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“She said my grandmother wouldn’t let us out of the deal and Dani didn’t want to be blamed if my mother was forced to leave her home and the family.”
“She’s got a point.”
“No, she doesn’t. We’ve spent the past month undertaking numerous official engagements to help generate positive press for the Company. Until recently, I’d say we’ve more than upheld our part of the bargain. Dani doesn’t need to be at the state banquet. And considering the tone of the latest coverage, her absence wouldprobably be a relief. Once that’s done, the queen should remove me as a Counsellor of State, this nonsense of ejecting my mother from her position will cease, and the entire ordeal will be behind us.”
Rhys’s eyes widened and his jaw went slack. “Do you honestly believe that?”
Jameson hoisted a brow. “I don’t have to believe it. It’ll happen.”
“You’ll never be free. You’ll always be a member of the royal family. And if you plan to be with Dani—”
“—I do—”
“—then she’s going to, at the very least, have to interact with them. And she might care how they see her.”
“I don’t know.” Jameson rubbed his chin. “Would that really explain why she’s so opposed to leaving?”
Rhys stared into his tumbler as if the answers to the mysteries of the universe could be found at the bottom of his glass. He cleared his throat.
“You know I like Dani and I think she’s good for you. But... are you sure she’s in this for the right reasons?”
Jameson inhaled audibly, as if Rhys had punched him in the stomach. “Why the fuck would you ask me that? Of course I’m sure.”
“Mate, you’re rich, famous—”
“So is she!”
“You’re a prince.”
“And she’s a famous entertainer who’s adored internationally.”
“She’s used you before.”
Jameson frowned. “When?”
“When she first came for the tribute. She needed the good press for her business.”
What a complete load of bollocks!
“Being with me almost ruined the deal for her! Have you forgotten what the queen threatened to do?”
“But it fared well for Dani. That’s all I’m saying.”
Jameson’s heart thumped wildly in his chest and the air around him heated. “You’re way out of line.”
“Maybe.” Rhys set his glass down on the marble-topped side table with a thud. “But I’m your best friend. And it’s my job to be suspicious and overprotective; to question the things you can’t or won’t. Out there, in public, I’ll always support you, Dani, and your relationship. But in private, when it’s just the two of us, I’m urging you to be careful. You’re risking a hell of a lot to be with her. Are you sure she’s worth it?”
Jameson met and held his friend’s gaze. “One hundred percent.”
“Then consider it another version of the webbed toes test you pulled on me back at Oxford.” Rhys picked up his drink and stood. “A top-tier conversation like that between mates needs a fresh one.”
As Rhys left to get them another round, Jameson’s bravado slowly ebbed away. He hoped his trust was properly placed. Because ifRhysever had the need to say ‘I told you so,’ it would be Jameson who would be doing the screaming.
Chapter Twenty
Queen Rages: What Was Prince Jameson Thinking?
Duchess Too Different. Not Princess Material.
