Page 64 of His Royal Request

How long would I have to endure this?

I forced a smile and froze when I noticed everyone was still watching me. What were they waiting for? Was I missing something? I looked back at Maribeth who gave the tiniest nod as she took another bite.

Crap. I had to clear the plate? Wasn’t a polite bite sufficient? I had to eat the whole horrible thing?

Couldn’t I pretend to have an allergy? Gluten? Dairy? I’m vegan?

I took another tiny bite and focused on breathing through my nose. I could get through this. I could survive.

“Aiden told me you majored in international relations at university. What made you choose that?”

I blinked and realized Evelyn was giving me an escape. I’d noticed a few conversations had picked up and those people were no longer eating.

“I really liked the thought of traveling the world and meeting new people. I thought that was what I’d do if I graduated with that degree. Little did I know it was a bit more complicated.” I laughed. “That’s why you shouldn’t choose your major as an eighteen-year-old.”

We laughed. “Oh boy,” she said. “My major was English so I can’t say it was particularly helpful either. I got a special paper because I read a lot of books.”

I nodded. “It’s so important now to have a degree, at least that’s what we’re taught in school, but they forget to tell us to pick something useful.”

“Who knows, you might use yours.” She winked, which gave me pause.

Would people think that? Would they think I’d planned to meet Aiden? Or that I was using him?

It was almost comical how coincidental it was. Would the public see it that way or would they think I was an opportunist? Would they think I was an American trying to worm my way in and impose my own agenda?

I was spiraling but I couldn’t get up and leave. I needed to catch my breath, but how could I with dozens of eyes on me?

“Oh, darling. I didn’t mean anything by that.”

I nodded. “No, I know. I just realized how that might look to others.”

She frowned. “Don’t think like that. If someone makes an accusation all they have to do is see you and my nephew together to know it’s not true.”

I met her eyes. “You think?”

She nodded. “Of course. You two are something special. The moment people see that they will support the two of you.”

I sucked in a breath and tried to relax. We were up against so much. The odds were stacked against us, and that wasn’t likely to change.

I’d have to put up with criticism and negative talk for my entire life if things with Aiden and I continued on this track.

Could I handle it?

I looked down the table to where he was seated and watched him. He was so poised and confident. So even-tempered. He was the calm to my storm. As if he knew I needed him he turned and smiled at me. I relaxed and smiled back before turning to face my audience.

I could do this. With him, I could.

18

Aiden

The moment Dad stood, ending dinner, I hurried to Charlie’s side. I’d watched her as much as I could through dinner and she’d remained composed and smiling, but I had no idea what she was really facing. I wanted to rescue her. I wanted to protect her.

Not just from this group, but from the world.

“Hello,” I whispered behind her causing her to spin. She beamed up at me and took my hand in hers.

“Hi.”