Page 86 of Rogue Royal
“It has highlighted you as the couple to watch and emulate.”
“Seriously?” Mav wanted to check his phone or, better yet, his tablet, but he had things he had to do first. “They’re not going anywhere,” he mumbled.
“Sorry?”
Mav glanced up, shaking his head.
Douglas chuckled beside him. “Don’t worry. He’s most likely already making a list of things he has to check when we get home.”
“Forget about it for now, Mav. Let’s distract you with gossip, eh, Douglas?”
Douglas snorted. “Make sure the people you’re talking about are not next to you, unlike last time I let you attend one of these.” He sipped his drink, grimacing. “I need the bar. This drink never gets any better. Come on.”
He rested his hand against Mav’s lower back, helping guide him through the guests. Despite having several layers separating them, Mav was sure he could feel the warmth from Douglas’s hand. As Douglas ordered them some fresh drinks, Mav studied the occupants of the room. If he caught anyone’s eye, he smiled and nodded, receiving, mostly, the same back. There was the odd person who frowned and moved away. He knew they wouldn’t please everyone, but he hoped those people were less vocal about it.
“Oh, shit,” Douglas mumbled. He leaned into Mav’s ear. “This won’t be pleasant, and if I could get you away from it, I would, but I’m sorry in advance.”
Mav frowned at him. “What—?”
He lost his words when a cloud of perfume enveloped them, a robust woman with long black hair standing in the centre. She appeared formidable with her jet-black ensemble and matching accessories. A dark queen of sorts, except her eyes gave her away. There was nothing pleasant in them at all.
“Douglas! How nice of you to attend. I’m sure your mother is ecstatic you’re here.”
The words, however nice they were, sounded the wrong side of sarcasm. As soon as he had the thought, he understood who this was.
“Aunt Charlotte, nice to see you again.” Douglas made no attempt to kiss or greet her in any other way.
Charlotte glanced at Mav, raking her gaze up and down him, then moved onto Katrina as if Mav wasn’t there. “Katrina, darling, it’s nice to see you again. Are you planning on making an honest man of Douglas yet?”
Mav bristled, but a hand on his lower back had him taking a drink and closing his eyes for a brief second. He couldn’t make a scene in the middle of an event like this. She would say her piece and leave, though it didn’t make it any easier to bear.
Katrina smiled. “I think he’s honest enough without me, Princess Charlotte.”
“Don’t leave it too long. I’m sure someone will snap him up in no time.”
“I already have been, Aunt Charlotte. May I present my boyfriend, Maverick Houghton.”
Charlotte didn’t look at Mav. Instead, she glared at Douglas. “No, you may not. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
With that, she swirled away, her perfume going with her, thankfully.
“Fucking bitch,” Douglas griped, throwing back his drink and indicating for another.
Mav turned his back to the room, keeping his head lowered and his voice quiet. “She’s not worth it, Douglas. Thank you for the reminder to keep my cool. It’s not easy when they say stuff like that about my boyfriend.”
Douglas grinned. “Shall we give them something to complain about?”
Mav smiled. “If it’s a small kiss. I don’t want to trample all over this event. It’s a good cause.”
Douglas stared at him and shook his head. “How you keep me humble.”
Mav lifted his head, their lips meeting. It took all Mav had to stop from going further, but they had a charity to celebrate.
“Come on. Let’s mingle.”
Douglas offered him one elbow and Katrina the other, and they held their heads high as they worked their way through the guests.
****
