Page 66 of Royal Player
Oscar leans down to my ear. “You won’t have to marry for a financial alliance. That’s all I asked. The funds should more than make up for what your intended would’ve brought to the table. My vineyard sale went through.”
My brows scrunch together in confusion. “What do you mean?” Oscar already allocated that money—my parents’ debt, pay off Charles, and the casino on Villroy. My gut knots. “No. Oscar, you didn’t. The casino.”
He shrugs. “I walked away from it. I’m giving everything I have to Beaumont. I’ll stay to help wherever you need me most.”
My jaw drops. I know what the casino meant to him, what it meant to me, too, before disaster struck. He has no legacy as the fourth-born royal. The casino was supposed to be his legacy and Adrian’s too. Without Oscar’s contribution to the casino, it won’t happen.
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, his gaze tender. “I gave you your freedom, Pol. You won’t be forced to marry for economic reasons. Your parents agreed on that point.”
I search his expression. There’s pain lurking in his eyes. They haven’t accepted him as my husband, only his donation.
I take his hand and pull him from the room, ignoring my parents’ protests over propriety.
He’s quiet, serious, so unlike the Oscar I know. He thinks he’s lost me. He loves me so much he’s sacrificed his casino—his legacy—and his partnership with his own brother in order to give me my freedom.
“Was Adrian furious that you pulled out of the casino?” I ask.
“Well, he wasn’t happy,” he says mildly, completely underplaying his heroic gesture.
I guide him down the hallway, heading to a more private space. “He doesn’t have the capital to move forward now.”
“I’ll figure something out to help him down the line. First comes you.”
My eyes water, my throat tight.My hero, my love.I won’t let his efforts be for nothing.
I pull him into the drawing room, where no one ever goes anymore. And then I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him passionately. He returns the kiss fiercely, his arm banding around my waist, holding me tight against him.
A long while later, I let him up for air. “I love you. If you’re willing to stay on Beaumont, I will marry you and make you king.”
He swallows audibly. “Your parents won’t allow it. They already told me so.”
My heart squeezes, energy rushing through me. “You’re willing to stay?”
He frames my face with his hands. “I’ll do anything to keep you. I’ll fight for you, for us, but I think this will go a lot easier if you live with me away from here.”
“I can’t leave. Please tell me you’ll stay.”
He presses his forehead to mine, his words running hot over my lips. “I’ll stay.”
I kiss him and then hug him tight.
He hugs me back, leans down and kisses my hair. “Pol, I’ve missed you.”
I lean my cheek against his chest, surrounded by his love. “I’ve missed you too.” I pull away a moment later, a plan formulating in my mind. “Here’s what we’re going to do.” He smiles, and I can’t help smiling back. He appreciates my ideas and plans. “We will act as leaders in the relief efforts, and the people will accept you as their own. I’ll make sure the press knows about our joint efforts as well. My parents will be forced to allow us to rule together, or turn us out. It would be a very unpopular decision and make ruling very difficult for them.” I can’t help my evil grin. “And make it even more difficult for my younger ill-prepared cousin to rule.”
He throws his hands up. “You’re a genius. A diabolical genius. Apologize later, eh?”
I lift my chin. “I won’t apologize for doing what’s right.”
His lips curve up just enough for his dimple to appear in his stubbled cheek. I trace the dimple, and he grabs my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm, his aquamarine eyes sparkling. “I am so damn proud of you, Queen Polly. That’s who you’ll always be to me, whether or not you rule a kingdom.”
I take his hand. “Come on. There’s much work to be done. Let’s get started.”
~ ~ ~
Two weeks later…
Polly
