Page 46 of Forbidden Bastard
“I love it, Charles.” Clara directed them back outside and onto the patio which had been set up with a variety of baked goods. “The views are lovely, and the staff was nice.” She then turned toward Fred and said, “I was told the guest house for you and your wife is ready for you as well.”
Fred nodded as he took his seat. “So, why are you moving in today to the dower house?”
Charles detected a slight twang to Fred's accent that he found endearing--Sandi didn’t have it. It must have been schooled out of her. Clara said, “We've just decided to make the move from Paris. You and your wife will have to come and see it when she returns with Sandi.”
Charles poured the coffee like they were still at one of Clara’s theater benefits she used to throw for charity as Fred said, “We will. She’ll be so happy that Sandi turned around her life and is finally making a rational choice.”
His hand trembled. Sandi had mentioned Reza in the past but turning her life around… she hadn’t made it sound heartbreaking. He passed around the coffee like he'd been born a gentleman. “What do you mean?”
Fred shrugged like everything was fine and took one of the pastries Clara offered while he said, “Sandi’s been running my business as my father thought she had the family brains. Turned out she failed, but then none of us are as business-minded as my old man was--now Sandi doesn’t have to try to fill in anymore.”
Perhaps Sandi was hesitating and hadn’t said she loved him because her heart hadn’t decided on him. Maybe it was still on the doctor ex she’d mentioned. The fact that she hadn’t said the words tore him up inside.
Once again he wasn’t good enough and the evidence was right there.
He couldn’t replace anyone; everyone knew he was a fraud playing this current role. He didn’t flinch, having decades of practice at acting unaffected. “We can build a golf course nearby if that will make you happy.”
Fred started but stood fast and said, “I’d lov… it sounds like the women are back.”
He must be in tune with his wife. That was how marriages were supposed to be. A partnership.
Charles jumped from his seat a moment later as Sandi walked beside an older version of herself. Both redheads with green eyes and similar smiles. She came right toward him as he said, “Sandi.”
She laughed and said, “Charles, this is my mother, Nancy.”
Yes. There was no doubt. He kissed her hand in greeting as he said, “Nice to meet you, Nancy.”
Her mother blushed the same too as she walked next to her husband and said, “Lovely to meet you as well.” She pointed toward an empty chair. “Fred, is that seat for me?”
He hopped behind her and held her chair, pushing it in as she sat. “Yes, Nancy. We were just talking to Clara here, Charles’s adoptive mother.”
Her mother tilted her head and stared quizzically at Clara. “Hello. The Queen didn’t mention an adoptive mother. We talked about Charles when Sandi picked out her dress.”
Clara stiffened like she’d been caught impersonating a lady when she was more a lady than anyone. Being a fraud was something they both had in common as a fear. She peered into her cup. “I… I don’t know if the royals know about me. I haven't returned to Avce until today… for the wedding, unless Charles explained?”
He walked beside her. No one would hurt her. No one on his watch. Ever. He placed his hand on her back. “I did not. I intended to when I saw them next, now that I’m sure no one else has reached out to me from people I don’t want to deal with.”
“That sounds complicated but introductions are easy enough.” Nancy poured herself coffee as she asked, “Which is tomorrow night? At this wedding.”
Sandi had taken a seat next to her mother before he'd had a chance to hold her chair and now Charles met her steady gaze. Heat rose to his cheeks and he said, “I’m not sure if they’re coming.”
Sandi glanced at her parents and then offered a simple explanation. “Because you didn’t send an invitation? The wedding can be postponed if you need more time.”
His chest was hollow. Again she wanted to wait. Was she waiting for this Reza to come to her rescue? His skin was alert and he wanted to hit something but again he used his old skill of never showing his emotion by rubbing the back of his neck. “No. I'll send one this afternoon… to make you happy.”
Sandi motioned for him to scoot closer to the table, next to Clara. Fred took another pastry. “At least you do well for yourself, Charles, and make time for Clara. Sandi’s last boyfriend was so into his career that he had no personality. I hope we can talk about things more.”
“Whatever you wish, Fred.”
Sandi blushed and covered her face. “Mom, Dad, can we never talk about Reza again?”
Her mother brushed Sandi’s arm like she sympathized with her daughter's pain as she said, “Of course.”
His mind spun. Now he wanted to run and move to release the energy inside him. She loved another man.
Once again he was a poor replacement for someone he’d never live up to.
Fred quickly added, “We didn’t think you’d end up a princess is all, honey.”
