Page 55 of Royal Player
“It was so romantic!” Anna calls.
He grins. “Yes. So that is what you should do as well.”
I stare at him. “Maybe my brain is fogged trying to figure this situation out, but I don’t see how that applies to me. She’s not riding out of here on the public ferry.”
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “I was willing to do what it took to keep Anna. I fought for her. That’s what you need to do.”
“Yes, but this is different. She’s leaving, and she doesn’t want me to go with her. She says I’d bring more tension during a difficult time.”
“C’mere, Oscar, so I don’t have to shout,” Anna calls.
I return to where she’s nursing the baby, and keep my eyes on her face.
She gives me a small smile. “Polly knows better than any of us how and when to bring you into the picture. If she loves you as much as you seem to love her, she’ll do everything in her power not to go along with her arranged marriage. She’s sharp and clever. I’m sure she’ll come up with a plan. You just need to trust her.” If only it were that simple.
I slam my hands on my hips. “So I’m supposed to stand by and do nothing?”
“Sometimes that’s all you can do.”
Gabriel joins us, taking a seat close to Anna. “He needs to take action. It’s not in our nature to stand by. Rourke men have always been warriors. It’s in our blood.”
Anna turns to him. “Yes, sweetie, but this isn’t a battle. It’s a relationship.”
He goes on as if she hasn’t spoken, and I’m glad, because her advice is terrible. “Oscar, with this hurricane and the kind of monarchy she’s part of, well, there simply aren’t any easy answers. Let her know you’ve got her back no matter what. Stand by her side.”
She won’t let me stand by her side!They’re not getting it, and why would they? They have everything—marriage, family, the kingdom, the business.
I do a quick bow and take my leave.
Chapter Thirteen
Oscar
I pull Polly into my arms. “We should get married right away.”
She leans back to meet my eyes. “I love you, I do, with all my heart, but—”
“No but. That’s all that matters.”
“I want you to be accepted by my kingdom. We need to wait until the timing is right.”
I go cold. She’s speaking as though she means to stay on Beaumont. “That’s only if you stay there. Villroy is a better possibility, or France. Anywhere but your traditional kingdom. They’ll never value you the way they should, and Peter is still a threat. Here you would always be safe.”
She’s quiet.
I tip her chin up and get straight to the point. “Swear to me you won’t marry him to save your family and your kingdom.”
“I won’t marry him.”
“Swear it.”
She turns away. “Oscar, you’re being ridiculous.”
I want to howl. “You’re making me crazy.”
She sighs. “You’re acting crazy, but it’s not because of me.”
“It is. You won’t let me join you there, and you won’t stay here.”
