The Sinful King (Naughty Royals 1)

“It would ruin me.” My eyes slammed shut. “I like him. I know I shouldn’t for a billion reasons, but I can’t help that I really like him.”

“You can like him all you want, but it doesn’t change the reality of your situation. He’ll never marry you. He’s a traditionalist. And I know I sound like a total asshole right now, but you need to hear this.”

“I know,” I whispered. I opened my eyes. “Going on a date was stupid.”

“Everyone who gets close to him even for a moment is enchanted. I’ve been friends with them for a long time and I understand the appeal. I also don’t want my best friend to get hurt by one of them. Promise you’ll stay away from him.”

“I’m planning a gala in his name. I’m not sure I can stay away from him.”

“You know what I mean. Keep things professional and as soon as this is all finished, move out of the villa and back home to London. You don’t need this right now.”

“Okay,” I said, because I wanted to appease him.

I needed at least one more week in the villa to square away things for my uncle. I couldn’t just whoosh in, make all those changes to his bookshop, and then leave him high and dry. I did need to get out of there soon though.

“Okay. I can’t make the gala this weekend. I have to go home to visit Mom, but Mira will be there to keep an eye out for you. I know it will be fantastic and I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

“Thanks. We’ll talk soon.”

“Good night, Addie.”

“Good night.” I hung up and stood to set my phone to charge before climbing into bed.

I hated that Etienne was right about all of that. It seemed like everyone knew their reputation, especially in Normandy, where they vacationed every summer and spent their days frolicking and partying and bedding every willing local, but hearing it from Etienne was different. It turned gossip to truth.

Chapter 14

“Are you sure this isn’t going to be weird for you?” I asked Pierre for the third time since he’d arrived.

I’d asked him to be my date to this, but thought for sure he wouldn’t show after he witnessed my date with Elias.

“Why would it be weird?” Pierre smiled. “Because you went on a date with another man and I had to stand there and watch the entire thing?”

“Yes.” I felt my entire body heat with embarrassment.

“Hey, I wasn’t offended.” He squeezed my arm lightly, still smiling that warm smile of his that reached his pale blue eyes. “You’re allowed to date whomever you want, whenever you want.”

“I feel like I should apologize.”

“You shouldn’t.” Pierre dropped his arm and looked at me. “Don’t apologize. We’re friends and that’s why I’m here tonight. I’ll help with whatever you need.”

“Thank you.” I smiled for a second and gave him a once-over. He looked like he belonged in King Louis XIV’s court. “All you’re missing is a fluffy white wig.”

“Thankfully they’re not required.” He laughed, shaking the mask he was holding. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to put these on.”

“You’re totally right. In fact, I don’t know how I’ll manage to put this one on over this hairdo.” I reached over the table and wiggled my own mask for him to see.

“I’m jealous that yours has feathers.”

“We can swap if you’d like.”

“I think I’d rather not.” He smiled wide and looked at my entire outfit. “You look like you absolutely belong in the seventeen-hundreds.”

“I don’t know how those women managed to breathe.”

I’d been wearing the dress for over an hour now, but it didn’t feel any more comfortable than it had when the women who helped me dress tightened the laces of the bodice for me when I first put it on. I would have said it accentuated my small waist and full hips, but I couldn’t imagine anyone putting this on and not automatically having an hourglass figure. As much as I thought I would love to always dress to the nines the way they did back in the old days, I was sure I would have never had the experience. Firstly, because I would have been some kind of housemaid back in those times and secondly, because I would have rebelled and dressed like a man just to get out of feeling like my insides were smooshed.

“I guess they believed in beauty over everything,” Pierre said. “So, where do you need my help?”

“Are you sure you want to help? You can totally just join the party. I have enough hands on everything that I just have to idle around and make sure nothing crazy happens, but I should be free an hour before it ends.”

“In that case, I guess I’ll come back here and look for you at ten? Maybe we can grab a drink afterward?”