Page 33 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Well, I’m glad someone’s enjoying it!” Harriet breathed and admitted, “I feel so guilty, like I have a big pink neon sign hanging over my head blinking at what a liar I am.”
“Just think of the bigger picture and why we’re doing this,” Finn suggested. “Then there’s also the fact that your parents are worried about your uncle’s mental health.”
“How is us being engaged going to help with that?” Harriet was curious at his reasoning. “It’s going to enrage Uncle Titus as it will thwart his plans once again to get the land he wants.”
Finn stood staring at her contemplatively for a few seconds. “Maybe there’s another reason why your uncle wants you to marry into the Gladstone family.” He frowned. “What if he’s being coerced into making you marry?” He looked at her to fill in the name.
“Leon,” Harriet added.
“Leon, because the family is putting pressure on him and blackmailing him with something,” Finn suggested.
“Like what?” Harriet’s frown was deep. “He takes way too many baths and wastes water?”
“Funny!” Finn rolled his eyes. “Your father mentioned that your uncle has been disappearing and secretive. Maybe the Gladstones know why, and they’re holding it over his head.”
Harriet’s eyes widened at Finn’s reasoning. “I wouldn’t put it past Leon and his conniving cousin Estelle.”
Finn shuddered. “Agh. I knew an Estelle once. The woman was a stalker and manipulative troublemaker who almost ruined my life.” His frown deepened. “Come to think of it, I met her on Joyce Isle when my late ex-wife and I were judging a surfing competition there.”
“I’m sure there are a few Estelles on Joyce Isles,” Harriet told him.
“Let’s hope it’s not the same woman.” Finn shuddered again. “Because she was bad news.”
“But it does sound just like Leon’s cousin. In fact, except for his mother, the entire Gladstone family are creeps.” She shook her head. “Well, since Leon’s father married into that family, they’ve become creeps.” She explained how Leon’s father took on the Gladstone name to get the title of Duke. “Estelle is from his father’s side of the family, so she gave herself a title. The woman is nothing but trouble.”
“Awesome.” Finn blew out a breath and shook his head. “This is why I’m so glad I’m out of the limelight. I didn’t even have the spotlight at the level of you, Alex, Dawn, Brad, and Ethan. But my five minutes of fame was enough for me.” His eyes widened. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool dealing with your fans, but there are some that get a bit out of hand.”
“Trust me,” Harriet told him, “I don’t want the fame either, and that’s why I fly beneath that radar and keep out of the press’s way.”
“I’m impressed by how well you managed to keep your identity a secret,” Finn told her.
“I never wanted to be a princess,” Harriet admitted. “I always wanted to be a mermaid.”
They laughed.
“My daughter wanted to be a princess mermaid,” Finn told her.
Harriet didn’t want the night to end as they slipped into an easy conversation flow. She was enjoying Finn’s company, but she knew it was time to call it a night.
“I’d best be getting back to the hotel,” Harriet told him.
“Sure.” Finn nodded.
They left the house with Finn locking up behind them. Like the gentleman he was, he insisted on walking her to her suite when they arrived back at the hotel. As they rode in the elevator, Harriet realized she still had his mother’s ring on.
“Oh, your mother’s ring,” Harriet said, and she was about to slide it off her finger, but Finn stopped her.
“Keep it while your parents are here,” Finn advised. “It adds authenticity to our engagement.”
As they stepped out of the elevator, a couple were about to step into it, and they nearly collided.
“Oh, I’m sor…” The words died on Harriet’s lips as her eyes met Duke Leon Gladstone’s smug ones.
“Harriet, there you are,” Leon said. “We were—“
His words were cut off when the woman beside him squealed in delight. “Finn?”
Harriet turned to see Finn stop dead in his tracks, and his eyes narrowed to angry slits as they pinned Estelle with an icy glare.
