Page 40 of Forbidden Duke
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The bed shook and, with her eyes closed, Donna twisted to avoid whatever caused the shaking. She tugged the covers over her head to block the light, but the mattress near her kneesdipped.
She peeked through the sheet and saw that Blackwell was creating the earthquake. Already dressed in black pants and a light blue button down shirt, he looked ready for the day. She sat, rubbed her eyes and asked, “What’s goingon?”
“My mother is speaking to the Queen.” He motioned with his head toward thewindow.
Her heart stopped. She wasn’t ready for company. She was naked. She asked with a hitched breath, “The Queen of England, or the Queen ofAvce?”
He stood and offered his hand to help her out of bed. “Avce. And technically they are in the dowagerhouse.”
Thankfully. His mother was more equipped to deal with the queen. She rose, taking the sheet with her until she realized that was stupid and let it go. “Why?”
She rushed into the bathroom to clean up without waiting for hisanswer.
He followed her while she brushed her teeth. “She’s booking the church for our wedding. The King of Avce is technically in charge of the church’s schedule though the Patriarch of Venice is the closest bishop. Unlike in England, the church has always worked with theCrown.”
The wedding she’d witnessed for the prince and princess had been extreme in tradition and ceremony. She splashed water on her face and said, “I thought we could have a small wedding here at Woodbridge Hall, in theballroom.”
He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “If that’s what you want, that’s fine, but we can use the small chapel in the back of the church as the official religiousceremony.”
A huge, fancy wedding wasn’t something she could handle well. She wiped her face with the softest towel she’d ever used and slipped her bra on. “Soundsgood.”
Blackwell leaned against the door. “The only issue is that my friend Remington is getting married and he turns thirty beforeme.”
She walked past him and grabbed a pair of underwear from the top drawer in the closet. She slipped them on and asked, “Who is hemarrying?”
His eyes widened. “Cassidy. It’s been decided and I’m to be the bestman.”
“You’ll do a lovely job.” She spoke fast but thought about how tense Cassidy had been in the car yesterday. She’d offer her friendship and an escape plan ifneeded.
Blackwell went through her dress selection, which had somehow grown since yesterday. His mother and Beth must have bought her a few things. “They are having a bigger wedding though. We’re keeping it small, as yourequested.”
“Absolutely. I can’t handle big.” She checked out the new clothes. Prada wasn’t a normal label in her wardrobe and her heart spedup.
Blackwell chose a black skirt and jacket and passed it to her. “Put thison.”
She glanced at the label, Chanel. It was a soft fabric and the conservative cut would fit herwell.
He tugged on her arm. “My mother is saying goodbye to the queen.Come.”
She buttoned the skirt and Blackwell handed her a white Dior shirt. She blinked but then put it on and added black flats, and centered her white flower necklace so at least she had something of herself stillon.
He pulled her toward the bedroom door. “Hurry.”
“Where are they going?” They ran down the flight of stairs. “And why are werushing?”
“Don’t you want to know when our royal appointment is to get married?” Blackwell opened the frontdoor.
She straightened her clothes as they walked onto the driveway and Blackwell towered besideher.
The queen’s car was brought out of thegarage.
A second later, Martina, his mother, Beth and the Queen of Avce walked together down the small path from the dowager’shouse.
Her heart raced. “Is thatBeth?”
Blackwell smoothed his shirt sleeve like he had a wrinkle there. “Yes, she joined my mother for the negotiations to representyou.”
