Royal Inheritance

by McKenna James

  The best I can do is be my exceptional self, which I question the validity of on the daily around Gavin. I pause around a bend and bring Gavin to a standstill. He pulls his arm free from mine, and I stupidly feel the loss of it immediately.

  “What if we went for a ride tonight, so we can talk away from the castle walls?” I suggest.

  My heart quickens at the thought of being alone with him, away from prying eyes. That thought aside, I really need to have Gavin on my team. I need a plan for making this happen. I’ve been working on one all night. The more I danced with and was pawed by guys I wanted nothing to do with, the more I wanted out. The more I needed it like my next meal. And hearing what Father said in his study all but solidified the need to fix the hole we found ourselves in. I have to save my family too, not just myself. We need to get our money back and right all the wrongs.

  Gavin takes a deep breath. “What exactly do you want to talk about?”

  I shake my head. “Not here. I have an inkling of an idea, but there are ears everywhere,” I remind him. “Especially now, with so many foreign dignitaries staying in the palace.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather go to bed?”

  I can’t fight my grin at that.

  “To sleep, Your Highness. You’ve been on your feet all night. Surely you’re exhausted?”

  “No, this is too important, and I won’t be able to sleep unless I get this off my chest. Please, Gavin. One quick horse ride, and then I’ll be out of your hair for the rest of the night.”

  He nods begrudgingly. Ushering us forward to keep on moving, he says, “Fine. Get changed quickly, and when you are ready, open your bedroom door, and we’ll take the secret stairway in the sitting room.”

  My eyebrows go sky high. “You know about the passageway?”

  Gavin chuckles. “Of course. How else do you think I knew where to find you all those times?”

  I’ve always wondered how he found me so quickly. The man is full of surprises. As he’s always telling me, don’t underestimate people, prepare for every eventuality, and you’ll never be caught by surprise or be disappointed. I’ve always wondered if it was his training to be a royal guard or something else in his past that makes him think like that.

  We remain silent as we slowly make our way through the hallways until we get back to my room, and I realize I’m trapped in my dress without a second set of hands.

  “Gavin,” I yell out before he enters his room. He turns back toward me, and I feel my cheeks warm. “Ah, I could really use your fingers right about now. Would you mind freeing me?”

  He stands there like a statue for a few seconds before he snaps to and nods. I turn around, pulling my hair over one shoulder, and give him my back so he can get to work on the endless buttons. I shiver as his warm fingers brush the bare skin at the base of my neck.

  “Sorry,” he mumbles. “Cold hands.”

  I smile, knowing he knows his fingers aren’t cold, but he’d never acknowledge what his presence does to me, or the feeling of his fingers on my skin. I continue grinning to myself as Gavin seems to struggle with the first couple of buttons, trying to get them through the eyelets with his big fingers. I chuckle when he mutters to himself in frustration.

  “You doing okay there, champ?”

  “Why would someone make a dress like this, let alone want to wear it? How many buttons are there?”

  I laugh at his gruff tone. “Use your thumb and forefinger on your left hand to push the eyelet over the button while holding it with your right. It shouldn't be this hard, Gavin. Anyone would think you don’t undress women on the regular.”

  “Anyone can think what they like. These buttons are ridiculous.”

  I feel Gavin do just as I instructed him to, and the fabric releases as the button comes away, his huff of acknowledgment the only response I receive. I can’t help it, I glance over my shoulder and raise an eyebrow at Gavin. He counters me with pursed lips and straightens my shoulders, so I have to look back around.

  After that, Gavin seems to find his stride, taking no time at all to undo the remaining twenty-something buttons, until he gets to my six, and his fingers freeze against my spine. I bite my lip and try to breathe in and out as normally as I can when his little finger caresses the bare skin about the remaining buttons. I don’t even think he’s aware he’s doing it. I’m almost positive he isn’t, because Gavin never touches me like this.

  It seems to take an eon before he finally speaks.

  “Can you manage on your own with the rest…” He trails off, and I realize he doesn’t feel comfortable undoing the ones above and on the top of my ass.

  “Ah, I can’t exactly reach.”

  I demonstrate, putting my hands behind me to reach the top of the last of the remaining buttons, only just brushing Gavin’s hands in a vain attempt to reach, when the front of my dress begins to fall forward. At the exact same time, both our hands fly forward to rescue my modesty. Mine head for my chest, Gavin’s I have no idea where they are headed, but they press to the sides of my waist and stomach when mine reaches their goal. The tops of his fingers brush the underside of my breasts when I breathe in and out rather raggedly.

  It takes me a few breaths to regulate my racing heart, and for Gavin to gain his wits, it seems.

  “Do not remove your hands. Got it?”

  I nod, biting my lip. Slowly, Gavin slides his hands from the front of my gown to the sides. I hear the deep breath he inhales before he undoes the last five buttons, revealing even more bare skin, and the high probability I’m not wearing any underwear. He hastily removes his hands from me and steps back, leaving a cold chill in his wake, my whole spine completely bare and open to the room.

  “Done.”

  “Thank you,” I whisper before hurrying into my bedroom, but before closing my door, I look back toward Gavin, standing ramrod straight and staring at his hands.

  It takes me a while to shake myself from my position on my bed and get going. I can’t let go of the feeling of Gavin’s fingers on my body or the look on his face as he stands there staring at his hands like my skin burned him. I step out of the dress and leave it unceremoniously on the floor, before running into my walk-in closet to throw on some jeans and a hoodie.

  As soon as I finish sliding on my riding boots, I open my bedroom door as instructed, and tentatively walk into the adjoining sitting room. Waiting, as if nothing happened a mere twenty minutes ago, Gavin sits on one of the small settees, his face once again a mask of indifference, of business as usual.

  “Shall we?”

  “After you, Your Highness.”

  Gavin waves his hand toward the tapestry on the far wall, indicating I go first. I step up to the wall, press the little hidden button on the light sconce just off to the right of the hundred-year-old tapestry, and wait for the click. The hidden door unlocks, and instantly cool air hits me.

  “That never gets old.” I smile to myself, remembering the first time I found this passageway when I was home for the holidays at the exploratory age of twelve.

  I ease the tapestry aside and nudge the stone wall door inward to allow Gavin and me entry. I shoot him a sly grin over my shoulder and step through.

  Hollering behind me, “Be gentle with the ancient fabric. It’s been in the family for generations.”

  My father would literally kill me if anything happened to that old carpet, even with me being his heir. Daddy dearest is rather precious when it comes to our history; he’d rather sell off his daughter than our priceless heirlooms.

  I turn on my phone torch and head further in the dank passageway behind the walls of my suite. The sound of the door clicking closed behind me echoes off the stone walls, and Gavin’s soft footfalls follow shortly after until he is right behind me. His body heat the only warmth in these frigid tunnels.

  “How did you find out about this passageway?” I ask quietly as we make our way through the seemingly never-ending tunnel.

  “I have the blueprint of the palace in my room. There
are multiple secret passageways throughout the old building; most I am sure you are unaware of. Even the King knew little about most of them.”

  “Well, that’s just … rude.”

  This makes Gavin chuckle. “Yes, incredibly rude that I'm equipped with the knowledge few have, that could potentially save you or your family’s lives one day. How silly of me.”

  “Sarcasm really doesn’t suit you. Stick to the silent brooding.”

  I can practically feel Gavin smile behind me, but I dare not turn around and look, because I am sure I’d find it gone if I did. We remain silent for another fifteen minutes or so as we navigate the passageways. A wrong turn could find us popping up in a guest’s quarters, or the kitchens, as I found one time when I first discovered the secret tunnels. Finally, the last turn off emerges up ahead that will lead us outside, directly in line with the stables.

  Gavin and I make quick work of saddling our horses. I thankfully had the forethought to bring a few apples from the fruit basket in my room to keep them pliable and quiet while we work. Instead of mounting them and riding out of the stables, we walk them by hand until we are sufficiently out of earshot, should anyone be a light sleeper, or awake and creeping.

  After mounting the horses, we ride for a few minutes to the park and woodland area attached to the palace grounds. Once suitably out of range from ears and eyes, I break the still air with my own suspicions of the night.

  “I want to know exactly what you know of Edgar’s death and my father’s investigation into it. Every little detail. Or I’ll have you fired by sunrise.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Gavin

  Raina’s words ring out through the silent night as we both come to a stop on horseback. I want to laugh out loud at the authority in her tone.

  Or I’ll have you fired before sunrise.

  It’s not often she throws her weight around, especially not with me. She can be demanding, yes, but it’s more a personality thing, more playful and not the privileged entitlement of royalty. This time, it’s all the future Queen addressing her servant or subject. And she expects to be obeyed.

  “What makes you think I even know anything at all, Your Highness?”

  She doesn’t miss the inflection in my tone. Instead of getting angry or frustrated, as I would expect, the corner of her plump mouth twitches upward. She’s amused, but I can’t imagine why.

  “I’m not a moron, Gavin. Even you have mentioned you think I’m smart—”

  “I believe I said no such thing, Princess. Smarter than something does not equal the same as acknowledging intelligence.” That takes the smirk off her face, replacing it with the cutest little purse of her lips and a scowl to accompany it.

  “Regardless. I know you don’t think I’m an idiot. You tolerate me far better than if I was stupid. You wouldn’t put up with half of what I put you through.” She grins impishly at that. “I know you have the information I want, Gavin. I saw you in Father’s study. You didn’t react one bit. Not even to stiffen at the prospect of a threat to me.”

  This makes me raise my eyebrows.

  “I pay attention too. You knew everything Father had to say, except maybe the part where a constable spoke with him at the ball, though you still didn’t look surprised. I’d wager that you noticed he left, and him coming back.”

  I neither confirm nor deny her assumption, but the curve of her mouth on one side tells me she knows she’s right regardless.

  “I’m not leaving until you tell me.” She huffs, folding her thin arms across her chest. Her put upon look is pretty darn cute, and I can’t help but push her a little more.

  “Oh, so no threat of having me fired then?” I laugh, unable to hold it back anymore. “You may be the princess and heir to the throne, but I report to your father, not you. I’m his to command and order about, or fire at will if he so wishes.”

  “I know you’re not mine. I mean, my employee, but you are not immune, even with the favor you keep with the King. A few choice words, some forced tears at this late hour, and well, I’m sure you can fill in the blanks.”

  My eyes go wide at the implication she’s put forth. She wouldn’t, would she? She would. Raina is more than capable of lying to her father and getting away with it. I’ve seen it more times than I can count, but somehow, I don’t think she would do that to me. She’d have to put up with someone else if she did. I doubt that would be very favorable to her.

  Because I can’t refrain from poking the bear with a short stick, I give her a lopsided grin and wave my hand toward the palace. My message is clear as day. Bring it on, Princess.

  “Please, Gavin. Don’t make me beg. It’s too cold to get down on my knees.”

  The lost and desperate tone wears me down. It’s not like the King forbid me from telling her anything. He’d just wanted my thoughts, and to keep me in the loop so I can keep his daughter safe. Besides, she deserves to know what’s going on. I’m about to open my mouth to tell her what I know when I see her shiver.

  “We should head back, Princess. You’re freezing.”

  “I’m just a little cold; it’s fine. If you talk quick, I won’t freeze to death.”

  I sigh, always the stubborn one. I take my jacket off and hand it to her to put on. She looks a little apprehensive about it, but I shut her down quickly.

  “I won’t talk unless you put that on.” In the blink of an eye, she’s got the coat on, but it absolutely dwarfs her smaller frame.

  “Thank you. Now, you were saying…”

  I chuckle and shake my head. Sometimes, Raina can be worse than a dog with a bone. I indicate we should keep moving so the horses stay warm, and tell her everything I know. Though I leave out the gory details of how Edgar died.

  “…So your father came to the conclusion that the last person he spoke to on the day that he died could quite possibly have all the information we need. It just so happens to be the person he’d been in communication with about seven or eight times a day for the better part of a month.”

  “I’d have to agree with him, that does sound pretty suspect. How did he find this all out? That Edgar had been in communication with someone nonstop before he died?”

  “His phone log and call history.”

  “Oh, right. Of course. So what’s the next step? Has anyone reached out to the man?”

  “Yes. The police have tried to contact him without much success. But it seems as if he’s run off to Switzerland, of all places, and is hiding out. They’ve yet to track him down and do anything about that information. That’s all I know. You are all up to date. I think we should head back now. It’s incredibly late and too cold for you to be out here.”

  Raina makes no move to respond or even acknowledge me, but I can see the cogs turning behind her eyes. She’s up to something.

  “What are you planning, Princess?” I ask.

  I don’t feel good about any of this, and I want to get her back to her room in the palace as soon as possible before we both freeze to death. She turns her gaze to me, and the blinding smile of triumph she shoots in my direction makes my heart race a mile a minute. This princess is going to be the death of me. Possibly literally.

  “Let’s go to Switzerland.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t see what possible reason we’d want to do that, or how we’d manage it with what I can see you plotting behind your eyes. No one knows where he is, Princess.”

  “You have no imagination, no sense of adventure. You disappoint me.”

  “Well, I’d hate to disappoint you, Princess, but I’m being realistic. What reason could you possibly have for visiting Switzerland with all that is going on at the moment? You’d never get it approved.”

  She taps her lips a few times with her forefinger. I’ve seen her do this on several occasions when she is concocting a plan or, more specifically, a lie.

  “I could be going on a ski trip. A last hurrah before I settle down and get married. It’s the perfect time of year for it, very believable.”

&n
bsp; “I don’t see it working at all.”

  She crosses her arms over her body, her chin jutting out as she glares at me. Seeing her get worked up always makes me laugh.

  “Okay, but at least I’m trying. What are you doing?”

  My brow arches. “Just saving your ass on a daily basis.”

  She groans. “I know that. It always comes down to the job, doesn’t it?” She shakes her head at me. “Everyone leaves after breakfast tomorrow for some charity appearance. We’ll do the same. No one even needs to know where or what I’m doing. I can’t tell my family my plans because I know they won’t allow it, but I can’t sit back and do nothing. Let other people dictate the rest of my life.”

  There’s no way I’m going to be able to talk her out of this one. I can see it in her eyes, the sheer determination. She'd find some way to go without me, and I can’t let that happen. I have to go with her, keep her under control, and try to prevent an international incident that would surely arise if she was left to her own devices. Maybe, just maybe, we can find this guy and get the answers she so desperately needs to set her free.

  I nod solemnly, my own plan falling into place.

  “Pack for a few days—” I hold up a hand at her squeal of excitement. “That’s all you’re getting, one long weekend. We’ll leave tomorrow morning, right after your parents finish breakfast.”

  We might just be able to make this work. After putting the horses to bed for the night, we walk back to her room in silence. Partly due to the house being occupied, and partly due to the two of us being both deep in thought.

  Just before she closes her bedroom door, she mutters a soft thank you and plants a kiss on my cheek, but in her haste, she misses by a mile and ends up kissing the corner of my mouth. Before I can even compute what just happened, she’s practically bolted for her bedroom and disappears behind the door with a resounding click.

  Hours later, and I’m still feeling the tingle her soft as silk lips left on my skin. And the unmistakable smell of peppermint Chapstick lingering long after I’ve gone to bed.