His Forbidden Princess(24)
“I wouldn’t go that far.” He could tell her a thousand ways she was special.
‘No, I’m not. I’m no different than any other woman doing a job and trying to find her place in the world. I want to be loved. I want a house full of children someday. I want my work to have meaning.” She was watching the scenery go by as she spoke. “But because my family has money and a name, because some distant relative won a battle here or there, somehow I’m more important than others. If you think about it, the insurgents are similar to your American patriots, except more violent. They want freedom. Aren’t they calling themselves Freedom Fighters? They want equality. They don’t feel the need for figurehead monarchs who sap the nation’s resources.”
“Sofie, it’s not the same and the violence is the big reason. Not to mention they’re coercing your parliament, threatening attacks on civilians. You don’t murder people to get the majority to bend to your will. That’s terrorism. The citizens of Aubonne have one of the highest standards of living in the world. The highest literacy rate. Some of the best medical care. The demands being made are bullshit and the authorities in your country need to catch these bastards and make examples of them.”
“The innocents,” She uttered. “The people who are caught in the crossfire to make a point are my concern.”
“They should be, but what do you think would happen if the insurgents succeeded in
either killing your whole family, or driving you into hiding? Do you think the violence would stop?”
She swallowed hard? “Probably not, but maybe if we go into exile it will stop long
enough for the authorities, for Parliament to plan…something. I don’t want anyone hurt.” She looked his way. “Have you spoken to my father?”
“Not since yesterday.” Ian was hoping to hear from the Palace, but he kept his promise they were off the grid, so messages would be slow as they made their way through channels.
“We’re making arrangements for you to talk to him, though. And your mother and your sister.”
“She’s awake?”
“Not sure yet, but let’s think positively.” He wished he could tell her something, but there hadn’t been any news.
“I’m trying. It’s not always easy.”
Chapter Four
They drove a little more, turning onto a coastal road and Ian pulled into a diagonal parking space. On one side of the street was a white sand beach. On the other side, was the place they were going to have lunch. The little beach shack called The Bayside had been there for as long as he could remember and served the best lobster rolls south of Maine. He threw the Jeep into park and smiled at her.
“Here we are.”
Sofie surveyed her surroundings similar to the way any professional would have. She knew the drill—then she went for the obvious. “Okay. I see the beach and that view looks familiar. It’s very much like the one from the house, but where are we, exactly?”
Ian thumbed over his shoulder, directing her gaze to the small weathered building behind him. “That’s where we’re having lunch.”
Her eyes bugged out and it made him chuckle. The Bayside was not the prettiest place on the island, but it had the best casual food and looking across the beach, it had the best ambiance.
“I promise you’re going to thank me later.”
“I am? Are you certain?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
They exited the car and Ian took her hand, out of sheer instinct, as they crossed the street.
Sofie didn’t pull away and as much as he knew he shouldn’t have reached for her, he was glad she’d relaxed a bit with him.
Once they walked into the small, fenced outdoor eating area, through the dappled sun provided by the colorful umbrellas shading the tables, Ian felt like he’d come home. The sharp voice from the back of the restaurant was the other. “Ian Stuart. You rotten kid. Where the hell have you been?”
“Oh, my goodness,” Sofie said quietly. “I didn’t realize you were a celebrity.”
“I waited tables here when I was in high school. Made enough money in tips one
summer to buy a sweet car.”
“That’s lovely. And the person screaming at you?”
“Patty. She and her husband own the place. Dropped out of their crazy lives in New York and moved out here about twenty years ago.”
Patty had come out of the open kitchen and was approaching quickly. He hadn’t seen her in five years, but she looked very much the same as the last time he’d been to The Bayside. Her shoulder length, dark hair was pulled back and her large, dark eyes were full of mischief. She reached out and wrapped him in a hug.