“We’ll leave first thing in the morning,” Charles says and looks at Sebastian. “I have orders to bring you home right away.”
“I’ll agree because I’ve spoken with my mother and there’s plenty to do back in London. But, Charles, you need to watch yourself with me. Twenty years of service is admirable, but you’re not my father.”
“Sir.” He bows his head. Without another word, he bustles out of the room.
“He’s an intense one, isn’t he?” Brad asks. “I’ll go confer with him. He’ll have access to as many of my men as he needs. Before I leave, I wanted to say congratulations.”
“Thanks, Brad.”
“My pleasure.” He nods and then exits the room. The rest of the people go with him, leaving Sebastian and me alone.
It’s late. It’s been a long day.
“Let’s go to the bedroom,” I suggest. “It’s more private.”
He doesn’t reply, just stands and walks with me, up the stairs to my bedroom. When we’re closed up inside, I let out a long sigh and sit on the end of the bed.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been this tired.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. It’s just a lot of information.” I look up at him. “Aren’t you scared? Of what your parents will say? Of what the people will say?”
“A little,” he admits. “I wouldn’t be human if I weren’t. But what I’m about to go through isn’t nearly as challenging as what I’m about to ask of you. And I have to say, right here and now, thank you, Nina.”
“You make it sound like I’m going to the guillotine.”
“There might be moments when it feels like it,” he concedes. “But I assure you, I’ll be right with you, every step of the way. You’re not alone in this. I appreciate you so much, and I will protect and care for you. I hope you believe that.”
“I do.” I smile at him. “I do believe that. You have my back. And I have yours.”
***
The next morning, I find myself packing my suitcases, getting ready to go to England. How long will we be there? I have no idea, so I basically have to take everything.
Except, nothing I have is appropriate.
“Why are you scowling like that?” Sebastian asks as he walks into my bedroom to find me glaring at my suitcase.
“I don’t have princess clothes.” I turn to him, panic beginning to set in. “Sebastian, I literally only have like five things that are appropriate, and even those aren’t designer. I’ve never had a need for it. And now I’m about to meet the freaking King and Queen of England!”
“Actually, they reign over the commonwealth countries. Not just England.”
I take a deep breath, but it doesn’t help the anxiety that’s just grabbed hold of my neck.
“Holy shit.”
“Hey, you’re going to be smashing,” he says. “Show me your curtsy again.”
I roll my eyes. “No. I’m horrible at it.”
“Well, then you need to practice. Show me.”
“You go first.”
His lips twitch. “Now listen carefully.”
His voice is high-pitched again, and it makes me laugh. I love his silly side.
“It’s easy, really. All you do is this.”
He executes a perfect curtsy and then gestures for me to follow. Which I do, and am relieved that it’s not so bad.
“Excellent.”
“And what do I call them?”
“Your Majesty, when you first meet them. After that, it’s sir or ma’am.”
“Well, that’s easy, at least.”
Sebastian tugs me to him and lightly kisses my lips. His hand glides down my spine to my ass, and then up again.
“You could distract me by getting me naked,” I suggest and watch as his eyes darken with lust.
We were too tired last night. We just fell onto the bed and slept. This morning, we’ve been busy getting ready to leave for London.
“The first time I strip you bare and have you writhing beneath me will not be when there are twenty men downstairs waiting for us. It’ll be when I can take my time with you, explore every inch, every curve. I want to make you gasp and moan and lose your bloody mind.”
“This is a good start.” My voice is breathy to my own ears. But his chin is firm, and I know he won’t back down.
Which is for the best because he’s right, there are too many people in my house.
“Okay. I still don’t know what to pack.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he replies. “It’ll be taken care of for you.”
“What does that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. You’re about to marry into the royal family, Nina. That means you’ll have every need taken care of, every whim provided for. Just pack what you might miss, and we’ll worry about the rest later.”
I don’t have time to ask questions. So I throw some clothes, the toiletries I can’t live without, and my blow-dryer into the suitcase, and I’m ready to go.
I move to carry my bag, but Sebastian shakes his head.