Page 60 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Don’t worry. Your children are safe there, but I will ensure that they’re safe.” Titus nodded.
“I want to take Harley and Liam with me to Greece,” Finn told them. “Harley as my security detail and Liam as my financial manager. He is, after all, a finance expert.”
“You do know that this means taking more people into our confidence,” Titus told him. “Murphy already knows about the problems as the head of my security and most trusted man.”
“Harley can be trusted,” Finn assured Titus. “And so can Liam. I’ve known them both a very long time.”
“I will have to take your word for that,” Titus told him. “But from what I know about everyone in Harriet’s life, I have heard they are both honorable men.”
“My last and final request is that Harriet stays here,” Finn stated, feeling her stiffen as she turned narrowed eyes toward him. “At least I’ll know she’s safe.”
“Excuse me?” Harriet’s glare spoke volumes.
“Agreed,” Titus said before Harriet could go all prickly again. “Harriet will stay here, which will play perfectly into our plot to disguise your reason for leaving Plum Island.”
He saw the look in Harriet’s eyes that warned him the conversation was not over as she took her cue from Titus. “The bank holding the Gladstones’ debt is in Greece, given the location of the olive grove. They’ve listed the debt on the market to mitigate their losses, which means you can step in as a potential buyer.”
“The bank is not obliged to let the Gladstones know who is buying the property,” Titus told him. “As long as it’s not a Joyce, apparently.”
“While you’re in Greece buying the property, Uncle Titus will keep Gloria, Estelle, and Leon occupied,” Harriet told him. “See? It’s a good thing you didn’t agree to drop the charges against Leon because it will keep them here a bit longer.”
Finn rubbed his chin, thinking it through. “I’ll need a solid reason for suddenly flying to Greece. Something that won’t arouse suspicion…”
“Alex hasn’t had a bachelor party,” Harriet told them. “He always wanted to have his as a wild pub crawl through Britain.” She raised an eyebrow. “My uncle is going to announce that everyone, including Alex and Daniella, has to attend as he’s going to insist we officially announce our engagement.”
“And, Iwillbe announcing that I know about your ruse, and you’ll have to officially ask Harriet to marry you in front of everyone, as is our tradition,“ Titus told him.
“Since when?” Harriet looked at him, confused.
“Since today!” Titus informed her with a smug smile. “I’m still King, you know. I get to make up the traditions as I go.”
“No, you don’t!” Harriet argued. “You’re just all smug because you finally get to one-up me.”
“Oh, sweet, sweet, princess,” Titus sighed. “I don’t have long enough to live to ever be one up on all the things you’ve done to me. And even if I had, I’m smart enough to know not to try. So give me this one small victory.”
“It’s okay, Harriet,” Finn smiled at her. “It’s a good thing that our friends know that the charade is over and we’re serious.”
“True.” Harriet nodded, understanding passing between them.
“I will joke that because we’ve barged in on Alex and Daniella’s wedding celebrations, we owe them a holiday or two,” Harriet suggested. “Then I’ll get an idea, announcing to the entire table that maybe we should pay for the bachelor party Alex always wanted.”
“I’ll ask you what that is,” Finn added.
“I’ll tell the entire table in a joking way,” Harriet said.
“And I’ll endorse it, even offering to pay for it,” Titus finished the plan. “I’ll arrange the Blackwell jet to take most of the guests. I insist that you and Harley take my jet for safety purposes, and you can insist that Liam go with you.”
“My uncle’s jet will make a pit stop in Greece,” Harriet told him. “Then fly to join the rest of the party in London.” She shrugged. “It won’t be suspicious because everyone who knows my family will know that myself, Gray, or our partners are not allowed to fly with a party.”
Finn raised an eyebrow. “You’ve really thought of everything, haven’t you?”
Harriet’s lips twitched. “We all thought of this,” she pointed out. “It was a joint effort…” She was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Enter,” Titus bellowed.
“Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty,” Murphy walked inside. “But I’ve been asked to let you know that everyone got fed up with pacing the halls and have gone to get something to eat at the restaurant somewhere on a hill?”
“Cobble Point Restaurant,” Finn and Harriet said in unison and smiled at each other.
