I hesitated just outside of the sitting room and took a deep breath, letting nervous Meredith melt away and replacing her with strong Meredith. I could play this role for a little while until he left, but eventually I needed some time to fret and panic. Just to get it out of my system.
“Max?” I opened the door and let surprise show on my face. “I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
He stood up and his eyes ran over my open shirt briefly before fixing on my face. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh, I see.” I sat down and motioned for him to do the same. “I ordered tea.”
“Thank you.” He sat down and leaned forward so that his elbows rested on his knees. “I know that at the house you said you didn’t need any help.”
“If you’re uncomfortable being a pallbearer, I completely understand. My feelings will not be hurt if you’d rather back out.” I smiled at him and hoped that my performance was compelling. I wasn’t exactly at the top of my game right now.
“No, no. You misunderstood what I meant.” He shook his head. “I’m offering to help out with all of the planning.”
“What?” My eyebrows drew together.
“I’d like to help while you get things settled. Even if it’s just taking Marty fishing to keep him away from the more depressing things.” He shrugged.
“You want to help plan a funeral?” I shook my head, confused.
“Or help keep Marty distracted.” He looked at me with serious eyes. “I know what it’s like to watch everyone around you deal with the death of a loved one.”
“I see.” I leaned back in my chair. “Have you ever watched a six-year-old boy?”
“I don’t think I did too bad yesterday afternoon.” He looked mildly offended, and it took a lot of control to keep from smiling.
“Yes, it’s easy when video games are involved.”
“Well? What do you say?” He rubbed his palms on his pants and I noticed that there was paint under his nails.
“That’s really sweet, but I already feel like a burden.” I frowned as one of the staff members brought in our tray of tea.
“You’re not a burden.” He picked up the pot and poured us both a cup. “Besides, it’s me or Sam is going to send a bunch of staff over here to take care of you. Her mommy instincts are in full swing right now.”
“I see.” So the princess was behind his offer of help. “Really, I can’t accept. I’m sure you have much more important things to do—”
The front door swung open with a bang and a crash as a picture fell from a wall in the foyer.
“Where t’ hell are you, Mere? You think you can jus’ plan everythin’ withou’ me?” Dad’s voice carried through the house like a tidal wave. “An’ who da hell’s car is blockin’ my driveway?”
I jumped to my feet and motioned for the staff to disappear. The maid melted out of the room, but the butler refused to move when I shot him a look.
“I’m sorry, Max, but I think it’s time for you to go.” God, I didn’t want him to see this. It was like having my dad show up at school drunk. Only worse.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Max stood up and moved to stand behind me as the sitting room door was thrown open.
“There’s my lil’ girl. All cozy in here, playin’ woman of the house.” My father swayed into the door frame. “Who da hell is he? Another boy toy, eh? ’Cause that worked out so well for you las’ time.”
“Father, you’ve met Prince Maxwell, remember?” I kept my voice even and calm, despite the shaking of my hands. There was no hiding the way the blood drained out of my face. Bringing up Marty’s father was a low blow. It had been a while since my father had been this drunk, and that time I’d almost broken my arm when he threw me out of the house.
“Don’t remember no such thin’,” he said.
“He brought me from England.” I didn’t mention Marty and prayed that he was safe in his room.
“I don’ care.” He pointed at me. “I care that you’re actin’ all high-and-mighty. I’m the duke of this manor. Ain’t no duchess here.”
“I’m just helping you plan the funeral.” I kept my voice low but never broke eye contact.
“You’re tryin’ to cut me out! You think you’re gonna take over? I’ll show ya.” He might be drunker than a skunk, but he moved faster than a football player. With two giant steps forward he swung his right arm at my face and would have made contact if Max hadn’t stepped forward.
Pulling me back against his chest, Max let Father stagger past us before letting me go and pinning my father’s arms.
“Let me go, ya bas’ard.” Father struggled uselessly.
I sucked in a deep breath, my composure cracking. It had been years since he had hit me, but I still remembered that moment with fear. It felt like someone had broken my face and I had thought my eyeball would explode. My cheek had been swollen for weeks. The bruises had taken forever to fade and I’d had to lie to all of my friends.
“That’s enough.” Max’s words rang with authority. “Stop struggling or I will have you escorted to the jail.”
“This is my home, you stupid git.”
“And I’m a prince of this country. Who do you think the police will listen to?”
“Someone will listen to me!” Father’s movements turned sluggish. “Someone should but no one does.” Tears filled his eyes and I had to look away from him. I should feel pity for someone so out of control, but all I could muster was hate. And shame that Max had seen just how horrible my father really was.
“Easy now.” Max half dragged, half carried my father over to a chair. “I’m going to put you down now, but if you make any more trouble, I’ll have my bodyguard take care of you.”
I hadn’t even realized that a large man filled the empty doorway my father had just vacated.
“I jus’ wanna be left alone, ya hear me?” My father’s voice grew quiet before turning into a snore. I stood there for a moment, completely at a loss for how to handle what just happened.
“Are you okay?” One of Max’s hands gripped my shoulder with gentle fingers while the other lifted my chin so that he could look in my eyes.
I nodded my head but couldn’t hide the tears. I wasn’t a good enough actress after all. There was too much happening to and around me. I wasn’t strong enough.
“I—I’m fine.” I shook my head and his hand slid from my chin but he kept his grip on my shoulder. I couldn’t meet his eyes. I was so embarrassed for myself and my family. “Thank you for stepping in.”
His eyes searched my face, worry creasing his brow. I felt exposed, naked under his scrutiny. He had just seen my darkest secret.
With his free hand he reached up and brushed away a tear. “You’re not fine and I’m staying. You need the help and there’s no way I’m leaving you here with him.”
SIX
RAGE FLOWED THROUGH my veins, accompanied by the strong desire to protect Meredith. I stared down into her brimming eyes and fought my need to wrap her in my arms. It was hard, though, because she looked so delicate and frail. Nothing like the firecracker I had seen in the past.
“Thank you, but you really don’t have to stay. This isn’t the first—” She stopped and looked away from me. Her cheeks colored a delicate pink and my fury boiled just under the surface.
“Not the first time he’s done this?” I growled the words. “He’s hit you before?”
She looked at me with large eyes and I could see her trying to close doors, lock away the emotions, but it was all too raw, too real. And she was failing. The perfect image she had crafted for herself had been blown to bits by her father.
“Of course he’s hit me before. Didn’t your parents spank you?” She stepped away from me and I let my hand fall to my side.
“You know what I mean.”
She shrugged and walked over to the couch, where she fixed a pillow that had been knocked over. “He’s a drunk.”
“Meredith.” I ran a hand over
my face. “You can’t live in these conditions.”
“I don’t. I live in England.” She frowned and a shudder racked her body. Her voice sounded tiny and distant. “Well, I did.”
“Did your grandfather approve of this?”
“He saw the best in my father,” she said. Never once looking me in the eye, she fiddled with things that had been knocked astray. “He saw the best in everyone. It never got this bad when my grandfather was around. It was like my dad knew better.”
Looking over my shoulder, I nodded at Charles, my bodyguard, to let him know that he could leave. I turned back to look at Meredith as she continued to work around the room, righting what had been upturned in the scuffle.
“Has he ever hit Marty?” The moment she turned around I knew I had crossed the line.
“Who the hell do you think you are? Just because you’re a prince doesn’t give you the right to come barging into our lives, asking personal questions.” She moved across the room to poke me in the chest. Anger filled her eyes with strength and passion. “But for your information, no. He’s never hit Marty. I would never allow that to happen. Do you understand? I would die before I let someone hurt Marty.”
I looked down into her red eyes. “Of course you wouldn’t. But if you let him hurt you—”
“If he takes it out on me, he doesn’t take it out on anyone else. Got it?” She stood up on her tiptoes, her nostrils flaring. Her finger dug a little deeper into my chest.
“Got it.” I reached up and wrapped her finger in mine before moving it down to our sides. “I’m sorry.”
“Are you?” She squinted at me. “Because I’m not sure if you just talk without thinking or if you really think I’d let him hurt my son. Why do you think I moved to England? It wasn’t just to go to school.”
“I have an unfortunate habit of speaking before thinking.” I squeezed her finger gently before letting go. “I’m sorry for implying that you would let someone hurt Marty.”
She snorted but didn’t move away from me. Her delicate features belied the strength in her eyes. This was a woman to be reckoned with, someone who could move mountains by sheer will. She belonged on a stage, bathed in the spotlight.
She was everything I should avoid, but it seemed like she kept ending up in my path.
“What are we going to do with him?” I broke eye contact and nodded my head toward her father. His snore was growing louder.
“Leave him.” She wrapped her arms around her waist and moved a step backward.
“What are you going to do?”
“Go about planning the funeral and ignore him.” She shrugged. “There isn’t much else to do.”
“What about rehab?” I looked at the man and couldn’t help the frown that pulled at my mouth. Someone who put himself above his family was disgusting. It went against everything that Lilaria stood for. I’d grown up learning that family always came first. Always.
“You have to want it to work for it to actually make a difference.” She shook her head. “And he doesn’t want it to work. He doesn’t care.”
“You’re saying that he wants to be a drunk who beats his daughter?” I couldn’t wrap my mind around something like that.
“I’m saying he doesn’t care.” She glared at me. “Are you going to keep on about this? I’m sorry you had to see it, but thankful that you kept him from doing any real damage. But it’s not your problem to worry about.”
“I promised that I would come help you.” My chin lifted. “And I keep my promises.”
“That’s really sweet but I didn’t ask for your help—”
“Yes, you did.” I shook my head. “You asked me to participate in the funeral, and that’s something I take very seriously. I don’t just agree to things. Besides, it looks like you might need a little help.”
“I can manage—”
The chime of the doorbell had her freezing in place, and a wild panic filled her eyes as she heard the thundering sound of footsteps down the steps.
“I’ll get it!” Marty’s little voice carried down the short hallway.
“That’s probably the assistant from the palace.” Meredith chewed on her fingernail and looked at her father before turning to me. “Out. Out!”
She shooed me out of the room and quietly closed the door behind us. “Not a word. Do you understand? I don’t want Marty to know. I don’t want anyone to know.”
“You can’t just sweep this under the rug, Meredith.” I looked down into her bright eyes and frowned. Again. “That man needs to be dealt with.”
“I am dealing with him. I’ve been dealing with him for my entire life,” she hissed between clenched teeth.
My ire churned as I thought of her dealing with that poor excuse of a father. Leaning down so that the people at the door would not hear me, I lowered my voice and breathed against her ear.
“I will not leave you to deal with him alone anymore. I will not stand by while you and Marty are in danger. I may be reluctant to claim my title but I am a prince of this country and the protection of its people is my duty.” I pulled back to look in her eyes. “I will do everything in my power to keep you and Marty safe. Do you understand?”
Her eyes widened in shock as she stared up at me. As footsteps neared the bend in the hallway she took a step backward and bumped into the wall. With a quick nod in my direction, she looked down and smoothed out her shirt and sweater. As I watched, she lifted her chin and her face melted into something softer, happier, and relaxed. It was like watching a person slide on a mask.
When the palace aide rounded the corner I watched as Meredith smiled and held out her hand, but I didn’t get to hear the introductions.
“Max!” Marty bounded down the hall, sliding to a stop in front of me. “Did you come back to play video games?”
“Well—”
“Actually, that would be great.” Meredith turned and smiled at me. “It would be a big . . . help.”
“Your Highness, I didn’t realize you would be here.” The older woman bobbed her head and smiled. I thought her name started with an R. Rebecca? Rachel? “It’s so nice of you to help a friend during such a difficult time.”
“Maybe I could play games after I help your mom.” I smiled at the boy, but I could see a tiny storm cloud forming over his head. His stubborn expression matched the one on his mother’s face. “Or maybe not.”
“Yeah! C’mon.” He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the stairway. “I finally beat the last guy. This new level is totally awesome.”
“Are you sure?” I shot a look at Meredith. She might look calm and collected but I knew what was roiling below the surface.
“I promise to take good care of her.” The aide smiled at me. “I already have everything lined out. She just has to approve which options she would prefer.”
“Thank you. If you need anything, let me know.” I said it to the aide, because I knew that Meredith wouldn’t ask another thing of me if she could help it.
“Of course, sir.” She dipped in a short curtsy and I fought a grimace.
“Thank you.” With that I let Marty lead me up the stairs and to his room.
He closed his door and leaned against it with a look of relief. “Did he hurt Mama?”
“What?” My senses came alive, like a cornered dog. This was dangerous territory.
“Grandfather. Did he hurt my mom?” His little face was a thundercloud of rage. “I just wanna kick him so hard . . .”
Turning away from me, he kicked a toy across the room and clenched his little hands at his sides.
“No, your mom is okay.” I sat down on the bed and folded my hands in my lap. I thought the scariest thing in the world was my job as a prince, but it turned out that this, this right here, talking to Marty about his mother and grandfather made me break out into a cold sweat.
“Did you beat him up?” Marty looked at me with eyes that were too old for his little face. “I’m too little, but when I get bigger I’m going to make him sorry for being
so mean to my mom.”
“I didn’t beat him up, Marty.” I looked around the room, trying to find the right words. “It wouldn’t have helped. The only way your grandfather is going to stop is if he realizes what he is doing is wrong.”
“You could show him what he is doing is wrong.” Marty looked at me with the angry eyes of his mother. “He makes my mama cry. I’m not supposed to know, but I do.”
I stared at the little boy, surprised by the mix of emotions running through my gut. Anger was definitely at the top of the mixture. Anger that this little boy was growing up too fast, rage that Meredith had spent so long dealing with this by herself. Had the old man, her grandfather, truly let her deal with all of this alone? I was half tempted to ask Marty, but that would be wrong. He needed to be protected, sheltered from this storm.
“I’m not going to let him hurt your mom again.” I looked him in the eyes so that he would know I was serious. And there it was. The moment I realized I was in deep trouble. Because I meant every word. I wouldn’t let that man downstairs hurt Meredith again. And I wouldn’t let Marty have to worry about his mother again.
“I knew you’d help.” The little boy launched himself across the room and into my unsuspecting arms.
“Oof.” I froze for a moment, surprised, and then wrapped my arms around him. I was blown away by his complete trust. When was the last time I had trusted someone so much? Someone other than family? “I’ll do my best.”
“Mom says that’s all anyone can do.” He shrugged and crawled out of my lap. “You want to play the race game?”
“Do you want to lose?” I raised an eyebrow as I took the controller he handed me. Relief flooded my system. Racing I could handle.
“No way.” He popped the game into the machine and waited for it to load. “I’ve been practicing.”
“Show me what you’ve got.” I narrowed my eyes.
“You asked for it.” He laughed maniacally, which prompted me to chuckle. The boy was a handful. Then again, considering his mother, you couldn’t expect anything else.
Reluctantly Royal Page 5
