Page 20 of Striking
Atticus
Fine. But you should know we’re going out tonight.
Rhys
Who’s we?
Atticus
Silas, Joss, and Clara. We’re going to Seven Swords after our meeting.
I stretch my arm behind Bellamy and tug her hair. “Want to meet some friends at a pub after my meeting?”
She drags her eyes away from the window and smiles. “Princes go to bars?”
“Princes go to this one,” I tell her as we pull to a stop in front of Lilihill. “We don’t have to stay long.” I climb out of the car and hold out my hand. “Come on, little bee. Live a little, remember?”
After a moment of hesitation, she places her hand in mine. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“You do. Everything you need has already been delivered to your room.”
“How?” she questions as her brow furrows with the adorable frown lines. “Wait. Don’t answer that. You didn’t have to do that, Rhys.”
“I didn’t do it because I had to. I did it because I wanted to.” I guide her up the front steps and brush my lips over her ear. “Let me spoil you.”
She sucks in a breath but refuses to turn her head, and I’m going to count that as a win.
We’re greeted by our housekeeper as we step inside. She dips down into a curtsey, her eyes wide and darting between Bellamy and me. “Welcome back, Your Royal Highness. Would you like me to fix you a bite to eat?” She studies Bellamy for a beat. “Perhaps a cup of tea?”
“Are you hungry, love?” I press my hand firmly to the small of her back and feel her relax a small fraction. That’s another win in my column.
“No, thank you.”
“Mrs. Smythe, this is Ms. Bellamy Wilder. She’ll be staying with us as my personal guest for a few days. Please help her with anything she needs while she’s here.”
“Yes, sir.” The old woman beams like I just gave her a box of her favorite chocolate cherries as she nods. “Ms. Wilder.”
“Nice to meet you,” Bellamy offers weakly before turning back to me. “Is there any chance I could take a shower before we go anywhere? I’d like to wash the recycled plane air off me.”
“I could—” Mrs. Smythe starts, but I raise my hand, stopping her. This woman isn’t a chore to be dealt with, and I want to get as much time with her as I can while I can.
“I’ve got it. Thank you. We shouldn’t need anything else tonight.”
“Yes, sir.” She smiles at the two of us again and scurries away. Mrs. Smythe has worked for my family since before my mother was born, and I’m certain she’s never seen another woman in this house. She probably has hearts in her eyes instead of pupils right now.
“Let’s get you settled. I have a quick meeting to attend. But I’ll be back after, and then we’ll celebrate.”
She lifts her head and sighs. “I haven’t agreed to anything yet,Your Highness.”
I catch her chin and hold it up. “You’re going to call me that on your knees one day, little bee.”
If I didn’t have this meeting, that moment would be now.
Unfortunately for both of us, duty calls.
Atticus stops me as I walk up the grand staircase of the palace. “Ahh... brother. Just in the nick of time.”
“I see you have pants on.” I move around him and down the hall toward our offices. Ceremonial rooms and staff offices are on the first floor. Royal offices and our privatesecretaries are on the second. The royal residences are on the third floor, and the fourth has been closed off for years.
