Page 62 of Royal Player
She bites back a smile. “I do like the way he cares for you.”
“Me too. Thank you for your help today. Don’t linger long after dinner. You need your rest for tomorrow.”
“Rest!” she scoffs. “Too much to do for rest.” She turns to the group. “Children! Line up so I may fill your plates.”
The children immediately line up in a curvy line, a couple in the back elbowing each other for place in line.
“Those who cooperate will get first priority,” she announces, and the children immediately settle down.
I smile and quietly leave, secure that everything is under control. Now for Peter. I will face him alone. I don’t fear him anymore. In fact, under the circumstances, he will be even more eager to show himself in the best light to gain the alliance. We have prime real estate now with the only resorts. Of course, there’s still the issue of the debt owed him. He could take one of our resorts for the defaulted loan, though I suspect in these new circumstances he’d rather join the monarchy than make an enemy of it. Money will soon pour in to rebuild, and it will funnel through the royal treasury.
When I arrive in the private salon, Peter is sitting in a leather club chair, sipping his brandy. I knock on the open door and then let myself in, shutting the door behind me.
His brow arches. “No chaperone, Your Highness?” The “Your Highness” would’ve had more impact if he’d stood to greet me or bowed his head. Instead he remains ensconced in his chair, lounging as though he’s at home, with his legs stretched out in front of him. He’s cocky, assured he has the upper hand with me. I’ve let him believe that to protect my family. No more.
“She’s busy attending to our guests.” I take a seat in the chair adjacent to him. “We have much to discuss.”
A ghost of a smile crosses his lips. “You’re quite beautiful. I hadn’t realized how beautiful you were, covered up with the veil.”
“Thank you,” I say brusquely.
He straightens and sets his glass down on the table next to him. “As I’ve told your parents—”
“I will not marry you. I’ve given myself to another.”
His eyes narrow. “How do you mean?”
“I mean I’ve given myself, heart and soul, to another man. I will marry him or no one.”
He smirks. “The king and queen may take a different view. I have much to offer, especially after this catastrophic disaster. Together we can rebuild.”
“That will never happen. But the debt owed to you will be paid in full with interest.”
He leans forward eagerly. “When?”
“Soon, I hope.” Oscar has pledged to pay that debt once the sale of his vineyard clears, and I will repay Oscar by not taking any profits from the casino until my debt to him is cleared. I’ll add more to my repayment in whatever way I can. “Within a matter of weeks.”
He tilts his head, considering. “You think your parents will just do what you command? They favor our alliance. They know what I bring as a businessman to Beaumont.”
“My parents love me. Never underestimate the power of love.”
“Sentiment,” he says dismissively.
“Only for those who’ve never experienced it.” I pause, thinking of Oscar before admitting, “I used to feel the same way.” I longed for love but didn’t fully understand its power. Oscar has my heart and no one else could ever take his place.
He presses his fingers to his lips in apparent thought. “I can’t afford to stand by for long, nor do I want to walk away.”
I wait, sensing he’s about to negotiate.
“I’ll give you two weeks,” he says. “You come through with the money with interest, and I’ll walk away from the marriage.”
I blink, surprised it was that easy. “Deal.”
He offers his hand, and I give him a firm handshake. Then he leans back in his seat and reaches for his brandy, relaxing again. Only I’m not done. I need to be sure he’s not a threat to my family.
“Why are you not pressing your case to marry?” I ask.
He stares at me for a long moment. “In the current conditions, the only paths that make sense for me are getting what I’m owed in cash or in power as king. Beaumont will take a long time to recover—an arduous task for the monarchy—and I need the cash more. Between that and the insurance money, I’m going to cut my losses and retire to the Caymans.” The Cayman islands are a tax haven, where money earned outside the islands isn’t taxed. He’s basically taking the money and running. Now I’m glad he’s motivated by greed.
