Page 94 of Serving the Couturier

“How did you know where London lives?” Spencer asked as his mother and grandmother entered the apartment.

“I’m guessing her private investigator had the information, and was probably watching, waiting to see if you would show up here,” I replied.

“You have someone watching her?” Spencer’s voice was quiet, but I could sense the irritation in it.

“I protect my family, Spencer,” Opal declared. “Something you would do well to remember. Your mother and I have come here for that very reason.” She looked around my apartment with obvious distaste.

“Before you start telling me what you think I need to do, I have a few things to say,” Spencer said, taking my hand. “You already know that London and I are having a baby...”

Eloise’s jaw dropped. “A baby?”

“You didn’t tell her?” Spencer looked at his grandmother with surprise.

“You knew?” Eloise looked hurt.

“Don’t be dramatic, Eloise,” Opal said dismissively. “I only knew what she told me, and Americans have only a passing acquaintance with the truth.”

Spencer stepped in. “That’s enough. I won’t tolerate you speaking about the woman I love like that.”

My stomach flipped as I heard Spencer’s words. He had told me that he loved me before, but there was something powerful about him saying it so confidently in front of his grandmother.

“Love?” Opal made a disdainful sound. “You have a duty to your family.”

“I do,” Spencer agreed. “London and the baby are my family.”

Opal’s lips thinned. “Well, your flat will do for now, I suppose. Once we move you out—”

“My flat?” Spencer’s grip on my hand tightened. “She’s not going to be my mistress. Soon, I’ll ask her to be my wife.”

My heart skipped a beat…or ten.

“It will be a proper proposal, I swear,” he promised me softly.

“I’ll hold you to that,” I replied, feeling overwhelmed by his commitment.

“Enough!” Opal interrupted, her voice sharp. “I’ve had enough of this nonsense. You will do as I say.”

“No, Grandmother,” Spencer replied firmly. “I won’t.”

Opal took a step toward us, her expression determined. “Then you will no longer be a part of our family. Do you understand? I will disinherit you. Take everything from you.”

Spencer stood his ground. “The fact that you think money and a title mean so much that I would leave the woman I love and our child shows that you never really knew me.”

The pain in Spencer’s voice cut through me. I couldn’t understand a family behaving this way. No matter what my siblings or I did, we knew our parents would always have our backs.

“I’m not only talking about money,” Opal continued. “You’ll be disowned.”

“No, he won’t.” Eloise’s words were quiet but held a powerful impact.

“Pardon me?” Opal seemed shocked and offended.

“I will not disown my son for following his heart,” Eloise spoke firmly, still looking tired but with newfound strength. “He will always be my son, and his family will always be my family.”

“I’ll have you cut off as well,” Opal threatened. “I’ll take everything.”

“You may have convinced my late husband to give you the final say over money connected to the barony, but Raynard understood you better than you knew,” Eloise said, coming over to stand next to Spencer. “Each of the children has an independent inheritance over which you have no control. And so do I.”

“Do you truly think that you’ll be able to survive on such a pittance? You both have spent your entire lives with wealth at your fingertips. Mark my words, once you’re forced to limit yourselves, you’ll take whatever terms I set,” Opal said, her cool composure cracking as she became flushed.

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