Royal Alliance (Royal Matchmaker Book 4) by Mckenna James

Author:Mckenna James [James, Mckenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

15

Lord Greyson bombards me with a string of texts just before eleven. There’s no friendly pretense, just straight to business. He asks about how everything went last night, how King Jamieson is coming along in his decision making, demanding updates about this, that, and the other thing.

I send him a brisk, ‘It’s fine.’

There’s no need to babysit me.

I glance at my watch. King Jamieson will be finishing up right about now. I’ve deliberately made myself scarce, keeping to my room for the better part of the morning to avoid any potential run-ins. It isn’t that I’m scared to come across him. I just tell myself that he needs space to spend quality time with his date. It has nothing to do with jealousy.

Nothing at all.

I’m about to head to the kitchen for a quick bite to eat, but something stops me dead in my tracks. The sound of someone crying hits my ears.

It sounds like a little girl.

“You little brat,” a woman hisses. “Watch where the hell you’re going? Do you have any idea how expensive my dress is?”

I rush around the corner to find Julia on the floor of the lobby, silently sobbing as she clutches her scraped knee to her chest. Wet streaks stain her flushed cheeks as she stares up at Duchess Matilda.

She has her uncle’s anger.

“Apologize, you little—”

I step in the way and scoop Julia up in my arms, cradling her close. “What on Earth do you think you’re doing?” I demand.

The duchess scoffs, “I was on my way back to my room when this little scamp stepped on my dress. It’s Chanel.”

“So?”

Duchess Matilda gawks. “What do you mean, ‘so?’ This is expensive. Ten grand, I’ll have you know.”

“I’m sure it was just an accident.”

“I could have tripped and broken my nose!”

“There’s no need to yell at her. She’s just a child.”

“Don’t talk to me that way, Miss Raines. A commoner like you needs to know their place. The brat needs to apologize this instant, or I’ll charge you personally for damages.”

Something protective erupts inside me. I’ve heard all that I need to. Who does this woman think she is? I don’t care if she’s a duchess. She doesn’t deserve an ounce of my respect if she’s petty and shallow enough to blame a child for such a small misstep. She can insult me all she wants, but going after Julia is where I draw the line.

“You know what? I wish you had tripped. Breaking your nose would have made a magnificent improvement,” I snap without thinking. I don’t regret a word out of my mouth.

Duchess Matilda raises her palm. “You bitch—”

I clench my eyes shut and brace for impact.

The slap never comes.

When I open my eyes, King Jamieson has placed himself between Duchess Matilda and me. He has a firm grasp on her wrist. It looks like it hurts a lot.

This is him showing restraint.

“Please attend to my niece, Miss Raines,” he says without looking at me. There’s an edge to his words that sends a shiver down his spine.

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