Page 26 of The Rejected King
She picked up the book, turning it over in her hands. “Maybe. Iamstarting to wonder about you, though.”
“Me?” He kicked his head back. “Why?”
“All of your favorite books are so perverted.”
His eyebrow lifted way up and a smirk formed on his lips.
Emree quickly shot back. “Notperverted,but you know, both books have been about murder and revenge. I’m afraid if I don’t do my job right, you’ll come after me with a vengeance.”
“I am known to seek revenge when I’m displeased.”
Emree laughed. “The Promenade stakes just got higher.”
“As if they aren’t already high enough.” The king’s smile dropped a bit, but he quickly recovered. His gaze held hers, and in those few short seconds, Emree’s heartbeat boomed out of control.
She took a seat in the leather chair. “Should we discuss the Promenade?” She needed to get back to business and a steadier heartbeat.
King Davin took a seat at his desk as Emree laid out her papers in front of them.
“I’ve made the seating chart for the Promenade’s opening night dinner.” She handed him the paper. “But I think I’m going to make some changes.”
He glanced over the drawing of the grand hall with tables and names listed. “What changes?”
“Perhaps I’ll put Patrice Kenson a little closer to you. I didn’t know you had your eyes set on her.”
The king gave her a pointed look. “My eyes aren’tseton her.”
“Your Majesty, the—”
“Davin,” he reminded her.
“KingDavin.” She gave him a sharp look. “The Promenade isn’t long. Under most circumstances, one week isn’t long enough to build a relationship of love. If you have a history with Miss Kenson, we should build upon that.”
The king’s expression was serious. “Is that what you want me to do?”
Emree’s stomach tightened again, the way it always did when the king looked at her with so much intensity.
“Yes.” She forced a smile.
He nodded. “I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
Whatever she wanted?
Emree had to force her mind not to run away with that train of thought.
11
Davin
Davin had been at the front steps of the castle all morning, greeting carriage after carriage as they pulled up, spilling women and luggage onto the tiny pebbles that filled the drive. The entire morning blurred together as each woman briefly curtsied before him. It almost didn’t seem real. All of these women were here to meethim.He should be excited, that’s what the newswriters and the public wanted, but instead, deep sadness filled his heart. Sixty women and one week were all he was allowed to decide his future. It didn’t seem fair. Part of him wanted to say no. To tell the newswriters and the public that he wasn’t going to do this, but he couldn’t. He was controlled by ratings and public opinions—trapped by the very laws he was king over.
If this was the game and these were the rules he had to live by, Davin might as well try to make it work. He smiled at the women, charming them with his whole gracious host facade. The few newswriters that had been allowed to be there seemed pleased with his performance. If nothing else, maybe today’s appearance could help his image a little bit.
“Do you see anyone you like?” Millar asked over his shoulder.
Davin’s eyes flickered to Miss Dutson. She held a notebook in her hand, directing the women as they stepped out of the carriage. Her expression was lit up with excitement, and her genuine smile hadn’t left her face all morning. Not that Davin had been watching her all morning or had noticed the way she had complimented each woman as they arrived. That would be ridiculous.
He shrugged. “Maybe.”
