Page 81 of Royally Rivalled

“And it’s neither here nor there because I make my own choices. Carolyn and Fred, I wish you the absolute best, but this is what I can do. Furthermore, if you question me, I will have you know Father set aside a specific amount for both girls. I doubled what he intended to spend on it.”

We moved along as the matter was settled. Parker was brilliant at argument and hated to be bested, so I realised I’d underestimated his ability to make this work.

When we left and climbed on the lift as the first to go, I nearly jumped into his arms, kissing him excitedly.

“You were so amazing in there!”

“Was I? I was going to say your whole coffee flex was incredibly hot.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Fancy something completely spontaneous?” Parker asked.

“You know I never mind,” I answered.

forty-five

PARKER

Rarely didI desire to spend money, but something about Astrid drove me wild. I longed to spoil her. Astrid’s defence of my honour did not emasculate or annoy me. It endeared her to me. She was clever and good at argument—wise beyond her years—and I wanted her even more.

“Parker, I cannot believe you did this!”

Spur of the moment, I couldn’t bother to wait until we got back to Shalestone to have Astrid. So, I splurged and got a massive hotel suite in London for the afternoon. I’d never done this for anyone before and doubted I’d be tempted to do it again. Sometimes, spontaneity was good.

“You said hotels were a novelty and thought the suite was nice. I wanted to do something as a token of my gratitude for your help with my dreadful family.”

I kissed Astrid, taking her in. She was so beautiful, so lovely, and totally mine. What was this feeling? She possessed me! Unfortunately, she pulled away, snapping me out of it.

“Oh, Parker, shit!”

“What?”

“We have an issue,” she muttered in French.

Sometimes, when she’d go off on a tangent in French, I got a glimpse into her internal dialogue. I had insight into her psyche few did—apart from her dear sisters. She let down her guard.

“I forgot, you know and?—”

She looked upset.

“What, darling? Talk to me.”

“Um… crimson wave?”

Her period.

“Oh, shit, well, we don’t have to…”

I realised I’d forgotten, too. I’d been selfish.

“I am sorry,” Astrid said. “I love you, but?—”

She stopped, covered her mouth, and panicked. “Shit, shit, shit! Forget I said that!Oh, mon dieu!Shit! Fuck!”

Did she love me?I ignored the whole cockblock of a period for a moment—the hangup she assumed was an absolute dealbreaker—and assessed her words. I wasn’t upset or frightened. If I didn’t soon respond, she’d assume the worst. This was our white whale. We each struggled with feelings, but they hung in vivid colour.

Astrid paced, but I stopped her. Taking her hands in mine, I looked at her and took her in as she was—the woman I cared so deeply for. Tears welled in her eyes. Right now, she was her own worst critic. We had that in common. She averted my gaze.

---