Page 25 of Royal Surrogate 1

“That’s right,” Caspar says cheerfully. “Are you ready for a picnic with your Uncle Caca?”

We spread out on the blankets, and the food is pulled from the baskets—loaves of crusty bread, fresh fruit, cured meats, pots of fresh preserves, meat pies with fancy designs in the pastry on top… My mouth waters as the feast is laid before us.

“So, Renae,” Lauren says as she parcels out bits of cheese for Noah, “where are you from originally?”

“Seattle,” I say. Then I add, noting her accent, “Are you from the U.S. too?”

“Yes, technically,” she says. “I grew up there. But I’m half Montovian. I met Xavier here in Wintervale.” She gives her husband a warm look.

“It sounds like there’s a story there,” I say.

She laughs. “There definitely is. And I’m happy to tell you the whole thing later. For the moment, though, I want to know how you two met. You must be something special, because not even two months ago I could have sworn Caspar was a confirmed bachelor.”

“Now, that’s not fair,” Caspar protests around a large bite of toast and jam.

Lauren ignores him, her friendly gaze still locked on me. “So? How did you meet?”

If Caspar and I had been smart, we would have gotten our stories straight ahead of time. Obviously, I know I’m not supposed to tell them about our business arrangement, but stupidly, I never planned out anything further than that.

“In a diner,” I tell her honestly, because it’s the easiest answer, and stalling while I think of another would look suspicious. “We bumped into each other. Literally.”

“And I helped her pick up the books she dropped,” Caspar adds adeptly.

“I’m a librarian at Lake Washington University,” I explain. “Or at least I was.” I’m still getting used to the past-tense part.

“So this guy charmed you off your feet from the start, huh?” Lauren is fighting her smile.

“I guess you could say that.” I steal a glance at Caspar, whose face looks perfectly serene. But I’m learning to see his little quirks, and I can sense the touch of panic beneath his easy expression. He, too, seems to realize we should have had a plan.

“The Wintervale men certainly have a way about them,” Lauren says. “The first time I met Xavier was equally explosive.”

Lord Xavier, amusingly, goes a little red in the cheeks at her comment.

“There’s no reason to go into that here,” he says in his deep rumble of a voice. “And anyway, I want to hear from my brother.” He turns to Caspar. “This all sounds very…romantic, I guess.” Romantic comes out like it’s mildly uncomfortable for him, like he doesn’t know quite how to use the word. “But you must admit it’s a little out of character for you, Brother. So, I want to know—what’s this really about?”

CHAPTER 19

Caspar

“It’s about love, of course,” I say, sliding my arm around Renae.

I can only hope my brother doesn’t see how she stiffens beneath my touch. Am I so horrible? I want to ask her. She didn’t seem to think so for a few moments this afternoon until I ruined it with talk of her chastity—or lack thereof.

Xavier snorts but doesn’t have the chance to object.

“Watch me, Caca!” My young nephew takes a napkin in his hand and begins to run, flying the fabric above his head like a kite.

“I’ll go after him,” Lauren says with a sigh, rising to her feet before chasing after the boy who is now nearly to the edge of the gardens.

“He’s quick,” I say. “Perhaps more of a sprinter than a wrestler?”

“I suppose we’ll see,” Xavier says, still eyeing me. “So what is it you two have in common?”

“Whatever do you mean?” I knew it would be difficult to convince my brothers that I’d fallen in love with a woman, but I didn’t expect quite the grilling.

“I mean…” He glances between the two of us. “What do you have in common? Besides the bed, of course.”

I don’t need to see Renae to know her cheeks have flushed a deep shade of crimson. “Books,” she blurts.

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