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As he’d listened to his mother, Nic realized he’d been in America too long. Although he’d grown up in a world where marriages sometimes were arranged, he’d grown accustomed to the notion of dating freely without any expectation that it might end in marriage.
He’d almost reached his suite when the door to the room beside his opened and two maids emerged carrying garment bags. Their appearance could only mean he had company next door. It hadn’t occurred to Nic that Brooke had been placed on this floor, much less in the room beside his, and his suspicion was confirmed when his sister came out of the room a few seconds later.
“Nic!” She raced across the few feet that separated them and threw herself into his arms. “How good that you’re home.”
She smelled of the light floral perfume he’d sent her the previous Christmas. He’d asked Brooke to help him pick out the perfume because he’d sensed the two women were a lot alike. Seeing his sister’s good mood upon leaving Brooke, he knew he’d been right.
“I’m happy to be here.”
Ariana pushed back until she could see his expression, and then clicked her tongue. “No you’re not. You’d much rather be in California playing with your rocket.”
“I’m done with that.” The accident and Gabriel’s marriage had seen to that.
“It’s not like you to give up.”
Her remark sent a wave of anger rushing through him. The emotion was so sharp and so immediate that he could do nothing more than stand frozen in astonishment. The loss of Griffin. His obligation to give up his dream and come home to marry a woman he didn’t love. None of it was of his choosing.
But without this call to duty, would he have stayed in California and started over? The accident had been a disaster and his confidence was in shreds. Was that why he wasn’t fighting his fate or figuring out a way around the laws that were in place so he could choose whom he married?
“Nic?”
As quickly as it had risen, his rage subsided. He shook himself in the numb aftermath. “Sorry. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. And I didn’t give up.” He gave her nose an affectionate tweak the way he used to when she was an adorable toddler and he an oh-so-knowing big brother of ten. “I was called home to do my duty.”
Ariana winced. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Her contrite expression vanished with her next breath. “I met Brooke tonight. She’s wonderful.”
He was starting to wish his siblings would find something about Brooke to criticize. It was going to be hell bidding her goodbye and it would have been easier on him if they behaved as if falling for her was a huge error in his judgment.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“If you’re going to visit her, you might want to hurry. I think she was getting ready for bed.”
For a second Nic wasn’t sure if he should take his sister’s statement at face value or if she was trying to get a reaction out of him. He decided it was the latter.
“This is my room.” He indicated the door to his left. “I didn’t know where she was staying in the palace.”
“Why are you in the visitors’ wing?”
“Something about my room flooding.”
She gave him an incredulous look. “Who told you that?”
“Gabriel.” Nic was starting to suspect something might be up. “Why?”
“Because I stopped by your suite earlier and it looked fine to me.” She smirked. “I think our brother is trying to play matchmaker. You and Brooke all alone in the visitors’ wing with no one to know if you snuck into each other’s rooms. Very romantic.”
“Damn it.” Now he had another dilemma facing him. Confront Gabriel and return to his suite in the family wing or pretend he and Ariana never had this conversation and do what his heart wanted but his brain protested against.
“Honestly, stop being so noble.” It was as if Ariana had read his mind. “Gabriel followed his heart. I think he wants the same for you.”
“And then who will produce the legitimate heirs to ascend the throne?”
His sister shrugged. “There’s always Christian. He isn’t in love with anyone. Let him be the sacrificial lamb.”
Nic hugged his sister and kissed the top of her head. “You are the best sister in the world.”
“So are you going to choose Brooke?”
“You know I can’t and you know why.”
With a huge sigh, Ariana pushed him away. “You are too honorable for your own good.”
“I know how this whole thing is making me feel. I can’t do that to Christian.” He paused and looked down at her. “Or to you.”
