Page 49 of His Royal Request

He bent down and captured my lips before I could think. This kiss told me more than his words could. I wasn’t crazy. And I wasn’t alone.

14

Aiden

The garden party was the first event for all the wedding guests to attend. It wasn’t as grand as the annual garden party Mum hosted for the country. That was open to everyone and housed on the grounds at the palace in Tarramore. That was my favorite event of the year. I loved getting to see our people.

This was just another party on top of everything else that comes with a wedding of this magnitude. I groaned just thinking about what we’d have to endure when one of my siblings get married. That would be a spectacle.

My eyes drifted toward the stairs for the thirtieth time in five minutes. Isla and Charlie were running late. I knew my sister liked to make an entrance, but I doubted Charlie would enjoy that amount of attention.

Finally, I heard the telltale sounds of clicking heels on the marble floors. Charlie and Isla were smiling at each other and chatting as they descended the stairs. At least one of my siblings liked Charlie almost as much as I did.

“There you are. It’s about time.” I called.

Isla waved me off. “Perfection takes time.”

I shook my head and stared at Charlie. She radiated happiness, her pale pink lace dress complimenting her skin color and hugging her curves. Her modest fascinator was pinned at a slant, covering part of her face. She looked elegant, mysterious, and a bit too attractive to have to share her with the world.

“You look exquisite,” I said, making her blush.

Isla bumped into my shoulder. “Thanks. It took a bit of work, but I think I did well.” She smiled at Charlie with a wink. “Do you guys want to sneak out?”

Charlie looked confused, so I explained, “Isla enjoys making an entrance at these events. She has the guards announce her. It’s a whole thing.”

Charlie looked panicked. “No, thank you.”

I laughed and took her hand in mine. “We can sneak out and miss that.”

I led her back to Dad’s office and out the back door. We merged with the crowd, attracting little notice. A second later a trumpet sounded and Isla was announced. Everyone in the vicinity turned and smiled or clapped as she slowly made her way down the steps, waving like the princess she was.

“I’m so glad we didn’t do that.” Charlie was watching and shaking her head.

“Me too. I much prefer to act like I’ve been here the whole time.”

Waiters walked through the crowd offering drinks and hor d’oeuvres but Charlie declined each one.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

She had a tight smile and kept looking around. “I feel like everyone is watching us.”

I glanced around and noticed eyes dropping as soon as mine met theirs. “They are.”

She groaned. “Shouldn’t they be looking at the bride and groom?”

I laughed and put my arm around her waist, tucking her against my side. “By now, Nicole and William are old news. They’re much more curious about the prince and the mystery woman.”

She glanced around, smiling, but it was forced. “Maybe Cian was right. I shouldn’t be here.”

“Don’t listen to anything Cian says. I want you here and that’s what matters.”

“This just doesn’t feel like the time or place, Aiden. Everyone should be focused on the couple getting married. I don’t want to take that away from your cousin.”

My heart swelled a bit more at how thoughtful she was. She seemed to take into consideration everyone else’s needs before her own. It was as strange as it was refreshing.

“Come on. I’ll introduce you and you’ll see that it doesn’t matter.”

We crossed the garden, with only a few people stopping to talk to us. I excused us each time, saying my cousin needed us. We finally made it to where Nicole and William stood, greeting guests.