Right Number, Wrong Girl

I pulled my phone from my pocket and unlocked it.

ME: Need u 2 go 2 soph at cottage

I hit send on the message to Caitlyn and looked up at Dad. “I won’t leave,” I said to him. “But I won’t let her be alone, either.”

Dad looked at me in a way I’d never seen him do before. “I respect that. This discussion needs to happen now. Ready?”

CAIT: Fuck sake what did u lot do

CAIT: Omw, gonna kill u if u hurt her

“Why me? I’m not the head of this family. You are. Why is my job to go in there and demand the truth?” I questioned, shoving my phone in my pocket. “Why me?”

Dad smiled. “Because not all defence of family has to happen in front of them.” He stepped up to me and gripped my shoulder. “Son, if you believe Sophie is your family, then go in there and set her place in your family. Tell them why she deserves to be there. As far as I’m concerned, she’s earnt her place, but she can’t walk into this mess, and you know it.”

I inhaled deeply.

Every generation of an aristocratic family was a new court.

My family title was old—it was older than the reigning monarchy. If I wanted Sophie, I had to cement her place by my side.

Dad stepped away and inclined his head in the direction of the house.

Being heir was difficult. It was a standoff position where there was only so much you could do. I only had so much authority within the family, but if Dad was handing me free reign…

I briefly closed my eyes and inhaled, then met his gaze. “Thank you.”

It was fucking old and antiquated, but here we were.

I turned away from my father and walked up to the house. The only people there were Henry, Helena, and Rupert, and I turned to Rupert. “I would like my mother, Nancy, and Camilla back in the library in five minutes.”

Rupert glanced at my father, who nodded.

The butler inclined his head. “Of course, Lord Hugo.”

I looked at my siblings. “Come with me.”

***

“Where are your fucking balls?” Helena slammed the door shut behind her. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Sit down,” I shot back.

“Absolutely not. Where do you get off telling me what to do? I will—”

“Sit down, Helena.” I turned to her, then glanced at Henry. “We have five minutes to figure this shit out and convince our mother that Nancy is behind it. We all know the truth, so let’s figure out a line of attack before it’s too late.”

“It is too late, arsehole,” Helena snapped.

Henry sighed. “Go all out.”

“What?”

“You’re the only person she’ll listen to along with Dad. The two of you have to shut Mum down and force the truth. I’ll go and try to stop Sophie leaving, and Helena will back you up.”

I turned to Helena. “Will you?”

She sat back, folding her arms across her chest. “She’s the first friend I’ve made since I got married and pregnant and everyone ditched me. If you’ll note, I’m the one who stood up against our mother just now.”