‘Go ahead.’ Casper hauled the man to his feet by the front of his shirt, ignoring the tearing sound as the fabric gave way. ‘So you had sex with Holly, and then you dumped her. Is that what you expect me to believe?’
Eddie touched his jaw gingerly. ‘Some girls you have sex with, some girls you marry, you know what I mean?’ Fear flickered in his eyes as he registered Casper’s expression. ‘Still, money changes a person. I’m sure she’s changed since she’s married you, Your Highness.’
‘Are you? I think Holly is the same girl she’s always been.’ His tone flat, Casper released the other man, shaking him off like a bug from a leaf.
Eddie spluttered with relief and backed away, his hand on his jaw, and then his chest. ‘Yo
u ripped my shirt.’
‘You’re lucky I stopped at your shirt.’
‘Do you know how much I’m going to get for this story?’ Eddie’s face was scarlet with rage and Casper shot him a contemptuous glance.
‘So it was you who sold the story to the paper the first time.’
‘Is that what Holly told you?’
‘Don’t call her Holly. To you, it’s Her Royal Highness.’ Casper flexed his long fingers and had the satisfaction of seeing Eddie take another step backwards. ‘And if you ever mention the princess’s name again, the next thing I rip will be your throat.’
‘I thought princes were supposed to be civilised,’ Eddie squeaked from his position of safety, and Casper gave a slow, dangerous smile as he strode towards the door.
‘I never did believe in fairy stories.’
‘I’ll be fine, Emilio, honestly. I just feel like some sea air, and The Dowager Cottage is so pretty, right on the sand. It reminds me of the night before my wedding.’ When she’d still been full of hope.
Holly’s face ached from the effort of smiling, and she stuffed a few items into a large canvas bag, as if a day on the beach was just what she wanted, but Emilio didn’t look convinced.
‘I will call His Highness and—’
‘No, don’t do that.’ Holly interrupted him quickly, wincing as the baby kicked her hard. ‘I just want to be on my own for a bit.’
And she didn’t want to be in the palace when Casper eventually returned from wherever it was he’d stalked off to.
She just couldn’t stand yet another confrontation.
And she had no idea what they were going to do about their marriage. Could they really limp along like this with just her love and hot sex to hold them together?
Was it enough?
Her head started to throb again and she made a conscious effort to switch off her thoughts for the baby’s sake, wondering whether the tension was the reason he was kicking so violently.
For the baby’s sake, she needed to try and relax.
Without further question, Emilio summoned her driver, and once she arrived at The Dowager Cottage Holly kicked off her shoes and made a conscious effort to unwind. ‘I’m just going to sit on the beach for a bit.’ She smiled at the man who had become a friend. ‘Thanks, Emilio.’
‘Pietro made you this, madam.’ He handed her a small bag. ‘Just a few of your favourite snacks.’
‘He is such a sweetie.’ Choked by the warmth that they’d showed her, she suddenly rose on tiptoe to kiss Emilio. ‘And so are you,’ she said huskily, her lips brushing his cheek. ‘You’ve been so kind to me all the way through this. Thank you.’
Emilio cleared his throat. ‘You are a very special person, madam.’
‘I’m a waitress,’ Holly reminded him with a dry tone, but Emilio shook his head.
‘No.’ His voice was soft. ‘You’re a princess. In every sense that matters.’
Holly blinked several times and suddenly found that she had a lump in her throat. She was so touched by his words that for a moment she couldn’t reply.
She could be happy with her life, she told herself. She had friends.