Page 29 of Palace of Betrayal

“I have visited Pakistan and thought it was a Muslim country?”

“It is predominantly, but my family were among a very small percentage of people who were Hindu.”

The king nodded, taking a bite of his bread. “I found Pakistan to be brimming with life and colour and, as you say, spiritualism. A beautiful country.” The King smiled kindly.

Bebe smiled in return. “It is very beautiful.”

“Do you go back often?”

Bebe bit her lip memories of the country of her birth and formative years distant and the beauty plagued by memories of rejection but seeing it from an outsider’s perspective, she could see the beauty for what it was.

“Not as often as I would like.”

“Perhaps you and Leo could visit in the future.”

Bebe rolled her lips to hide the smile at the obvious matchmaking. “Maybe we could.”

Feeling Leo’s eyes on her, she glanced his way and saw him smiling at her with warmth before he turned it toward his father.

Bebe felt a warm sensation in her belly. This rift was healable, unlike the one with her family. This man loved his son, no matter his mistakes, and where there was love, there was hope.

Eleven

Leo braced his arm on the back of Bebe’s chair as laughter rippled through him.

“I tell you he was barely two and he’d climbed that tree like he was part monkey. His mother, God rest her soul, almost had a conniption.”

The mention of his mother almost had him shutting down until he glanced across at Bebe and something in her expression begged him to give his father a chance. He let the grin on his face stand as his father finished the story of his wild youth.

This lunch, despite his reservations, had been a good idea for both him and his father. He’d listened intently as Bebe had chatted with the King, slipping in questions that seemed innocuous but were meant to give her answers as to whether the King was in on the scheme to attend the criminal auction.

He’d known his father would never be involved. No matter their differences he had utter faith in that regard. He was a good man, just a terrible husband.

“Leo, this lady is a true delight. When can I expect to see an engagement ring on her finger? You’d be a fool to let her get away and I know for a fact you aren’t a fool.”

He’d joked with Bebe about this happening but hadn’t truly believed his father would fall under her spell as easily as he’d done. His fingers brushed the back of her neck under her mane of silky hair. She was utterly enchanting, clever, strong, so beautiful it hurt to look at her for too long, and she cared perhaps more than she realised. Even after everything she’d been through, she wanted him and his father to heal.

If this were any other time, if she hadn’t been here to find a traitor in his home, if this were real, he’d very likely be considering exactly what his father was suggesting. No matter what she thought, Bebe would make a fine Queen and wonderful life partner.

Her head angled to him, and she blushed at his father’s words. A reaction he wouldn’t have expected from her, but this was the second time he’d seen that delightful shade of pink tinge on her copper skin. Was it that she was as affected by him as he was her or was it something else?

“You’re correct, Father. I’m not a fool. Bebe is someone I hadn’t expected in my life, and you can bet I’ll do everything in my power to convince her I’m worthy of her.”

“You’re worthy, Leo. You’re so much more than the man you show the world.”

His father clapped his hands, delight clear on his face. “I couldn’t agree more, Bebe, and how wonderful that you see it too.”

“You’ve done a wonderful job raising him into the man he is today.”

“No, that was his mother. She’s the reason he’s the man you see today.”

Leo blinked as if waking from a deep sleep. The reality was his father was responsible. He’d raised him, being more hands-on than many in his position. His mother, even before her death, had been absent. She’d been loving but so often she’d been tired or sick, and it had been his father who’d taken him riding or shooting.

“No, Bebe is right. I loved mother, but you’re the person who moulded me into who I am today.” His chest felt tight as he spoke, the memories he’d hidden flourishing now.

“Thank you for that, my son, but you have your mother’s gentle heart.”

“Maybe but I have your sense of family and loyalty.”