Royal Scandals by Cat Schield & Dani Collins & Lynne Graham

Author:Cat Schield & Dani Collins & Lynne Graham [Schield, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2022-04-26T22:01:11+00:00

Xavier hadn’t had his backside handed to him on one of the palace’s sixteenth-century gold platters since his teen years. He refused to allow it today.

He had had plenty of time in the night, lying awake making decisions between comforting Trella through crying spells and nightmares, until she fell deeply asleep in the early hours.

He rose to put his plans into action and by the time the Queen summoned him, he was able to preempt a shredding of his character by proving what he had told Trella—he adhered to duty above all else.

“She has agreed to that?”

“She will.”

“And you?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

The Queen cocked a skeptical brow. “You spent last night with her. That implies...preoccupation.”

“You think we were having sex? No.” Despite having few secrets from his grandmother, her intrusive remark grated. “She was upset.”

“Gunter said she’s fragile.” Her mouth pursed with disdain. Ruling required strength of every kind, especially emotional.

He frowned, annoyed that Gunter’s report had preceded his own, especially because it was off the mark. Trella was besieged. It was different.

“She held off telling me because her pregnancy is high-risk.”

“So, it would seem, is she.”

An urge to defend her stayed lodged in his throat. She was a threat—one he was mitigating to the best of his ability.

“When would you like to meet her?” he asked instead.

“Perhaps after the baby is born?”

He hadn’t slept. That’s why the snub struck him as unconscionably rude.

Before he could react, Mario entered. “Deepest apologies, your Majesty, but Ms. Sauveterre’s brother insists on seeing her. We’ve stalled him as long as possible.”

“He’s here?” Xavier’s heart lurched with protectiveness and a jolt of alarm. Trella was catching up on much-needed sleep. More importantly, “We both spoke to him yesterday. She told him she was staying for the foreseeable future.”

She couldn’t leave.

“I believe it’s the race-car driver. She has agreed to receive him. I thought you would wish to—”

“I would.” Xavier strode from the room. When he heard raised voices as he approached the apartment they now shared, his aggression increased. With a snap of his fingers, security personnel fell into step behind him. He pushed into what had once been his mother’s parlor.

Trella was red-faced as she confronted a man who looked like Henri but emanated a hot-tempered demeanor that was in complete contrast to his brother’s air of aloof control. “No, you shut up—” Ramon was saying to his sister.

“Leave quietly or I’ll have you removed.” Xavier would do it himself. He was in that kind of mood.

Ramon snorted as he gave Xavier a measuring once-over, hands on his hips, looking willing for the fight Xavier promised.

“Don’t.” Trella threw herself against her brother’s side, looping her arms tight around his waist. “I was saying things he didn’t want to hear.”

Despite the animosity that had been flaring between them seconds before, Ramon curled a shielding arm around his sister, even as he frowned at her, concern evident beneath his glare of impatience.

Trella looked as rough as the night she’d had. When Xavier had left

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