Page 68 of Finding Lord Landry

“He’s a grown adult, Cora,” I insisted. “He can handle the truth of someone else’s relationship.”

She tilted her chin up until she was looking down her nose at me. “We’re talking about a man who changed his name and moved half a world away to avoid dealing with his mother’s death. Are you sure?”

I opened my mouth to say I knew the man, I’d known him for years. But then I realized maybe I hadn’t. Maybe the real man was the young, pimply boy out on the cricket field, drenched in rain to prove himself worthy in front of all the other mini-lords. Maybe the real man had hidden his pain and fear under highlighted hair, waxed eyebrows, fake tan, and a flippant persona. Maybe the real man had never felt safe enough in front of his judgmental executive assistant to talk about his real life.

After Cora left me and continued on to her own room, I moved into mine and closed the door. The sun lay warm stripes across the carpet, telling lies about what kind of day it was outside. Judging by the light, it would seem summer was almost here, but I knew better. The truth was if you didn’t throw on plenty of protective layers when you went outside, you’d be vulnerable to a bone-deep chill.

I called my grandmother again to check in, but she didn’t answer. Within moments, she texted me that she was getting her toes done and didn’t want to be rude to her nail tech by talking on the phone.

Baa Baa

Congratulations on your marriage, by the way. That sounds exciting.

I stared at the text bubble before frantically typing.

It’s not real! I would have told you if I was getting married, I promise!

Baa Baa

What do you take me for? A 14-carat sucker?

I closed my eyes and groaned. My grandfather had quoted an old movie from the fifties with that line for years.

I promise I’ll tell you everything. Just… don’t worry. And please don’t talk to any reporters.

Baa Baa

Don’t worry. I only spoke to the one lady from the Enquirer. But she seemed more interested in your chess-playing than your relationship with any British nobles. I told her about the tournament in Harrisburg. She was delighted.

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Now I know you’re lying. You would have never given up that story, upon pain of death. I made you swear on your air-conditioning unit, remember?

I pictured her there in the Nail ’N More outside of the Vista Bonita Active Seniors Community with her eyes crinkled in laughter as she gazed affectionately at her phone.

I love you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.

Baa Baa

Stop texting like you’re dying, Kenji. You could do worse than an earl’s son (who just so happens to be a fashion model) in your bed.

My cheeks flushed with heat.

He’s not in my bed!

Which was true at that exact moment… but, it turned out, not for long.

A couple of hours later, when I was recentered, manifesting calm confidence, and brushing my hair in preparation for returning downstairs, Cora knocked before rushing in. “Hey, sorry to bother you, but, uh… we have a situation.”

“This entire situation is a situation,” I said, setting the brush down on the dresser and sliding my shoes back on.

“I need you to pack your things?—”

I stopped mid-shoe and nearly lost my balance until she continued.

“—and move your stuff to Landry’s room. Nan overheard a few of the housecleaning staff gossiping about the two of you staying in separate rooms. Nan quickly interjected something about the terrible effects of your ordeal and jet lag on your sleeping patterns and that you were now sleeping in your husband’s room.”

I thought back to last night. While I would have loved to have blamed jet lag and my ordeal for the terrible tossing and turning I’d experienced, I was also aware that having Landry by my side might have made all the difference to a steady night’s sleep. “Have you spoken to Landry about this?”

---