AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“To what do we owe the pleasure?” she asks, looking pointedly at Freddy. Her tone is pleasant, but there’s a bite to it.
Freddy gives my hand a quick squeeze, and when I glance at him, he quirks an eyebrow that lets me know if I nod, he’ll do the telling. With a slight shake of my head, I squeeze back, and after taking a moment, I turn my attention back to my parents.
“I’m pregnant.”
My father’s face almost instantly turns scarlet as he directs his rage at Freddy. “I thought you Nevilles were better than this, Grynlough.”
Oh dear, he’s referred to Freddy by his title.
“Daddy, please. It takes two. And—”
He ignores my interjection. “You’ll be marrying her?” It’s spoken as a question, but there’s no doubt it’s a royal command.
“I did ask, but she turned me down flat.”
“Good god, man. Show some backbone. You don’t—”
“Daddy, stop. Please—just stop.”
Everyone looks at me, and I take a deep breath before speaking. “I have some things to say. I’m pregnant. I’m keeping the baby. I am not going to get married because you demand it. I understand there will be a little scandal, but the public will get over it soon enough. And one more thing before you go off again, Daddy. Freddy has a daughter, and her emotional wellbeing needs to be our top priority. Freddy and I both agree that rushing into marriage or even living together is not in Pippa’s best interest.”
“Pippa…isn’t she the sweet wee thing who was Charlotte’s bridesmaid?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“If you’re not getting married, or even planning to live in sin, how onearthdo you see any of this working?” my mother asks, her tone dripping with incredulity.
“We will share responsibilities just like so many other people who co-parent and don’t live together.”
“And you think that’s not going to be more emotionally damaging for Pippa?”
“Here’s the thing, Dad. This is between Freddy, Pippa, and me. You and Mum don’t get any say in how we make this work. It appears that we don’t have anything further to discuss, so I think we should be going.”
Freddy and I stand, ready to leave. “Xandra, please don’t go yet. We should finish discussing this.”
“Daddy, we’ve all made our positions clear. What more is there to discuss?”
He lets out a deep sigh. “How about how your mother and I will do everything we can to support you, Pippa, and Alfred.”
“Really?”
“I didn’t handle that well at all, my darling, and I’m sorry.”
I look up at Freddy.
“It’s up to you,” he says.
I nod and sit, pulling Freddy back down with me. “Okay.”
“We’re going to need to bring the palace press liaison in to craft the right messaging to release to the public. But as far as we’re concerned, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming birth of your first child. Are we to leave it at that, or do we include Alfred and Pippa?”
“We haven’t really had a chance to discuss this beyond telling you and Pippa. We only found out for sure yesterday, and I told Freddy this morning that I’m keeping it.” I look over to the man whose baby I’m carrying. “What do you think?”
“My heart wants to keep Pippa out of this completely. But we agreed to get out in front of this, and it’s going to be much easier on all of us if it’s out in the open on our terms, than if the tabloids start digging around and speculating about who Princess Alexandra’s baby daddy is. Is that okay with you, Alex?”
“Yes. I think ultimately, it makes the most sense. We’re going to need to notify family before it hits the press.” I’m thinking mainly of Duncan and Charlotte.
“We’ll have the press liaison get started tomorrow and make the announcement the next day. That should give you time to spread the news as you need.”
