talked to my father about the funeral, though I was sure he assumed I’d just take care of everything.