Page 19 of Second Chance Prince
“I’m sure he will be grateful,” Niki said, but he was smiling as he climbed the stairs to his bedchamber. His aunt and Freddie Hart? Or was she simply being kind? At least it gave him something to think about other than his own problems.
At the top of the stairs, a shadow moved and startled him into a ripe Holtswigger curse, before his young cousin stepped into the lamplight.
“Apologies,” Tomas said, though he didn’t sound apologetic. Then, curiously, “What did you say?”
“None of your business,” Niki retorted. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” He sounded like his aunt, and Tomas acted just as he had wanted to.
“I’m not a child,” he said angrily. “Everyone treats me like one.”
“Sixteen seems like a child to me.” Niki regretted his lack of diplomacy as soon as he spoke. There was no need to put the boy’s back up.
“I should be stepping into my father’s shoes,” Tomas blurted out, as if he had been brooding over this for some time, and Niki happened to be the lucky recipient. “School is just a waste of time. But my mother will not listen; she never listens.”
“Matilda knows what is—”
“Best for me?” the boy interrupted. “Did your mother know what was best for you?”
Niki stiffened. “Be careful, Tomas. I might take offense.”
Tomas sneered. “I’m not afraid of you. I’m not afraid of anyone.”
“You should be.”
“Why? I think it is you who should be afraid, Niki. Someone is trying to kill you. Everyone is very worried they will succeed.”
Niki was tired, but at that, his mind woke up. Was Tomas threatening him? Surely not. He was a boy!
“I trust they will not succeed,” he said evenly. “What do you think would happen if they did?”
Tomas stared at him a moment and then dropped his eyes. “I suppose I would have to become ruler of Holtswig,” he said. “I could do it,” he added sincerely. “I know I could.”
“I’m sure you could.”
“I’d have to live in Holtswig though,” the boy added with distaste before, with a doubtful look at Niki, he turned and walked away.
And what was he supposed to make of that? Was it a threat or was Tomas simply venting? Niki groaned softly. He now had enough to think about to keep him awake all night.
Chapter Nine
Roberta woke with a yawn and snuggled down into her bed for a few extra minutes of sleep. It was some days after the engagement had been announced. She hadn’t woken in time for her ride in the park, and no wonder. It had been another long night that seemed to go on and on. A ball at a society hostess’s house, with gawking guests watching Roberta and Niki’s every move. During the week since their engagement, the invitations had been overwhelming and increasing daily. People were vying to get the two of them to attend their functions. People who had never looked at her before, or scorned her because of the scandals associated with the Ashton name, were suddenly desperate to have her attend. She was beginning to feel overwhelmed, and she had seen Antonia watching her a little anxiously.
It was exhausting.
Before, Roberta had discarded the invitations to events she didn’t want to attend. If Estelle Longhurst wasn’t going to show up then she would not either, because she wouldn’t have anyone to chat with between dances, nor someone she felt comfortable with. Those days had gone. Now she had been thrown into a world that had her as far out of her depth as it was possible to be without drowning.
Estelle had sent her several messages, and apart from replyingto one asking about her engagement to say that yes, it was true, she hadn’t had a chance to properly respond. Should she tell Estelle the truth? No, she couldn’t. Her friend had a tendency to gossip, and Roberta doubted anything as juicy as her fake engagement would remain behind Estelle’s lips for long.
She had received a scrawled letter from Olivia, who declared she had always known there was a frisson between Niki and her sister, and asked Roberta to write back immediately and tell her everything. Justina called on her to give her a hug, but she couldn’t stay—she was busy helping her husband, Charles, run Cadieux’s. Both instances made Roberta feel guilty, but she soothed her conscience by telling herself she would explain everything when the “engagement” was over.
As for Estelle…perhaps she could visit her later today? Although it was already late, and she was meant to take lunch with Matilda and then walk with Niki in the garden. Why hadn’t she woken early enough for her usual ride in the park? It might have helped clear some of her jitters.
A tap on the door forced her to face the fact that another day had begun whether she wanted it to or not. The maid peeped into the room and, seeing Roberta awake, brought in a letter.
“Not another invitation,” Roberta wailed, and then thought how ridiculous she sounded. Other girls her age would like nothing better than to be the rage of the Season.
“His Grace said to bring this up to you, my lady,” the maid said.
Roberta took the letter and when she saw her grandmother’s spidery handwriting, she wanted to bury herself beneath the covers again.
