Crowning His Unlikely Princess

‘Yes.’ In the absence of being able to pour himself a drink at such an early hour, Logan moved to the side table and downed a short black coffee instead. Finding it cold, he grimaced. ‘I’ve had a look at it, but, as I said when I first arrived, marriage isn’t high on my priority list.’

‘Once today is over, you can bump it up,’ his mother said imperiously. ‘And in the meantime five of the young ladies on the list will be in attendance at the ball tonight and I expect you to be at your charming best. These women have impeccable pedigrees and no damaging skeletons in their closets.’

Logan watched Cassidy fossick in her handbag as if she was looking for a way to dig herself out of the room. If she found one, he’d join her. Because there was no way he was ready for marriage and he wouldn’t be pressured into it the way his parents had pressured Leo with Anastasia.

Sighing, he gave his mother his full attention. ‘I won’t let you down. But I need to do this my way.’

‘I know. I am merely trying to ease your load.’ Her gaze softened on his and she squeezed his arm. ‘And when this is all done I’m looking forward to walking with you in the garden like old times. For now, I’ll see you downstairs a little later.’

Without

glancing at Cassidy, she left the room, leaving a cloud of perfume in her wake.

Cassidy glanced across at him, pushing her glasses up onto her nose, and he knew instantly that she wasn’t going to accept his invitation to the ball.

‘Don’t even think about not attending tonight,’ he said before she had opened her mouth.

‘I don’t think it’s a good idea and neither does your mother.’

‘My mother has just turned my coronation into a matchmaking event. Who else will bail me out when I need it?’

Cassidy gave him a look. ‘You hardly need me by your side to keep a woman at bay. And you should use this as an opportunity to get to know whomever she’s invited.’

Frustrated that she was being so stubborn, he glowered at her. ‘I don’t care about the women on the list.’

‘You should.’ Her tongue swept out to moisten her lips. ‘They’re all quite lovely. And very accomplished.’

‘Stop echoing my mother’s sentiments and stop defying me.’

He did not want to get to know the women on his mother’s list. He wanted to get to know Cassidy. A thought that should have sent more shock waves through him than it did.

Her eyes widened as she looked at him. ‘Your mother already doesn’t like me. If I go tonight she’ll like me even less.’

‘My mother doesn’t know you and has a deep distrust of staff members.’

Her brows drew down with concern. ‘Because of your father’s affairs?’

‘Yes. She’s really quite warm when she lowers her guard.’

‘Maybe, but I—’

‘Should be there tonight.’ Logan stepped into her personal space, cutting off her protest. ‘Despite what my mother said, it will be fun.’

He didn’t want to question further why he wanted her there.

She gave him a baleful look. ‘Even if I wanted to attend, I don’t have anything suitable to wear.’

‘I’ll have a gown delivered here by the end of the day.’

‘I don’t want you buying me clothing.’

Which is what makes you so different from every other woman I’ve ever come across.

‘Do it anyway.’

She sighed. ‘You have your juggernaut expression on again.’

‘My what?’