Page 94 of Reveal Me
A month ago, I was trapped in the palace, being told who to marry and how to live. Now I’m in Sean’s bed, in his house, in his arms, and I’ve never felt more free in my entire life.
Blackstone House has become my sanctuary. The sprawling Georgian mansion sits on hundreds of acres of Irish countryside, neighbouring the very estate where my parents banished me before New Year. The irony isn’t lost on me.
Ireland was supposed to be my punishment.
It transpired to be my salvation—not because of the place, but because of the man sleeping beside me. Before I stumbled into Reveal, I was so desperate to get back to the chaos of London—the traffic, the crowds, the constant noise.
I thought I needed all that stimulation to feel alive. Now in the quiet solitude, I can appreciate the truth. I was just using the buzz to fill a void. The quietness here doesn’t feelempty anymore. It feels… complete. The weather still leaves a lot to be desired, but grey skies and constant drizzle are a small price to pay for this kind of freedom.
Outside the window, Temptation is secure in the stable below, waiting for his morning ride. Sean somehow managed to get him from Ardmore. When I asked how, he just smiled and said, ‘The luck of the Irish.’
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in love, hard work and fighting for what you want in this life, because no one else will fight for it for you.
‘Morning, Princess.’ Sean’s voice is rough with sleep. He rolls his huge, muscular body to face mine and presses a kiss to the top of my head. His dark stubble is deliciously rough against my jawline.
‘Morning.’ I stretch against him, every muscle in my body deliciously relaxed. ‘What time is it?’
‘It’s Saturday, so it doesn’t matter.’
He’s right. It doesn’t. I don’t have a schedule dictated by royal protocol. No morning briefings, no charity appearances, no photoshoots, no one telling me what to wear or who to smile at. Or who to date.
Just Sean and me and all the time in the world.
‘True. Though, it will matter this time next week.’ Sean’s brother is getting married and his entire family are flying out to Portugal for the occasion.
‘I wish I could bring you to Caelon’s wedding,’ he says, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my bare shoulder.
‘It would cause a media shitshow,’ I remind him for the hundredth time.
Sean can’t wait to introduce me to his family. And I can’t wait to be introduced to them, because one day—soon I hope—they’re going to be my family too.
The press is still hunting for me—‘Missing Princess’ headlines appear daily—but they have no idea I’m here. No onedoes—well, except my sisters, and the queen, but they’re not going to be giving up my location anytime soon. My mother would rather the speculation than the world know the truth—that I chose love over loneliness. Desire over duty.
It’s not like we can go anywhere, not yet, but these few quiet weeks together have felt like a gift rather than a curse. We’ve spent entire days playing in Reveal. Other days watching movies in bed together, just because we can. We’ve sat by the fire and talked for hours. Sean’s trying—and failing–to teach me how to cook. I’m trying–and failing–to teach him how to paint. There’s no one to answer to except ourselves.
Sabrina was shocked when I told her I was stepping down. Patricia merely put out—probably that she didn’t have the courage to stand up to our mother, but she might find it yet.
‘How does it feel to be officially free from duties?’ His hand glides lower to cup my bum.
‘I’m not free of all my duties.’ I turn in his arms to face him, taking in the sight of his dark hair messy from sleep, his dark eyes gleam with devilment. ‘Being a girlfriend comes with certain expectations.’
‘It certainly does. I can’t wait to get you to Reveal later.’ His fingers pinch my ass cheek hard enough to make me squeal. ‘I’m going to fasten you to the Saint Andrew’s cross and fuck you into next week.’ He rolls on top of me now, pinning my wrists to the bed and nudging his way between my thighs.
‘Promises, promises.’
The scent of bacon drifts in the air, and he pauses kissing my neck and exhales a long, low groan. ‘You need to tell Kat the only thing we want for breakfast is each other.’
When Mrs Walsh opted for an early retirement, Sean offered my former lady-in-waiting the position as our housekeeper. I nearly cried with relief. It’s not just the guilt ofgetting her into trouble either. Having her here makes this place feel like home. She’s still my closest confidant, and the best friend I have—other than him, that is.
Grant’s here too, working as Sean’s estate manager. He’s brilliant with the grounds and the staff, and more importantly, he and Kat are finally free to be together without worrying about royal protocol. Funnily enough, Sean didn’t offer him a security position. Maybe he’s worried about me sneaking out? Ha! As if.
‘The bacon can wait.’ I’m nowhere near ready to leave the warmth of his arms. I don’t think I ever will be. I melt into him, my body responding to his touch like it always does. This is what I was missing in my old life. This connection. This passion. This feeling of being completely and utterly wanted for who I am, not what I represent.
‘I love you.’ I murmur into his mouth.
‘Marry me.’
‘What?’
