For All Time (Nantucket Brides 2)

“I told you that I have a bed for tonight.”

“At Wes’s house,” Toby said, “but I don’t think that’s a good idea.” She turned away but then looked back at him. “What metal does your country have that mine needs?”

“Vanadium,” he said. “It’s for hardening steel, among other uses. Who was talking about vanadium at a wedding?”

“Actually, it was Victoria. She seems to think that if you have to spend a night at Wes’s house, it will be so horrible that your country will stop exporting to mine.”

Graydon started to say that was absurd but he didn’t. “Where did Victoria suggest that I stay?”

“She didn’t, but Jared said I should put you on the pullout couch in my upstairs sitting room.”

Years of practice at hiding his emotions was the only way Graydon could keep from bursting out that Jared was his new favorite relative. For all his bravado of saying he wanted to remain on Nantucket, being utterly alone was not something he relished. He didn’t say a word, just waited for Toby’s decision.

“Lexie will be there, so I guess one night will be all right. Tomorrow I’ll find you somewhere else to stay.”

“I thank you for your generosity,” he said and gave her a small bow.

“I rather like these Lanconian manners,” Toby said.

He held out his arm to her. “May I escort you back?”

“Only if you promise to attack any grizzlies we encounter with your vanadium-hardened steel sword.”

Graydon smiled. “I swear it on my honor as a prince of the realm.”

Laughing together, they walked back to the tent. After they parted, Graydon stayed outside and called his brother. “I want every piece of clothing you brought with you. Find out where Toby lives—somewhere on Kingsley Lane—and put everything in her upstairs sitting room.”

“That was fast work,” Rory said. “I hope you understand that if you hurt this girl, a lot of people are going to be angry at you. Montgomerys, Taggerts, Kingsleys, everybody. Why don’t you take this week and go to Vegas instead? You could—”

“The plane back to Maine will be ready for you at six tomorrow morning. And remember that the fewer Lanconians who know about this exchange the better. You think you can do this?”

“Sure,” Rory said. “The question is whether you can handle it.”

“Don’t worry about me.” He paused. “Thank you. This means a lot to me. And Rory?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks for whatever you said to Toby about me.”

“I only told her the truth.” Rory hesitated. “I have a question that I need answered to be able to pull this off.” He took a breath. “Are you and Danna lovers?”

Graydon was glad his brother couldn’t see the smile on his face. He had to work to sound offended. “By Naos! Cut out your tongue! I’ve never touched her.”

“Yeah?” Rory said. “I mean, that’s only right, but I thought maybe the two of you had … Anyway, I needed to know.”

“Keep it formal with her,” Graydon said. “The truth is that I rarely see her, certainly not in private. Maybe you could put in a good word for me, like you did with Toby.”

“Possibly,” Rory said.

Graydon could feel his brother’s grin even through the phone. “If you need any help with anything, let me know. And Lorcan will always be with you.”

“Sure,” Rory said, and for a moment the two brothers held their phones in silence.

They’d never before done an exchange on this scale. They hadn’t discussed the repercussions if their parents found out or if the Lanconian nation discovered what the brothers were doing.

There could possibly be legal ramifications. If nothing else, there would be the extreme embarrassment to the throne of Lanconia.

“Good luck,” Graydon said.