Chapter Fourteen
“You’re not a child anymore, Magnus. It’s time for you to choose a wife,” King Tadeas said as they took a slow walk around the palace after Rachelle and her grandmother left.
“I have plenty of time for that, Father. You were just shy of forty when you met Mother.” Magnus was relieved that his father was out of bed and wanting to exercise. Dr. Stein had become concerned as of late. Pain had led to his father’s withdrawal, but lack of movement was what the doctor had said was quickly adding to his ailments.
“And look at me, not certain I’ll meet your children before I go.”
“You’re not going anywhere, Father.”
“We are all going somewhere, Magnus. I would like to see you settled before I do, though. What do you think of the American?”
“I thought your heart was set on Princess Isabella,” Magnus chided gently. His father had been advocating that match since he was a child.
“I must say I was disappointed to learn she was linked to the petty video about Rachelle. That sort of behavior hints at a jealous soul I wouldn’t want raising my grandchildren.”
Finally, something we agree upon. “Thankfully, she has never been a serious consideration for me.”
“Has anyone?”
Magnus hesitated briefly as he remembered how Rachelle had been at the hospital. She’d been the first woman he’d ever seen in that light. Too bad he’d learned she wasn’t the angel she presented herself as. Speaking of that: “Regarding Mrs. Westerly. You seem taken with her.”
“She is a rare combination of beautiful and brilliant.”
“Yes, well, she is not above using your high opinion of her to her advantage.”
His father laughed. “I don’t doubt that for a second. It is a joy to watch her in action.”
Magnus didn’t share his humor. “Be careful with her, Father. The list she cited was straight from my recent dealings. She wanted you to believe that the ball was your idea, but the guest list was intended to prove to me that she has the ear of many powerful people. She’s dangerous and cunning.”
“She may prove to be if you continue to treat her granddaughter the way you have. What you saw at lunch was an American mama bear rushing to defend her cub. She absolutely will take a swipe at you—at us—if she feels Rachelle is threatened.”
“Then I will send her scuttling back to the United States before she has a chance to.”
The king stopped and turned to face his son. “Not everything is a battle, Magnus. This is a dance, and one that I find invigorating.”
“A dance? Father, I think you’re confused.”
“No, I see things more clearly now than I have in a while. Delinda Westerly is a proud woman who believes her granddaughter has been treated unfairly. I agree with her. Rather than sneaking Rachelle into the country, you should have announced her arrival and shown her more respect.”
“It was not that simple.”
“It will be from now on. I will arrange several public appearances, all of which you will attend with Rachelle. Your behavior will be above reproach. Are we clear on this?”
There was no one else who would dare speak to Magnus in that tone—except possibly the woman his father was commanding him to spend time with. “What are you hoping to gain by this? Are you trying to appease Delinda Westerly? Because I assure you, I can resolve the situation much faster.”
His father shook his head and began walking again. “You will do no such thing. I will deal with Delinda. As far as this situation is concerned, your responsibility will begin and end with her granddaughter and the engagements you will attend with her.”
“For what purpose?”
They came to a grassy place that had been Magnus’s favorite playground as a child. “When you were young, your mother argued that we should keep you innocent as long as possible. So we tried, but you could not be contained. You didn’t want to play with trucks—you had a wooden sword and were determined to slay your share of dragons. Well, you’ve done that, Magnus. Now it is time to prove your dedication to Vandorra in another way. Honor my request to spend time with Rachelle Westerly. If she is not to your liking, you will have two months to choose another bride.”
“Or?”
“Is there a need for a threat, or will you honor my wishes?”
The strength of his bond to his father was that he could be honest with him. “You know I have never liked being forced to do anything.”
“Then abdicate your throne, Magnus. Find an island somewhere and live off the land. Perhaps then, and only then, you will be able to live in such a free way. Although I believe even that lifestyle is ruled by the laws of Mother Nature. For as much as we feel in control, we are not. You have done great things for Vandorra, but to secure its prosperity, you must marry and produce an heir. My request is that you announce taking a step toward doing so at the ball.”
“So the ball is to be a forum to announce my engagement?”
“Yes.”
Magnus ran a hand through his hair. “This is no small request.”
“But nor will it be as bad as you imagine.”
“If I am to do this, why obligate me to spend time with the Westerly woman?”
His father smiled. “Because your search should start where your heart is already leading you.” He told Magnus he would see him the next day and walked away, leaving Magnus alone and shaking his head.
He was attracted to Rachelle, but he didn’t have feelings for her. And if there had been a spark of any kind, it had been extinguished. She might be beautiful, and her body might have the power to set his aflame, but his father was wrong—his heart was definitely not involved. She was nothing to him. Less than nothing now that she’d arranged to have her presence forced upon him.
Just thinking about how Rachelle had done both sent blood rushing to his cock, and he groaned. It was time to start preparing for a full-out war.
Although his father had claimed this was a dance and not a battle, Magnus saw trouble coming. I don’t know if I can spend time with Rachelle without fucking her.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll marry her. The woman he would choose would be far less trouble. Offhand, he could think of three with the right pedigree who were both beautiful and quiet in nature. None of them would dare raise a hand to him or correct him.
His dick twitched and strained as his head flooded with images of Rachelle, the scent of her, the feel of her wet sex contracting around his fingers. And that mouth. He groaned as he remembered the pleasure she’d brought him and imagined how much more they could bring each other.
He headed toward the palace and made his way to the elevator exit. He chose to drive himself, although the royal guard followed, as they always did. They were a presence he was accustomed to. Ever since there had been an attempt on his father’s life and the threat had been traced to his cousin, Magnus had been vigilantly guarded. There wasn’t a single part of being forced to choose a wife that Magnus was happy with, but he understood his father’s motivation. Single Magnus meant his line of descent was vulnerable.
Back at the office in his own palace, he called the clinic to check if Eric had actually admitted himself. He had.
He asked Phillip to dig deeper for any and all information about the Westerly family. If Delinda did start trouble, he wanted to know exactly how to shut her down.
Finally, he called the Royal Hotel to confirm that Rachelle had checked in. She had not. It made sense that she would have gone to stay with her grandmother, but on impulse Magnus asked Phillip to confirm that as well.
“Your Royal Highness, I have located Miss Westerly. She is not with her grandmother.”
“Then where is she?”
“It appears she has checked in to a hotel, but not the Royal.”
“I don’t understand her.”
“It is directly across the street from the hospital. Proximity to her brother, perhaps?”
“Thank you, Phillip.”
Was her concern for her brother real, or was this move as strategic as each of her grandmother’s had been?
He tried to put her out of his head, but she crept repeatedly back into his thoughts, making work impossible. Eventually he walked out of his office and slammed the door behind him. “I’m going out,” he growled.
“Out?” Phillip asked, trotting beside him. “Should I have a car brought around?”
“No, I’ll drive myself.”
“Of course, Your Royal Highness. May I ask where you’re headed?”
Although Magnus did not like having to answer to anyone, especially when he couldn’t justify where he was going to himself, he understood the reason for Phillip’s question. His was not to judge, but to protect. It was a role to be honored rather than resented. “To see Miss Westerly.”