Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Murdoch whistled. “Damn, I wouldn’t have gotten through most things without being able to shoot people the bird. I suspect you’ll find other coping mechanisms. He’s in that room to your left. I’ll be out here and ready to escort you back to the ballroom when you’re ready. Be careful, though. There are reporters and they’ve been using this hallway to move around.”
“You don’t need to get back to Phoebe? I’m sure I’m safe here in the palace.”
He shook his head. “Nah, Phoebe’s a pro. She can handle anything those people throw at her.”
She strode to the door and heard the sound of a whiny female.
“Kash, we can make this right. All you have to do is divorce her. You don’t even need a divorce. You can get this marriage annulled and we can start over.”
Ah, she recognized the voice from one of the more popular British soaps. Tasha Reynolds was considered one of the world’s most beautiful women and she’d dated Kash for the better part of a year before moving on to one of her costars. She’d been giving interviews in the last two weeks about how she felt Kash was making a terrible mistake with his marriage. The woman had gone on every talk and news show she could, spilling secrets about their sex life and how he’d told her he would never marry anyone but her.
So she was a crazy bitch. Luckily, Day had figured out how to deal with crazy bitches a long time ago.
She opened the door and got ready to save her man.
Kash looked out over the ballroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of his wife.
His wife. Dayita was his. He should feel settled and satisfied, but something gnawed at his gut. He was falling in deeper and deeper with her, and he wasn’t sure he knew how to swim in these waters. Day smiled as she shook the hand of one of the Swedish royals. So poised and perfect.
“She’s truly going to make a wonderful queen.” His mother came to stand beside him, her hand coming to his arm as though she needed him to balance her. The last week had taken a toll on her, but she’d shooed away any thought of resting. “I hope you’ll forgive me someday.”
He looked down at her. “It’s all forgiven, Mother. I understand that you did what you felt you needed to do. You found a proper monarch for the country. She will be wonderful.”
And he would be somewhat superfluous. Already all the serious people shook his hand, laughed and joked around him, and then asked the real questions of his bride. He’d heard the US ambassador asking her for a meeting about potentially inviting the president to Loa Mali for a state visit, and Prince Harry had spoken with her about sponsoring a new charity. Harry only ever talked to him about polo and beer.
His mother had lost Shray, the true king, and she’d finally figured out that Kash was never going to take his place. She’d found a daughter this time, someone lovely and kind and intelligent. Someone who could take Shray’s place. He would be nothing but a sperm donor.
Yes, he’d heard someone say that, and now it played around in his head.
“What do you mean, Kash? You’re the king. Having a queen doesn’t take the crown from you.” His mother blinked up at him as though she couldn’t quite process his words.
He put a hand over hers. It wasn’t a good time to have a fight. Hell, he didn’t want to fight with her at all. He couldn’t truly be angry with her. She’d given him an out. He could leave everything to Day and spend his time as he wished.
Why did that seem so hollow?
“Of course it doesn’t, Mother. You’re right, though. She is a perfect queen. The ambassadors are all happy about her.” He gave his mother a grin. “They don’t have to deal with me now. Of course, they will if I find any of them hitting on my wife again. I swear that Spaniard kissed her hand five times. There’s no need to kiss her hand at all. Does he think we’re back in the Victorian era?”
“You’ll have to deal with the fact that your wife is beautiful and everyone looks up to her.” His mother glanced to her right. “Ah, they’re calling for me. I need to select the official portraits to go out to the press. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Don’t overdo it, Mother.” He would hate for her to not be able to enjoy the festivities, but he couldn’t stand the thought of her crumpling.
She waved the worry off as she started to walk away.
And he was left with the good Scotch and worry in his head that he was slipping into something he couldn’t come back from.