Reluctantly Royal(67)

Turning, I took my place by the hearse and prepared to carry the casket to the tomb. It was a somber task and not one I took lightly. People were gathered about, talking quietly and watching as we placed the casket on a marble table.

I moved through the crowd to take a place next to Marty. He reached up and wrapped his fingers around my own. I noticed a few people glancing in our direction but didn’t pay them any attention. If they wanted to talk about me holding Marty’s hand, then they could choke on their own tongues. I hated the back-talking, the gossiping, and the assumptions that came from being in the spotlight.

But nothing would get me to pry my fingers from that little boy’s hand.

The minister took his time praying as we all stood shifting from foot to foot. All the bells and whistles had been pulled out for the duke’s funeral.

By the time things were wrapping up, I was sweating in my suit. I wanted nothing more than to undo my damnable tie, throw my jacket away, and get the hell away from all of these people. Playing prince was one of the things I hated the most about my life.

As some of the people came forward to greet the grieving family, I fought my urge to fade away. Alex gave me the smallest nod to tell me to go, but I shook my head. Marty had a death grip on my fingers and there was no way I was going to leave him in this flood of people.

“I’m surprised to see you here.” Lady Tabitha, one of my brother’s exes, smiled at me. Her eyes flickered down to Marty. “I don’t usually see you out and about.”

“I came to help a friend.” I offered her a small smile. I’d never cared for Tabitha. She was gorgeous, tall, thin, and blond, but her attitude had become crass over the years. And she was annoyingly involved in climbing social ladders.

“I see.” She looked from Marty to Meredith. “I didn’t realize that you were so close with the Thysmer family.”

I didn’t say anything. She was baiting me, trying to figure out if there was something going on between me and Meredith. And considering that I didn’t know, I wasn’t going to answer. Rather, I wasn’t sure exactly what it was.

“The Thysmers are our neighbors. Arthur has come several times to visit with my father.” She leaned close to me and lowered her voice. “He and Father drank most of our scotch in one sitting.”

“I wouldn’t think that a funeral is the place for gossip, Tabby.” I narrowed my eyes. Tabitha loved to spread rumors. It was something she lived for; it fed attention in her direction.

“It’s the perfect place.” She reached out and straightened my tie. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. Where have you been hiding?”

From the other side of Marty, I felt Meredith look in our direction and then quickly away.

“I’ve been putting together an art showing in London.” I looked past Tabitha to the other people milling about. I was more than a little bored and edging into irritation.

“I heard about that. How long will it be going on? I’m going to London tomorrow. I’ll stop by.” She tossed her long hair over her shoulder and flashed a grin. “We could meet up and have dinner.”

“It’ll be running for a few more weeks.” I shifted my feet and Marty pulled on my hand. “What do you need, buddy?”

“I’m hungry,” Marty whispered loudly. I almost shouted in relief. Finally, a way to escape.

Besides, I was hungry too. Meredith was in conversation with the minister, but I saw her look down at Marty quickly and then at me. Did she need me here with her? Or would she be okay with me leaving to feed Marty?

My eyes ran over the line of people that were gathering to talk to her and my family and I made a decision. I just didn’t have it in me to schmooze anyone else.

“Let’s go see if we can find some snacks.” I looked back at Tabitha. “It was nice to see you, but I must be going.”

“Did his mother not bring something for the boy?” Tabitha shot a surreptitious glance in Meredith’s direction. “And you? Playing babysitter? I thought you didn’t like kids.”

I took a step closer to Tabitha and lowered my voice. “I like that boy more than I like most people.”

Turning to walk away, I caught a hint of a smile on Meredith’s face.

“Come on, Marty, let’s get out of here.”

We headed to the limo, where Cathy was talking with Rachel.

“Got any snacks in your car?”

“I think we have some stuff.” Cathy smiled at Marty. “Hungry? It’s been a long day.”

“Starving!”

“Climb in there and see what you can find.” I opened the door and motioned for him to get in.