The Royal and the Rebel (Royally Pitched 2)

21

3 March

Chateau Balda

Juliana was chuffed to bits. She decided she was quite good as a matchmaker. She’d convinced her new friend to accompany her to Chateau Balda for dinner with her siblings and Meena and Jamie had hit it off. Just as she’d predicted.

“You are looking quite pleased with yourself,” Ele noted as she poured some Navan cava into four glasses.

Juliana didn’t even try to hide her smile. Bumping Ele’s shoulder, she nodded her head in the direction of Jamie and Meena, who were currently engaged in the discussion about the political expediency of a state program aimed at increasing literacy within migrant families displaced by civil war in their countries. Across the room, they leaned toward each other. They were absolutely stunning together, and Juliana grinned broadly.

“That.”

Ele followed her gaze and watched without speaking for a long moment. “Yes, they like each other.”

Juliana beamed. “I know. The moment I met her, I thought she would be perfect for him.”

But Ele didn’t smile. Instead, her mouth turned down as she observed them. “I don’t think so.”

Jules reared back slightly. “What do you mean?”

Ele shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they will be great friends, but I don’t sense any sexual chemistry between them.”

“Is this some twin thing? How can you tell?” Juliana asked.

“Seriously?”

Jules paused and turned her attention back to Meena and Jamie. She’d been so sure, but as she watched them without her hopes as the focus, she reluctantly agreed with Ele. Juliana knew about chemistry now, didn’t she? And hadn’t she described it quite perfectly to Rowan just a couple of days ago? You couldn’t manufacture the simmering current that ran between some couples. And she didn’t see it as she watched.

“Oh,” she said, dejected.

Ele smiled indulgently. “Yes. Nothing like when you and Rowan interact.”

Juliana harrumphed. “You mean, you and Tris.”

Ele nodded and studied Juliana. At first, she held Ele’s gaze, but then, uncomfortable, she looked away. “Right. Tris and me, but also you and Rowan.” When Juliana continued to study the bubbles floating in the cava, Ele touched her arm, drawing her attention. “Is everything okay with Rowan?”

“Aside from him being a wanker?”

Ele laughed. “Yes, aside from that.”

“You heard about the engagement announcement last night?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up.” Ele lifted a glass and passed it to Juliana. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but everything seems to be progressing at warp speed.”

Juliana sighed. “I know.”

“Have you told him?”

Ele didn’t say anything more explicit. But she meant if Juliana told Rowan about her birth. Juliana was aware the cock-up of the conditions of Rowan’s inheritance. She also knew exactly what Ele would say to assuage her worries. But she wasn’t ready for that conversation or the implications of it. This wasn’t real, which meant Rowan had no right to her story. She would have to come up with a solution to satisfy Ele and Jamie eventually, or they would never allow this to play out.

So, she lied.

Keeping her voice steady, she said with as much nonchalance as she could manage, “Yes, of course. He knows and finds what our father did, adopting me, acceptable to meet the condition.”

But Ele continued to look worried. “Then, what is it?”

Juliana couldn’t believe she was contemplating spilling her guts to Ele. It was embarrassing. But she needed advice, some due north compass of what to expect. She grabbed Ele’s elbow and pulled her from the room. She paced, trying to figure out what she really wanted to know. She had this feeling the next time she saw Rowan, she needed to have her reaction to their touching the night before under control. She liked what had happened; she loved the feeling of power and the experience of complete release. She had been stunned to discover she liked his commands and his dirty talk. She wanted to do it again, but she didn’t know how to keep her feelings in check. She wanted to be liberated about sex, but her views were old-fashioned.

“You were with other men before Tristan, right?”

Ele flushed but answered without any hesitation, “Yes.”

“And …” Juliana paused, not really sure what she wanted to know. “Was there a difference?”

Ele studied Juliana, and it was her turn to blush. “Had you not been with other men?”

God, why does this embarrass me?“No, not beyond some kisses.”

“Well,” she said slowly, “the sex I had before Tristan was fine. I, uh, I got off.” She flushed again. “But there is this level of intimacy with Tristan that makes the sex more … more everything. Intimate, special, satisfying. And I think those things make the physical side more delicious. And I guess, for me, the trust I have in Tristan allows me to be freer with my actions and reactions.”

Juliana nodded.

Ele continued to scrutinize her. “Why are you asking this? I mean, you’ve been together for months, right?”

“Yes.” Juliana scrambled to assure Ele. “It’s like everything fades to black, except for him. And I thought maybe it was just sex in general.”

“No. At least, not in my experience. But I feel that way with Tristan. Focused in so that nothing else around me seems to penetrate the fog, except for him.”

Laughter burst from Juliana, and Ele slapped her hand on her mouth.