Her eyes test mine for defiance, which I release, jaw clenched. “That’s out of the question.”
“Alright, not soon.” A callous wrist flicks.
“Grandmum—”
“Now, because you are a clever, refined version of Silas . . .” She almost winces while saying the name of her youngest child. Last but not least, as far as scandal goes. “You will do well always to remember that your present will never be your future concerning that friend of yours.”
“Yes, my Queen, I will never forget what you’ve said,” I snarl, which isn’t indicative that I intend to follow through with the order. Regarding my duchy, Her Majesty has alwayssuggested;however, her firm stance is new. To imply that I must one day break it off with Luxury is out of the question. My grandmummy simply did not take heed. My statement will stand until the end of time.
“Now for Arlington. When will you return home?”
“I’ve conducted a meeting at Tudor Enterprises this month and will also deal with a few issues in my dukedom.” As far as I'm concerned, I won’t be calling it home.
“You’ve visited this month already? The month has just begun. What are your plans?” The Queen scoffs and then decides to change her mind. “I know that Arlington is not a place you prefer to frequent for an extended period. We all miss Emeli and—”
“Grandmother, please forgive my intrusion. I appreciate my duchy.” My face chisels like stone. It has been almost eight years since I’ve heard the utterance of that name, but just thinking of Emeli’s death prepares me for bloodshed.
For a moment, I can almost glimpse her inquisitive brown eyes. The way Emeli’s dark hair tumbled over her fair skin.
“Yes, dear, I know you appreciate your dukedom. So, I must—”
“Grandmother.” I begin to cut in again and give a smile as an apology. For the moment, she is not my Queen; she’smyblood. There's an exchange between our eyes. Her pale gray ones fill with tears as I predicted. We never finish discussing my full return to Arlington, and we never will.
“My apologies, Grandmother,” I proffer and glance away. Like Luxury, when we first met, these tears are real, not a form of manipulation. However, they serve a purpose.
When the Queen’s eyes glisten with tears, our discussion about Arlington simply falls away. My grandmother is the epitome of strength, having led an entire country. Yet, there are still tragedies that break down the strongest of them all.
21
Luxury
Although I’ve enjoyed the lush green countryside of Arlington since arriving, I keeptrying torun into the same unyielding brick wall that seems to breathe fire and friggen brimstone.
Princess Mary.
Yup. Let’s say I’ve sought her attention. There’s stock in the fool-me-once, fool-me-twice doctrine, but I’ll succumb to one last-ditch attempt. Blame it on my love for family.
Jane had said unless I see Mary in passing, an appointment was the only way to get her attention.
Now, I see where Victor’s gotten his elusive ways.
While he attends his monthly meeting at Tudor Enterprise this morning, my mind runs away with me.But didn’t Victor already go to his monthly meeting?Maybe that was last month.When he left, I didn’t ask for fear of being a nuisance, and he didn’t offer a tour of his company.
“All right, Luxury?” Burt asks.
I set aside my mother’s diary. How long was he standing there? I haven’t turned the page in over ten minutes and wasn’t focused on it before.
“I forgot you left shortly after our arrival here. The gossip mill hasn’t brought you up to speed on how Vic’s mom had her guards try to smoosh me like an ant?”
“May I?” He gestures to the seat next to me.
“I’m ashamed you even feel the need to ask.” As he settles down, I elaborate. “Jane has asked all the princess’s ladies-in-waitingfor a moment of Lady Mary’s time. Even gone so far to glimpse her daily schedule.”
He snorts. “I can tell you precisely what’s on her agenda this afternoon.”
“What? Where?” My brows rise. “I’m not apologizing about the first day. Far as I’m concerned, she exacted her revenge—if she thought I meant to snub her. But I will share that I feel . . . that I’m in love with her son, and I hope for the best for us.”
He pats my shoulder. “You’re not only cheeky, Luxury, but you very well might have morebollocksthan all of these royal asshats.”