Page 28 of Christmas at the Castle
“He’s a lord.”
“That’s more of a courtesy title.”
“He’s a decorated military pilot.”
“Yes, and he has land holdings in Darbyton. We did come around to agreeing to the match.”
Gill’s nonchalance infuriated Kat.
“Waiting for you and your mother’s approval was agonizing for Sophie. I’m guessing Bertrand owning land wasn’t something that happened overnight.” She took his silence as an answer. “Did you consider the effect your delay had on Sophie?”
A muscle ticked in Gill’s jaw.
Obviously, he hadn’t. That surprised Kat because he cared for his sister and his overprotectiveness wasn’t an act.
“We are Sophie’s family. We look out for her,” he announced as if Kat didn’t know that. “She might not always agree with us, but she doesn’t need to have you lurking in the distance making decisions for her.”
Kat raised her chin. “I don’t lurk. My friendship with Sophie has never been a secret, and I don’t make decisions for her, either.”
Only took the blame.
But she understood he didn’t know that. Neither did the queen. But that was for Sophie’s sake.
When they were sixteen, she and Sophie had decided to blame Kat or use her as the excuse for whatever Sophie wanted to do that went against her family’s wishes. Kat never thought she’d meet Sophie’s family, so what did it matter?
But that would explain why Gill didn’t like Kat.
He didn’t say anything, but the disbelief in his gaze spoke volumes.
Max rolled against her.
She rubbed the dog.
“Looks like you have a new friend,” Gill said finally.
“You can’t have too many friends.” Kat stifled a yawn. Keeping her eyelids open was getting harder to do.
The dog waved his paw again.
“You’ve mastered that trick.” She rested on her elbow. “I’ll be your pillow, but I’m getting too tired to rub you.”
“I’ll take over.” Gill sat on the bed and rubbed the dog’s stomach.
She couldn’t remember the last time a man had been on the same bed with her. Inches separated them. The temperature in the room rose. An unwelcome awareness of him buzzed through her.
Tiredness would explain what she was feeling.
All she wanted to do was sleep, but now she had both a dog and a prince in her bed on her first night at the castle. And not any man. The last one Kat wanted near her.
She yawned again.
His gaze lingered on her. “You need sleep.”
“I don’t think Maximillian is ready to go.”
“He isn’t.” Gill kept staring at her, but she was too tired to feel self-conscious. “I appreciate your honesty about my sister. In return, I’ll give you a word of advice about my mother.”
Kat wasn’t used to seeing this side of Gill. She liked it. “Please. I’ve never met a queen before.”
