Page 42 of The Billionaire's Royal Secret

“The Grand Arms,” her father reported back.

“Good. I will contact him to make arrangements.”

“Wonderful. I thought you may enjoy a small piece of home.”

Elena fixed her gaze on the wall, her teeth clenching. “Oh, you have no idea, Father.”

“I am happy to be of service, then. I will not keep you any longer. Go enjoy the museum.”

“Thank you, Father. Speak soon.” She ended the call, sucking in a breath. It hadn’t been her father sending the vague threats and accusations. It had been her meddling cousin, Julian. How typical of his family to resort to such tactics.

A plan hatched in her mind to put an end to the nonsense. She would make a point of seeing her dear cousin at her first opportunity. But for now, she had a date to enjoy with a man she was growing to love more with each passing second.

She shoved her phone into her purse and twisted to find him. Her eyebrows knitted as she spotted him standing with a blonde woman. The tension in his jaw suggested he wasn’t pleased.

She eyed the woman as she closed the distance between them, approaching his side tentatively. With a flick of her gaze at the woman, she shifted her focus to him. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“No,” Nate said, sliding an arm around her shoulders. “Not at all.”

The smirk on the woman’s features faded, her eyes narrowing slightly as they scanned Elena from head to toe. “I didn’t realize you were with someone.”

“I am,” Nate answered, his voice taut. “This is my girlfriend, Ellie.”

Ellie offered the woman a smile, still unclear on who she was as she thrust her hand forward. “Hello.”

“Ellie, this is…Chloe. A former friend.”

“Charmed, I’m sure,” Chloe answered without accepting her hand.

Elena tugged it back, unimpressed by the woman’s lack ofmanners, but well-versed in maintaining her composure. “Lovely meeting you. If you need a moment–”

“No, I don’t,” Nate interrupted, his grip tightening around her. “Let’s go.”

He led her from the exhibit room, his jaw never loosening as they walked. “Nathan, are you all right?”

He stopped in the hall, facing her as he blew out a shaky breath. “No, I’m not. Do you mind if we get out of here? Get some air?”

“Of course not.” She took his hand in hers, her features pinching with concern for his sudden change in behavior.

He chewed his lower lip as they snaked to the entrance and pushed into the evening air. The lowering sun painted the sky brilliant reds and purples as Nate hurried away from the museum, his pace hard.

“Would you like to go somewhere to talk?” she asked between puffs for breath as she struggled to keep up with him.

He froze on the sidewalk, his fists clenched tightly at his side. His jaw clenched as he slid his eyes closed. “I…I’m sorry.”

“There is nothing to apologize for. But you seem rather upset. I can’t help but think it has to do with that woman. Who was she?”

He flicked his gaze away from her, his posture stiffening.

“Nathan?” she asked softly.

He swallowed hard, snapping his pinched features back toward her. “Let’s go to the park. I’ll explain everything.”

“All right,” she said with a nod. Her stomach knotted as they walked the short distance to the park. What had Nate so tied in knots that he’d nearly run from the museum?

They settled on a bench overlooking the fountain, and she pulled his jacket tighter around her as heblew out a long breath, resting his elbows on his knees as he pressed his hands over his face.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice shaky.

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