Page 59 of Royal Flush

“I’m sorry. I’m being rude. I’m Jade Sinclair, Jasmine’s mother. Please come in. Justin is still on a phone call.”

“Of course.”

The three J’s. How quaint. Jasmine had told me very little about her mother other than she’d come from a wealthy family and enjoyed the perks of living in a big house and having a limitless credit card. I’d been around enough downtrodden women to know Jade fell into that category.

Her husband ran the show.

What little Jasmine had told me indicated the woman was a cold fish, but I knew women like this. If Justin believed in arranged marriages, who knew how the two of them had gotten together.

I might be dominating as well but men like him who expected woman to do nothing more than kowtow to them deserved a special place in purgatory. Women were creatures to be admired and protected. At least my father had done something right in teaching me right from wrong.

“Come into the sunroom. It’s lovely even with the storm brewing. I find it’s my favorite room in the house so far. Although the kitchen is incredible.” She laughed, the sound exactly the same. They could be sisters.

“A lovely home.” As she walked me through a couple of different rooms, I was struck by the fact it was a bit old world, as if forcing American classic tastes on anyone who was provided with the accommodations.

“Yes, well, much larger than I’m used to. And that kitchen isn’t anything like what we have. Still, I must admit the furnishings are a bit stodgy.”

“I have to agree.”

“Would you like some coffee?” she asked, her polite tone almost too overbearing.

“I would love some.”

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Just cream.” As I sat down, I was able to admire the backyard. The lovely landscaping, stone patio, and hot tub made up for some of the atrocities of the house.

She handed me a cup a few seconds later and I’d be damned if her hand wasn’t shaking. I bristled more than before, already hating a man I hadn’t met.

“Thank you. Are you happy to be in DC?”

The fact she didn’t sit, merely moving from foot to foot as she fidgeted with her hands was also telling. “Yes, for the most part. I hate being away from my friends and family, a house I adore, but Justin has aspirations.”

“Yes, so I’ve read.”

“Whatever you’ve read, you have no idea the struggles he’s been through. He’s fought for the working class instead of the upper echelon but is criticized from all sides.”

“So being an ambassador will help his image?”

“That’s what he hopes.”

“And you?”

“That’s enough, Jade.” Hearing the man’s terse voice added to my fury. I didn’t bother standing, hating the fact she was preparing to scurry out of the room like a good little girl.

“Your wife was keeping me entertained, Sinclair.” I purposely didn’t call him Ambassador Sinclair as protocol would suggest. At this point he didn’t deserve a single bit of respect from me.

There was a moment where I suspected he was glaring at his wife. It was all I could do not to rise to my feet and wrap my hand around his throat.

And Jasmine had called me arrogant.

“Well, it was really lovely meeting you, Mr. Royal. How is my daughter?” At least her question was laced with concern, although I sensed a complete change in her personality.

“Jade. Enough. Leave us alone.”

Now she scurried from the room.

Only after she was gone did he head toward the coffee machine, pouring himself a cup. When he finally looked at me, I couldn’t tell if he was filled with surprise or disgust. As if I cared, but I did find the man’s stiff body language quite curious.

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