How To Love A Fake Prince

by Jasmine Ashford

  “So don't make it one,” Lola said. “Wesley could go in there and decipher a whole book faster than the rest of the military put together.”

  “Thank you for putting your trust in me now,” Wesley said. “As opposed to earlier this evening.”

  “Wesley, we're talking about code right now,” Aaron tried to bring the focus back to the letter.

  “And maybe you want to continue to put your trust elsewhere then, Lola?” Wesley wasn't going to back down.

  “You want me to sleep elsewhere?” she asked. “That's fine. Can I have another room?”

  “Uh---” Harold looked rattled, looking between the two of them. Lola and Wesley fighting was part for the course, and it always threw him off. He never fought with Annabelle like that; was never so angry at her. He loved Annabelle, he would never snap at her the way these two tore at each other.

  “That's fine, you can have ten rooms,” Aaron said. “Code, ladies and gentlemen, before this whole country is blown up.”

  “What if...” Lola took a deep breath, trying to focus. “If Wesley did it undercover, and they were so grateful...and then we revealed it?”

  “This isn't one of your plays, Lola,” Wesley said. “Can you try and think like a Countess concerned with her title and her country instead of living in a fantasy land?”

  “Because I'm an actress, I don't have a right to an opinion? Or I'm not concerned about the war? You think, oh husband of mine, I sat here care free while you were off risking your lives?”

  “I think it's a fine plan,” Aaron put in. “Morgan, don't you agree?”

  “Why am I involved?” Morgan said it casually, but with surprise. He had been content to watch them battle it out, confused why they would think that such pettiness mattered in the long run. Then, ever since he experienced true loss, he rarely argued over small points. Death had a way of deciding between the things that mattered and the things that didn't.

  “Are you kidding? We need you,” Aaron said. “You've spent more time in other countries than we have; you've sailed around the world how many times? Your experience in foreign strategy is going to help us with this.”

  “I don't want to be involved the royal navy, mate,” Morgan said. “I can help you, but---”

  “Why?” Harold asked.

  “Just let him be,” Lola stood up for him, which made Wesley glare even harder. Aaron had a feeling if he wasn't in a house full of sleeping children, he would explode.

  “What exactly went on at the theater?”

  “So we have a plan,” Aaron leaned over, coughing. He winced, his head nearly exploding, and it quieted down the tense group. “Harold?”

  “I can...put it into practice,” Harold said “But we take a risk with the reveal.”

  “And if we don't, we enter a murder plot, the entire British Navy possibly sinks, and we live in this hell of pretending to be other people,” Aaron tried to put a smile on it, but the words were not lost on anyone.

  Harold looked up, meeting his best friend's eyes.

  “You want this as a way out,” he said, at last. “To go back to the way things were. Do you know what kind of risk you put yourself at?”

  “I die, this time for good?” Aaron said. “What minimal amount of difference would that make, really?”

  “Your family wouldn't have you.”

  “My family doesn't have me now,” Aaron said, softly. “Not really. That's the only risk. There won't be repercussions for you, everyone knows you are alive.”

  “Alive and married to an actress who has done God knows what this evening.”

  “Oh my Lord, Wesley,” she rolled her eyes. “This is why I asked Morgan instead of you. There was a lot less drama.”

  “That's rich,” Wesley laughed.

  “You're proving her point, you know that?” Morgan said. “Since she's come home, it's been nothing but noise from you.”

  “Did I ask you for your opinion, or did you just butt in like you do normally?” Wesley asked.

  “Can we just go to bed?” Aaron asked. “Everyone? Quietly? Because there will be a price to pay if we wake my daughter.”

  “Aaron---” Lola said and he closed a hand over her wrist.

  “You sit. The rest of us, we're done here.”

  Aaron so rarely snapped, it was shocking to everyone.

  “You realize,” Harold said quietly. “That if the Navy behaves unfavorably, it's a risk to all of us.”

  “It won't be,” Aaron said. “I will take all the blame.”

  “I will say I'm the one to take it instead of you,” Wesley said. “Let them prosecute me.”

  “I hate this plan,” Lola put in.

  “Can I make my own choices, seeing as you are making your own choices?”

  “Thank you all for your input,” Aaron said, clearly ending the conversation.

  Harold was the first to leave, usually keeping the calmer head. He didn't mention the fact that it felt like such a weight off his shoulders, for Aaron to take the responsibility of the title.

  “Lola, we need to talk,” Wesley said. Lola looked between her husband and Aaron, who shook his head.

  “Lola's staying here,” Aaron said. “And I'll find her a new room to sleep in, if that's what she wants.”

  “Fine,” Wesley didn't argue, and Lola knew there was another argument coming as soon as they got a moment alone.

  “Do you want me to stay?” Morgan said, and Lola shook her head.

  “Thank you though,” she said, smiling at him through her freshly grown tears. “For everything.”

  “Only want to help, My Lady,” he said, and bowed. She gave him a nod, and he headed off, leaving her alone with Aaron. Only then did Aaron release his grip on Lola's wrist. They met eyes, exchanging the looks that they often did, when words weren't enough.

  “Looks like we both have our heads on a platter,” Lola said, at last.

  “And we both have figured out ways to save our titles,” Aaron answered. Lola quirked an eyebrow.

  “Mmm,” Lola said.

  “Do you think I'm an idiot?” Aaron asked. “I know what you are doing. The Lola I know doesn’t make eyes for dangerous pirates who aren't a class act. As much as I like Morgan, that's not your...preference, Lola.”

  “Maybe I'm just getting tired of constantly fighting with him,” Lola said. “And I'm trying to save my friends from dying. Again. Having Wesley leave me....”

  Aaron considered this.

  “The damage is already done, Lola, if you want to look at it that way.”

  “But if he leaves me, then he could repair it and not have death threats. We've been through enough death, Aaron.”

  “Is this what you want?”

  She took a giant breath.

  “I don't know. Maybe. I think so.”

  “Because you don't want to be with Wesley? Because you don't love him? You don't want to be a Countess?”

  “I don't know,” she said. “Maybe all three. Will you help me?”

  “I'll help you if it's really what you want,” Aaron said. “If you really think that is best. Just remember what your life was like before Wesley. Is that what you want?”

  “I want....I just want us both to be free, and safe,” she said. “And this is the first step.”

  “Alright,” Aaron agreed, leaning back in his chair.

  “And you?” she said. “You have a wife, and a daughter. Everything to risk.”

  “I'm useless to them otherwise, Lola,” he said “This life of hiding, skulking in the shadows, worried someone sees me in the yard. I don't want that for them.”

  “They could kill you, Aaron,” she said. “And we can't pull another stunt. I'm good, but I'm not that good.”

  “They kill me or my head does,” he said. “And likely one before the other. You've all already seen the evidence that I cannot sail anymore. What do I lose control of next?”

  “Oh, your daughter in about ten years, when she starts to get suitors,” Lola replied and Aaron sm
iled. “Or Harold pretending to like being a noble.”

  “You think he hates it?”

  “Beyond belief,” Lola answered, rolling her eyes. “He controls it well, but he hates noble duties more than I do. It's Harold who wanted a quiet life in the country, more than any of us.”

  “The country is beautiful, but it's not the most entertaining,” Aaron said.

  “Thank you, I thought I was the only one,” Lola answered. “Although...Morgan seems to be on Harold's side. Do you know what happened to him? With his wife?”

  “Yes,” Aaron said. “Not because he told me, but because I remember her. She's was a lovely person, she brought out the best in him. I saw him once or twice when he was married to her, and they were so in love, they were enchanted with each other. It was....It was a match made in heaven.”

  “That's beautiful,” Lola said, softly.

  “I don't think he's going to be with anyone else, truthfully,” Aaron said. “That was his heart.”

  “He was lucky,” Lola said, staring off into the distance. A yawn overtook her and she stood up. “I think I'm going to head to bed. Which room?”

  “Blue room should be set up,” Aaron said. “Sleep well, we have the British navy to overtake tomorrow.”

  “Do you want help?” she asked and he shook his head.

  “I'll be alright,” he said. “Slow and steady wins the race.”

  “Just yell, then,” she said, standing up. “And thank you, Lord Bamber.”

  “My pleasure, Miss Lola,” he said, careful not to address her by her title. She left him alone and he stared into the candle, his thoughts swirling.

  Tomorrow was either going to go well or it would be the first day of the end of his life. Either way, he needed a change.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  You want to take on the rest of the cryptography?” the Admiral looked at Harold in surprise. While they knew he was decent at code-breaking, he certainly wasn't the type to take on massive projects. “All of it?”

  “Everything you have,” Harold said. “It doesn't matter how much it is.”

  “Alright, sir,” The General shook his head. “We can get them delivered to your house.”

  “I can take them now,” Harold said, confusing him even more.

  “Are you channeling the Earl of Rippon?” the General said and Harold almost dropped the small stack of paperwork he was holding.

  “I'm sorry?” he asked.

  The General lowered his voice.

  “The Earl of Rippon and the former...Lord Bamber used to be very good at breaking codes together. I know what happened with the situation...but you wish you still had their skills?”

  “Perhaps,” Harold said “There was no one like them.”

  “I did hear the Earl Rippon was around,” the General said. “Is he still in town?”

  “He's...not in the Navy anymore.”

  “I am aware,” the General replied. “Good luck to you, sir.”

  “Thank you,” Harold saluted. The fact that the General had brought both of them up shook him. Was the General suspicious?

  When he got home, struggling with a stack of paperwork that almost engulfed his head, Wesley fell on it like a hungry dog.

  “How in the world did the Navy uncover this much?” Wesley said. “Are we operating espionage with every resource?”

  “It's a backlog,” Harold said “We have been slowly working at it, but it's...”

  “That's a cipher for this,” Aaron said, from his place at the breakfast table. From beside him, Matheson leaned over, completely disregarding his personal space. Aaron snorted, leaning back with a laugh.

  “Matheson, you miss the Navy that much?”

  “Sorry, sir,” Matheson said, not sorry at all as he scanned the code. Corrigan leaned over as well, and Harold stood back, feeling like an outsider. “Look at this.”

  “That's easy,” Corrigan said, shifting papers around.

  “So uh...you've got a handle on it?” Harold said. “Aaron, you're alright?”

  “Fine, thanks,” Aaron said. “Annabelle wants to see you, she's in the garden.”

  “Why?” Harold asked and Aaron shrugged.

  “I don't know what's going through my sister's mind.” Aaron said, with a shrug. He was already distracted by the papers, and Harold took that as his cue to head out into the garden. Annabelle randomly asked for him to join him, and he didn't think it was too odd. However, she usually didn't ask for him the moment he walked in from work.

  “Annabelle?” he asked, as soon as he got out into the garden.

  She was standing with their two children, gathering flowers into a basket. Standing in the late morning sun, in a gown of pale blue, she looked like an angel. His heart instantly felt lighter.

  “You're home early,” she said, with a smile.

  “Just a pick up,” he shrugged. “You wanted to see me?”

  “I did,” she said, going over to touch his arm. “The children wanted to give you something.”

  “Alright?” he asked, turning towards them. His daughter had a single daisy in her hand, where as James, his son, had two. “The flowers?”

  Annabelle nudged James as both of them stepped forward.

  “Tell Father what I told you,” Annabelle said and James handed over the flowers.

  “Mother says to give you one flower for each of your children,” he said. Harold looked confused.

  “But---” he said, and then it dawned on him. He turned to Annabelle, his mouth wide open. “Are you?”

  “Yes,” she said, putting a hand to her belly.

  He froze. Under normal circumstances, he would be happy. He was happy, but this was not the best time.

  “Harold?” Annabelle asked, her smile frozen. “Aren't you happy?”

  “I---” he said. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I'm sure,” she said. “I thought you wanted more children?”

  “I do,” he said. “I do. I just want to keep you safe.”

  “Keep me safe?” Annabelle said. “What are you talking about?”

  “Uh---” she was the only person who could render him speechless.

  “Harold, what are you up to?”

  “Just...trying to fix things,” Harold answered.

  “Fix things?” Annabelle asked. “What is happening?”

  “I'm happy you're with child.” he tried, but Annabelle was smarter than that.

  She stormed into the house, her children in tow.

  It only took one look at the table for Annabelle to figure it out.

  “What happens when the Navy finds out you're working on this code?” she asked her brother, who looked up.

  “They are...happy?” Aaron said. “So grateful they forgive our actions and offer us full protection again?”

  “Why do we need protection from the Navy?” Annabelle asked. “All of a sudden?

  “What's happening?” Shauna came in from shopping then, and overheard the conversation.

  Aaron's face turned pale, as Harold came to his side. However, his change of color was nothing to do with his health and everything to do with the fact that the women were about to start raising their voices.

  “Lola!” Annabelle sudden noticed her. “Tell me what is going on, right now.”

  “You're going to be mad at your husbands,” Lola put in. “But I think it's worth it.”

  “Do you want to step outside?” Morgan touched Lola's arm then, and she happily took the invitation, leading him out into the garden that Annabelle had just walked out of. She could hear their raised voices, and James's excited clamoring over the thought that his father was a spy.

  “I'm sure you've been through this,” Lola said. “Angry wives.”

  “I've seen it enough,” Morgan answered. “Although I have never experienced it.”

  “She never yelled at you, your wife?”

  “We didn't....fight,” Morgan said and Lola gave him an odd look.

  “Really?”

  “W
e just...got along.”

  “Isn't that wonderful,” Lola said, softly. Morgan glanced at her with a sad smile.

  “You remind me of her,” he said. “Your wild eyes, your passion. Your energy.”

  “You should have met me five years ago,” she said. “I was even wilder. I used to do three shows a day on the stage, and have enough energy for a party.”

  “You shouldn't lose that,” Morgan said, looking into her eyes. “I'm sure it made a lot of men fall in love with you.”

  Lola chose to break the moment, looking at the clouds go by.

  “Thank you,” she said, after awhile. “I just hope that we are doing the right thing.”

  “Well, there's no such thing as the wrong thing,” he said. “Because you don't know what would have happened if you chose another path.”

  “Do you really believe that?” she asked and he smiled.

  “I try to. I don't always believe that.”

  “Mmm,” she took a deep breath and cocked an ear. “Sounds like the screaming is finished. We should go back inside.”

  “Do you work tonight?”

  “Every night except Monday,” she said. “And I imagine my colleagues will have a lot to tell me after yesterday, so I'm going in early.”

  “Another day, saving the world,” Morgan said. “Must be tiring.”

  “It would be a very entertaining day if we didn't save a whole country at least once.”

  “Lola,” Morgan said, catching her arm before she headed inside. “You are throwing away a good thing, with him.”

  “I'm doing what's best,” she said.

  “What would have been best is for me and the wife to never marry,” he said. “But I don't regret it.”

  “How can you say that?” she said. “I heard you had a great marriage, I heard...”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Aaron,” she said, wondering if she made a mistake. “He knew your wife, years ago.”

  “Ah, the high and mighty Lord Bamber,” he said. “I knew who he was when we started sailing. Everyone has secrets, that's why we work well together.”

  “Do you think this plan is going to work?” she asked.

  “Maybe,” he said. “Strange things happen in this place that I've never seen before. So why not?”