Reluctantly Royal (10 page)

As I slapped paint on the canvas, slowly carving out the waves along the bank, I went through the possible scenarios. Tell Sam, if Cathy hasn’t yet, that I promised to give Meredith some space. Surely Sam would understand that. She knew what it was like to end up royal all of a sudden. Explain that I thought they should go and I would keep myself busy.

Or I could go and try to stay out of sight. Which would be impossible with the media around.

Yet, maybe there was a third option. I could help without helping. Sort of behind-the-scenes help. That would allow me to not feel guilty, do something good, and hopefully make someone happy.

That solution went a long way to making me feel better and I was able to concentrate on my painting. Yes, a compromise would be a good solution. I would give her a day. A full twenty-four hours. If she wasn’t speaking until that afternoon then it would be at least a few more hours before she got home. Which would mean I’d have done what I said. I would have avoided her for an entire day.

Smiling to myself, I continued my work on the painting. Yes, painting had been exactly what I needed. I felt much better.

Once I was finished, I packed up and headed back to the house. Sam was sitting on one of the sofas near the fireplace, a book propped up on her stomach. She really wasn’t very big, but the baby bump was unmistakable.

“Oh, let me see what you did today.” She closed her book and leveraged herself up off the sofa.

I turned the canvas around so she could get a look at it.

“God, you’re so damn talented. It’s not really fair.” She smiled at me to take the sting out of her words. “I love the colors.”

“I’m happy with the way it turned out.” I leaned the painting against one of the walls and rubbed my hands on my jeans. “What are you reading?”

“
Pride and Prejudice
.” She smiled.

“I thought you just finished it.” I shook my head.

“I did.” She shrugged. “I wanted to read it again.”

“You’re a wee bit weird.” I raised my eyebrow and held my finger and thumb up to show a small little space between the two.

“Says the artist covered in mud and paint.” She laughed. “You look just like your brother when you do that.” She motioned toward my eyebrow.

“That won’t do.” I wiped my face clean. “I wanted to tell you, I’m not going to the speech today.”

“Cathy told me.” She sat back down on her spot. “I get it.”

“Cathy told you? She acted like I had to go.” I threw myself down in one of the armchairs. “She wouldn’t leave me alone about it.”

“She just wanted to know what had you so upset.” She waggled her finger at me. “You only run when something is bothering you.”

“You’ve officially been around too long.” I glared at her.

“Bah. You love me. I’m the sister you always wanted.” She giggled.

“I already have one annoying sister.” I closed my eyes so she wouldn’t see my amusement. Though I had a feeling that she knew me too well at this point to doubt it.

“Exactly.” Her tone turned serious. “I didn’t mean to put you in a bad spot, Max. I really can send someone else over there to help out.”

“No, I’m fine.” I’d said it too quickly. Why hadn’t I just let her send someone else? “It would just make her frustrated to have a bunch of new people around.”

“I get it.” She frowned. “I think I’ve started to get used to having so many people around. Which is scary.”

“You’re just glad you don’t have to bend over to pick up anything you’ve dropped.” I opened one eye to look at her.

“Oh, you’re so funny. You try to bend over with a basketball stuck in your stomach. See how easy it is.”

“Not really my thing.” I closed my eyes and was caught unsuspecting by the giant pillow that landed on my head. “I deserved that.”

“No kidding.”

“Sorry, pregnant lady.” I shot her my best smile.

“You’re lucky you’re cute.” She rolled her eyes. “Seriously though, Cathy said your mom sent someone to help out. If you aren’t comfortable going over there, or think that it will upset Meredith, then leave it alone. I didn’t mean to make things difficult. I just wanted to help.”

“I know.” I looked at her. “But she’s stuck with me now.”

“Heh.” Sam narrowed her eyes.

“Don’t ‘heh’ me.” Hehs from Sam were dangerous. It meant she was working something out in her head.

“Is it bad over there?” She frowned.

I shrugged. It really wasn’t my place to say and I didn’t want to upset my highly hormonal sister-in-law. The truth was that Meredith and Marty needed somewhere else to live, preferably back in England where she had been building them a life. But for now, I’d just have to try to be a wall between them and the worst of it.

“That bad, huh?” She frowned. “It must be if your mom sent someone to take charge.”

“Oh, that’ll go over well.” I snorted. Meredith was not going to let someone come in and just run rampant. “Good luck with that.”

“She’s stubborn, huh?”

“As stubborn as you.” I wasn’t surprised when she laughed.

“That’s rough. You’ll have your work cut out for you.” She paused, and I could see her rub her belly out of the corner of my eye. “How is Marty?”

“He’s coping.” The thought of him in that big house with his grandfather made me ill. “Is she bringing him to the speech?”

“I don’t think so.” She frowned. “Not really a great place for a little one.”

“Good.” I stood up. “I thought I might go take him fishing.”

“Fishing?” She looked at me with surprised eyes. “You’re going to go take a little boy fishing. Heh.”

“Stop it. I told him I’d take him. His great-grandfather used to take him all the time.” Plus it would get him out of the house with his grandfather. Not that I was going to tell Sam that. She might show up with the cavalry if she thought there was a little one in danger. I was sure that Meredith had left him with someone who would watch out for him, but still. It would make me feel better if I was there. I could leave as soon as she got back and still feel like I had done my duty.

It would also alleviate my guilt at not being there for Meredith while she made a difficult public appearance.

I would leave as soon as she got there. I wouldn’t hang around hoping for another kiss, like a lovesick schoolboy. Nope. Not going to happen. I’d hang out with Marty and then come home. So what if it was a two-hour drive? It didn’t matter in the long run. What else was I going to do today? Plus it would mean that I could avoid the media.

I stood up. “I’m going to go change.”

“Okay.” Sam held her hand out to me and I helped pull her to her feet. She wobbled for a minute and I steadied her with an arm around her shoulders. Leaning down, I kissed her on her head.

“What was that for?” She looked up at me with a smile.

“Just because.” I looked down at her for a minute. Alex had been extremely lucky when he found her. Or had she found him? The only thing that mattered was that they were happy.

“Well, don’t think I’m going to name the baby after you just because you helped me stand up.” She laughed.

“Oh, I know I’m at the bottom of the list.” I winked at her. To be fair, I was pretty sure I wasn’t on the list. They hadn’t told anyone if they were having a boy or girl and had kept their name choices to themselves. If I was a betting man, I’d put money on her father’s name and my father’s name for a boy. Or I would if anyone would actually bet me. They all assumed I already knew the answer.

After changing, I called for my car, and headed toward Thysmer Manor. My ever-present bodyguard, Charles, was in a car behind me. It seemed silly, but being able to drive in a car by myself was one of the things I refused to give up. There was no uncomfortable need to make small talk. Though Charles wasn’t exactly the type for long, drawn-out conversation. It was one of the reasons I’d chosen to keep him around.

I timed it just right and saw Meredith pass me on her way to town. I barely caught a glimpse of her red hair in the back of a black sedan. She didn’t see me, which was perfect. It probably would have upset her, or made her worry, which was the opposite of what I wanted to accomplish.

I pulled up in front of the house and parked off to the side so that I wouldn’t be blocking anyone else. The front door was thrown open and Marty came running out, followed by a woman with an armful of toys.

“Max!” The little guy stopped just before he got to me and I could tell he was trying to decide whether to hug me or play it cool.

I held out my fist instead. “What’s up?”

He bumped my fist with his tiny one and smiled at me. “I was building a fort in the front room, but saw your car coming up the drive.”

I looked over at the woman standing in the doorway. She bobbed her head quickly before marching down to where Max was standing.

“You can’t just run out like that, Marty.” She knelt down and looked him in the eyes. “It’s dangerous.”

“But it’s Max!” The little guy turned around and bumped his shoulder into my hip.

“Yes, but other people drive that type of car.” Her voice was patient and it became apparent why Meredith felt confident leaving Marty in her care. There was an undercurrent of love in her words.

“Yes, ma’am.” He frowned. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again, Ms. Katie.”

“Thank you.” She stood up and smiled at me. “You just missed Lady Meredith. She’s on her way to the township.”

“I passed her on my way here. I’m actually here to see Master Marty.” I smiled down at the boy and put my hand on his shoulder.

“Oh, she must have forgotten to tell me that you were coming.” The nanny looked confused.

“Well, I hadn’t really planned on it.” I hoped I didn’t look guilty. “I just decided to go fishing and remembered that Marty liked to fish. So I thought I’d come see if he wanted to throw the rod a little. If that’s okay?”

“Yeah!” Marty pumped his fist. “Can I?”

“You’re going to stay here at Thysmer?” Katie looked from Marty to me.

“Absolutely. I brought all of my stuff with me.” I walked over and opened the back of my SUV. “But only if you’re comfortable with it.”

“I think that’ll be fine.” She smiled. “He wasn’t happy being cooped up all day anyway.”

Sometimes being a prince had its perks. “Thank you, Katie.”

She blushed a little and bobbed her head again. “Come along, Marty. Let’s get you changed.”

“I’ll meet you inside.” I winked at Marty and turned back to the equipment. I’d raided Alex’s stash, because it had been forever since I had been fishing. He and Sam used to go from time to time, but never came back with any fish. Either they sucked at it or were doing something else out there by the lake.

I juggled the tackle box and two poles into the house and stopped in the foyer. I could hear Marty talking excitedly upstairs, but wasn’t sure where to wait. I didn’t want to just make myself at home. That seemed rude. I looked around the opening and noticed that the drawing from the night before was gone. I couldn’t help but wonder what she had done with it. It certainly hadn’t been my best work. Just a quick pencil sketch.

Marty raced down the stairs in a pair of fishing boots, jeans, and long-sleeved T-shirt. Katie followed behind him making shushing sounds. His grin was infectious.

“Ready?” I asked.

“Gotta get my stuff out of the shed in the back.” He took off down the hallway.

“Are you sure you can handle him? He’s a handful.” Katie looked up at me with a small smile.

“Yeah. It’ll be fine.” I shrugged. “Besides, we won’t be far from the house. You’ll hear my screams for help.”

“I’ll keep an ear open while I clean up the fort in the living room.” She laughed. “He’s a good kid.”

I followed Marty’s path to the back of the house and then the sounds of him rummaging through a shed near an old barn.

“Did you find your stuff?” I leaned my poles against the metal wall in case I needed to climb in there and help him.

“Yeah.” He grunted as he pulled on something. “But it’s stuck.”

“Here, let me try.” I reached over his head and pulled the rod in question up and out of the offending metal stand.

“Thanks.” He rummaged along the floor and came up with a well-worn tackle box. “This was my great granddad’s.”

His face clouded up and I felt my heart tighten.

“Do you think it’s okay if I use it?” He looked up at me with shimmery eyes and I panicked. I hadn’t meant to make him upset.

“Hey, I think he would be glad to know it was getting use.” I knelt down and picked up a twig and rolled it around between my fingers. “When my dad died, there were lots of things that made me think of him. His favorite TV show, a pair of binoculars we used when we’d go birding. At first it was hard to see those things, but then I realized they were little pieces of him still left behind.”

“My heart hurts.” A tear ran down his cheek.

“I know, buddy.” I reached out and pulled him into a hug. “It’ll get better though.”

He sniffled against my shoulder and I let him have a moment. It felt so strange to be holding such a small person, but right, too. There was this odd tug on my own heart, the desire to make him feel better, but I knew the only thing that would help would be time. So instead I held him and offered my support the only way I knew how.

“I think he’d want me to use it.” He leaned back and rubbed his nose along his sleeve.

“I think you’re right.” I stood up and grabbed the tackle box and held it out to him. “Ready to go catch some fish?”

“Yeah.” He grabbed his pole in one hand and the tackle box in the other. We made our way out to a small pier that jutted out into the pond.

“Nice place.” I set my box down and looked around.

Thick trees circled the pond, providing lots of shaded areas for the fish to hide. Wildflowers were scattered around, hogging the areas where the sunlight filtered through the branches.

“Great Granddad loved it. He said it was the best part.” Marty opened the tackle box and looked through the different lures.

“Here, let me help with that.” The last thing I wanted was him to stab himself with a hook.

I searched through the lures, not sure which ones were appropriate for this type of water. The last time I had gone fishing I had used a worm and hadn’t really cared about catching any fish. I’d been busy taking pictures for a project.