The Royal and the Rebel (Royally Pitched 2)

Rowan wasn’t offended by the prince’s assumption. It was true. And how Rowan wished it were the case with his family.

“Yes, well, way back in our illustrious line, one of my ancestors didn’t think it was right to allow the children born out of wedlock to suffer the consequence of their birth. So, he made provisions.”

“Some of the titles and lands go to you.” Jamie rubbed his chin, contemplating. “The lands must default to a different entity if they are not claimed properly.

“Bingo,” Rowan concurred.

“My guess is, the lands and titles go to the crown.”

“Right again.”

“Ah!”

Rowan wasn’t surprised Jamie had come to the right conclusion, but again, he couldn’t help but be impressed with the quickness of mind. There were no overlapping bloodlines in the Altamirano family to make them simple or insane.

Jamie looked away from Rowan to Robert. He mouthed something to the other man, but Rowan couldn’t figure out what it was. Then, he returned his stare to Rowan.

“How many of the titles are yours?”

“Twenty-three,” Rowan answered.

And Jamie laughed. Ele and Robert smiled mischievously. Something in their faces strikingly alike.

“Out of how many?”

“Forty,” Rowan said.

Jamie continued to stare at him, waiting.

Rowan didn’t need for him to ask the question. “Thirteen marquessates, seven countships, three viscountcies.”

“So, your brother inherits the dukedom?”

“Half-brother” he corrected. “Yes, and some various other titles and estates.”

“And if you refused, how much property would revert to the crown?”

“Thousands of acres all over Europe,” Rowan stated dispassionately.

Jamie whistled low. “Are there any other stipulations for you to inherit?”

“Just one,” Rowan said. “I have to marry someone titled by my thirty-third birthday.”

Jamie, Robert, and Ele all looked to Juliana. He could tell by the pressure in his shoulders where her short but deadly nails were digging in, she was unhappy about just learning this information now.

“Is that the reason for this sudden revelation then?” Jamie asked, his voice a little sharper and his eyes a little harder.

Rowan hoped he hadn’t miscalculated by sharing this with them. He’d thought they would appreciate his candor, and he knew they would have found out quickly now that they were here. Rowan could see the duke lording this over him to get him to agree to other shit he didn’t want to do. With it out in the open, he was taking away some of the duke’s power over him.

Rowan kept his eyes on Jamie. “The duke surprised me one morning, and Juliana happened to be there.”

Jamie and Robert wore similar expressions of affront. But he noticed Ele’s gaze flew to Juliana’s, and her hands dug into him again. He was sure to have tiny finger marks all along his shoulders.

“When he realized what was going on, he wanted to take full advantage. We explained our relationship, and he tried to strong-arm Juliana into using his security. She called him on it. So, he released the information to the reporters and decided on a full-court press. I think he, like the queen, is looking at this relationship as a Band-Aid for the current state of affairs. A sort of unifier. I know this is why the queen wanted Juliana to participate in the marriage mart or whatever the hell they are calling it.”

Jamie, Robert, and Ele shared a look. Then, Jamie directed his gaze above Rowan’s head, to Juliana. He could tell there was some silent communication taking place. He saw Jamie nod and wondered what signal Juliana had used.

Had she agreed to something or disagreed?

“Juliana’s attendance here was two-fold. She was to participate in the marriage mart—ridiculous name, but now that it’s out there, the headlines are eating it up. The second reason is because the talk of succession is growing louder in the capital. Juliana was to observe and see if Nava really wants independence. And if they do, how far they are willing to go to achieve it.”

Rowan’s every muscle stiffened. “You sent her here to spy? Are you crazy? I don’t think you have any idea how dangerous the duke is.”

Jamie, ever relaxed, ever calm, nodded slowly. “Yes, we do. And more importantly, she knows.” Jamie looked up at Juliana. “If you think anyone can tell Juliana what to do or what not to do for that matter, you don’t know her as well as you think you do.”

Indignation screamed through Rowan. This plan was ludicrous. He didn’t know who to be angrier with—the queen, the crown prince, or the woman-child standing behind him. All the respect he’d thought he had for these people was gone in the face of their stupidity. And that Juliana felt she had to sacrifice herself to gain their love pissed him even more. He wished he could get up and storm from the room. But he couldn’t. The best he could do was crutch loudly out of the room, but even then, he couldn’t even slam the door.

“Or maybe Juliana thinks she has to make crazy sacrifices just so you notice she’s around.”

Robert, Ele, and Jamie, alarmed, shifted their gazes to Juliana.

“Actually,” Juliana said from above him, “I don’t need any of you to speak for me.” She came around his chair and stood between the two camps, but her fiery gaze was locked on Rowan. “What I do for my family is none of your concern. We could be married, and it still wouldn’t be up to you.” She moved in front of him then, drawing a firm line in the sand. Leaning down so they were eye to eye, she said, “My family. My business.”

Then, like the impulsive woman he suspected her to be, she fled from the room and then the suite with a resounding slam of the door.

Rowan watched the exit, surprised at the lack of a vapor trail. He turned back to their audience.

Jamie smiled wide. “Bit of a cock-up, aye?”

As if Rowan wasn’t angry enough, the crown prince winked at him.

Motherfucker.