Page 67 of His Royal Request

I chuckled. “No chance of that happening.”

A car engine roared and I pulled my eyes away from my struggling cousin.

“Finally.”

Michael’s red Porsche parked to the side, away from the carriages and he jumped out jogging toward me. His waistcoat was open and his tie hung loosely around his neck.

“Sorry, sorry. Every road was closed because of this blasted wedding.”

I shook my head. “I told you to just stay here.”

He rolled his eyes. “I had a late meeting yesterday, otherwise I would have.” He looked at Ronan and smiled. “Long time, mate.”

They hugged and Michael stepped back and finished tying his tie. “Where’s the lovely lady?”

“She hasn’t come down yet.” I looked back through the doors, but no one was coming down the stairs. “I haven’t seen Isla either.”

“She’ll make it with a second to spare, she always does,” Ronan said with a shrug.

“True.” I took a breath, finally calming down now that Michael was here. “Things between us are still fairly new but I really like her. Don’t scare her off.”

Michael smirked at Ronan. “It’s serious isn’t it?”

Ronan nodded, and I didn’t deny it.

“Just please be a gentleman and make sure she’s comfortable,” I told Michael. “If you need to make introductions you can say she’s a friend of mine or ours. Also, if there’s a custom she’s not aware of, please explain.”

He waved his hands. “Yes, I know. I’m not going to embarrass either of you. I’ll take good care of her.”

I stared him down for a minute then nodded. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“Ronan, Aiden, come on!” Isla hurried past us as if we were the ones running late.

I rolled my eyes and thumped Michael on the shoulder. “I’ll see you guys back here later.”

There was nothing more I could do, so I led us down the stairs and to the third carriage where Isla waited.

“How’s Charlie?” I asked her.

“I’m doing well this morning, thank you so much for your concern.” She scrunched her nose.

“Sorry, how are you doing? You look lovely this morning.”

She brushed me off. “Charlie is just fine. She looks beautiful and is excited for the wedding.”

“Amateur,” Ronan said under his breath.

“Hey, weddings are fun. At least it’s not Cian’s coronation.” Isla cracked up and started laughing.

Ronan groaned. “That’s going to be an unbearable time in our lives.”

I nodded, I should stand up for him in front of our siblings, but he’d been on my last nerve lately. We all paused to watch as he left the house and went directly to the second carriage where he sat alone. The tradition started when we were all children. He was too serious and scolded us for breaking protocol so he requested to travel by himself. Everywhere. When we flew, he took a different plane. Granted, it was customary for the next in line, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t go with us.

He should have joined us as we got older, but it was too much of a habit. He was too good for the three of us, so we let him have his space and we got the freedom to goof off.

Finally, Mum and Father took their seats in the head carriage and we were off. I looked back toward the palace doors for a glimpse of Charlie, but couldn’t see her. I had to trust Michael. He was my oldest friend, and he’d never let me down before. I’d have to remind myself of that throughout this long day.