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“I wasn’t thinking anything. Because there’s nothing going on.”
“That’s not how I would describe these pictures. I can see the way you’re looking at one another. That is not nothing.”
“She’s a guest at Primrose Park, with your approval. I was being hospitable and keeping her occupied so she wouldn’t go into thecity, get discovered, and have the focus shift away from the celebration. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
The queen shook her head. “I wish I could say this was the first time I’d had this conversation. I never thought I’d be having it with you.”
She tossed several more photos onto the table, and Jameson winced when the top one showed him and Dani kissing after the screening at Baslingfield. He’d been caught up in the magic of the evening and captivated by how beautiful she’d looked sitting next to him. Thinking it was safe, he’d pulled her behind a tall hedge and pressed his lips to hers, not wanting to wait another minute to taste her.
The other pictures had probably captured similar incidents. Moments when he’d been unable to control himself.
“I expected this type of thing from Julian. He’s never been able to resist a pretty face and an easy manner. Have you watched her videos? My private secretary showed me one. She’s practically offering herself on a silver platter.”
The distaste in her voice was quite different from the public statement the Palace had put out taking credit for Duchess’s participation in response to the praise surrounding her inclusion.
“But you, Jameson? I thought you were better. You’re a man of intellect and great thought. Like my John. I couldn’t have anticipated you would be the one ruled by your baser instincts.”
His hand fisted by his side.
“And do I need to mention your father? I loved my son, but his weak character and selfishness almost ruined us. It certainly led to his death. I thought, of any of the family, you would be able to do the right thing.”
Resentment choked him at the mention of his father.
“Do you remember what it was like after he died? The scandal? The press? How it affected your poor mother?”
He hadn’t forgotten the toll it had taken on Calanthe. The lost look in her eyes, the despair. Holed up at Kensington Palace because it was the only place she was safe from the constant swarm of paparazzi.
“And despite what she was going through, she still thought of you. Your welfare. You inherited responsibilities that day. You inherited the Wessex duchy, but you shouldered none of the responsibility. Even after you turned twenty-one, you didn’t have to step fully into that role. It is by my grace that you’ve been allowed to live in your ivory tower.”
He swallowed past the burning in his throat and forced himself to speak. “And I’ve always expressed my gratitude for your benevolence.”
“You owe me. You owe your mother. You owe this family. Your father put his desires over royal duty. You will not do the same.”
“This isn’t what you think it—”
“I got those from theDaily Express.”
A British tabloid had taken those pictures? He’d thought Marina was having him followed. But the media... this was much worse. The tabloids would dredge up Richard’s death and turn Jameson’s relationship with Dani into something lascivious.
Like father, like son.
The coverage had the potential to devastate Dani’s business. Getting swept up in a royal scandal wouldn’t be the type of good press she wanted to generate.
No one would emerge unscathed.
All because he’d been unable to curb his impulses when it came to her.
Fuck!
He shoved a hand through his hair. “When are they going to be printed?”
“They’re not.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t understand.”
“It took a lot to keep them from going with this story. But I’ve promised them exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of the celebration. It was distasteful, but it’s what I had to do. And they know I’ll keep my word. Much has gotten out about this family, but it’s only a fraction of what it could’ve been.”
Comprehension dawned. His mother had been right.
