Page 36 of The Prodigal Prince

A snort escaped before Mac could stop it. “That sounds like something he’d do. He’s not had any attention recently, but I’m back in the public eye, and he absolutely can’t stand that.” Did he know that Mac wasn’t his biological child? He had to, didn’t he?

Mac had puzzled over that many nights, while staring at the ceiling, but had never come to a real conclusion.

“Taking the attention of what appears to be a new relationship between you and Fiona. That makes sense. He never could stand attention on you.” She shifted until she sat properly in her seat.

“Fiona and I would be happier without the attention. He’s welcome to take the spotlight as much as he wants. He can have it.” He flipped open the magnetic cover on his tablet, waking it up as he did so. All he had to do was open his browser to see the first story about this new child.

“He knows how to work the media to his advantage. I wish they’d ignore him, but they don’t ask me. They were livid when he left Sargassian waters so quickly after Mum passed. I wish they still were.” Esme blew out a breath. “I wanted to make sure you heard from someone who loves you and not randomly.”

“Is that the only thing you wanted to talk about?” Mac flipped the cover closed again.

A gleam entered his sister’s eye. “No. I want to know how your date went.”

He shook his head. “That’s between me and Fiona.”

“When’s the next one?”

“We didn’t decide.”

She squealed and clasped her hands together in another very un-queen-like motion. “I knew it. There’s going to be another date. It’s just a matter of when.”

“You can’t be surprised by that. We have a child together.” Had there been anything about the date in the news? Or had it been overshadowed by the announcement?

“I’m not, but it’s nice to have confirmation.” Esme stood and stretched. “I need a nap.”

Mac laughed. “It’s not even mid-morning.”

“I still need a nap.” She took a seat in her desk chair. “Unfortunately, I have a morning of meetings and an afternoon of video conference calls. Gabe and I would love for all of you to join us for dinner this evening.”

“I’ll ask Fiona, but I don’t see why not. Gray seems to enjoy playing with his cousins.” Mac stood. He didn’t want to take any more of his sister’s time.

“They seem to love playing with him as well.” Esme groaned as her phone buzzed. “I have five minutes to be exactly on time for my first meeting. Not early, not late.” She pushed back from her desk. “Sometimes, I wish my time wasn’t so regimented, but I suppose it is what it is.”

Mac went out one of the side doors as his sister went toward another one. He needed to make sure she knew.

He wasn’t her biological sibling. Even less so than the child coming half a world away.

She’d look at him differently when she knew. Not only because they weren’t siblings, but because of who his father was.

With a sigh, Mac headed for his quarters, a much heavier weight resting on his shoulders than there had been mere moments earlier.

He needed to tell her. Soon.

But, like a coward, he decided to put it off until another time.

With any luck, that time would never come.

11

When Fiona didn’t hear from Mac until nearly noon, she wondered if she’d misread something in their interactions the night before. She and Gray spent the morning exploring the gardens inside the outer walls of the palace. They returned to the suite and looked at the menu that someone had left for them.

Gray hadn’t made up his mind when Fiona’s phone buzzed. Mac would be there momentarily and needed to talk to her about something important.

“Keep looking.” She left Gray with the portion of the menu clearly designed for the younger inhabitants and guests at the palace. She doubted Queen Esmeralda or Prince Gabriel ate grilled cheese sandwiches or macaroni and cheese very often.

When she opened the main door to the suite, Mac stood with his hand raised, poised to knock.

“Good timing.” The joviality she would have expected wasn’t in his voice.

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