Page 30 of His Royal Request

“I still can’t believe I get to stay in a real palace.” She sounded wistful.

“We’re so pleased to have you here. Heaven knows it’s about time Aiden found himself a woman as lovely as you.” Evelyn beamed.

Charlie seemed to relax a bit before Douglas extended his hand. She placed hers in his and he grinned. “My nephew should consider himself lucky that someone as beautiful and charming as yourself would be seen by his side.”

I groaned while she blushed at the compliment.

“Thank you for that, everyone. It is established that I had been a hopeless bachelor.” I laughed and we settled back into our seats. Charlie sat next to me, and I kept her hand in mine. She squeezed it and my heart seemed to tighten. I knew it was a sign she appreciated me keeping her close. There was no chance I was letting her go.

“I’m surprised you guys are back so soon.” I turned to my aunt and uncle. “I sent them out around noon and didn’t expect them before dark.”

Isla smiled at the strained look I sent her.

“I took Charlie to two stores and everything looked amazing on her. It was too easy.”

I squeezed Charlie’s hand. “I’m excited to see all you got.”

Charlie blushed again while I stored this moment in my memory. Her rosy lips parted into a slow smile and her cheeks tinted. She’d never looked more beautiful.

I turned to see Ronan studying me with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes in warning before looking away. He was up to something but I couldn't confront him in front of company. I’d deal with him later.

“Charlie, tell us more about yourself. Where are you from? How did you two meet?” Evelyn asked as tea was served with a selection of sandwiches and scones.

I tensed as she reached for her cup. She poured in a dash of milk before glancing over to Isla who made a twisting motion with her hands. Charlie gently rotated the pitcher and offering it to my aunt with the handle directed toward Evelyn.

“I just graduated from Purdue University in Indiana. It’s pretty close to where I grew up. I came to Ireland to start a grand European adventure—”

“Where she met me,” I interjected. “I saw her in a pub by herself and couldn’t let her leave without introducing myself. We ended up traveling together and I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye, so I invited her to come with me.”

Evelyn brought her hand to her heart and sighed. “How romantic.”

Charlie stirred her tea for a split second before Isla cleared her throat quietly. Charlie paused and looked up then mirrored Isla’s movements as she moved the spoon back and forth instead of spinning it. She placed the spoon on the plate and raised the cup to her lips. No pinky out like Americans loved to do.

Isla and I exchanged glances and she winked. Somehow my sister had caught Charlie up on years of etiquette in a few short hours. I nodded discreetly and turned my attention back to the conversation.

Charlie was talking. “I’m not sure what I want to do with my degree yet. I majored in international relations because I loved the idea of traveling and meeting new people. I felt a bit in over my head traveling solo, but thanks to Aiden, I got comfortable in Ireland right away”

“How perfect that you met Aiden.” Douglas sounded a bit suspicious and I quickly diverted the conversation.

“That’s right,” I said. “I do a fair bit of traveling with LochEnergy, so we have that in common.”

Charlie smiled at me and I relaxed for a moment before Douglas opened his mouth again, but his wife cut him off.

“How rare it is to find someone that shares your interests,” Evelyn said.

I nodded while my uncle eyed Charlie. He didn’t trust her. He probably thought she targeted me and was using the opportunity for her own gain. I had to get that thought out of his mind before he said something offensive, or even worse, give me away.

This was too much stress. I needed to tell her the truth, but not in front of an audience.

“Yeah, it is,” I said. “It took quite a bit of effort on my part to even get Charlie to talk to me when we first met.”

She laughed. “I was taught stranger danger.” She looked to my aunt and uncle. “He asked me if I was alone and I immediately thought of my step-mom and how she warned me to never tell anyone I was by myself. I froze and he tried to assure me he wasn’t a kidnapper or murderer which I thought was exactly what a murderer would say.”

Everyone but Douglas was laughing. “So, you didn’t know him…”

She shook her head. “Not at all. It wasn’t until he pointed out George that I even really trusted him, but I guess it was George that I trusted.”

Douglas shot me a look like he was getting more confused by the moment. He knew who George was, he’s been with the family since Douglas and my father were young adults, but he probably wasn’t used to people talking about my driver and assistant like he was a friend.