Page 92 of Royal Desire

I reach over and claim Ruby’s hand to bring it to my lips. It’s not my place to announce to her family that I plan on Ruby never leaving. “I’m more than sure. This house has been a depressing nightmare for far too long. As far as I’m concerned, the longer you live here, the better.”

“Live here? Who’s living here?”

Fuck.

We all turn when a hoarse, scratchy voice enters the fray.

My mom stands in the entry to the dining room looking nothing short of a nightmare. She’s gaunt with dark circles around her eyes and is wearing the same pajamas she was when I said goodbye to her before I left for the weekend at the manor.

I can’t remember the last time she came downstairs, let alone this early in the morning. Sadie says she sleeps until noon most days.

I stand and start to move to her. “Mom⁠—”

But Ruby stands also and interrupts me. “Hello, Mrs. Deacon.”

Blake doesn’t get up but talks as he spoons eggs onto his plate. “It’s so cool for you to let us stay.”

Alice doesn’t say anything. I think she’s stunned that my mom hasn’t vanished like the Winslet grapevine whispers about.

Mom’s bloodshot eyes jump around the room. She doesn’t answer Ruby. She doesn’t even look at Blake. And she glosses over the old lady with burned hair.

She looks straight at Sadie. “Why are you eating in the dining room?”

Sadie stiffens before she moves to push her chair back.

I put my hand out to Sadie. “Don’t move. You’re eating breakfast with us.”

Mom leans on the door frame for support, which means there’s not a sober bone in her body. Fucking great. I was going to talk to the Sinclairs about my mom at this literal meal, but Tallie picked today to drag her ass out of bed before nine.

Mom glares at Sadie. “The help never eats in the dining room.”

Ruby gasps.

Blake misses his mouth and egg drops to his lap.

And Alice.

I fucking love Alice.

Alice points at Mom and then Sadie and then back to Mom. “Did she just call her the help? Did I get whisked back into the Regency era and no one told me?”

Mom continues to put her foot in her mouth. “What are they doing here? And is that Ruby Sinclair? The trash girl who broke your heart and you acted like it was the end of the world?”

I’m halfway across the dining room prepared to pick up my mother, carry her upstairs, and lock her away in her bedroom suite.

“Payne, wait.”

Only because it’s her voice do I stop and turn. I look her in the eyes. “I’m not going to sit here and let her talk about Sadie or you. The house has been in my name since my father was sued for everything he had. I’m the one who funds it. Sadie works for me, and I’m lucky she stayed as long as she has. I love you, Ruby. My mother will not talk about you like that in my house.”

Blake looks across the table to Alice. “I told you he loved her. Now you can drop the act that you hate him.”

Alice rolls her eyes. “I knew he loved her. It’s my job to hold a grudge.”

“Payne.” Ruby calls for me again. Her tone is even and controlled and detached, like what my mother just said doesn’t faze her in the slightest. “You should invite your mother to have breakfast with us. It’s the right thing to do.”

I pull in a breath and shake my head. Even so, I do as she says and turn to Mom. “You should eat. But they are my guests. Be nice.”

Sadie, Ruby, and I take our seats. My mother has to hold onto the wall to make her way to the far end of the table. She knocks a picture sideways on the way, but she finally makes it.