Liam chuckled. “No, not really.”
Almost as if mentioning her name was enough to summon her, Lucy stomped into the room, perfectly put together in a floor-length black silk dress that swirled around her legs in her haste. She stared daggers at me as she passed by where we stood before plopping down on the chaise opposite where Amy and Maddy sat. Crossing her arms and scowling, her body language betrayed that she was just as pleased about tonight as me. She wore herice princess mask so well that I’d have never believed there was another side to her if I hadn’t witnessed it firsthand.
Now, if only I could forget how incredible it felt to have her total obedience. Having the knowledge that she was capable of submission but chose to be defiant when it came to the real me was its own form of torture. There was no denying the sexual chemistry last night, but it only worked because she didn’t know my identity.
Leaning to my right, I asked Liam under my breath, “What the hell happened yesterday?”
Liam smirked, enjoying watching me squirm. “A lot of things happened yesterday.”
Narrowing my eyes at my oldest friend, I said through clenched teeth, “You know what I’m talking about. Yesterday, she couldn’t get away from me fast enough, and now our mothers are practically planning our wedding. What. The. Fuck. Happened?”
Peering around me, he addressed my brother. “Max, Preston seems a little on edge, don’t you think?”
Maxwell was along for the ride. If there’s one thing I’d learned in life, it was that an older brother enjoyed the discomfort of their younger brother. “You know, Liam, now that you mention it, he does seem tense. Can’t imagine why. His bride is a stunning woman.”
Liam gave him a conspiratorial grin. “You are right about that, my friend. My baby sis is beautiful. Don’t you think so, Preston?”
I was seconds away from causing a scene in front of not only my and Lucy’s entire families but also my King. “Cut the shit.”
“I don’t see how this is my fault. If I recall correctly, I warned you where her priorities lie.”
He had warned me she was desperate to break free of the royal life and focus on her fashion career, but like an idiot, I thoughtthere was a tiny chance she might turn it down once she learned I was involved.
Conceding his point, I sighed. “Yes, you did, but I want to know why this is happening so fast? Lucy didn’t even take time to think about it?”
There was sympathy in Liam’s blue eyes. “Apparently, she agreed to the dealbeforeshe knew it was you, and Grandfather set the wheels in motion.”
Nodding toward Lucy’s sulking form, I remarked, “She looks as miserable as I feel about this arrangement. Can’t she just take it back?”
Liam took another sip of his drink before glancing in his sister’s direction. “She could, but she won’t. Lucy is stubborn.”
I had to hold back a snort—stubborn was an understatement. “Thanks for the support, man.”
Sighing, he gave me a pat on the shoulder. “Look, I get it. Your whole life changed in an instant, and you’re trying to make sense of it all. Take a moment, step away from the situation, and look at it with fresh eyes. You might be surprised.”
Before I could ask how he could possibly “get it,” the butler announced that dinner was set to begin. Lucy bolted from the room, clearly looking to avoid being escorted to dinner by yours truly, so I shoved my hands in the pockets of my suit pants.
She couldn’t stand the sight or thought of me. A lifetime of this should be fun.
Chapter 8
Lucy
Look at him. Justsitting there across the table, all smiles and charming dinner conversation, while my world was crashing down around me. I bet he thought he hit it big, securing a match with the King’s only granddaughter. His family sure looked cozy here at the palace. How long had they been planning this climb up the social ladder?
“Lucette!” Grandfather’s voice boomed throughout the dining room, drawing me from my thoughts.
Looking to my right, where he sat at the head of the table, I ducked my head demurely. “My apologies, sir.”
Preston made a choking sound across the table, and I glared at him from beneath my eyelashes. What was his problem? Did he think I was incapable of contrition? That just went to show he knew nothing about me.
Addressing my grandfather once more, I asked, “My mind wandered for a minute. How may I be of service?”
Grandfather looked displeased, but repeated himself, “We were discussing the timeline of your engagement.”
“Fuck my life,” I whispered under my breath.
“What was that, dear?” my mother asked, seated two down on my right, with Amy in the seat between us.
