Forbidden Earl

by Victoria Pinder

  A huge grin grew on his face. “You remember that? We were ten when I went through that phase.”

  She remembered almost everything about Remy. She’d always noticed whatever he did and it had hurt her when he’d played his silly pranks. She lowered her head, refusing to dwell on that, and pointed in the other direction. “Well, I promised to go see Gigi before we go.”

  “I’m coming with you.” He placed his hand on her lower back as they went to Gigi’s room.

  The moment he opened the door, Gigi put her book down and smiled at them. “Cassidy Bright, you look beautiful. I love this dress and that you’ve cut your hair. You’re breathtaking, young lady.”

  She was almost thirty. Remy would be thirty in a few weeks, which was why they were marrying so fast. But for now she twirled around and showed how the dress flared a little in the back which gave her more legroom, in case she wanted to dance. “My mother helped me find the dress.”

  Remy’s gaze was on her legs when she stopped spinning.

  Her face felt hot as she wondered what he thought.

  He didn’t comment but instead turned to his grandmother. “We have to go, Grannie.”

  They all exchanged kisses and Gigi said, “Love you both. Have fun.”

  Then he escorted her out and they walked back to the large foyer when he stopped and stared at the stairs going up to their bedrooms. “Wait. I forgot something.”

  He then rushed up the stairs, two steps at a time. She noticed through the side windows at the front entrance that Fari had brought out Remy’s red Ferrari for them rather than the black.

  Remy raced down the stairs, holding the bannister, but stopped his fast pace when he practically braked in front of her. Her eyebrows shot up as she asked, “What did you forget?”

  “This.” He pulled a necklace out of his pocket.

  The diamond glistened in the light of the chandelier and she see that the gem was first rate. She shook her head. “I can’t wear that.”

  “For me.” He walked around her and clasped it on her neck. “Besides, it becomes yours tomorrow. I don’t have many things that were my mother’s. Grannie grabbed me in my crib and ran to her car that night the communists came and killed my parents.”

  They both knew the story. Her grandmother, who was with Gigi visiting, called her parents who immediately gathered her and left—Chelsea hadn’t been born yet. The soldiers found his parents outside the estate and shot them while Gigi ran for Remy, grabbing him and joining her parents on the tarmac of a mutual friend who fueled his own jet to escape and gave them all a ride out of the war-torn country. She fingered the diamond with sadness. “And my grandma. Your Grannie was always like my own.”

  Remy placed both his hands on her shoulders. “She packed so little, but she grabbed my mother’s diamonds as well as the bank accounts. I’d like for you to wear this and tomorrow wear my mother’s full diamond tiara and necklace. It’s been in the family for generations.”

  Only Gigi would think straight when soldiers were running up the stairs to kill her. Cassidy wasn’t sure what she’d do if she lived through any of that, but she adjusted the diamond and let it go. “Thank you. I’ll keep this safe for you.”

  “For us.” He winked, like Gigi often did. “Now you look like the Countess of Sky.”

  She joked as they went to his car, “Glad I pulled it off.”

  He opened her car door for her and then drove them to a two-thousand-year-old church that had been built, according to lore, where Mary had appeared to the Roman ancestors of the royal family and made it snow in the spot she’d wanted her church. Some said Avce remained blessed to this day because of the actions of their ancestors.

  Unlike the royal wedding, the Duke of Oakley’s chapel was filled with maybe thirty people.

  As they walked into the foyer, together, she tugged on Remy’s arm. “Tonight, if there is dancing at this reception, I’d like for you… to dance with me.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist and someone snapped their picture. They both ignored it as Remy whispered in her ear, “I want to do more than just dance with you, but tonight, I’ll honor your wishes. Let me go do the best man thing. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be here.” She waved and he headed into the side door where the wedding party waited for the ceremony to begin.

  She kept her head down and intended to pick her own seat, but Remy came right back out. He placed his hand on her back and she turned around and he took her hand in his. “Cassidy, Donna needs a maid of honor and doesn’t have any friends here.”

  Cassidy quickly realized the American had no one in their country to ask for assistance.

  Remy tugged her arm gently. “Can you help?”

  “She wants me?” Cassidy followed him toward the door willing to step into the role. Donna had been nice to her and she hoped they both lived happily-ever-after.

  “Yes.” Remy motioned for her to go inside where the bride waited.

  An older American woman hugged her as she let herself in. “I’m Beth, nice to meet you Cassidy.” Then she adjusted the netting on the bridal veil and asked, “Donna, are you ready?”

  Donna looked amazing in her white bohemian style wedding gown. The bride-to-be rushed over and hugged her too. “Thank you, Cassidy. I didn’t even think about what was needed for this wedding ceremony. I was too nervous.”

  Taking care of details was what Cassidy excelled at. Donna stepped back and Cassidy handed her a tissue in case there were any happy tears before the bride ruined her makeup and picked up the extra bouquet that must be for her. At least her pink dress matched the pink flowers. She adjusted a peony and said, “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll help.”

  Donna nodded and returned to her makeup crew for a last second touch up. “You are my fairy godmother, matching me and Blackwell, so tomorrow, if there is anything you need…”

  Her computer program had worked for everyone else. Remy was perhaps something special, but he wasn’t in love with her. And she couldn’t possibly be in love with him. She adjusted more of her flowers as she remembered his kiss that burned through her soul, but that was just physical and didn’t mean anything. She told Donna, “I just want to see that love exists and you and Blackwell are proving it’s possible.”

  The makeup people let her go and Donna turned around, her energy dialed high. “I’m hoping we can be friends.”

  “I’d like that.” Cassidy touched her simple diamond pendant.

  “Good.” Donna’s smile seemed genuine.

  A few minutes later the wedding march began. Cassidy walked next to Remy up the aisle, as if they were practicing for tomorrow. People snapped photographs. “Your picture will be in the papers for sure, Cassidy.”

  Cassidy pasted a smile on her face but leaned closer to him as they walked. “At least my sister didn’t show up here and ruin Donna’s big day. I’m worried about tomorrow. She had to be invited, being as she’s my sister and all.” In fact, Chelsea was to be her bridesmaid.

  His gaze narrowed. “What do you think she’ll do?”

  They were almost at the altar where they’d go in opposite directions, but she answered fast. “I don’t know. She’s not used to losing to me. We usually walk two very different paths, but she’s always been competitive.”

  “Whatever it is, we’ll handle it together.” He squeezed her hand.

  Both then split up and she took her place in Donna’s wedding party, seeing for herself the love the two people shared. She occasionally caught Remy’s gaze as they stood across from each other—and suddenly she knew that tomorrow would be fine. Marrying Remy was a good decision and tonight, they’d dance.

  Chapter 11

  Cassidy stared across the ballroom at the Duke of Oakley’s manor for the small wedding reception of under fifty guests. The bride and groom finished their first dance and she clapped along with everyone else. It had been special to be part of Donna’s ceremony.

  Once the dance was over, the music start
ed again, and she saw Remy sitting at their table. She left the edge of the dance floor, where most people began to drift into a dance.

  Remy sipped his champagne but stood the moment she joined him. She tugged on his arm, and asked, “Are you ready to dance, my lord?”

  “My lord?” His eyes were bright as if on the verge of a laugh.

  She pulled on his arms. “Come on, Remy.”

  His hand went to her waist and a thrill raced through her. She held his arm and let him guide her. They hadn’t danced together in twelve years, since their one dance at the prom, but she trusted him not to spin her into the other dancers.

  He traced her spine and warm goosebumps grew all over her. “I’m excited about tomorrow in a way I didn’t expect.”

  Really? Her heart skipped. She stared at his collar because her face was too hot to glance into his brown eyes. Pretending not to understand his meaning she said, “Me too. Our dance lessons as children really paid off for you.”

  He twirled her and she landed back in his arms without question. He leaned closer and said, “You’re the best partner I’ve had, as you let me lead.”

  They’d danced together since they were six years old. She had a flash of being at Gigi’s house on the beach in California and them both being forced to learn the waltz. She laughed at the memory. “Gigi drilled it in my head pretty good—which is funny because you’re the only one I trust not to get me run over on the dance floor.”

  He brought her hand closer as the tempo changed but he continued to lead as he whispered, “I don’t know what I’m going to do without her. She’s all I have—the only one left that cared about me.”

  The concave of her heart felt like it opened for Remy even more. She squeezed his hand and met his gaze. “I’m here for you too, Remy. I’ve always been here.”

  A small smile hovered on his face. “I’d like that.”

  A gnawing grew inside her soul and her lips ached. She lifted her chin higher and said, “Kiss me.”

  Without another word her eyes closed, and he did as he was asked.

  Fireworks brighter than any celebration in the sky set off inside her and she held onto him. The room disappeared and it was just the two of them, whirling in measured steps around the floor.

  His lips left hers as he led her in the dance. Her entire body trusted him and she followed. His skin felt hot as he held her. “I want to do far more than that.”

  If he was anyone else, she’d let her mind talk her out of what her body craved. But she placed her hand on her hip like she was a siren in a Bond movie. “Then let’s go home now.”

  His body went taut and his eyes turned dark. “Are you sure? Yesterday, you said you wanted to wait.”

  With Remy, tonight felt right. He was here, with her. He’d chosen her over Lucinda, or Chelsea, or any number of others. She took a deep breath and not one cautionary thought came into her mind. She trusted him. Instead she smiled and said, “That was yesterday. Tonight, I want to be with you, Remy. I’m too excited about our wedding tomorrow to get much sleep.”

  He took her hand and guided her off the dance floor. Those nearest to them cheered at their skill.

  Her face heated, but she stayed with Remy. “Let’s go. I’m glad you’re happy now.”

  Being nobility, they didn’t run to the nearest door. There was protocol. He guided her toward the bride and groom where he bowed, “Blackwell. Donna. Congrats. We have to get going as our wedding is tomorrow.”

  Donna then hugged her again. Cassidy added, “Many congratulations. I wish you were a bridesmaid at my wedding instead of my sister tomorrow, but I’m glad you’ll be there—an ally in the crowd.”

  “Me too,” Donna said.

  They walked out into the chilly evening air, but her skin was so warm she didn’t care. Remy’s hand was all she needed as he led her toward his Ferrari.

  He opened her door and held it for her, gesturing for her to get inside. “Your chariot, my lady.”

  She touched her diamond pendant and glided into her seat, opening his door before he had a chance to run around the car. When he sat and started the engine, she mimicked his wink. “Remy, you’re not a gladiator, despite how much you wanted to be one.”

  “I remember,” Remy laughed. She recalled how he used to play with toy soldiers when they were children, each in Roman garb. As they drove away from Woodbridge Hall, he reached over and squeezed her bare knee. “My ancestors were soldiers not gladiators.”

  She turned closer to him and felt another spark when she traced his lapel. “You finally read the family history?”

  “Of course, Gigi insisted. If you need anything from your room, our rooms connect.”

  For the past two nights she’d stared at the adjoining door and wondered how he slept. They drove onto their estate and she had a hum in her veins that didn’t quit. Luckily, he parked in front of his house and led her inside.

  It was dark and quiet, so they raced up the stairs together.

  In his room, her heart raced fast from adrenaline. The second she heard the click of his bedroom door being locked, she knew she was in uncharted territory. She could breathe because it was Remy. “Unzip my dress.”

  His fingers traced her back as he undid her dress, and he kissed the base of her neck. The embers of desire grew hotter inside her while she turned toward him, in just her strapless pink bra and matching lace panties. He devoured her like she was Christmas morning. “Glad you’re comfortable around me.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “That’s always been true, but tonight is different.”

  “For both of us.” He leaned forward and kissed her. She melted for him and didn’t care about the past.

  Once the kiss ended, he took her hand and led her toward his bed. She felt heat growing in her cheeks as she realized that he must no longer think of her as his sister.

  He stopped, cupped her face and stared into her eyes like she was his favorite meal. “It should have always been you, right here. Because no one else ever mattered.”

  Wow. She hadn’t been expecting those words and it fueled her desire as she climbed between Remy’s sheets. “Kiss me and don’t stop.”

  “With pleasure.”

  Tonight was theirs and theirs alone. Her heart whispered that she loved him and always had.

  Chapter 12

  Cassidy, trapped in the stylist’s chair for hours, had watched the sun rise and now it was well above the window, as Michael and the palace staff worked her hair, sprayed her skin, and ensured she was beautiful.

  Today she had to be. She had to prove to Remy that she’d fit into his world in every way if she intended to make him fall in love with her too.

  Her phone beeped. Michael continued with strands of her hair, undeterred as she carefully picked it up and read Remy’s text. I can’t believe you left my bed so early.

  Her pulse raced. Leaving his muscular body in bed without waking him had been harder than she’d ever imagined. She quickly texted back. Today is our wedding day. I have to look the part.

  You’re beautiful without any junk on your face. The words on the screen empowered her. And with last night still fresh in her mind, where he’d been so tender and attentive to her every need, perhaps he could fall in love with her and just her. Wasn’t anything possible?

  She giggled and texted back, Still, this was the plan, all along.

  Michael pulled the last strand of loose hair into some loop or whatever magic he was creating with her hair. He pressed his hand to her shoulder and said, “Texting your fiancé on the wedding day. Isn’t that supposed to be bad luck?”

  “He hasn’t seen me. We were just talking.” She guiltily put the phone back down. Soon enough she’d share vows with Remy and then all this pampering she’d indulged in would fade away. A small part of her hoped it didn’t, because she realized she liked her feminine side. She frowned at Michael.

  Michael giggled and said, “I’m joking, darling.” He spun her chair around.

&nbs
p; Right. She was in her head too much. She looked into the mirror and caught her breath.

  Her frizz had been tamed into cascades of waves all swept up into perfect curls. Hundreds of tiny pearls gleamed from her dark brown hair. “This updo is beyond my expectations.”

  Michael picked up the pins and added a few to the front. “We found pearls that match your gown exactly. I’ll figure out how to add the tiara without taking away this look when I see at the Church.”

  As long as the fashion didn’t overtake everything else. She met Michael’s blue eyes and asked, “You don’t think the white pops are too much?”

  Michael leaned down behind her ear so they were face to face in the mirror. “Not at all, darling. I thought we intended to wow your fiancé.”

  Cassidy laughed at how he said that—as if he were a mind reader, too.

  Chelsea walked into the hair salon from her makeup service and stared at both of them in the mirror. “Wow? Why would my sister want to wow Lord Sky? This is a business deal, nothing more.”

  Michael stood and continued to pin little pearls in her hair. “Ignore her, darling. You’re going to be fabulous.”

  Her phone beeped. Chelsea took the seat next to her and her hair stylist began to fashion her sister’s light blonde hair into an updo as well.

  Cassidy picked her phone up and saw Remy’s name on her text. Her pulse carried an extra zip as she clicked and read, I’m leaving for the church now. Don’t be late.

  I won’t. She recalled his dark hair against the white pillowcase, his well-sculpted body, and Cassidy trembled. Perhaps they could repeat last night, every night.

  Remy texted, You will. I’ve never been to a wedding that started on time.

  Expect the unexpected. She put her phone down after she typed that. Remy didn’t need to sound so smug about everything.

  Michael walked over and offered his hands to help her out of the chair at last. She took his hands and hugged him. “Michael, you’ve already done so much for me. Thank you.”

  “Don’t ruin all my work.” He motioned for her not to cry and smiled at her. “It’s been a pleasure. I saw you for years down the hall and wanted to fix that wild mess of gorgeous hair.”