Theo’s face burst into a huge smile as he lowered himself to her level.
“And you are even prettier than a movie princess.” He bowed formally. “My lady.”
Olivia giggled, her cheeks blushing deeply.
He stood up, stepping up to my family.
“It is an honor to meet you, sir.” He grasped my father’s hand.
“The honor is all mine, Highness.” Dad bowed. “And please call me Andrew.”
“Then you have to call me Theo. I’m fine with my father carrying the formal titles for a while longer.” He chuckled.
Theo moved to my mom, kissing her hand. “I can see where Spencer gets her beauty.”
Ugh. I had to turn away so no one would see me roll my eyes. Such a cliché line.
She turned a deeper shade of pink than her lipstick, dipping her legs in a curtsy, her hand fluttering to her neck.
“You are so kind. Thank you, my liege.”
“Again, please call me Theo.” He held out a hand for me. “Since we are going to be very much a part of each other’s families now.”
I took his hand, letting him pull me into his side, my mouth twitching under my smile.
“This is my Uncle Fredrick and Aunt Lauren.” I waved at the pair looking like they would burst if I didn’t introduce them soon. Theo moved in to shake their hands.
“I bet you want nothing more than to get blinding drunk and pass out in a horse stall?” A familiar dry voice muttered into my ear from behind, jumping me around.
“Landen!” I couldn’t stop the squeal from taking over my voice, my body crashing into his, my arms wrapping around him with utter glee I couldn’t hide.
“Whoa, cuz.” He laughed, stumbling back from my exuberance.
“Oh my god, I’ve missed you,” I whispered into his ear, blinking back the tears skimming my eyes. He was like air. A touchstone in my newly hectic world. We had been through everything together, and I forgot how much his presence calmed me.
“I have missed you too.” He clutched me before we both stepped back. “You don’t even know.” His gaze slid slyly to his father. “It is hell without you.”
“Move in with me here.” I grabbed his hand. I knew he’d think I was kidding, but I really wasn’t. He was home; he was everything I missed. Only one other thing was missing.
“What about me?” As if I conjured up that missing piece, my best friend stepped around the horse, opening her arms to me.
“Mina…” I croaked, diving into her arms.
With all the photographers snapping away from the cordoned-off section they stood behind, I knew I should be acting more refined. I couldn’t. Seeing my friends was like letting sunlight into a dark room.
Chapter 14
If I thought introducing Theo to my family would be painful, introducing them to the king and queen was torture. Theo had rushed through the introductions before running off for his polo match, leaving me to keep the conversation going and bond the two sides.
King Alexander was polite, but his pinched expression and attention, or lack thereof, on my parents showed how little excitement he held for the union. The queen was gracious, but she also found a reason to walk away the moment it was deemed polite.
“Thinks himself so much better than us,” Fredrick mumbled into his drink, annoyance flickering his gaze side to side.
“Fred.” Aunt Lauren held her finger to her lips. “Keep your voice down.”
“He is the king, Freddie,” my father muttered to his brother.
“One who was insufferable even as a boy. Always acted like our family was so beneath his.” In the incestuous world of nobles, each generation went to school with the next, keeping the circle small. History repeating itself over and over. My uncle had been in the same grade as the king, my dad two years below. All of them rowed together and played in the polo matches. Now their sons and daughters were doing it.
“We will soon be his in-laws, and he still acts like we are dirt.”
“Calm down, Freddie,” my father said soothingly. “Let’s not start out Spencer’s engagement with our quarrels.”
“No one is engaged, Dad.” I felt Landen’s fingers squeeze my elbow, his reinforcement helping more than he ever knew. Mina stood on my other side. They were like two support beams I needed to get through the day.
“Just a matter of time.” Mother finished another glass of champagne, hitting each glass faster the more Fredrick bitched next to her.
Glancing out, I spotted my sister playing with Duke of Wallingford’s son and daughter. I missed being that age, when playing and being silly was still okay. Though sadly, Olivia’s years as a child were ending; by next year, they’d probably shame her for what they adored about her now.
“Encourage him every chance you get, Spencer.” Uncle Fredrick’s lecture tone kicked in. “The quicker you tie him down, the better. Give him no chance to see what else is out there.”
“Dad!”
“Freddie!”
Landen and Aunt Lauren chided him, but he didn’t even flinch.
“It’s the truth, is it not?” He looked around as if we should all nod. “There is a lot of enticement out there, women not caring if he has a girlfriend. Hell, most won’t care if he has a wife, but those enticements stay on the side when you are married.”
My father flinched, but no one disputed my uncle. Peering at the couples, seeing how little love was between any of them, cracked my chest. They continued because of tradition, what others thought of them, resigned to their situation. No one was truly happy.
I didn’t want to be them, speaking to my daughter in the same resolute tone, set in my misery.
“I think Theo is about to play.” Landen grabbed my arm. “We should go watch.”
“Yes. We should.” Mina nodded frantically, herding me away from my family.
“Blimey, I hate him,” Landen exclaimed, anger pinching his face, reddening his cheeks. “What an utter wanker!”
“Landen…”
“No, Spence. That was fucked up! How dare he say those things just because he’s a miserable bastard.”
“Sadly, though, did he say anything that wasn’t true?”
“Theo’s not like that.” Mina shook her head.
“A lot of people don’t start out like that. But it happens. A lot.” The memory of Lord William’s foul breath was still vivid, his touch echoing on my skin.
My eyes scanned over the polo field, locating the person I didn’t even realize I was looking for.
Lennox stood watch, his arms crossed in front of him, his rigid form solid against the building, trying to blend into the background.
Hilarious, because nothing about him blended in or could go unnoticed. He wore sunnies, but I knew his gaze was on me. Watching. Assessing every person, noise, and movement.
Tucking hair behind my ear, I watched him from under my lashes.
“This group looks like they need a drink.” Eloise’s voice snapped me back to my circle. She waltzed up, of course looking as perfect as a princess. Her hair was twisted into a chignon, her makeup and dress flawless. A twinkle of trouble sparked in her eyes. “Lord, I’ve had enough of preening and prancing for the cameras. Time to drink and take bets. Any takers?” She pounced up, leaving my two friends speechless and shell-shocked.