Page 24 of Scandalized by My Prince
“Genevieve is my sister too,” she said quietly. “It’s a long story and I promise I’ll tell you everything. The short answer is Pey had one of her visions and the answers were in the past. I didn’t have a choice and I don’t regret coming here. It is the best thing that could have happenedtome.”
Aubriella’s mouth fell open. “How—I…”
“It’s a shock,” Serenity agreed. “I’ve had time to acclimate to it and even I find it amazing at times. The thing is we’re both here in the past. The two people we are closest to in the world are hundreds of years in the future. I came here to tell you the truth and to ask you if we can find a way to be more than we were. I’d like to have family here ifpossible.”
It was a lot for Aubriella to take in. “I don’t know.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “We haven’t exactly been kind to each other. But you’re right—we should find a way to let that go. How about we take it one day at a time and see where itleadsus?”
“I find that acceptable on onecondition.”
“What is that?” Aubriella was almost afraid to find out the answer to thatquestion.
“That we at least claim each other as family. It would be a start to take us down the path we wishtogo.”
Aubriella smiled. “I think that is a good idea. To show a gesture of my agreement we can start with my wedding. Would you like to be one of myattendants?”
“I’d like nothing more,” Serenity agreed. “Where is the groomtobe?”
“Aubriella” Killian’s strong timbre rolled down her and made her shiver from the inside out. “I was told you have a guest.” He stopped short when he noticed Serenity. Her duke had invited them to their wedding but Aubriella had not felt comfortable taking Killian to it. It was perhaps a mistake, but she couldn’t take it back now. “What are you doing here? Do you wish your necklacebacknow?”
Serenity shook her head. “No. I said before I wanted Brie to have it. I hope ithelped.”
She scrunched her nose up. “As if I’d want to keep that thing. I don’t want anything from yourmother.”
“I’m not afraid to admit I’m rather confused,” he said. He looked back and forth between them. “I thought you didn’t know eachother.”
Aubriella sighed. “I explained to you that I’m from the future and that my father married a wicked womanright?”
Henodded. “Aye.”
“Serenity is her daughter and well mystepsister.”
Killian turned to stare at Serenity. She lifted her hand and waved lightly in his direction. “Hello,again.”
“But you said you had nofamilyhere.”
“In my defense when I told you that I didn’t know I did. I was surprised to see her at the Stallion and Snapdragon. We never did get on well, but we’ve decided we’d liketotry.”
She hoped that Killian didn’t make a fuss. It would be nice to have family in the past with her. It was also rather heartening to find out that her cousin was where she belonged and working on her own happiness. Genevieve deserved it more than anyonesheknew.
“I fear it will take me a long time to become accustomed to these surprises you keep springing on me lass.” He smiled down at her and then turned toward Serenity. “You’re a duchesscorrect?”
“I am,” she agreed and wrinkled her nose. “Though I fear it will take a bit for me to adjust to that development. Brandon is lucky I love him despite his god awfultitle.”
Killian’s laugher echoed through the room. “I think I’m going to like you. Are you stayingawhile?”
“Only overnight I’m afraid. Brandon won’t like it if I’m gone long. But we will be back for thewedding.”
Her life had taken an interesting turn. She could never have predicted it would turn out the way it had. Even if she had known she wouldn’t have changed a thing. This was the one thing she’d always wanted. To love and be loved—and now she had the opportunity to have a true family. With Serenity and Killian on her side she would have a happy-ever-after only found in the best stories. But this was her life and muchbetter
“I’ll leave you to be,” Serenity said. “I’ll find a servant to show me to a room. If I don’t see you before I leave dear sister please know that I do care and look forward to our endeavor at a closerrelationship.”
With those words she set her tea cup down and exited in a whirl of skirts. She might not like the title of duchess but she sure seemed to adapt to the privilege of it well. Aubriellalaughed.
“Lass,” Killian said. “Please warn me in the future if I’m to meet anymore of your eccentricfamily.”
“I’ll do my best,” she replied. “But I can’t make any promises. We’re all rather special andunpredictable.”
He sat down beside her on the settee. “Can I convince you to go upstairswithme?”
She tilted her head and pretended to consider it. “I don’t know what is it you’reofferingme?”
“Pleasure beyond your wildest imagination,” he said huskily and leaned down. His hot breath caressed her ear. “And more love than I have a right to feel. I can’t wait untilyou’remine.”
“I’m already yours,” she said. “But I know what you mean. The wedding can’t happen soonenough.”
“Two more weeks,” he replied. “It’s the longest fortnight I’ll ever have to livethrough.”
She wanted to make the time fly by, but that wasn’t in her ability. They would both have to suffer through the wait. “Didn’t you mention something about goingupstairs?”
He didn’t say another word. Killian stood and lifted her into his arms carrying her up to his chamber. He made love to her as if he’d never have the opportunity again. Loving him was perhaps the best possible thing that could have ever happened to her. Sometimes fate had the right idea and following the path designed for her led her to happiness straight from the pages of afairytale.
