Page 21 of Royal Charmer
I snort. “I swore off men.”
She tilts her head with a smile. “That can change.”
I busy myself arranging my cloth napkin over my lap, which I completely forgot to do in my nervous state over meeting the queen. “I don’t kid myself that a gorgeous prince would ever be interested in me.”And I’m a hot mess.I keep that to myself.
“What’s wrong with you? You’re smart, interesting, and accomplished.”
“I’m far from men’s ideal in terms of looks, and I’m a nerd on top of that.” At her skeptical look, I whisper, “He dates movie stars.”
She slices a hand through the air. “None of his movie stars have stuck. And so what if you’re not movie-star beautiful? How many of us are? You have a lot going for you. I find you exquisite.”
“Thanks,” I manage over the lump in my throat. It’s taken a lot to get to the confidence level I have today after bullying from girls in middle school, who called me a slut and spread vicious rumors about me just because I sprouted my large breasts early. I became a stress eater, which only made it worse in high school, where the popular beautiful girls called me fat and dumpy. Riley did what she could to help me deal, but it was tough to ignore all of it. I know my confidence level still needs work. I’ll get there one day.
We eat in companionable silence for a few moments before she says, “I like Lucas. He’s always been warm and fun, but, in the past, he’s been flighty, taking off at a moment’s notice, traveling around the world to meet up with friends and women. The globe-trotting party guy, you know? Gabriel’s view of him is colored by the past, which makes him skeptical about handing over the reins for the business. Now after hearing your view of him, it’s made me realize I need to come to my own conclusions about him and the man he is today. I want to give him a chance.” She taps a scarlet red fingernail with rhinestones (or are they real diamonds?) against her red lips. “Maybe Lucas should take the lead with the bank meeting.”
“I’m sure he’ll do well with whatever you entrust him with.”
She gives me a sly smile. “He’s made quite an impression on you after just one day.”
My cheeks flush, and I pop the rest of the blueberry tart in my mouth so I won’t need to reply.
She leans forward and whispers, “I just had a crazy idea.”
I quickly chew and swallow before leaning in. “What?”
“Before you say no, just think about it.”
I slowly straighten, everything in me on full alert. “Your crazy idea involves me?”
“Yeah. You need a story, right?”
“Yes,” I say slowly.
“And Lucas needs to look legit committed to our cause.”
I’m on the edge of my seat. “And?”
She throws her hands up. “A fake engagement! It’s perfect romance material. You pretend to be his fiancée, go to his meetings with him, and it will make him look like he’s settling down. Everyone knows his rep as a globe-trotting hard-partying bachelor. You’ll make him look the way he wants people to see him—respectable, solid, and committed. Honestly, I’d like to see him that way too.”
My breath quickens. “Please don’t say committed.” Me and commitment are no longer friends.
“Okay, it makes him lookgrounded. Like someone you can depend on to see things through. It’s like the perfect kill-two-birds-with-one-engagement idea.”
“Am I the bird?”
She laughs. “No, silly, you’re the author living the story. Then all you have to do is write it down. I’m brilliant! I just wrote your next book for you! Make sure you put me in the acknowledgments. Ooh! Maybe you could dedicate it to me. I’ve never had a book dedicated to me.” She frames a caption in the air. “‘A fake engagement to a royal romance.’ You’re welcome.” She helps herself to a mini quiche and chews with a smug satisfied look on her face.
I’m utterly speechless for a full minute. Finally, I say, “But it’s a lie.”
She waves that away. “It’s a creative invention for a good cause. No one will be the worse for wear, and engagements get called off all the time.” Her brows lift, her brown eyes sparkling. “You could go with Lucas to royal events, too, not just stuffy banker meetings. Like a ball or a formal charity fundraiser dinner. Then all of it goes into your story, only you make it sound like Regency times. It’s perfect!”
A creative invention. I do those all the time as a writer. Suddenly I can see it all clearly. Me as the heroine, Lucas as the duke avoiding the tedious attentions of every young miss of the ton who’s dying to ensnare him. I could be his ward’s governess, and then, with the help of his widowed aunt, I’m transformed into the belle of the ton. I’m his fake fiancée, which gives him some breathing room, and he will act besotted by me, err, her. They go through the motions for society—the balls, the formal teas, the drawing room courtship. All of it in name only because the heroine has her own reasons—she desperately wants to hang onto her family home in the country. The duke will settle the money on her that she needs to keep it in return for their charade. It’s all there. Beginning and middle, and I just have to figure out the end. Maybe she’ll end up with the duke, or maybe they’ll both find a different love, better off for their brief connection and what they’ve taught each other.
I meet Anna’s eyes, an understanding passing between us. This could work.
Just then the door bursts open and the man himself steps inside. I squeak, nearly rising to my feet, my cheeks hot.
“Did I miss anything?” Lucas asks, striding over to us.
