Page 85 of Royal Reluctance

“And?”

“And what?”

“Did he forgive you?”

I bite my lip. “I think so. At least I hope so.”

Mabel cocks her head. “You left your husband, didn’t tell him you had his baby, and he forgave you?” She shakes her head. “The boy has got it bad.”

“I don’t know for a fact that he’s forgiven me,” I admit. “But he’s been pretty good about everything.”

“And have you got it bad?”

I’m not answering that. Mabel is black and white. She doesn’t give much credence to emotions or feelings, and as far as I know, she’s never been in love.

Probably because she’s never let herself be that vulnerable. She’s never let herself fall that far, or that deep.

I’m in deep with Bo. I fell really far with him and now…

“Timothy wants to marry me,” I tell her.

“So you say, but has he proposed?”

“We talked about it. It would be good for Tema.”

“And for you?” Mabel has always been blunt and to the point. “In my experience, a man wants to marry you, he just asks. There’s no talking. And if a woman wants to marry him, she doesn’t dither about,oh he asked me, what should I do.She saysyes.” Mabel looks pointedly at me. “Have you said yes?”

“I’m still married.” I keep my voice down just in case someone can overhear, although those who have come in for lunch seem to steer clear of my sister.

“For like a day. It doesn’t count. If you wanted this Tim-guy, you’d march right up to the castle and make Bo give you a divorce. Don’t let the past keep you hostage.”

“We have a history,” I protest. “A child,” I mouth.

“Was it even a good one? The history. I never saw you together. It wasBo, Bo, Bowith hearts in your eyes, orBo!with tears.”

I stare at my empty cup from Coffee for the Sole, squeezing it until it’s flat. Mabel eventually takes it from me.

“You’ve always made things too hard for yourself,” she complains. “You married a prince, for God’s sake. How can that be easy?”

“You think I should get the divorce and go back to Victoria with Tema?” I ask.

“Of course not!” She laughs. “You’re an idiot to think about leaving.” Mabel snorts. “Look around and see what you could have here.”

“What was all thatmarrying a prince is hardstuff about then?”

“Well, it is,” she says. “And you need to realize that. People love Edie because she’s one of us, but Camille had a tough time at first. When people find out—” She shakes her head. “It’s not going to be pretty.”

“I can handle it.”

“Can Bo? He didn’t do too well before. And Tema?”

I bow my head. I hate the thought of the press going after my little girl, but then I remember the story Bo told me about Lady Camille and the snowballs. “She’s seven,” I point out. “I’ll shield her for as long as I can, but I think she can handle herself when she’s older.”

“Of course she can; she’s my niece.”

“And I had no part in this?”

“Maybe Abigal did,” she says grudgingly and I laugh. Sometimes Mabel’s no-nonsense way is hard to take, but it’s still one of the many things I love about her.

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