Chapter 23

Charlotte

“I should go after him.”

I move to the door, but Theo grabs my arm. We’re in his office. Brooks was too impassioned to notice that I was sitting by the fireplace, curled up in one of the massive chairs my brother likes to keep in there. I heard everything, from his bankruptcy to Gen’s plans to his planned proposal. I wanted to speak up, but Theo stopped me with a look.

“Not yet. He needs some time to decompress.”

“I can help him with that.”

Theo shakes his head. “The man lost his business, love. His pride isn’t to be messed with, and if you’re not prepared to say yes, then I’d stay the hell away from him.”

“I want to say yes, but”—I shrug—“he won’t admit that he wants to marry me for love.”

“What are his other reasons?”

“To protect me, free me, and because I’m carrying his child. He says he wants it to know him, know his parents, and live…not in a palace.”

“How bloody awful of him, Char.” Theo takes my hands in his. “Little sister, I adore you and would kill anyone who hurt you with Peter’s help, but in this…you are being incredibly prideful and stubborn.”

“I’m prideful and stubborn. He knows I love him.”

“Love him so much that you’re willing to give up everything to be with him?”

“Yes!”

“Love him enough to renounce your claim on the throne?”

“Lord, yes. I have never wanted to be queen. I don’t want to be the possible queen and I don’t want my child to be in line for the throne, either—at least not without her permission—if this is a girl.”

Imogen walks inside. “What if I could give you all of that? Would you marry him then?”

I swallow down the huge lump that’s suddenly taken residence in my throat. “Yes. I can’t…you mean the world to me and I love you so much, Imogen, but this life…it is not for me. I don’t want to give my family up, though.” I look at Theo. “We’re all we’ve had for so long.”

Colin joins us, his face sober. “I don’t like him, but even I have to admit he’s busted his arse in order to help us and he’s not published one bloody thing about you. That has to say something about him.”

Theo lets go of my hands. “What do we need to do to make it possible, Gen?”

She lifts her chin. “I’ve already taken care of it. Consider yourself disinherited.”

I do a jumpy clap. “I can’t be queen?”

“Not even in the case of my demise.” She twists her lips. “However, I did ask Parliament to consider your female children as heirs if and only if they expressed an interest.”

“How did you get all this done?” I ask, amazed at her.

“I Skyped with my cabinet. The Internet is fabulously efficient…as is my new prime minister. He’s keen on bringing Davies in for questioning as well. It seems he has broken the law by sharing private records that were not to be released until seventy years after my death.” She smiles brilliantly, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Sometimes, it’s good to be queen.”

I look at her closely. “What did you promise, Gen?”

“Nothing that I hadn’t already agreed to,” she says lightly. “In other news, I leave for London in the morning. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

“I’ll start packing straightaway.”

“No, darling, you won’t. You’ve a marriage proposal to accept and a palace to vacate.”

“I’m not welcome here anymore?”

“Yes.” Colin moves to stand beside Gen. “You are welcome, but only when invited by the queen.”

“Oh dear.”

“Really, Char, it’s not as bad as it seems, and if I don’t force you to leave now, you’ll try to follow me to London where all these fabulous parties will be held in my honor. It’s not fair to subject a pregnant woman to such strain.”

“What about St. Claire?”

“I’m deeding it to Colin and his family,” Gen says, her face turning pink. “Theo will be splitting his time between here and Raleigh, where the U.S. offices are being relocated, so he’s moving out.”

My lips part in surprise. “I don’t have a home?”

“Well, there is a house for sale on Smith Island. It appeared on the market rather quickly. I believe the owner is in rather dire straits,” Theo says. He clicks on the screen. “If you offer cash, I’m sure you can get a jump on it.”

I stare at him in awe. “How do you know all of this?”

“We do have connections, love, and we use them.” Theo smiles gently. “You’re still ridiculously wealthy, Charlotte.”

“And you still have the courtesy title of princess,” Imogen chimes in.

“That’s…nice?” I wipe my palms on my thighs. “I suppose I should pack and fly to Wilmington.”

“An excellent idea. You can use one of the Sinclair jets,” Colin says. “We haven’t thrown you completely to the wolves.”

I glance around the room, taking in the faces that I love. They’ve shoved me out of my tower and made it impossible for me to lock myself in again. “Thank you.”

“Thank us later.” Theo pushes me toward the door. “Leave now and let Brooks follow.”

“Let him chase me?”

“The man needs a win in his box, Char. Give it to him,” Theo urges, giving me a hug before grabbing my shoulders and spinning me around. “Nothing like finishing first in a royal chase to do it.”

“If you say so, but wouldn’t it be better for me to simply—”

“Go now.” Gen pivots to one side, then faces me again, thrusting a bag into my arms, and my purse follows. “This should be enough to tide you over until the rest is shipped. I had a maid pack for you.”

“What about…?”

“No time.” Colin threads my arm through his. “I’ll take you to the airport.”

Gen hugs me on the way out, kissing my cheek. “Say yes, love, and then call me later to chat.”

“I promise,” I say, a smile pushing up the corners of my mouth. I look at my big brother. The man who helped raised me, along with Theo. “I’m ready to go, Colin.”

“I know you are, Charlotte, but it’s not easy to let you.”

“One step in front of the other, big brother. That’s all it takes.”

After a million hours of flying, two stops in Wilmington—one involving showing up at Brooks’s parents’ house to get a recommendation for a reputable hairdresser, and a ferry ride later, I’m finally standing in front of my new home.

I hold my breath, inserting the key Brooks gave me for my birthday and hoping that it works. While I haven’t officially bought the house, I have signed the papers and wired the money on the flight over. All that’s waiting is my signature on the deed and for it to be filed at the courthouse, which doesn’t open until Monday morning.

Which means I have two days to wait for Brooks—if he comes, that is. Judging by his texts and numerous voicemails, he’s pissed.

Gen assures me that this is a very good thing.

I, on the other hand, am not so sure about that.

The key turns in the lock and I open the door, giggling as I step inside my very first house. I can hardly believe that it’s mine and soon it will be ours.

Setting my bag down, I feel for the lights, switching them on.

Everything’s as it should be. The furniture, the artwork…the beautiful view of the ocean. Closing the door behind me, I move to the living room and wrap my arms around me.

“It’s perfect.”

I stride back to the entryway to retrieve my purse and dig through it to find my mobile. Gen said to let him wait, but I’m not waiting on anyone.

Me: I’m on Smith Island. Come join me.

I count to twenty before Brooks replies.

Brooks: Address?

Me: Yours.

Brooks: I’ll be there in two hours. Start practicing saying yes, Princess.

Me: I’m starting right now.

I grin right after I send that because I know he expects me to say yes, but I think Theo’s right. Brooks needs to finish pursuing me and win.

The thing is, I need it just as much.