Page 127 of Say You Will

My furniture is slightly too large for Grandmother, but she poses elegantly, nonetheless: knees together, ankles crossed, weight on one hip as she leans against the arm of the chair.

“Would you like an ottoman so you can rest more comfortably?”

She shakes her head. “I’m not interested in comfort. I came here for a reason. I’ve decided to reconsider my plans for MPD.”

When I say nothing, she continues. “I want to give those shares to you, Henry.”

I lift my eyebrows, not fooled for a moment. “And you have a new requirement for me to be worthy of them.”Despite the fact that I already informed her that I don’t want them.I take a sip of tea before setting my cup on the table.

She frowns, her blue eyes sharp. “My sister’s grandson is a disgrace. The scandal surrounding him is intolerable. But the girl you decided on isn’t much better. I offered you those shares if you found anappropriatewife. A relationship with that one is out of the question. Her father is all over the news due to bankruptcy and a fraud investigation, and her mother . . .” Grandmother shudders. “She’s a sweet girl, and she has my sympathy, but you have to do what’s right for yourself.”

I smile. “You’re absolutely correct.”

She nods. “You’ve always been a practical boy. I don’t expect you to find someone else to replace her. I’m not unreasonable.”

A shadow in the hallway to our bedroom moves in my peripheral vision, and I stand, stepping closer so I’mcertain Franki hears every word I say. “Grandmother, you misunderstand. I’m never walking away from Franki. There’s not a thing on earth that could make me. I’m walking away from MPD.”

She blinks in confusion. “What?”

“I don’t want your shares.”

“Of course you do. I suppose, if you keep your relationship private and don’t marry her, we could work around it on a probationary period. You’ll need to distance yourself during the trial.”

“Grandmother.” I shake my head. “I’m marrying Franki. If you give me those shares, regardless, I’m immediately passing them on to Gabriel. I suggest you skip the middleman. I’m off the table.”

Her eyes narrow as she looks behind me. “There’s a dog under your chair.”

I glance back. Oliver is flat on his stomach splayed with his legs behind him in what I call his “Superman pose.” He’s hiding from our visitor, with only his lower half visible.

“Oliver is shy.” It didn’t used to be true, but he’s recovering from the traumatic events of three days ago too.

He wags his tail at the sound of his name, and I smile.

Grandmother’s lips quirk. “You’re happy.”

That’s an oversimplification. And an understatement. What I am iswhole. But for brevity’s sake, sure. “I’m happy.”

She places her cup on its saucer and rises from the chair. I offer Grandmother my arm and walk her to the door where her guard waits to assist her home.

When I help her into her coat, she reaches up and pats my cheek. “Your father was entirely unmanageable. Your sister insists on living life how she pleases. I thought you’d be the sensible one.”

“There’s still Gabriel.”

Her eyes glint. “He’s too charming for his own good. That boy is a directionless hussy.”

I fight back my smile. “I’m not so sure about that, but I suppose he’d be a lot for someone like you to handle.”

“Someone like me?” she asks, offense snapping in her words.

“Someone in her elder years. Surely, you’re tired of worrying over all of us by now. You should find a new hobby. Take more naps,” I suggest helpfully.

She shakes her head, her lips lifting in a partially repressed smile. “Insolent boy.”

Grandmother removes her black leather gloves from her pockets and tugs them on. “I’ll accept your marriage.”

“You’ll also be kind and gracious to my wife.”

“Don’t insult me. Of course I will.” She looks out across the open plan of the penthouse to the lit skyline beyond. From here, the heavens are nothing but an artificially bright wash of violet blue. The bright points that glimmer are man-made and far too close to earth. There’s not a real star in sight.

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