Page 22 of Secret Dynasty

I glanced over at the others who were engaged in polite, but stiffly formal conversation. “Doing my best to make an ass out of myself,” I admitted. “Thank you for coming.”

“I’m trying to be better about family obligations,” he said in a strained voice. “I don’t think Alex knew I was coming, though.”

It was strange to hear the King of England referred to so casually. “You didn’t tell him?”

“It’s complicated,” Edward admitted. I recognized the frustration in his voice, because I had my own fair share of it.

“Is he mad at you?” I glanced over at his brother.

“Not exactly,” he said, “but I think he’d rather have heard about this in advance.”

I nodded, somehow understanding what he meant. Whatever was going on between the two of them expectations needed to be clear and boundaries marked. I thought of Spencer and Holden. What was it that pitted brothers against each other? “Just talk to him,” I said, thinking of what I wanted for them. “Don’t let whatever happened poison you against one another.”

Edward’s throat slid as if my words had landed harder than I anticipated. “I’ve decided to return to London,” he told me. “But my number is the same. Call me?”

“Absolutely.” I smiled widely at the thought of having another friend nearby.

“I better hurry. I want to catch up with my brother,” he said, but he paused and waited.

“What?” I asked as he continued to stare.

“I was just waiting for you to curtsy,” he said dryly.

I rolled my eyes at him and he leaned toward me, surprising me with a quick hug.

“Spencer, my condolences,” he said to my fiancé, but Spencer was watching me with curious eyes.

“Thank you, your highness,” he said coolly. Edward spoke quickly to the rest of the family and hurried after Alexander. As soon as he was out of earshot, Spencer turned to me. “Why is he hugging you?”

“Are you jealous?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice.

“No.” He snorted as if the thought was ludicrous. “It was just very familiar. I had no idea you two knew each other well enough for rolled eyes and hugs.”

Apparently, he’d been paying really close attention, and I’d failed his secret test. “We spent an afternoon together in Yorkshire while you were gone. I forgot to mention it with everything that happened.”

His eyes narrowed and then he smirked. “You never fail to impress me. Already befriending the prince. You’re going to make a perfect companion when I’m Prime Minister.”

I tried to smile but my face wouldn’t cooperate. Thankfully, more attendees arrived to speak with us. I hung back, remaining silent, playing the role of Spencer’s perfect companion. Standing here, even at his grandfather’s funeral, I realized he’d never wanted to share his life with me. He wanted someone to compliment his own ambitions. I was nothing more than a beautiful object to adorn his arm. And as the minutes ticked by and Spencer spoke of me to the visitors rather than to me, I knew I was as useful to him as his wrist watch.

Chapter Twelve

I’d attended a few parties at Sparrow Court since I’d arrived in London, but this felt different. The visitors gathered today spoke in hushed voices. Everyone wore black. I felt as if I was walking through shadows as I made my way to snag a bite to eat—and escape the constant introductions. Now that I was officially engaged to Spencer, everyone wanted to meet me again. Everywhere I turned someone who knew Kerrigan from university or charity work or rowing club cornered me to catch up. Spencer had disappeared with some lawyers to discuss important matters that couldn’t wait. I suspected his grandfather would be proud that he didn’t take off even for his funeral.

But that left me defenseless against the barrage of well wishers and curious newcomers. Tod and Iris were amongst the masses, but they were the last people I wanted to shield me. Evie had vanished with school friends. And Holden hadn’t been seen since his dramatic exit at Westminster.

Rather than risk the buffet the caterers had set up in the ballroom, I snuck into the kitchen. The staff were too busy to notice or care that I had invaded their space. I swiped a cucumber sandwich from a tray waiting on the counter and found a quiet corner where I could hide.

I took a bite, savoring the first food I’d had all day. It was already late afternoon, not quite dinner but too late for lunch. That probably explained the afternoon tea spread. There was enough food to feed an army: sandwiches and tarts and scones and biscuits. Servers rushed out the kitchen doors and new ones dashed back inside. It was a whirl of activity everywhere I looked. By the time I’d finished the last morsel, I was eying a platter of puddings when Caroline blazed into the room with Iris by her side.

“There are two empty trays on the buffet in the parlor,” she snapped at a woman stirring a bowl near the hob. “And the tea trolley needs to be refilled.” She grimaced at Iris and shook her head. “You have to stay on these companies. The only punctuality they ever show is when they deliver the bill.”

Iris answered with a tight smile. “I’ll bear that in mind if we host any gatherings at Willoughby Place.”

“You really should.” Caroline turned an appraising eye to her. “People notice who hosts events and who doesn’t.”

“That reminds me that I wanted to talk to you about wedding plans,” Iris said.

I shrank farther into the corner, wondering if I could sneak back out with some of the caterers. The last thing I wanted to think about was the wedding. Still, I was curious what they were planning. Spencer expected the date to move up. I couldn’t help but hope they had encountered an obstacle in their attempts to rush the blessed event.