Page 15 of Cold Heir

There was a stalemate between Glenn and I as an understanding emerged. An understanding where we were both aware that some tomes from his collection were dangerous to own. He stared intently and I didn’t falter. There was something more to him, although I hadn’t quite figured out what that‘something’was. Seeing as how I knew enough to spot the anomalies hidden on his shelves, I guessed he might have assumed the same about me.

“You’re an observant girl.”

He had no idea.

“Well, since you’ve unearthed one of my dirty little secrets, and since you have an honest enough face, I guess there’s no use denying the truth.” Despite this decision to be forthright, he hesitated a moment longer. “It’s true that some of the pieces I own were acquired by … less than legal means.”

“As in, they were smuggled here? On cargo ships perhaps?” That stunned look returned when I asked.

“Pays to know low people in high places, I suppose.” It was smart and safe not to confirm.

My heart hammered inside my chest and I breathed deep as a new perception of Glenn began to emerge. “I suppose it does.”

I knew a little something about that myself. Had it not been for our connections with Ianites who held little regard for their own laws—like our harbor connect, Spencer—our rescue missions wouldn’t have gotten very far. We, too, relied on cargo ships. Only, our cargo was far more precious than books and contraband.

“It’s Corina, isn’t it?”

I nodded, but didn’t speak.

“And how was it that you came to know my grandson?”

“Your daughter didn’t tell you much during her visit, I guess.” I smiled a bit after giving the half-answer.

His expression softened, motioning for me to sit in one of the few chairs not yet buried beneath the clutter. I took him up on that offer, curious what else he might share.

“Laura and I have an agreement,” he explained. “She doesn’t try to run my life, and I don’t bother interfering in hers. As I’m sure you can imagine, that’s altered the state of our relationship greatly. In other words, she shares little about the affairs of her life as a monarch, and I share little about mine out here in my little slice of paradise.”

A wide grin eased a bit more of the tension between us.

“We do have our common ground, though,” he added. “It just doesn’t extend within the gates of her estate.”

I took that to mean that the empress hadn’t shared Julian’s woes—the media frenzy, the threat of legal trouble.

Me.

“I’m your grandson’s … Doll.” That word still stung when I spoke it in regard to myself.

Glenn’s brow quirked and there was no mistaking the surprise my admission brought him. When he continued to study me with that look set on his face, I accidentally laughed.

“Did I say something wrong?”

The question made the expression evaporate. “No, it’s just that … you’re not exactly‘Doll material’,” he observed. “Pardon me for saying so. I hope I haven’t caused you offense.”

“By stating that I’m not like the rest of them?” I teased. “Umm … I think I’ll survive the disappointment.”

Another laugh slipped from his mouth, easier this time when he took note of my sarcasm.

“So, I’m inclined to ask why my grandson’s Doll showed up at my door withanotherman tonight. Levi, no less,” he added. “I know the lad’s charming, and has a silver tongue that could talk a snake out its skin,but … is Julian aware that the two of you are together?”

My face warmed and I wasn’t sure how to explain things. However, I was certain Glenn had gotten enough of being handled with kid gloves.

“I, technically, belong to Levi, too. And the other princes as well,” I shared.

Glenn frowned. “How on Earth did you let that happen?”

I laughed again. Couldn’t help it. “You know, I ask myself that question every day.”

He studied me a moment longer, concluding with a shrug and a sigh. “I’ll never understand the things you kids do these days, but I’m sure that if the royals are doing it, it’ll be all the rage soon enough.”

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