Page 35 of Royal Surrogate 1

“Who?” I’m still watching the limos, and now I see tiny Wintervale flags mounted on the hood, like you’d expect to find on a dignitary’s car. “Wait—is that your family?”

“They weren’t supposed to return until next week,” he says, still trying to nudge me into the car.

“After the wedding?” I’ll admit, with all the other details and decisions I’ve had to make this week, I completely forgot that Caspar had family beyond his brother Xavier and cousin Sophia, let alone that they’d have their own thoughts about the wedding. And I definitely wasn’t prepared to meet them today. “I thought they were one of the main reasons we were putting on this big show.”

“They are. It’s just…complicated.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I originally thought my parents would be excited I’ve finally decided to settle down, but Xavier’s reaction to this whole thing has made me second-guess that assumption. If Xavier is suspicious, then my parents will be doubly so. Frankly, I was secretly hoping this would all be official before I had to face them. They can be…difficult.”

I don’t even question how Caspar thought he could get away with planning an elaborate wedding without his parents knowing—and it sounds like they’re not the sort of people who will take that sort of slight well. I’m suddenly more than a little terrified. My stomach tightens, and I nearly dive for the car after all, but it’s too late. The limos are already pulling up in front of us, and Caspar’s grip on my arm has gone very tight.

“Brace yourself,” he says, his lips barely moving. “This is not going to be pretty.”

CHAPTER 27

Caspar

Part of me thinks we might still be able to get away—if Renae jumps into the back of the car, there could be enough time to get out of here before my father makes his presence known.

But taking even a moment to consider such an act is too long—my father nearly trips as he bursts from his limousine, not even waiting for a footman to open the door for him.

“Caspar!” He sounds winded, as though he’s run the entire way from wherever it was he’s been on holiday. “Explain yourself immediately!”

“Father,” I say with an embellished bow. “You’re looking exceedingly well. Where was it you and Mother were again? Greece? Certainly, the sunshine has?—”

“Enough!” he bellows, loud enough for all Montovia to hear. “You’ll join me inside at once?—”

“Caspar,” my mother finally makes her way from the limousine, clucking her tongue. “Tell me it isn’t true.”

“Oh, it’s true.” My father glares at me. “Just look at him.” He turns his gaze to Renae. “And is this the woman?” He looks her up and down. “At least tell me she isn’t with child.”

Renae’s mouth falls open, but she doesn’t make a sound.

“Good God, Caspar,” my father rubs at his chin. “I expected much more from you.”

I slide my arm around Renae’s waist, suddenly feeling quite protective of her, though I’m not entirely sure why. “Father, if you’d let me explain?—”

“Were you even planning to invite us to the wedding?” I can almost hear the tears in my mother’s voice. “I had to hear from Penelope that my eldest son was planning his wedding without me.” She shakes her head. “Can you imagine? I had to hear it from the queen herself!”

Damn Sophia. I asked her not to mention it to her mother…. “Mother, I?—”

“You’ll join us inside at once,” my father interrupts, not giving me a chance to explain myself.

I should have known it would come to this. It wasn’t so much that I didn’t want my parents at the wedding. Certainly, my mother would have wanted to be involved. And had she and my father not nearly divorced last year, perhaps I would have had her plan the entire thing. I might have even had her in on the transaction with Renae itself.

But my mother has been off in her own world this past year, reconnecting with father. Not that I’m opposed to my parents’ happiness—not at all. They just have other things on their minds, and I don’t expect them to understand. Least of all, my father. He’s expressed his…distaste for both of my brother’s choices in wives, and I’m not about to hear his opinions on Renae. I’m sure if he knew the true contractual nature of our relationship, he might even be pleased, but I’m not about to risk such a thing—not where my mother is concerned. While my father might understand, my mother certainly would not. Especially if they knew the true motivation behind my need for a son.

Not that I plan on revealing that to anyone. Ever.

“Fine,” I say, guiding Renae to follow my parents inside.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers to me.

“Whatever for?” I ask, looking down at her. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

“I should have said something when he asked. I should have stood up for you.”

“Nonsense,” I say, my voice hushed. My father seems to be in quite the hurry to get us to his office and is already a good distance ahead, so there’s little chance of him hearing us. “Just try to follow my lead.”

I’m not altogether certain what my “lead” is going to be, but I know I’ll have to think of something.

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