Enticing Liam (Big Sky Royal 2)

“I’m right here,” he replies softly before kissing my forehead. “Phillip is still on leave with his newborn, so you’re stuck with me for a while yet.”

“That’s not what I meant.” But I’m relieved. Phillip does a wonderful job, but I’m not ready to be separated from Liam yet. Once he goes back to Montana, I don’t know when I’ll get to see him again.

“I know. We’ll talk later, I promise. Let’s go find out what’s going on.”

Once we’re in our cars—Liam and I in one, and Callum and David in the other—we set off for the palace.

The family is at an estate that we’ve visited many times over the years, not far from the airport, although it feels like it takes hours to get there. Finally, we pull through the gates and stop next to a back door. I don’t wait for anyone to open the car door for me. I hurry around the bonnet and inside, where Frederick and his wife, Anne, are waiting for us.

“Where is he?” I demand. Callum joins us and sets his hand on my shoulder.

“He’s resting,” Anne says. Her eyes are tired. Freddy looks exhausted, as well. “Your mother’s with him.”

“And Sebastian?” Callum asks.

“They just arrived,” Freddy says and holds his arms out for me. I walk into them and hug him tightly. “It’s going to be okay, little one.”

“You’ve scared us all.”

“Trust me, we’ve all been scared. Come into the parlor, and I’ll fill you all in. Sebastian and Nina are waiting for us.”

We walk through the ancient home to a large parlor that’s already set up for afternoon tea, which I decline.

I hurry to Sebastian and hug him, then Nina. I see Liam out of the corner of my eye where he stands with David, Nick, and the other members of security across the room. They murmur to each other, and then his brown eyes shoot to mine.

This isn’t going to be good news.

“Okay, we’re all here,” Sebastian says impatiently, refusing to sit down. “Talk to us.”

Freddy swallows hard. “Last night at about eleven, Father fell in the bathroom. He’d had a shower and was dressed for bed. We think he just finished brushing his teeth and was about to walk into the bedroom. Mum heard him fall.”

“He hit his head,” Anne continues, holding Freddy’s hand as she talks. “On the edge of the vanity.”

“Oh, my,” Nina whispers, covering her mouth.

“Of course, the medical staff was called right in. He has quite a bruise on the left side of his head, and he required a few stitches. The doctor says he has a mild concussion.”

“Why did he fall?” Sebastian asks.

“Heart attack.”

I blink, not sure I understand.

“Pardon me?” Callum says.

“He had a heart attack,” Freddy repeats. “It wasn’t a massive one, and after an angioplasty and a stent, he shouldn’t need additional surgery. He will, however, have to change some of his lifestyle habits, including his diet and exercise, but he’s going to make a full recovery.”

“He’s been resting comfortably,” Anne continues. “Your mother hasn’t left his side, bless her heart.”

“Has this gone out to the press?” Sebastian asks as he paces the room.

“No,” Freddy says. “We’re going to give it a day or so before we release any statements. I don’t want to give false information.”

“Good idea,” Nina says with a nod.

“When can I see him?” I stand, ready to run up to the bedroom right now.

“You can see him now.”

I spin at my mother’s voice and hurry to her, wrapping her in my arms. She cradles me close and kisses my cheek.

“Oh, my darling girl.”

“I’m so sorry, Mum.”

“He’s going to be okay.” She kisses my forehead and pulls back, pasting a fake smile on her lovely face. “But I’m so glad all of my children are here. And your father will be happy, too.”

“I’m going up,” I announce and hurry up the stairs, moving down the hall and into his room. A nurse tries to stop me, but I ignore her, searching for my father.

“Well, hello.”

I feel tears well at the sound of his weak voice. I hurry over, sit near his hip, and take his hand. My father has never been one for big displays of affection, but I don’t care.

He could have died.

“You’ve given us all quite a fright.” I sniff as he reaches up to catch a tear.

“There’s no need for tears, poppet.”

“Yes, there is a need for tears,” I say and collapse onto his chest. “What would I do if you left me? You’re a young man.”

“I’m in my sixties, Eleanor.”

“Young,” I insist. “You need to take care of yourself.”

“I’ve already heard your country needs you.”

“Blast the country,” I say, impatience rolling through me. “This isn’t about duty. Not this time. Your family needs you, Father.”

“I’m not going anywhere, darling.”

He holds me for a long moment, just like he did when I was a child, despite having wires connected to him, and an IV in his arm.