Royal Affair

by Marquita Valentine

  “We did the same to him,” Imogen says. “He thought he was too clever by far, but Char and I pulled one over on him.”

  “Do those recordings still exist?” I ask.

  “No, we got rid of them once he resigned. Burned them in our fireplace back at St. Claire.” She smiles at the memory; then the mask returns. “You may go now. I have an emergency session of Parliament to call. Devereaux, make arrangements.”

  He pulls out his cellphone.

  “What can I do?” Besides save my company, but that’s not their problem. That’s entirely mine.

  “Propose to my sister in the most romantic way possible so she’ll say yes, or I’ll ban you from the Isle for life.”

  “On it.”

  “That means without ordering, commanding, or sexing her up while you do it. We want the PG version.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” I say wryly. “You know, for a queen to be, you’re not half bad.”

  “And you’re not the scum-sucking, low-life reporter I thought you were, either.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Cheers.”

  I leave before she can royally dismiss me, heading to Theo’s office for the third time. On my way, I call my brother to get the latest on the court case.

  “Brooks, I was just about to call you,” Briggs says. “I have bad news and good news…and fucked-up news”

  “What’s the bad?”

  “You’re in breach.”

  Fuck. “And the good?”

  “They’re willing to settle.”

  “And the really fucked-up news,” I ask, ducking into an empty room.

  “They want you to step down as CEO and leave everything behind, including any properties, vehicles, and the jet. They’ll let you keep your clothes, earnings to date, and membership to The Booth Club as a gesture of goodwill.”

  “What in the hell did I do to piss them off?”

  “You broke the story on three of their top investors.” Briggs exhales. “They’ve been planning this for a while, and when you violated your contract by getting personally involved with Charlotte…”

  “Fucking fine print. I swear to God that wasn’t in there when I signed.”

  “Should have had me in your corner.”

  I rub my nose, tipping my chin up. “You’re right, I should have.”

  “If you need a job, we have—”

  “No way in hell I’m moving to work in corporate.”

  “The offer stands.”

  “Thanks.” Great. I have a baby on the way and less than fifty thousand in savings. Shit, if that. “Do you think Dad will finally let me start withdrawing from our trust?”

  “You’d have to have a pretty damn good reason to access money that isn’t ours until we’re forty.”

  I might as well tell him. “Charlotte’s pregnant.”

  “That’s a damn good reason, you little shit.” He laughs. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  “Too busy snaking people out of perfectly good contracts?”

  “This snake kept you out of jail and made it possible for you to keep whatever you currently have in savings. You can thank me later for that one.”

  “No retirement?”

  “Nope. That’s to be liquidated. Face it, Brooks, the truth hurts like a motherfucker.”

  Yeah, it really does. “Thanks for your help. I need to go.”

  “When you get back to the States, I’ll help you move.”

  “Your leg is still broken,” I point out.

  “I wasn’t planning on physically moving anything. Just supervising.”

  I laugh and it feels good to do it, even though I’ve lost everything and might lose Charlotte. “Spoken like a future politician.”

  We end our call and I finally, finally arrive at Theo’s office and step inside. “So, thanks for your help, but I’m basically bankrupt and Imogen is calling an emergency meeting with Parliament. I’m going to propose to your sister for the fifth time, and when she says no again, I’ll fly my ass back to the States—probably in coach because I don’t own my fucking jet anymore, either.”

  “Sounds brilliant.” He doesn’t look up from his computer. “Be sure to let me know how it goes.”

  “It’s going to hell, Theo. That’s where it’s going.”

  “Excellent.”

  With a frustrated growl, I leave his office, but not before I catch him laughing. At me.

  “This entire family is insane.” But not so insane that I won’t attempt to marry into it.

  Chapter 23

  Charlotte

  “I should go after him.”

  I move to the door, but Theo grabs my arm. We’re in his office. Brooks was too impassioned to notice that I was sitting by the fireplace, curled up in one of the massive chairs my brother likes to keep in there. I heard everything, from his bankruptcy to Gen’s plans to his planned proposal. I wanted to speak up, but Theo stopped me with a look.

  “Not yet. He needs some time to decompress.”

  “I can help him with that.”

  Theo shakes his head. “The man lost his business, love. His pride isn’t to be messed with, and if you’re not prepared to say yes, then I’d stay the hell away from him.”

  “I want to say yes, but”—I shrug—“he won’t admit that he wants to marry me for love.”

  “What are his other reasons?”

  “To protect me, free me, and because I’m carrying his child. He says he wants it to know him, know his parents, and live…not in a palace.”

  “How bloody awful of him, Char.” Theo takes my hands in his. “Little sister, I adore you and would kill anyone who hurt you with Peter’s help, but in this…you are being incredibly prideful and stubborn.”

  “I’m prideful and stubborn. He knows I love him.”

  “Love him so much that you’re willing to give up everything to be with him?”

  “Yes!”

  “Love him enough to renounce your claim on the throne?”

  “Lord, yes. I have never wanted to be queen. I don’t want to be the possible queen and I don’t want my child to be in line for the throne, either—at least not without her permission—if this is a girl.”

  Imogen walks inside. “What if I could give you all of that? Would you marry him then?”

  I swallow down the huge lump that’s suddenly taken residence in my throat. “Yes. I can’t…you mean the world to me and I love you so much, Imogen, but this life…it is not for me. I don’t want to give my family up, though.” I look at Theo. “We’re all we’ve had for so long.”

  Colin joins us, his face sober. “I don’t like him, but even I have to admit he’s busted his arse in order to help us and he’s not published one bloody thing about you. That has to say something about him.”

  Theo lets go of my hands. “What do we need to do to make it possible, Gen?”

  She lifts her chin. “I’ve already taken care of it. Consider yourself disinherited.”

  I do a jumpy clap. “I can’t be queen?”

  “Not even in the case of my demise.” She twists her lips. “However, I did ask Parliament to consider your female children as heirs if and only if they expressed an interest.”

  “How did you get all this done?” I ask, amazed at her.

  “I Skyped with my cabinet. The Internet is fabulously efficient…as is my new prime minister. He’s keen on bringing Davies in for questioning as well. It seems he has broken the law by sharing private records that were not to be released until seventy years after my death.” She smiles brilliantly, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Sometimes, it’s good to be queen.”

  I look at her closely. “What did you promise, Gen?”

  “Nothing that I hadn’t already agreed to,” she says lightly. “In other news, I leave for London in the morning. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

  “I’ll start packing straightaway.”

  “No, darling, you won’t. You’ve a marriage proposal to accept and a palace to vacate.”

&nb
sp; “I’m not welcome here anymore?”

  “Yes.” Colin moves to stand beside Gen. “You are welcome, but only when invited by the queen.”

  “Oh dear.”

  “Really, Char, it’s not as bad as it seems, and if I don’t force you to leave now, you’ll try to follow me to London where all these fabulous parties will be held in my honor. It’s not fair to subject a pregnant woman to such strain.”

  “What about St. Claire?”

  “I’m deeding it to Colin and his family,” Gen says, her face turning pink. “Theo will be splitting his time between here and Raleigh, where the U.S. offices are being relocated, so he’s moving out.”

  My lips part in surprise. “I don’t have a home?”

  “Well, there is a house for sale on Smith Island. It appeared on the market rather quickly. I believe the owner is in rather dire straits,” Theo says. He clicks on the screen. “If you offer cash, I’m sure you can get a jump on it.”

  I stare at him in awe. “How do you know all of this?”

  “We do have connections, love, and we use them.” Theo smiles gently. “You’re still ridiculously wealthy, Charlotte.”

  “And you still have the courtesy title of princess,” Imogen chimes in.

  “That’s…nice?” I wipe my palms on my thighs. “I suppose I should pack and fly to Wilmington.”

  “An excellent idea. You can use one of the Sinclair jets,” Colin says. “We haven’t thrown you completely to the wolves.”

  I glance around the room, taking in the faces that I love. They’ve shoved me out of my tower and made it impossible for me to lock myself in again. “Thank you.”

  “Thank us later.” Theo pushes me toward the door. “Leave now and let Brooks follow.”

  “Let him chase me?”

  “The man needs a win in his box, Char. Give it to him,” Theo urges, giving me a hug before grabbing my shoulders and spinning me around. “Nothing like finishing first in a royal chase to do it.”

  “If you say so, but wouldn’t it be better for me to simply—”

  “Go now.” Gen pivots to one side, then faces me again, thrusting a bag into my arms, and my purse follows. “This should be enough to tide you over until the rest is shipped. I had a maid pack for you.”

  “What about…?”

  “No time.” Colin threads my arm through his. “I’ll take you to the airport.”

  Gen hugs me on the way out, kissing my cheek. “Say yes, love, and then call me later to chat.”

  “I promise,” I say, a smile pushing up the corners of my mouth. I look at my big brother. The man who helped raised me, along with Theo. “I’m ready to go, Colin.”

  “I know you are, Charlotte, but it’s not easy to let you.”

  “One step in front of the other, big brother. That’s all it takes.”

  —

  After a million hours of flying, two stops in Wilmington—one involving showing up at Brooks’s parents’ house to get a recommendation for a reputable hairdresser, and a ferry ride later, I’m finally standing in front of my new home.

  I hold my breath, inserting the key Brooks gave me for my birthday and hoping that it works. While I haven’t officially bought the house, I have signed the papers and wired the money on the flight over. All that’s waiting is my signature on the deed and for it to be filed at the courthouse, which doesn’t open until Monday morning.

  Which means I have two days to wait for Brooks—if he comes, that is. Judging by his texts and numerous voicemails, he’s pissed.

  Gen assures me that this is a very good thing.

  I, on the other hand, am not so sure about that.

  The key turns in the lock and I open the door, giggling as I step inside my very first house. I can hardly believe that it’s mine and soon it will be ours.

  Setting my bag down, I feel for the lights, switching them on.

  Everything’s as it should be. The furniture, the artwork…the beautiful view of the ocean. Closing the door behind me, I move to the living room and wrap my arms around me.

  “It’s perfect.”

  I stride back to the entryway to retrieve my purse and dig through it to find my mobile. Gen said to let him wait, but I’m not waiting on anyone.

  Me: I’m on Smith Island. Come join me.

  I count to twenty before Brooks replies.

  Brooks: Address?

  Me: Yours.

  Brooks: I’ll be there in two hours. Start practicing saying yes, Princess.

  Me: I’m starting right now.

  I grin right after I send that because I know he expects me to say yes, but I think Theo’s right. Brooks needs to finish pursuing me and win.

  The thing is, I need it just as much.

  Chapter 24

  Brooks

  “You cut off your hair?” That’s the first sentence out of my mouth.

  Not I love you.

  Not marry me.

  Nothing but an accusation.

  Charlotte smiles nervously, wringing her hands. “I thought you’d be pleased. Georgiana said that Jessica is the best hairdresser in five counties.” She spins, showing off a blazing red dress that barely covers her body. “I didn’t change anything else.”

  Dropping my bags, I almost laugh at that because she has changed everything about my life…but I’m in shock.

  Awe.

  Lust and love.

  I’m fucked, totally fucked, when it comes to this woman.

  She’s standing there, as beautiful as the first time I crashed the ball and found a wallflower in the middle of it all.

  Her dark hair is down, in loose curls that skim her jawline…and her lips…sexy, full lips that are begging to be kissed. They’re glossed over in a shade of red that reminds me of fast cars and cherries, and perfectly matches her shoes.

  Her slick lips curve down. “You’re not happy. I thought…” She blinks up at me, her hazel eyes somehow bigger. Maybe it’s the shorter hair or the mascara, either way…

  “You are beautiful.”

  She touches her hair. “I can grow it back out.”

  “Do whatever you want because I’ll love it.”

  Her brow furrows and she bites down on her bottom lip. “Are you quite sure?”

  “Extremely sure.” I take a step toward her, and another, until we’re so close that I can touch her if I wanted.

  And I want to. I want to take her to bed again, fill her up…make her scream my name, but I can’t do that. I promised to do right by her this time, with flowers, romance, and music.

  Hell, I even paid some guys to float some lanterns into the ocean after she says yes. She has to say yes, even if she avoided doing so in our texts.

  “So…” She smiles encouragingly at me.

  “Before I ask you to marry me again, I want to be honest with you.” I take her hand, safest place I can think of at the moment, and lead her out on the balcony. The ocean roars and the wind blows, ruffling her hair. “I don’t have much money…I don’t own a home and my ride is a twenty-five-year-old truck. I don’t have a job—yet. And I’m no longer the CEO of Walker Media. But I love you. Every bit of love in me belongs to you. So, if you want me”—I get down on one knee and pull a small box from my pocket, opening it and holding it up to her—“I’m yours, Princess.”

  “I have something to confess as well.” She drops down to her knees and I almost groan. Her brothers and sister are going to kill me. “I don’t have a castle, a palace, or even a house in St. Claire. My title is courtesy only, so I’m not a real princess anymore.”

  “You’ll always be my princess.”

  She flashes me a smile. “I bought your home so that we can live here, if you like, but either way, I am yours. Completely. Unabashedly. Madly in love with you…yours.”

  I press our hands against her stomach. “You forgot what you do have and even if you didn’t, I’d still be here, on my knee, asking you to marry me, Charlotte.”

  “Yes,” she says and kisses me. “Yes. Yes.
Yes.”

  Her arms come around me and I carefully pick her up, turning so she can see the lanterns as they are washed out to sea, candles glowing inside.

  “Is that for us?”

  “It’s for you. Last-minute romantic gesture.”

  “Oh dear.” She kisses me again. “I didn’t need romantic gestures. All I wanted was for you to admit that you love me.”

  “I want you to marry me because I am so fucking in love with you that the thought of spending even a second apart drives me insane.”

  Her eyes light up. “You remembered that night in the kitchen.”

  “Best and worst night of my life, Princess.”

  “I promise to never leave you again,” she says as I carry her up the stairs and to my bedroom.

  “Oh believe me, you won’t ever want to leave me again.”

  “Did I also tell you that I’m still ridiculously wealthy?” she asks.

  “I don’t care about your money.” I also don’t tell her that money won’t be an issue as soon as we tell my parents about the baby. But I will…later.

  Much. Much. Later.

  “I love you, Charlotte,” I tell her again. I think I’ll tell her that all the time. After all, it’s the truth and…the strangest thought pops in my head.

  “Why do you have such a smug look on your face?” she asks.

  “This time the villain got the girl.”

  “Maybe it’s because the villain was actually the hero all along.”

  With a smile, I kiss her.

  Epilogue

  Charlotte

  FOUR MONTHS LATER

  I never took myself for the type to break all the rules, nor did I think I’d be labeled the most scandalous of all the Sinclairs for giving up my chance to become queen in order to marry the man I love.

  But, like Brooks always says, truth is stranger than fiction.

  Stranger still that Davies has managed to disappear and never actually face his accusers in Parliament.

  Then again, life isn’t fair and those who deserve it, don’t get their comeuppance.

  However, I like to think that life is what you make of it. And my life…is better than a fairy tale.