Page 18 of Scandal Queen

“Good morning, Sandra. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day. We were hoping to find some things for brunch.”

I don’t think a single customer had ever probably shook her hand or been so absolutely charming. His smile blinded me. This poor woman, who’d clearly rushed for the early shift, looked almost dazzled.

“Well if you want a cooked breakfast, you want to be heading down the pub, my lovey.” Fair dues to Sandra—she got a grip quicker than I did when I met him. And she didn’t call him a prick.

“The pub?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s a bit early, even for me.”

She flushed a vibrant cerise and I winced on her behalf.

“No, no, lovey, you got me wrong. Louise does the best breakfast in town.”

Oliver eyed the shop, his lips straightening a little bit. “Thing is, Sandra. I don’t really want the whole world to know where we are. The pub sounds a bit crowded.”

“Oh no. I can assure you, discretion is our motto.” She laughed, though it came out more of a cackle. “It has to be in a village this small.”

“Oh right.” His smile came back. “So you think I can take my family to the pub and no one will notice?”

Her gaze flickered over me. He said what? His family? As if on cue, Daisy skipped up with about five magazines wedged in her small hand.

“I’ll call ahead.”

“That would be most kind, Sandra.” He unleashed the full wattage of his charm offensive in her direction. Her eyes widened. “Also, we might go down to the beach after, so we’ll need snacks and drinks…”

“I’ll get you a basket of picnic-type things ready.” Her hand slid to her throat where the skin flushed with pink.

“I honestly can’t thank you enough. You know, I’ve been thinking about buying a small house here, as a little getaway. Can I just say you’ve made us feel most welcome.”

That was it. Poor Sandra lost all words.

She wasn’t the only one.

With a grin he dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a fifty-pound note. I could only assume he didn’t have room for it in his wallet because it was stuffed full of condoms. “For the magazines and lunch,” he told her.

She had no comeback. She just stared as he grasped us and moved us back to the door, Daisy still holding onto more magazines than she’d ever been allowed to buy in her life.

Five

I almost faceplanted the pavement. It zoomed up to me so quick it would have made road rash if he hadn’t caught me.

He frowned, his lips pursing. “What is wrong with your feet? Seriously, you seem to have considerable issues with balance.”

There were so many things to say; to question. Like what was he talking about, buying a property? What did he mean family? I mean, I was all for private kingdoms, but the F word had huge connotations attached to it. I settled for, “You bought her too many magazines. She knows the rules, only one at a time.”

He laughed loudly. “And that’s the reprimand that first came to mind?”

“It’s not a reprimand.” I felt sorrier for Sandra as my own flush crept up my neck. “It’s experience—later on there will be bits of paper everywhere and it’s a bugger to pick up.”

He glanced up and down the road. Sandra hadn’t exaggerated when she’d told us how tiny the village was. Really, it just had one road. One way seemed intent on a curve downwards, the other led past the shop where we stood, and rolled way along some green fields. “You know what, Leia? I’m starting to like this place.”

“Really? Like it enough to buy a house here?”

He smirked and for a moment I considered if there were rules against punching the heir to the throne. I reckon if he asked for it enough, I’d get away with it. “I’ve already got fond memories,” he added as his gaze drifted to my lips. I knew what memories he meant.

“And the place you suggested we stayed at earlier?” I reminded him.

“Oh that old dust gatherer. That’s an old family place from The Second World War.”

I nodded. Of course it was. I mean, what else would it be?