Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

I shook my head. “I’ll explain later. We have about two minutes before we have to get back to the ballroom. I need to know that the secrecy of the gala is safe between us. Whatever happened between you two is your business until it interferes with me, then it becomes mine. You are walking a fine line right now with that distinction.”

Roux’s eyebrows knitted together. “You bastard. You get everything you want. Even her.”

“Molly hasn’t done anything to you. And I doubt Brooklyn has either. You’re being a royal ass. If you don’t want to be here, leave. Nothing is keeping you here.”

“Except Carina,” he retorted.

Molly looked confused. “Who is Carina?”

“His wife,” Brooklyn answered. “Lady Roux.”

“You’re married?” It was as if a small explosive had been detonated in the middle of us.

“Don’t look at me like that. It was an arranged marriage. Royal convenience,” he explained.

There was no rule in the society that members had to be single. With only a one-night commitment, it didn’t matter, but something had happened between Sebastian and Brooklyn. Carina was apparently a problem.

“Is that why you didn’t want to talk about it?” Molly asked her friend. “You didn’t want me to know he was married?”

“I couldn’t. We agreed. And it was complicated.” Her eyes darted to Sebastian.

He stepped in front of me, separating the girls. He slipped a hand around Brooklyn’s waist, tugging her toward him. “I can’t help it. I can’t get the other night out of my head. And then tonight I saw you by the staircase. Do you know I almost left Carina right then?”

“I can’t either forget it either, but …”

“But nothing.” Sebastian pressed his forehead to hers.

Damn it.

I interrupted. “Roux, you can’t leave Carina. And this can’t happen.”

“I know that,” he hissed. “Some of us can’t write laws and grant positions for women we love.”

“I’m not married,” I corrected him. “You would lose your title. Carina will destroy you. Her family will come after you with everything.”

“Don’t you think I fucking know that?”

“You are the reason Lesage has contracts in place. This is why he has to protect the society. What have you done?”

“Me? You brought a tally into the palace.”

I backed up. I realized he was mad at his situation. Pissed at the world. I received the brunt of it because I had Molly. In his eyes I had won something he couldn’t have. Personal happiness. He had no idea what he was talking about. Molly was the only light I had.

“Can’t we do something?” Molly asked.

I shook my head. “My hands are tied. I granted the marriage. I joined two royal households.”

“But what about the modern monarchy,” she pleaded.

Tonight was supposed to be about many things. Celebrating the cabinet’s vote. Introducing Molly to my family. Sharing our modern relationship with the country. It was not supposed to be about Sebastian’s affair with Molly’s best friend. It wasn’t going to cloud everything I’d accomplished.

I turned to the doomed pair.

“You two have less than a minute to figure this out. Molly and I are going to the ball. But the gala stays intact and I’ll discuss my membership with Lesage. Leave me out of your problems, Roux. Handle this like a duke, not a college sweetheart.”

I beckoned Molly to follow me. She was hesitant to leave Brooklyn.

“Come, we’ll give them a minute.”