AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Right. Of course.” Her shoulders fall as she briefly averts her gaze. “Family legacy and all.”
“Exactly.”
An awkward silence settles between us as we simply stare at each other for several long moments. Then she steps back, eyes bright once more.
“Well, I should get to Gladwell and unpack. Although I’m sure it’s already been done for me, like everything else in my life.”
The annoyance in her tone is clear, but I don’t press the topic. It’s not my place.
“Don’t worry,” she adds quickly. “I’ll have one of the other guys on my protection team drive me so you can visit with your brother.”
“I appreciate that.”
She nods, a thin smile pulling on her mouth. “It was good seeing you, Creed.” Her expression softens. “Really good.”
I bow slightly. “Your Highness.”
Her lips part as if she’s about to berate me once more for the way I address her. Instead, she pushes out a resigned sigh. “Lieutenant Lawson.”
She spins, her steps full of purpose and frustration as she walks away. I debate going after her, asking if she wants to ride horses or take a walk along the canals, just for old time’s sake.
But those days are gone.
They ended the second I joined the military and took my rightful place in this world.
And my place is to serve the royal family. Serve Esme. Not be her friend.
Or more than her friend.
Chapter Three
Esme
“They want you to get engaged by the end of the summer?” Harriet whisper-shouts.
“Shh,” I hiss, glancing around to make sure no one’s eavesdropping as I sit with Marius and Harriet at a table outside one of my favorite cafés by the famous canals that line Belmont’s capital city of Montrose.
But no one’s sitting close enough to overhear our conversation. Captain Adam Lawson made sure of that after I informed him I wanted to stop for tea with my friends, something I haven’t been able to do for too long now.
“That appears to be the plan.” I grit out a smile as I sip on my tea. “And I don’t even get a say in the matter. The palace PR team has already decided who I should marry.”
“And that is?” Marius inquires.
“Jameson Gates.”
My friends pause to consider my future husband.
After a beat, Harriet gives a small shrug. “Could have been worse. He’s not too harsh on the eyes. Plus, he does quite a bit of charity work. Like you.”
“He’s certainly much more genuine than most people in upper-class society. Especially someone with his family’s vast wealth. But… I don’t know…” I slouch in the chair, throat tightening in irritation.
“It doesn’t matter that Jameson is a decent bloke.” Marius covers my hand with his, expression sincere. “It should be your choice who you spend the rest of your life with.”
“Exactly.” I return his smile, then pull my hand from his, bringing my tea to my lips. “And who gets to be my first.”
“What do you mean, Ezzy?” Brows furrowed, he leans closer. When he speaks again, his voice is no louder than a whisper. “You haven’t had sex yet?”
Placing my teacup on its saucer, I worry my bottom lip, remaining silent. But I don’t need to say anything.
