I miss her too, little guy.
“Daddy says Darcy’s a firecracker and that’s what we need. I like firecrackers, I like Darcy.”
It goes on like that all afternoon. I do the best I can to give them all vague answers, but I’m exhausted by the time I leave. And more than a little scared. I can just imagine a mob of angry children attacking me for bringing someone else to the ball. Or they might attack my date. That might actually be fun.
The next day goes pretty much the same. I knew my people liked Darcy, but this is way more than I ever expected. The old people are actually worse than the children.
“Where’s the redhead? I want to dance with her.”
“She’s not on the island right now.”
“Well bring her back. We wanted to see her, not you.”
“I’m going to be king,” I say, shocked by the hostility I’m facing.
“So? We’ve seen you all your life. Darcy’s a breath of fresh air.”
“I’m so sorry, Your Highness,” the director of the center tells me as I’m leaving. “Darcy used to come visit them, and they all fell in love with her. I thought they’d behave.”
“She came here?” I ask. I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s something I can easily see her doing.
“Almost every day.”
Well shit. I get into the backseat of my car and run my hands over my face. “What’s next?” I ask the press secretary.
“A meeting with the adults of the village in the central park.”
“Is it going to go the same way?”
“Quite possibly, yes. Darcy walked into the village almost daily. She sat with anyone who wanted to talk to her.”
“Of course she did.”
“We all love her.”
“You too?” I ask, looking at him in surprise.
“Are you really surprised? You’re in love with her.”
“I-I’m…fuck. I can’t take anyone else to the ball. They’ll burn me at the stake.”
“It’s a distinct possibility. Maybe you should call her and ask her to attend.”
“I can’t.”
“Good luck, then. The people want to see her.”
I make it through another round of grilling, and then retire to my rooms without even bothering with dinner. I’m too exhausted to even think about what’s going on. I thought I was making a choice for my people, but now they’ve basically told me that I’ve made a mistake. They want Darcy, and if I’m being honest with myself, so do I.
Chapter 20
Brayden
Tonight is my last night as a prince, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. The ball is starting in a half hour, and I’m going alone. In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to take someone who wasn’t Darcy. It didn’t feel right, especially now that I know my people feel the same way I do.
“You need to see this,” Jen says, coming into my room with Noah. I nod at him, wanting to say more, but I know now is not the time.
Jen turns on the giant TV and I see a private plane landing at the island’s airstrip. The Corrigan & Co. logo is on the side, and my heart starts to beat faster. It can’t be, can it? The reporter starts to speak, and I…well, I’m speechless.
“Reporting live from the airfield, and there she is. Darcy is here! Thousands of emails and electronic cards were sent to her by the people of Cyndryann, and she’s answered our call!”
I grip the chair in front of me as I watch her walk down the steps of the plane. She’s wearing a long white dress that’s sexy, sinful, and all her. It has a Peter Pan collar at the top, but then it’s sheer down the middle, almost to her belly button, exposing the swells of her delicious breasts. Black butterflies cover the front, spilling over onto the sleeves. There’s also a swath of fabric extending from one side that looks like a cape. Perfect for the village heroine. Her hair is up and she has very little makeup and no jewelry on. She’s gorgeous. So fucking gorgeous. I have to stop myself from reaching out to touch the screen.
None of us say a word as we watch her walk to the edge of the airfield where it looks like the entire village is waiting for her. The children surround her, giving her more flowers than she could ever carry. She passes them off to Nate and Aiden who are obviously here as her bodyguards. She pulls up her skirt a little as she takes the hands of the two children next to her and begins to walk with them.
More and more people gather behind her as she makes her way to the castle. I stay rooted to this spot until she makes it to the palace gates, and I see them denying her entrance. It’s then that I run down the stairs and out the front door.
“Let her in. Open the gates and let her in,” I yell.
The guards don’t hesitate to do as I’ve instructed. She walks through, as everyone streams in around her. I stop in front of her, cup her face in my hands, and kiss her. The people cheer, and clap, but I don’t let her go. Not yet. Not until her hands finally dive into my hair. I pull back just enough to look into her eyes.
“Well hello, Your Highness.”
“Hi, Darcy.”
“Your people begged me to come.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“We can take a few pictures, and then I’ll go if you want. I know I’ve been banished from the island, and I’d prefer not to spend any time in the dungeon.”
“Please stay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I was stupid to send you away, and I want you to be there tomorrow. I didn’t know how to ask you after I was such an ass, but it would mean everything to me for you to be there when I’m crowned.”
“I heard you were interviewing princesses.”
“I was.”
“Shouldn’t one of them be there with you?”
“Probably, but they’re not you.”
“Are you going to fight the law?”
I want to tell her yes, but I don’t want more lies between us. “I don’t know.”
“I won’t sleep with you tonight. I want to, but I can’t handle it.”
“Just let me kiss you a few times?”
“Yes, and then I’ll leave after the ceremony.”
“Night by night, Cat.”
“Kiss by kiss, Crown.”
We pose for what seems like hours. The other guests arrive while we’re still outside, and the princesses all glare at me as they walk by. Darcy smiles at their dirty looks and gives me a kiss for every single one. All of those boring dinners may have just been worth it.
I don’t leave her side for the entire night. My mother is sending me death glares as I refuse to dance with anyone else. I don’t really care. The woman I love is here with me for one more night, and I’m going to hold onto every moment I can with her.
Long after the rest of the guests have left, I’m making out with Darcy on the couch in her game room. I never changed anything in here. I couldn’t. My hand is palming one of her tits over her dress while she has her hands down my pants. I start to unzip her dress, but she pulls back, stopping me.
“I-I can’t. I meant what I said about not sleeping with you.”
“We won’t sleep,” I promise her, leaning in to nibble at her neck.
“No.”
I immediately let her go and stand up. “Okay. Yeah, I understand. I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“You didn’t push. I’m the one who had my hands down your pants. I just can’t make love with you, and then leave again. And I can’t stay to be your secret lover while you look for a wife.”
“I’m not looking.”
“Maybe not right now, but we both know you’ll have to eventually. The longer this goes one, the harder it’ll be for both of us. I probably shouldn’t have even come, but I had to. I wanted to see you become King, and I was also a little afraid that your entire country would come after me if I didn’t make an appearance.”
“They love you. I love you. I’m so happy that you’re here.”
“I love you, too.”
We kiss one more time, and then I leave her
alone. Walking away from her this time is harder than any other. Before there was a chance, even when I was throwing her out of the country. There was a chance that I could be man enough to fight for her. This time, we both know that I’m not. Even though I really, really want to be.
* * *
Darcy
Last night I dressed for me, but today I’m dressed like a true lady. Stella helped me find a light blue dress that hits below my knee and is covered in lace on the top, sides, and back. I feel like I belong as I file into the cathedral. When I give my name, I’m escorted to the second row, where Noah is already sitting. Nate and Aiden take their places near a side door.
“Hey, Sis. I didn’t get to see you much last night. Brayden was hogging you.”
“It was the last night we’ll ever have together.”
“He could fight the law.”
“He told me he didn’t know if he would. I won’t force him to do something he’s not sure about. He’d resent me forever, even if he did want me. Once that crown is placed on his head, it’ll be over for us.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
I hold my brother’s hand through the ceremony, using him like an anchor to hold me steady while I watch it all unfold. The pomp and circumstance is beautiful. Brayden is beautiful in his suit with the fur cape draped over him. He’s handed his scepter, and then the crown is lowered to his head by the Archbishop. As it’s settled there, his eyes find me, and I see the pain that mirrors mine. It’s only for a second, and then he’s looking away to smile for everyone else.
I have to go. I can’t stay here. It’s over. My God, I knew it was coming, but now that it’s here, I feel like I’m suffocating, or drowning. I stumble from the pew, as Noah follows me.
“Get me out of here, I need to get out of here,” I whisper to Aiden and Nate.
Nate immediately pushes open the side door, and I practically run to the SUV that’s waiting for us. The driver gets the door open, and then I’m inside curling myself into the seat. Noah, Aiden, and Nate follow me inside, and try to calm me down.
“I knew…I mean I knew…but I thought…I wanted…he didn’t choose me…I wanted him to choose me.”
My body is wracked by sobs, and I can hear them trying to reassure me that he loves me, that he’ll come to his senses, but I block it all out. I just want to go home. I need to be far, far away from this place, and that man. The King of Cyndryann.
When we get to the airport, I can barely stand because I’m shaking so hard. Nate swoops me up into his arms as the car door shields me from the press, both local and international. Someone must have seen us leave, and now they’re swarming the airfield. Noah kisses the top of my head and makes me promise to call him once I land. I squeeze his hand and then we’re off.
Aiden takes out his gun and waves it around as Nate runs with me in his arms. We’re up the steps and into the plane in less than a minute, but I know they’ll be hundreds of pictures of me being carried in my best friend’s arms while I hid my tear stained face in his shoulder. Just another thing to look forward to.
* * *
Brayden
Almost everyone has left the church when I see Noah re-entering it. He’s alone, which makes me nervous. I thought Darcy was with him.
“Noah,” I say, approaching him. “Where’s Darcy.”
“She’s gone.”
“Gone?”
“Yes. Gone. Her plane is already off the ground.”
“She didn’t stay to see me?”
“She couldn’t. Once the crown went on your head, she knew it was really over.”
“I never lied to her.”
“No. I’ll give you that. You always told her—and me—that you wouldn’t chose her over your kingdom. That doesn’t mean she didn’t still hope you’d choose her.”
I close my eyes and try to breathe normally. I had hoped I’d choose her, too. But I didn’t, and now we both have to live with my choice. And I have to live with myself after hurting her yet again.
Later that night, I’m drinking my fifth—or is it my sixth—glass of scotch when my uncle enters the room. “Anything good on television?” he asks, motioning to the screen, where I have an image of Darcy being carried into her plane by Nate frozen on the screen.
“Just broken hearts, and a king whose country hates him.”
“They don’t hate you, they’re just disappointed.”
“They want Darcy.”
“So do you.”
“It’s not possible. You know that.”
“Laws can be changed.”
“I talked to the men of Parliament after she left today,” I say, noting the surprise on his face. “They said they would vote me down.”
“Damn those close-minded bastards.”
“That’s what I’m doing right now. Drinking myself into oblivion while damning them all to hell.”
“You could tell the people. They’d rally behind you.”
“Most of them would, yes, but the rest would fight against me. The country would be divided. All because of love.”
“There’s not much in this world that’s stronger than love, Brayden.”
“My parents didn’t marry for love.”
“No they didn’t, and your mother has never gotten over it. Your father was always kind to her, but they never fell in love.”
“Yet she wishes the same fate on me.”
“It’s all she knows. She’s a good woman, but she was born and raised on tradition.”
“She could still find love now that I’ve taken over. There’s no law saying she can’t remarry.”
“Perhaps you should remind her of that.”
“Yeah, I think I will. One of us should be happy.”
“How drunk are you?”
“Not nearly enough.”
“Good. Because I need you to think about your future. Think about being King and ruling with a woman you don’t love. And then think about having to fight for it, but ending up with Darcy by your side. Which do you really and truly want?”
“Darcy.”
“You didn’t even hesitate.”
“No, I didn’t,” I say, in surprise. “I’ve wanted to be King for as long as I can remember. But now I know it’s not important to me if she’s not by my side.”
“Then you have a decision to make. And maybe you’ll even get to marry her a second time.”
“A second time?”
“You had a nice little wedding when you were both five and we were visiting her family in America.”
My mouth drops open as I remember that day. I’d forgotten it, and forgotten that I’d ever met Darcy before. How I could ever forget the little girl who insisted I marry her to make her a princess is beyond me. But now I remember, and I know exactly what I’m going to do. It’s not what my uncle expects, but it’ll still have the same outcome.
Chapter 21
Brayden
I wake up feeling happier than I have in a long time. I have a plan, and I just need to talk to everyone before I put it into motion. Well first, I need to look over some books in our library, and then I need to talk to everyone. I’m pretty sure I’m clear on the law, though.
After checking that I’m right, I start to make my rounds. I stop in to see my mother first. Her reaction is unexpected, but wonderful.
“I’m glad you’re following your heart.”
I tell her she should do the same, and then go to find my uncle.
“This is not what I was expecting when I talked to you last night.”
“I know, but will you do it?”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes. I love Darcy, and this gives me the chance to be with her.”
“Then yes, I’ll do it.”
“Thank you,” I say, pulling him into a hug.
I search out Jen next.
“This is the best news I’ve heard all year. Maybe in my entire life. Thank God you came to your senses.”
“So, you really
hate the idea, huh?” I ask with a laugh.
She tosses a throw pillow at me. “Just go make it happen.”
“I have to wait until tomorrow to call Parliament into session. I have one more person to go see, though.”
“Are you going to apologize to him for being such an ass, too?”
“Maybe.”
She raises another pillow. “Okay. Yes. Yes, I’m going to apologize to Noah.”
“Good.”
“Thank you for bringing him to my coronation. You were right about me wanting him there once I stopped being my own worst enemy.”
“It meant a lot to him that he was there. Even after you sent his sister away in tears.”
“I’m hoping to have her crying in happiness soon.”
“When she sees the news, she’ll come running to you.”
“Nope. That’s not the plan. The news will be a big gesture, but then I need to earn her love by doing some other things.”
“What things?”
“Come to your house in an hour, and I’ll tell you and Noah. I have a partial list, but I’m open to suggestions.”
“Deal. Now go beg for your best friend back.”
“So bossy.”
“So cheeky.”
I shrug. “You wouldn’t want me any other way.”
“No, I really wouldn’t.”
I hurry to my final destination, driving only because I gave Jen an hour, and knowing her, she’ll interrupt even if I’m not done groveling. I head in the front gate, and then go around back. Jen said Noah’s probably on the beach, and she’s right. He’s standing near the water’s edge, looking out. I take off my shoes and socks and run out to join him.
“Hey, man.”
“King Brayden,” he says with a bow, “to what do I owe the honor of your presence?”
“Cut the bullshit and just call me Bray. If you bow again, I’ll tackle you into the water.”
“I’d love to see you try.”
“Is that what we need to do, fight it out? Because I’ll do whatever it takes to show you I’m sorry. I know you weren’t pretending to be my friend. I knew it then, too, I just let my pride get in the way.”
“Hurt pride can be a bitch. I know. My pride got a little hurt, too. And as much as I’d love to wrestle with you, I have a date later, and I don’t feel like showering again.”
Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 7) Page 16
