The Prince's Bride

One of the groomsmen calls Henry’s name and tells him to hurry up already.

I give him a quick kiss on the lips. “You should go.”

“I wish I didn’t have to.”

“It’s only one night.”

“Yes. One night, then I’m all yours forever.”

Chapter 14

Henry

As soon as we get to my aunt and uncle’s manor, I know something’s up. He’s a total dog, which is one of the things I don’t like about him. His mum, my aunt, has gone to bed already, but his father clearly has no plans to retire early. I’m hoping to heaven that it’s just going to be some drinking and maybe a little high stakes poker, but when we walk to the far corner of the manor, where the billiard room is, I see what’s in store. Topless waitresses are stationed throughout the massive room, ready to serve our every need. A pole has been set up in the middle of the floor, giving a not-so-subtle hint at what is to come.

I pull out my phone and swipe the screen, then say, “Damn. Sorry, Edwin, old chap. Looks like I’ll have to skip the party. My father needs me to take care of some business.”

Edwin gives me a skeptical look, then says, “I call horse shit. You just don’t want to get in trouble.”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t want to put myself in this position either. These things tend to turn out very poorly.”

“It’ll be fine! No one here is going to talk.” He grabs my phone from me before I can stop him and pockets it, then jogs quickly to one of the waitresses. Taking two drinks off her tray, he holds the glasses up. “To one last night of freedom!”

I stare, knowing he fully expects me to go insist he give me back my phone. He thinks he can use it as a bargaining chip to get me to stay here longer, but it won’t work. The security settings on my phone are virtually unhackable and unless someone cuts my thumb off, it’s utterly useless. Instead of kowtowing, I give him a slight nod and say, “Have fun,” then turn and walk out of the room, knowing I can come back and get it in a few hours when he’s so wasted he won’t remember he even has it.

I make my way to the library and select an Agatha Christie novel, then go to the guest room which I will be calling home for the night. Taking off my jacket and tie, I lie on the bed and crack open the book, deciding to read for a couple of hours before going back to get my phone.

***

I wake to the sound of giggling. When I open my eyes, a flash goes off, blinding me for a brief second. I blink, then realize there is a nude woman snuggled up to me and her hand is on my crotch. I roll away from her and off the bed, then see Edwin, swaying a little in his drunken stupor while he does something on his phone.

“Stop that, you idiot,” I command, charging across the room. “Give me that now.”

“Nope. I need a little insurance that you won’t rat me out to my lovely bride.”

“Delete it or I will see to it that your entire family loses your allowance.” Grabbing the phone from him, I realize it’s actually mine. He must have pressed it to my thumb while I was asleep. Seething with rage, I grab him by the shirt collar. “What did you do?”

“Nothing. I just took a photo. You can delete it if you like,” he says, holding his arms up in surrender.

“Who did you send it to?” I say, refusing to release him from my grip.

“No one. Relax. We were just playing around.”

“Well, don’t.” I push him back as I release him, and he loses his balance, landing on his bottom on the floor.

Turning to the woman, I say, “You should go home. Have you been paid for your trouble?”

“Not yet.” She folds her arms across her chest, looking suddenly very vulnerable, and my anger dissipates. “He said two more hours, then he’ll pay me.”

“He’s done for the night,” I say, taking a robe from the foot of my bed, then handing it to her. “Edwin, pay her.”

He shakes his head. “But I’m not done yet. I want to have some more fun before I’m tied down forever.”

Sighing, I shake my head at him. “You’re pathetic.”

Striding to the desk, I pluck my wallet out of my suit jacket and take out a wad of cash. Handing to the woman, I say, “Is this what he agreed to?”

Her eyes grow wide and she smiles at me. “It’s more than enough.”