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As soon as she was off the stage, I moved to meet her and bring her back, but James stopped me.
“I don’t know if you’ve taken the time to look at the Irish news, but you and Avery are all over the press,” he started.
“Yes, I know, we just got married.” I didn’t care if I sounded snide.
“You’re in the news for being in New York supporting Avery’s fashion show. She’s being ridiculed. ‘What kind of future Queen sinks as low as to be a fashion designer? They are criticizing her for not being loyal to the crown and our country. They are saying horrible things about the both of you.” James wasn’t sympathetic, he was livid. “I haven’t worked all of these years, keeping your exploits out of the press only to lose ground now. She is not queen material. You should have never married her and now that you have and she’s pregnant, your chances are almost zero of securing the throne.” I’d never seen James so insolent.
“And how do you figure that?” I towered over him, equally as angry.
“Your father said that you were to marry and have a child before he would relinquish the throne to you, but he wanted a woman like your mother. He didn’t intend a fashion designer from the United States to stand by your side, he wanted Lady Lucy O’Day.”
I could have strangled him. “Don’t you dare, you have no right to insult my wife!”
“Your wife you say? I saw the contract she signed didn’t you? This is all a ruse and your father will know. He can and most likely will disown you in favor of your cousin. It will break his heart, but he’ll do it for Ireland.”
“You act as if she’s a whore.” I could barely contain my rage.
“She’s a commoner, she may as well be a whore.”
I looked to Georg, hoping for support, but got nothing but wide-eyed horror. Alec and Madison weren’t sitting with us so as to keep our profile low. Suddenly, I felt outnumbered.
“Georg, you know Avery, speak up for her. Clearly, nothing I say will impress,” I begged Georg.
“Avery is lovely, Your Highness and I can see you love her as she adores you, but she’s not happy being a princess. This makes her happy… and this is what she deserves,” he said quietly.
“Well, damn you both.” With that, I got up to find Avery.
I’d had enough of their petty nonsense. I’d be king whether they were for me or against. I made my way through the clamoring crowd to the backstage where I found Avery in Kylie’s arms as she had a bottle of water poised against her lips.
“What happened?” I asked panicked.
“She needs some fresh air. She’ll be okay. I’ll have my doctor check on her as soon as we get to the lake house,” Kylie told me slightly frantic.
“The lake house? We have to be on the jet back to Ireland tonight.”
“There is no way she’s flying tonight, Liam. She has to rest.” Kylie fought back as Alec and Madison stepped in.
“We’re going to give her some time to recover, Liam. If you need to go back tonight, you should. We’ll take great care of her.” Even Alec was against me.
“Avery?” I looked at my wife who was pale and distant. “What’s going on here?”
“I’m just tired, Liam. I promise I’ll come back to Ireland soon.” Soon?
“We have a charity ball tomorrow for our own homeless crisis. Think of what it might look like if you don’t attend the event?” I was desperate, but at the time, I didn’t know how desperate I truly was.
Tears sprang to her eyes. “I’m tired, Liam. I need a break,” she pleaded.
“You can rest in Ireland.”
“I’m going with Kylie. I’ll call you when I’m ready to return.” With that, she stood up and Kylie, Madison, and Alec escorted her out.
“We’ll keep in touch,” Alec turned back to me to say.
The life drained out of my body as James and Georg caught up with me.
“We have to get to the airport,” is all James said.
I was silent on the plane ride home. I didn’t want anyone to disturb me, so I locked the door to my suite and refused to speak to anyone. Throughout the ride I texted Avery.
We need to talk.
No answer. A little later…
How are you feeling?
Still no answer.
Please… help me.
Finally, an answer, but not from Kylie. Alec called.
“How is she?” I asked before even saying hello.
“She’s fine. The doctor came to the house. She’s anemic and needs to rest to build up her blood iron. If she doesn’t slow down, she’ll lose the baby. I had a similar scare with Kylie, I know firsthand how serious this is.” Alec did, in fact, sound very serious.
“As soon as I get her back to Ireland, she can rest. I’ll tell my father there are complications with the baby, he’ll cut her back on her engagements.” Again, that feeling of utter desperation. I was on a plane putting miles between us and my world was quickly unraveling.
