Page 69 of The Duke's Virgin
“Thatlook.” With an annoyed glare, he flapped a hand at me. “You’re giving me that look you always give me when you’re about to try and pass something off on me.”
“How often do I do that?” I demanded.
“Not often,” he conceded. “But you’ve done it more in the past few months than youeverhave, and it’s almost always events that have to do with making public appearances. In case you’ve forgotten, you’re the face of the Grand Duchy. You’re theheir, not me. Whatever it is that has you shying away from parties and such, you need to get over it.”
I wanted to tell him he was imagining things, but I couldn’t.
Hewasn’t. Ihadavoided a few events over the past few weeks. There had been an engagement party in Paris for one of the Formula One drivers I was friendly with, and I hadn’t gone, sending a gift instead. It wasn’t unheard of, really, because I had a full schedule, but Iwouldhave gone if I hadn’t worried about seeing Emmett…and possibly Stacia. Together.
Emmett had even texted me, asking why I hadn’t been there.
I’d responded that business in Luxembourg had kept me tied up. He said he understood, but it had been a lie.
I could have gotten away for a few hours, easily.
I’d also avoided a charity event in Milan that many on the Formula One circuit supported. I send a large donation instead and somebody else in my place.
Geraint was right about this, though. Aeric and I were friends, and Monaco was one of Luxembourg’s allies. It could be seen as a slight if I didn’t go. Fuck it all.
Emmett may well be there.
Aeric was a big supporter of the entire Formula One sport, and while he and Emmett weren’t close personally, I knew they got along well. Emmett had attended Aeric’s bashes in the past.
And Stacia…
Would she be there? It was likely. Not only was she dating Emmett—their fucking pictures kept showing up online—but she was Aeric’s cousin.
Would they be theretogether?
Clenching my teeth, I pushed the thought out of my mind and looked at Geraint. “You’re right, of course.”
“You sound like we’re attending a funeral. You’ll be a fun one to be around that night.” He rolled his eyes.
“You’ll be sneaking off with your pretty bride-to-be, so you won’t have to concern yourself.”
“I’m afraid not. Katrina has a fundraiser that’s been in the works for a while. Both she and Regan have been working on it for months. It’s the first play Regan’s little group will be putting on, for the Prince and Princess of Liechtenstein, no less.” He gave me a smug smile. “If you try to pass Aeric’s birthday off on me, I have a handy escape already in mind.Mamanwould certainly understand if I felt I needed to show my support for my future wife’s charitable endeavors.”
“I already told you I was going.” I flipped him off, resigned to the coming weekend.
“Good.” He grinned, looking as smug as I’d ever seen him. “Just keep in mind my escape route if you start having second thoughts. If you try to get out of it and send me, I’ll tell our mother I’ve changed my mind and won’t be going.”
* * *
“Luka.”My mother, Octavia, stood in the doorway of my office, a smile on her face. She nodded at me, then looked at my personal assistant. “Stuart. How are you this afternoon?”
“Quite well, Your Highness.” He was already on his feet, offering a short bow.
“The same. I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of my son’s time.”
“I…of course.” Stuart scrambled to collect his things, looking at me. “We were almost done for the day, weren’t we, Your Highness?”
“Yes, I believe so.” It wouldn’t do any good to say otherwise, would it? I couldn’t exactly tell mymotherI had other things to do. That would just be rude.
Stuart left after giving another quick nod, shutting the door behind us. I still stood behind my desk, but now that he was gone, I came out from behind it and went to greet her, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “What can I do for you,Maman?”
“I just wanted to talk about the birthday party you’re attending this weekend for the Hereditary Prince of Monaco. Have you found a gift for him?”
“I was thinking about giving him a peacock.”
