Page 10 of A Royal Arrangement
She forced a smile back on her face as a giant, burly man who appeared to be in his thirties walked out of the palace. His brown hair was curly and wild, adding a few inches to his height, making him appear even taller. He bowed deeply when he stopped in front of them.
Rosalie had only seen Colin a handful of times at royal events back when she was still a teenager. She didn’t remembermuch about his appearance, but she could’ve sworn he wasn’t that tall and that his hair was lighter and straighter.
He wasn’t the kind of guy she would typically go for, but she supposed there was a goofy sort of cuteness about him.
The man smiled at her parents. “Welcome, welcome. Sorry I’m late. We’re so happy to have you here.” He turned to Rosalie. “And the wedding! I simply cannot wait.” The man smirked at her and shot her a wink, straightening his charcoal-gray suit.
Her cheeks flushed. She hadn’t anticipated her future husband would be so…excitedabout their arranged marriage. But maybe what she’d heard about him was wrong.
“I’ll take it from here, Hector,” the man addressed the butler. He turned and smiled at them again. “Please, follow me. I’ll escort you to your rooms so you can get ready for the big event.” He walked back into the palace, his curls bouncing on top of his head with each step as they followed behind him.
The man whistled a happy tune as they walked up a staircase and down a hallway to a series of bedrooms. He showed her parents to their room first.
“I’ll meet you in your room after I’ve changed to help you get ready, dear.” Her mother patted her hand before slipping into the room behind her husband.
Rosalie had anticipated she would be in a room across the hall from them, but instead she was escorted up another set of stairs.
“Is my room not near theirs?”
“As the future queen of this country, you get special accommodations.” He shot her a grin over his shoulder before they stepped out into the third-floor hall.
She stopped beside him as her jaw dropped in awe at the view before her. The ceilings were vaulted, making a space that otherwise would have felt tight and small instead feel spacious and airy. A window on the back wall let natural light into the hallway, bringing the sand-colored floors to life.
He leaned casually against the wall. “Impressive, isn’t it? I never get tired of the views here.”
“I’m starting to think I might like it here.” She sighed and clasped her hands in front of her.
“I sincerely hope Edgemont will feel like home to you.”
“Thank you, Colin. I was a bit nervous about today, but I’m feeling a little bit better now.” Rosalie took his hand and smiled up at him.
The man’s eyes went wide, and he withdrew his hand from hers.
Rosalie grimaced. “Was it too presumptuous of me to call you Colin? I’m sorry. I’m bubbly, but it’s like someone turns the volume up when I’m nervous around strangers. I lose total control over everything I say. I only thought since we’re about to get married—”
“Oh… Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I’m not Colin. Forgive me for not properly introducing myself.” He bowed to her again. “Duke Wesley Hughes, at your service. I apologize for the mix-up.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Colin wished he could be here to greet you, but—”
“But he sent you in his place.” Rosalie’s eyes fell to the ground. Her future husband couldn’t even be bothered to meet her before their wedding ceremony. That didn’t bode well for their future.
If he can’t even make time to welcome me, what’s marriage going to be like with him? Am I ever going to see him, or will healways be too busy for me?She understood he was a king with many duties, but certainly not so much that he couldn’t come to greet his future bride on their wedding day.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Colin doesn’t want to marry me, does he, Your Grace?”
“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled once he gets to know you.” Wesley smiled at her and nudged her arm gently. “Also, since you’re about to marry my best friend and all, you should call me Wes.”
“Then you should call me Rosalie.”
His smile was contagious, making her unable to withhold a grin.
She turned to go into her room, but he placed his hand on her arm. When she faced him again, his expression was hard to read.
“I don’t want to overstep my bounds, but Colin is my best friend. He can be a royal pain, but he has a good heart. He’s been through more in the last five years than anybody should have to deal with. He’s…guarded because of that. But he’s a wonderful father and a good friend once you get past his gruff exterior.” He ran a hand through his hair, somehow making it even more poufy.
Rosalie’s thoughts ran rampant. In all the commotion of wedding preparations and moving to a completely different country, the fact that Colin had a daughter had been pushed to the back of her mind.
She loved kids, but she had no idea how to be a good stepmother.Great, another thing for me to worry about.
Wes gave her arm an encouraging squeeze. “Don’t overthink it. I can already tell that you’re going to be a great match for him. You’re just going to have to give him time and put in the work to get to know him.”
