“That’s a load of crap. You’ve been dancing with other women all night long.” I revel in her jealousy.
“I didn’t think you wanted to dance with me,” I challenge.
“Then why are we standing here like this?” She gestures without removing her hand from mine.
“Because …”—I lean down so the warmth of my breath can gently caress her neck—“I couldn’t resist you any longer.”
Her body trembles in my arms as she says, “Please don’t toy with me, Alistair.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I tell her honestly.
But instead of continuing our dance together, she pulls out of my grasp and announces, “I’m going to bed.”
I watch as she walks away from me and can’t help but wonder what the undamaged version of Lutéce Choate is like. I should forget about her and continue my moratorium on relationships.
And I would do that if I weren’t so compelled to find out who the lady really is.
Chapter Seventeen
Sheila
“Lu has been acting as jumpy as a bedbug on fresh tar,” Sheila tells her sister after finishing what she’s decided is the best breakfast of her life. A buffet of delights was the only thing waiting for them when they arrived in the dining room. They’ve discovered that breakfast is an eat-at-your-own-convenience meal, and both sisters enjoy more than their fill.
“She’s out of her element, is all,” Tooty says after wiping her mouth on her napkin.
“I think she’s afraid of the attraction she feels for Prince Alistair. That man is giving her a run for her money.”
“How do you figure she’s attracted to him? As far as I can tell, she runs in the opposite direction every time he’s around.” Tooty pushes her chair away from the dining room table.
“That’s how I can tell,” Sheila replies, standing up. “Lu is practically a professional at running from her feelings.”
“You might be right, but what good can come of a flirtation between the two of them? Lu lives across the world from Alistair.”
“Everything is working out for Claire and Geoffrey, isn’t it?” Sheila retaliates as they make their way out of the dining room.
“Well, sure, but they work together so they had a chance to really get to know each other. Their situation is totally different.”
“The queen told me that her daughters invited Lu to stay on after this week. If she accepts, then they’ll have a chance to get to know each other better.”
“Why would she accept?” Tooty demands.
“Because I’m going to make the thought of going home sound so horrible that staying here will seem like her best option.”
A small smile starts at the corners of Tooty’s mouth before turning into a full-blown grin. “How are you going to do that?”
“Watch this,” Sheila answers when she spots her daughter heading in their direction.
Lutéce
“Is there any breakfast left?” I ask my mother and aunt as I hurry toward the dining room.
“We were just going in to find out,” my mom answers.
“No, you weren’t. You were just walking out.”
My mom totally ignores my comment and grabs a hold of my arm. “Lu, I have the best news!” Prickles of fear pop up all over my body, and I release an involuntary shiver. The last time she had the “best” news, she had decided to learn how to fly a jet. I really don’t need anything else to worry about right now.
“What’s your good news?” I ask, even though I’m afraid to hear it.
“I’ve decided that as soon as we get home, I’m going to move into your house with you.” Her smile is so big, she looks like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. It’s creepy.
Tooty releases a short bark of laughter before announcing, “I think I’ll go lie down for a bit.”
As my aunt walks away, I demand, “Why in the world would you move in with me?” There’s no hiding my horror at the idea of cohabiting with my mother. I’ve been there, done that, and have no intention of repeating the experience. Ever.
“I want to take care of you. I can make you healthy meals to prepare your body for pregnancy. I can make sure that you get out every day for a long walk to calm your mind, and I can help you turn your spare room into a nursery.” She nods her head once with the conviction of a drill sergeant.
“Yeah, no.” Her hurt expression has me adding, “What I mean is, no. No.” I’m shaking my head so vigorously I’m getting seasick.
“You need your mother, and I’m not about to desert you in your time of need.”
Taking a plate off the sideboard, I begin to fill it with everything in sight. I’d weigh five hundred pounds if I lived here. “You don’t even think I should get pregnant,” I remind her. I wonder if it would look too gluttonous if I put three chocolate croissants on my plate.
“Not the way you’re planning to. But you’ve made up your mind, so I’ve decided to support you fully.”
“What about Dad?” I want to know. “He’s not going to be thrilled if you leave your house to move in with me.”
“Your father travels so much for work, he won’t even know I’m gone,” she says brightly.
“No, Mom. Just, no. You cannot move in with me.”
Ignoring me, she says, “I was thinking a nice sage green in the nursery. That can be either feminine or masculine, depending on the accessories we choose. Oh, and we should really start looking for gliders. I just loved the one I had when I was nursing you kids.”
“I’m not opposed to going shopping with you once or twice,” I tell her, “But there is no need for you to move in with me.”
“I’m still going to do it. A girl needs her mother at a time like this, and I will not abandon you, Lu. I will be by your side, night and day, until you safely deliver my grandchild.” Suddenly I’m not hungry at all.
I don’t doubt for a minute she’s going to do exactly as she’s threatened. I can keep telling her until I’m blue in the face that she’s not welcome, but I know my mother and I know she’ll totally disregard my wishes.
Before I can further try to disabuse her of the absurd notion that I need her constant companionship, Sophie walks into the dining room. She looks every ounce like the princess in her elegant cashmere dress and low heels. I look like a peasant in my yoga pants and hoodie.
“Good morning,” she greets us. “I hope you both slept well.” She picks up her own plate to fill.
“I slept wonderfully!” my mom answers like she was just offered a free kitten. I simply jab a forkful of eggs into my mouth.
“Lu, I’m meeting Bree over at her house after breakfast if you’d like to join me. We were going to start discussing the bridal shower,” Sophie announces.
“Yeah, sure. That would be nice.” Mud wrestling an elephant would be nice too, if it got me away from my mother.
“Lu,” my mom says while patting my hand, “I think you’d better have yourself a little nap first. You need to take care of your body.”
“I’m fine, Mom.”
“No, dear, as your caretaker, I really think it would be best for you to have a rest.” OMG, she’s treating me like an invalid.
“I don’t need a caretaker, Mom.” Take the hint already, woman.
“You do, which is why I’m moving in with you, no matter what you say. A mother knows when she’s needed. You’ll find that out soon enough.”
“Yes, well, I’m not going home at the same time you are.” I haven’t really thought this through, but anything would be better than having Hurricane Sheila move into my bungalow with me.
“Have you decided to take me and Bree up on our offer and stay on?” Sophie asks excitedly.
“Yes, I have,” I say. Even as I’m agreeing to this, I can’t help but think about Alistair. Being around that man will not be good for my nerves.
“But I can’t stay on!” my mom exclaims. “I need to get home and make sure my Lady Di’s are thriving.”
“Oh, I love
those roses,” Sophie says. “They’re so fragrant.”
“I’ll be fine here without you, Mom. Don’t worry.”
“I suppose …” She sounds unsure that I can stay alive without her.
“I’ll have Sophie and Bree here if I need anything,” I assure her.
“We’ll take excellent care of Lu,” Sophie adds. “In fact, if she ever needs a mother, I’m sure mine will step right in and lend a hand.”
“I guess …” My mom doesn’t sound convinced. She leans toward me and asks, “What about that thing you were planning to do?” She’s referring to my IVF appointment, but I’m not about to bring that up.
“I’ll reschedule it for when I’m home,” I say.
“So, you’re putting it off?” Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve just stepped into a trap?
“For now.”
“Well then, I suppose if you’re putting it off, you won’t need me. But as soon as you come home, I’m moving in.”
If I know my mom at all, and I do, I know she has every intention of making good on her threat. That can only mean one thing. I cannot hurry back to LA.
In fact, Malquar may have just become my new home.
Chapter Eighteen
Queen Charlotte
“I’ve just talked to Lu, and she’s decided to stay in Malquar for a while,” Sheila tells the queen.
“How wonderful!” Charlotte claps her hands together excitedly. “How did you do it?”
“I threatened to move in with her when we got home.”
Impressed, the queen replies, “You’re devious and brilliant at the same time. But of course, as mothers, we have to be.”
“You would have done the same thing,” Sheila says.
“I don’t even let my kids move off the property.” Charlotte offers her friend a conspiratorial wink.
“What about Geoffrey?”
“Yes, but he’s coming home with his bride. That makes his time away an investment in the future.”
“You know, if both of my daughters wind up in Malquar, I might have to consider moving here myself.”
“We’d love to have you!” Charlotte says sincerely. “But first we have to get them both here.”
“I’m afraid Lu is going to be a bit of a project.”
“Sheila, my friend,” –the queen pats her hand—“I’m nothing if not proficient at projects. To quote one of the songs you wrote for Tooty, ‘Buckle up buttercup, we’re about to have some fun.’”
Alistair
How can I be out of milk for my coffee? It would be one thing if I was the one to keep the refrigerator stocked, but I’m not. Bree and I share a housekeeper who takes care of that domestic task—as well as most others.
I pick up my phone to send my sister a text.
Me: I’m out of milk.
Bree: Really? I have three gallons in my fridge.
Me: I think perhaps Marguerite gave you all the milk.
Bree: Do you have any yogurt? I seem to be out of that.
Me: Let me look …
Me: I have ten cups of it. What do you say we make a trade?
Bree: Come on over.
I don’t bother to brush my hair or change clothes as I’m just walking next door. There is zero chance that anyone will photograph me and make the image look like a walk of shame, or more truthfully, make it look like I’ve just put another notch in my bedpost. I do grab a robe, though. It’s a cool day, and I’m currently bare chested as I only just rolled out of bed.
As I stroll across my lawn toward my sister’s house, I can’t help but think about last night. I normally loathe formal balls, but last night was different. Lutéce was there and even though we barely spent any time together, I was still completely captivated by her.
I don’t bother knocking on Bree’s door. I just walk in carrying my sack of bartering goods. “Good morning!” I call out.
“In here, Al,” she yells back.
I follow her voice into her living room and stop dead in my tracks when I see the object of my musings sitting on her sofa. Lutéce looks adorable in her soft-looking sweater and yoga pants. “Bree, Lutéce …” I nod my head in greeting.
“What kind of yogurt do you have?” my sister asks.
“It’s all honey.”
“Marguerite must have gotten our food mixed up. She put two jars of smoked almonds in my pantry.”
“Those are definitely mine,” I tell her, all the while staring right at her guest. “What are you lovely ladies up to today?”
“We’re starting to plan Claire’s bridal shower. I don’t suppose you want in on that?” I know she’s teasing, and I would normally run in the other direction, but I think I’ll make an exception.
“Do you have any coffee?” I ask.
“There’s a pot of French roast brewing in the kitchen,” she says.
“Then sure, I’ll join you for a bit.” I smile directly at Lutéce, who looks appalled at the very idea.
“I’m sure we’d only bore you,” the American says.
“You don’t know me very well,” I retaliate. “I love a good party, and probably throw more than all of my siblings combined.”
She looks perturbed as she responds, “I’m sure you do.”
“In fact,” I ignore her tone, “I had a wonderful get together on the family boat last week. You ladies might consider using it as your venue.”
Bree looks confused before saying, “We always have teas at the palace.”
“Who says you have to have a tea?” I ask.
“But that’s what we always do,” my sister maintains.
“Bree, you’ve got to step out of your box occasionally. Why don’t I take you out later this afternoon? I’m sure I’ll have a million wonderful ideas about how you can make Claire’s shower stand out above all of the other boring ones you’ve gone to.”
“I don’t think I can make it,” Lutéce announces rather loudly.
“Really, why?” Bree wants to know.
“I have to … I should … I need to …” she stammers.
“Quit trying to get out of it, Lu.” I use her nickname for the first time. “You’d be missing out on the experience of a lifetime.”
“Going out onto a boat with you is the experience of a lifetime?” Sarcasm radiates out of her.
“The boat is exceptional,” Bree answers before I can reply. “It was built eighty years ago for our great-grandparents.”
“Oh, well …”
“It’s settled, then. I’ll pick you both up here at six. We’ll have supper aboard,” I announce, before walking in the direction of my sister’s kitchen. I can’t help the smile that overcomes me. Lu—I decide to use the abbreviated version of her name from now on—definitely does not like that I’ll be with them. I have no idea why she’s so determined to hate me, but I’m not going to let it bother me.
After putting my sister’s yogurt into her refrigerator, I fill a coffee cup and grab the muffin basket sitting on the counter. Then I return to the parlor.
As I near the doorway, I overhear Lu say, “I really don’t think I should go tonight.”
“You don’t get seasick, do you?”
I hug the corner of the wall so I can eavesdrop without being seen. “No,” Lu says. “It’s just that your brother is an awful flirt, and I’m not interested in him in that way.”
“Alistair?” Bree laughs. “He flirts with everyone. You can’t take it personally.” Well, that seems like a rather mean thing to say about me. I don’t flirt with everyone. I’m cordial and charming, not flirtatious.
“So, you don’t think it means anything?” Is it my imagination, or does Lu sound upset by that realization?
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Alistair would be quite amenable to an affair, but I can assure you, he isn’t looking for a wife. He’ll probably never marry.” Why in the world does she think that?
“Well, I sure as heck don’t want to marry him. I don’t want to have an affair with him either,” Lu’s voice c
racks.
“Then, what’s the problem? Let’s go and enjoy a fun dinner cruise at sunset. I promise you’ll have the time of your life.”
I forgive my sister for all the aspersions she’s cast upon my character when Lu finally agrees, “I guess I’ll go.”
“Wonderful!” my sister says. “If Alistair becomes too much of a pest, just ignore him and know that it means nothing.” How is it that my family doesn’t know me any better than this? I continue to be quite shocked by their misconception of who I am.
I walk into the room, determined to say nothing that can be misconstrued as overly friendly. “What should I order for dinner? Shall we go casual or elegant?”
“Let’s have American hamburgers,” Bree answers. “Not only do I adore them, but that will make Lu feel right at home. What do you say, Lu?”
“That’s fine,” she practically whispers.
“In that case, I’ll let you get on with your morning. I have some things to take care of before this evening. Ladies,” I say, offering a small bow before retrieving my milk and heading back to my place.
“I’ll bring the dessert,” my sister calls out as I leave the room.
I’m determined to change my strategy around Lu tonight. I will not comment on her beauty, I will not whisper sweet nothings into her ear. I will be nothing but ambivalently kind. My God, you’d think the way Lu and my sister talk, that charm is a thing of the past—that gallantry is a bad thing.
From this moment on, I decide I will treat Lu like she’s nothing more than another sister. I will ignore any attraction I feel for her. If I do that, she’ll have no reason to dislike me.
As vain as it sounds, I ask myself how such an occurrence could even be possible.
Chapter Nineteen
Sheila
“I really need to get going,” Bree tells her mother and the queen. “Alistair is taking Lutéce and me out on the boat tonight.”
“Really, why?” Charlotte’s head pops up in interest.
Putting her teacup down, Bree tells them, “We’re thinking about hosting Claire’s bridal shower at sea. What do you think of that?”
You're So Vain: A Royal Haters to Lovers Romance (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers Book 4) Page 9
