Page 84 of Royally Benevolent

“I do, okay? But I feel bad about that.”

“Why?”

“Because Guy and I were waiting until theright time.”

“All while you were being very good tohimand getting nothing back,” Astrid said. “No. The two of you were giving over to his religious nonsense, and then he just disregarded you when he did a 180 and decided he didn’t believe in any of that anymore. Wyatt doesn’t care about that, and neither should you. The Pope doesn’t need to condone your intimate moments. No one is going to bear witness to your supposed deflowering on your wedding night. Stop feeling guilty because Celeste said so.”

“What if his mother and sister hate me and are baiting a trap?”

“Wyatt is a genuine sort of man,” Alexandra insisted. “Friday night, he looked at you like you were the only person in the room. He likes you a lot. I bet his sister and mother are nice people who want to see him happy. They are probably excited to see him take an interest in someone—anyone.”

“Anyone?” I winced.

“Anyone as lovely as you, sweetheart.” She held me tight again. “Go. Enjoy the time with his family. Please get to know him better. You deserve that. You both do!”

48

THE WAITING GAME

WYATT

“Iam going to take Theo out,” Mom said.

“Why? Odette will be here soon.”

“He can see her when we return from the village,” Mom said. “He will have something to be excited about.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Well, it’s happening. And we’re going to keep him at ours this evening. Have a bit of a sleepover,” Rebecca said.

“You don’t need to do that. You two realise that we don’t… we might not…”

I couldn’t bear to bring up my until-recently tragic sex life to my female family members. We were close but didn’t need to bethatclose.

“Well, if the moment sparks, it will be anoption.”

The family compound had two little houses. Isla and I bought the first for ourselves but then purchased the cottage next door. Mom usually stayed with me but elected to stay with my sister this time. I now understood her motives. I figured I’d just annoyed her.

“I don’t need you intervening.” I spied Theo coming into the living room toting the faux-Grieg he’d been carrying with him everywhere since he saw Odette on the television,dedicating a new library.

“You do need my help. You need help to save yourself from overthinking.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Papa,” Theo said. “Can we go walking later?”

“That is the plan, yes,” I said.

I didn’t mention our new arrival. Odette planned to hike with us that afternoon, but if I told him that, Mom would have to hear a million questions about when she was coming. Theo did not comprehend time.

“Come on. We’ll have fun at the museum!” Mom urged, taking Theo’s hand.

They ducked out, and I paced. I was alone in a quiet house—a rarity—and Odette was almost here. I’d have herallto myself. I did prepare properly. I had a sleeve of condoms in the nightstand. The house wasn’t a complete disaster. And we’d probably have a few hours before we had to look presentable. The prospect was exciting, but the reality was terrifying. It seemed wrong but also fun.

I was nervously unloading the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. Odette stood on the doorstep, followed by one of her plain-clothed henchmen. He, of course, held her luggage. I wondered if she’d ever carried a bag in her life. She looked cute—dressed down in a pair of jeans. She had a pink soft-shell jacket and a red and pink beret. As always, she was perfectly matched.

“Hello,” Odette said, voice shaky. She was nervous.

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