Page 44 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“I love you for how honest and moral you are, Ethan,” Carly kissed his cheek. “But don’t think of what we’re doing like that. First off, we’re helping Harriet escape the manipulative bonds her title and family obligations force on her.”
“And bringing two people together who deserve some love and happiness in their lives,” Jennifer helped Carly out.
“Two people who are too stubborn to ask for help and too set in their ways to reach for love even when it’s right in front of them,” Daniella told Ethan.
“And no two people deserve to be happier than a man who volunteers wherever he can. He is the most amazing single father and loyal friend that I know.” Harley took over the conversation and glanced at Alex.
“Or a woman with a heart bigger than the world who gives and gives, never thinking to take anything in return,” Alex finished in return.
They all raised their glasses and said in unison, “To Finn and Harriet.”
Harriet was surprised at how smoothly the breakfast went with her parents. Finn and his children charmed Harriet’s parents and even her brother was taken with them.
“Thank you for the breakfast, Finn,” Pat said as they walked out of the Beach Hut. “I must say, you have a delightful establishment here.”
“Thank you,” Finn said. “If you just give me a few minutes to see my kids off to Carly’s house, I’ll be back to take you to the holiday house.”
“Of course,” Julie said.
Maggie and Tucker said goodbye to Julie, Pat, and Gray before Carly and Reef appeared to collect them.
“Harriet, you’ve found yourself a fine man, indeed,” Pat praised. “I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Guilt and another emotion Harriet wasn’t yet ready to face flooded her, making her throat go dry, and she stared at her parents.
“Don’t cave now, little sister,” Gray whispered to her. “Stay strong.”
“Thank you,” Harriet managed to get out with a forced smile. “It means a lot to me. Finn is a good man.”
“I know he is sweetheart,” Pat said. “Because when I look at him, I see he has the same big heart as you do.”
“I couldn’t agree more with your father,” Julie’s eyes were suspiciously bright. “I really wish you’d just renounce your title, honey.”
“I know, Mother,” Harriet said, looking at her mother. “But like Gray said, it’s not just me I’d be renouncing if I did that.” She blew out a breath. “While I’m mostly American, I’m also mostly a part of Joyce Isles. I know sometimes it can be a great burdento bear this title, and trust me, at times it feels like nothing but that to me.” She looked from her mother to her father. “But it’s also a privilege to have been born with it. Renouncing my title is like me turning my back on the people who gave our family this privilege way back when.” She swallowed. “People who put a lot of trust in their royal family, and by turning my back on my title, I’d be turning my back on them too, and that doesn’t seem right to me.”
“And that’s why grandfather always wanted you to be queen,” Gray stated, his voice hoarse with emotion and tears sparkling in his hazel eyes. “Because of how you just always find a way to tackle obstacles head-on. Even if they knock you out, you just get right back up and carry on through.”
“Okay, now that’s out of the way,” Finn’s voice had them all turning toward him, “are you ready to look at the house?”
“Yes,” Harriet answered for them, eager to get out of the heavy conversation she was having with her family that left a massive pit in her soul and a guilty acid burning in her stomach.
An hour later, Harriet was back in her suite, exhausted from the night before and the strain of keeping up the charade of being engaged. Lying was exhausting. She’d just finished her shower and dried her hair. Harriet had no appointments or administrative tasks to do for her and Jennifer’s business, so she decided to get a few hours of sleep, especially as her head started to pound.
“That’s what I get for lying,” Harriet muttered to herself. “Your brain wants to explode from trying to keep all your lies together.”
She tied her hair back and was going to make some tea when Harriet realized she didn’t have the ring on. She knew she didn’t need to wear it when no one was around, but secretly, Harriet loved how it looked and felt on her finger. While her engagementmay have been fake, the ring seemed to fit as if it had always been meant for her.
“Shake it off, Harriet,” Harriet warned herself. “It’s crucial I remember this is just a charade until after Alex and Daniella’s wedding celebration.”
Her eyes scanned the dresser where she’d left, but there was no sign of the ring. Panic gripped Harriet as she frantically searched around the dresser, hoping the ring had simply rolled away or was hidden under something else. But the surface was bare except for her usual array of cosmetics and jewelry, none of which was the missing ring.
A sense of unease settled over her as she rushed through her suite, checking the bathroom countertop, the nightstands, even the small crevices of the sofa cushions that stood in her bedroom—anywhere it could have possibly ended up. Her heart pounded with each empty search, the ring nowhere to be found.
As she moved into the living room, her pace quickened into nearly a run, her eyes sweeping over every inch of the space in desperate hope. That’s when she halted abruptly at the threshold, her breath catching in her throat.
Estelle lounged casually on her sofa, the missing ring conspicuously gleaming on her finger. The sight was so jarring, so audaciously invasive, that Harriet felt the room spin slightly as a cocktail of anger and shock flooded her system.
“Estelle,” Harriet managed to choke out, her voice tight with restrained fury. “What are you doing in my suite?”
