Page 22 of His Royal Request

“I’ll make sure you have everything you need. My sister, Isla, is excited to have a new shopping buddy.”

I smiled and looked out the window. This was beginning to feel like a Pretty Woman experience. The poor girl that finds a rich guy to buy her fancy clothes and take her to fancy schmancy parties. Okay, so I wasn’t in the exact same boat as Vivian, but it was starting to get a little weird. I turned back to him. “I can buy my own dress.”

He looked guilty. “I’m not suggesting you can’t. I just wanted to take care of it since I invited you with such little notice. It’s the least I can do.”

The least he can do? I’d just flown on a private jet. My suspicion that Aiden was more than a kind “businessman” was growing.

Was this a Cinderella moment or a huge mistake?

“Here we are,” George announced as we pulled through gates and entered the most beautiful garden I’d ever seen. It was intricate and had spiral hedges, like mini corn mazes.

I cringed at myself. I was sure there was a proper name for them, probably something French, but they were amazing nonetheless.

We pulled up in front of what I could only describe as a castle. Or a palace?

Confused, I turned to Aiden. “I thought we were staying at your parent’s house.”

George coughed before he got out of the car.

Aiden smiled. “Change of plans. As guests of the wedding, we were invited to stay at the palace.”

Palace? It was a real-life palace? I looked out the window at the pale-yellow building that seemed to go on forever in each direction. There were at least two dozen windows across the front. That’s a lot of rooms.

George opened my door and I stepped out on the gravel driveway. The doors at the very center of the building swung open and a beautiful blonde walked out with her arms opened wide.

“Aiden.” She spoke with such a tender voice. I couldn’t help but wonder if this supermodel was his girlfriend. It would make a lot more sense than having me here as his date. I froze. Had he invited me as a joke? Look at this poor American. She thinks she’s here for a royal wedding.

I cringed when her eyes met mine. “You must be Charlie.” She hurried down the steps and threw her arms around me. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Okay. Something was going on.

“Isla, let her breathe.” Aiden stood next to me when Isla finally stepped back. Isla? His sister? Now that I had that piece of information, it all made sense. I could see the resemblance. Frankly, I was relieved this bombshell was his sister.

“I’m sorry,” Isla said, patting my arm. “It’s just that I’m usually the only girl around here. I’m excited to have someone to hang out with.”

I smiled. She seemed like the type to say whatever was on her mind. I couldn't help but like her instantly.

Aiden rolled his eyes. “You two will have plenty of time to shop later. Give Charlie a chance to look around and relax.”

Isla’s smile tightened. “Actually, we have a dinner to go to tonight. I was hoping to head out now with Charlie so we could both get something appropriate. Plus, the garden party is tomorrow. We have a lot to get ready for.”

Aiden eyed his sister before finally nodding. “Fine.” He turned to me. “Do you mind leaving already? She’s right that you’ll need a few things before tomorrow.”

Shopping with Isla? That didn’t sound bad at all. “Of course not.”

He gave me a brief hug before opening the car door for me. “I’ll see you soon.”

I nodded dumbly, a bit dazed from having his arms around me. It had been so natural, yet it had my insides quaking. I still wasn’t sure what I’d agreed to, but now that I was here in Lochland I didn’t mind not knowing.

6

Aiden

I smiled down at Charlie, who was sitting in the car, until Isla grabbed my elbow and spun me around. She shut the car door before addressing me. “My dear Prince. You might want to think things through before letting Charlie wander around.”

“Like what?”

She laughed. “You fool. Your portrait is the first thing you see when you walk through the doors.”