The Royal and The Rebel (Royally Pitched Book 2) by J. Santiago

Author:J. Santiago [Santiago, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: ASJ LLC
Published: 2022-05-23T18:30:00+00:00

21

3 March

Chateau Balda

Juliana was chuffed to bits. She decided she was quite good as a matchmaker. She’d convinced her new friend to accompany her to Chateau Balda for dinner with her siblings and Meena and Jamie had hit it off. Just as she’d predicted.

“You are looking quite pleased with yourself,” Ele noted as she poured some Navan cava into four glasses.

Juliana didn’t even try to hide her smile. Bumping Ele’s shoulder, she nodded her head in the direction of Jamie and Meena, who were currently engaged in the discussion about the political expediency of a state program aimed at increasing literacy within migrant families displaced by civil war in their countries. Across the room, they leaned toward each other. They were absolutely stunning together, and Juliana grinned broadly.

“That.”

Ele followed her gaze and watched without speaking for a long moment. “Yes, they like each other.”

Juliana beamed. “I know. The moment I met her, I thought she would be perfect for him.”

But Ele didn’t smile. Instead, her mouth turned down as she observed them. “I don’t think so.”

Jules reared back slightly. “What do you mean?”

Ele shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they will be great friends, but I don’t sense any sexual chemistry between them.”

“Is this some twin thing? How can you tell?” Juliana asked.

“Seriously?”

Jules paused and turned her attention back to Meena and Jamie. She’d been so sure, but as she watched them without her hopes as the focus, she reluctantly agreed with Ele. Juliana knew about chemistry now, didn’t she? And hadn’t she described it quite perfectly to Rowan just a couple of days ago? You couldn’t manufacture the simmering current that ran between some couples. And she didn’t see it as she watched.

“Oh,” she said, dejected.

Ele smiled indulgently. “Yes. Nothing like when you and Rowan interact.”

Juliana harrumphed. “You mean, you and Tris.”

Ele nodded and studied Juliana. At first, she held Ele’s gaze, but then, uncomfortable, she looked away. “Right. Tris and me, but also you and Rowan.” When Juliana continued to study the bubbles floating in the cava, Ele touched her arm, drawing her attention. “Is everything okay with Rowan?”

“Aside from him being a wanker?”

Ele laughed. “Yes, aside from that.”

“You heard about the engagement announcement last night?”

“Yes, of course. I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up.” Ele lifted a glass and passed it to Juliana. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but everything seems to be progressing at warp speed.”

Juliana sighed. “I know.”

“Have you told him?”

Ele didn’t say anything more explicit. But she meant if Juliana told Rowan about her birth. Juliana was aware the cock-up of the conditions of Rowan’s inheritance. She also knew exactly what Ele would say to assuage her worries. But she wasn’t ready for that conversation or the implications of it. This wasn’t real, which meant Rowan had no right to her story. She would have to come up with a solution to satisfy Ele and Jamie eventually, or they would never allow this to play out.

So, she lied.

Keeping her voice steady, she said with as much nonchalance as she could manage, “Yes, of course.

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