Page 58 of Christmas at the Castle
The queen’s words weren’t lost on Kat. For whatever reason, Queen Louise wanted to keep her away from both Jamie and Gill. Kat didn’t want to imagine the reason, but she had a feeling if she wasn’t careful that a trip to the dungeon might be in her future.
A one-way trip.
*
After dinner, Gillchanged out of his suit and into a pair of shorts and T-shirt. He glanced at Maximillian, who was sprawled across the bed. “Want to go for a run?”
The dog sat. His tail wagged like a metronome.
“I take that as a yes.”
Good, because he needed to burn off energy. Jamie’s flirting had sent Gill’s temper spiraling out of control.
Pounding the pavement was better than punching a wall. Or a certain marquess staying in the guest wing. Perhaps Gill should assign royal guards to stand watch in front of Kat’s door.
The Marquess of Darbyton knew how to have a good time, and his reputation with the ladies was legendary. Jamie somehow juggled a handful of women without getting caught or burned. His good looks drew women in like a tractor beam. His wit kept them laughing. His awe-inspiring mountain climbing tales had them wanting to be the one he was with before setting off on his next conquest.
Although usually that would be another woman, not an unconquered peak in the Himalayans or Alaska. The man’s unfettered life—at least until he became the duke—appealed to Gill at a gut level.
Jamie had been the pursuer tonight, but who knew what Kat might want from the man?
Gill couldn’t allow the two to hook up. His mother wanted to avoid a scandal. That pairing would be instant tabloid fodder. He put on his socks and running shoes.
“Jamie isn’t going to be happy, but I need to keep him away from Kat.”
Maximillian jumped off the bed and sat next to Gill.
He petted him.
Sophie burst into the room without knocking. Her eyes were the color of dark chocolate. That usually meant she was angry.
“I thought you’d be with Bertrand,” Gill said.
She placed her hands on her hips. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for a run.”
She blew out a breath. “I mean tomorrow.”
Maximillian trotted over to Sophie, but she didn’t bend down to rub him.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Gill said.
“You can’t be Kat and Jamie’s tour guide. You’ll be in the way. The proverbial third wheel.”
“Sightseeing isn’t a date.”
“But it could turn into one if you’re not there.” Sophie paced back and forth. Maximillian followed at her heels. “My plan for tomorrow does not include you being a tour guide.”
Her plan? He swore under his breath. This could not be happening. “You want Kat to go out with Jamie.”
Sophie stopped pacing. “I want her to marry him.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut.
His jaw tensed. He felt sick that Sophie was being dragged into a scheme to snare a royal husband for her friend. “Kat asked you to do this.”
It wasn’t a question because Gill knew the answer.
