Page 160 of Rags to Royals

Miles looks very unhappy about this conversation, but he nods. “Yes.”

She steps closer to him, needing to tip her head back to keep her eyes on his.

“He also knew that you were going to do great things, Astrid,” Miles says. “Your grandfather was incredibly proud of you. He saw…magic in you. That’s what he said. He wassopissed when you got hurt. He wanted you to have every opportunity.”

Astrid’s frown seems to go from angry to confused. She swallows hard and blinks rapidly. “He’d want me to have ababywith Declan?Thatkind of opportunity?”

I watch Miles’s face. He looks pained. “I didn’t know about the baby. But I do think Alfred would feel very good about you being with Declan. Yes.”

“IsDeclan his favorite?”

Miles nods. “Yes.”

She looks thoughtful.

“Astrid,” I finally say. “We can figure something else out.”

She looks at me. “What?”

“I won’t make you marry him. We’ll…get you out of here. Figure something else out.” I look at Miles. “Miles could marry you.”

He looksveryuncomfortable at that. “Declan won’t let that happen.”

Astrid looks at him in disbelief. “He doesn’t get to decide what I do.”

Miles nods. “Okay. Fine. I’ll get you out of here. If that’s what you really want.”

She looks at him for several seconds. Then looks at me. Then looks past me.

I glance over my shoulder to find Declan literally glowering at Astrid. When I look back at her, I’m certain she’s watching Declan as well.

“I’m fine. You don’t have to save me,” she finally says.

“You’re going to marry Declan?” I ask.

“I think…I’m going to teach him a lesson,” she says.

“Astrid—” Miles starts.

“No, I’m fine.” She smiles up at Miles. “Trust me, Declan O’Grady will want to annul this marriage sooner rather than later.”

Miles rolls his eyes. “You’re going to single-handedly teach Declan that he doesn’t always know best?”

Her smile gets even bigger. “I’m going to marry an O’Grady and make Diarmuid and Alfred happy.”

Miles lets out a breath.

“AndI’m going to teach Declan that he isn’t as smart as he thinks he is.”

“Astrid,” Miles groans.

“Doesn’t that seem like a great way to make the world a better place?” she asks, suddenly a little perky as she picks up the bottom of her long dress again.

“I think it seems like a great way for me to end up with daily migraines,” Miles says.

Astrid reaches up and pats his cheek. “Good. You deserve that for not giving me even a hint this might happen.” Then she brushes past him and heads for Declan.

She stops in front of him.

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