Reluctantly Royal(45)

As we drove to D’Lynsal no one talked. I tried the radio, but gave up and turned it off. Meredith stared out the window, much like she did the day I showed up to tell her about her grandfather. I didn’t know what she was thinking. Would she stay at D’Lynsal? Or would she fight to go somewhere else?

She could go back to England. There was nothing saying that she had to be at her grandfather’s funeral. Maybe I could find a way to make sure she got a scholarship. Something that would set her and Marty up if the will left her with nothing.

I pulled up to D’Lynsal and waited for the guard to open the gate. Landscapers worked around the front gardens, trimming and cutting. I pulled around to the back and parked next to Alex’s car.

“I didn’t know you lived in a castle.” Marty stared at the stone walls of D’Lynsal.

I ruffled his hair and helped him put his backpack on. Meredith walked around to the back and opened the rear door. I hurried around to grab the bags so she wouldn’t have to carry them.

“I can carry my bag.” She shook her head.

“I know that.” I offered her a small smile. “But I wanted to carry them anyway.”

Cathy met us at the back door with a big smile. “Hi!”

My little sister stepped forward and hugged Meredith before looking at Marty. “How’s my favorite dancer?”

Marty’s cheeks turned pink and he giggled.

“Come in!” Cathy held the door open and I followed Meredith and Marty inside.

A butler took their bags from me. “I’ve readied rooms on the family wing, sir.”

“Thank you, Lawrence.”

“Should I take the young man’s backpack?”

“I think he’s fine.”

I half listened as Cathy chatted with Meredith. She had pulled herself together and looked completely comfortable as she walked through the house. When we passed the suits of armor near a large picture window, Marty grabbed her hand excitedly.

“Look! Look! Real armor.” He stopped in his tracks and looked up at the armor in awe.

“Those were used in a war a long time ago.” I pointed out some of the dents and scratches that hadn’t been buffed out.

“Whoa.” He leaned forward. “Is there any blood?”

“Marty.” Meredith laughed.

“There probably was some a long time ago, but not anymore.” I winked at him.

“Max and Alex got in big trouble for trying to use the swords when we were little,” Cathy whispered.

“Don’t even think about it, buddy.” Meredith poked Marty in the shoulder.

“That is so cool.” Marty looked up at me. “What else is there?”

I laughed. “Well, there’s the lake, the stables, the birds.”

“Birds?” He grimaced. “Like parakeets?”

“Like the ones that would eat parakeets.”

“Oh man.” He whispered the words and I laughed.

“I figured you guys didn’t have time to eat, so I had the cook make something for you.” Cathy opened the door to the dining room. “We weren’t sure what you liked, so we made a little bit of everything.”

Samantha stood up from her seat at the table and smiled. “Hey guys!”

“Ah, no wonder you made so much food. The pregnant woman is eating with us.” I pulled a chair out for Marty and then Meredith.

“Shut it, dork.” Sam sat back down and mock-glared at me.

“I’m glad to see you too.” I smiled at my sister-in-law. Some of the tension that had gripped me for days melted away. It was good to be home.

“Thank you for having us over on such short notice.” Meredith unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. “I hope we’re not causing any trouble.”

“Not at all.” Cathy sat down next to Sam. “We’re glad you’re here.”

“Well, it’s very kind of you.”

I snorted and Meredith glared at me.

“What?” Sam looked between me and Meredith.

“I didn’t really give them much choice.” I shrugged. “It was either here or the palace.”

“Didn’t give her a choice?” Sam stared at us. “You kidnapped them?”

“I didn’t kidnap them!” I sat up straight. “Let’s talk about this later.”

“Yes, let’s.” Meredith narrowed her eyes at me and I realized I was in trouble. The weird part was that I kind of enjoyed knowing she was going to let down her guard and rip into me.





ELEVEN

BREAKFAST. OR WOULD it be brunch? Brunch with the royal family. Not exactly what I had planned for the day.

I tried to focus on the conversation, but I kept going over what had happened with my father. I knew that he was going to be upset about the will, but I had underestimated his reaction. I had thought he would be more understanding this morning, having slept off the alcohol from the night before.