Royal Player (The Rourkes, Book 5) Read online

  I take the smaller floral chair across from them. “Very sorry I’m late. How are you doing today?” I smile brightly at my parents, wearing matching expressions of concern. Is it my casual clothes? My wild curls I haven’t had time to tame? Do I still have dirt on me from helping to clear palm leaves and assorted shrubbery? I quickly scan my turquoise tunic and black yoga pants. Relatively clean.

  “Polly, you need to take a break,” my mother says. “It won’t do to run yourself ragged.”

  A servant steps forward to pour us tea.

  “I’m just fine,” I say. “Happier to be doing something than sitting back.”

  My father grunts. “I’ve heard things are improving. Much of the power is restored and many of the roads are cleared of debris.”

  “Yes,” I say proudly. “And that is mostly due to Vaughn’s efforts, along with his extensive family. They’ve been invaluable.”

  “Your guard?” my mother asks.

  “Yes, my guard. He’s a native islander with long ties here.”

  “I knew his grandfather,” my father says. “He and I were friends when we were children.”

  I smile. “I had no idea. Until recently, Vaughn barely spoke to me, and I knew nothing about him. How nice to honor such a longstanding family connection.”

  My mother sips her tea. “Polly, I was so pleased to hear you invited Peter for a private conversation.”

  I seize the opening, signaling for the servant to give us privacy. As soon as we’re alone, I say, “I have something important to discuss.”

  “What is it?” my mother asks slowly, her brows lifting.

  My father’s hands shake visibly, and he crosses his arms to contain them. One of his legs moves restlessly, which is a new symptom from the Parkinson’s. Time is of the essence. He doesn’t want to appear in public, and that is where the leader of Beaumont must be.

  “Peter and I have come to an understanding,” I say.

  My mother claps, her face lighting up. “I knew it!”

  I go on. “He will walk away from the proposed marriage to me. He’s agreed not to claim your resort because I’m paying off the loan. As soon as he receives his insurance money from his destroyed resorts, he plans to retire to the Caymans.”

  My parents both stare at me, confusion written all over their faces.

  “How will you pay off the debt?” my father asks.

  “Retire to the Caymans?” my mother echoes. “I thought you both wanted the match.”

  “A friend is helping me with the debt. And, no, I don’t want the match. He was blackmailing me into the marriage, threatening to expose your forfeited loan, inciting people against you. He hoped to topple the monarchy.”

  “That’s treason!” my father roars. “He will be banished at once.”

  I go very still. I hadn’t considered what Peter threatened to be a treasonous act. All I’d thought about was protecting my family. I should’ve told my parents from the beginning. There was still the issue of the forfeited loan, but it would’ve saved me a lot of angst to know Peter could be banished.

  My father stands with some effort, bellows for the servant who’s probably standing just on the other side of the door, and when the servant appears, my father barks out his orders to set things in motion.

  Once my father is settled again, my mother says to me, “Why didn’t you tell us about Peter?”

  “If I told you, you would’ve forbidden the marriage and he would’ve carried through with his threats. I wanted to handle him myself. I see now that I should’ve been more open.”

  “And who is this friend helping with the debt?” she asks.

  “Oscar Rourke. He’s a prince of Villroy and will be an asset to us. He’s more than a friend, actually. I love him and want to marry him.”

  “Villroy’s economy is shaky,” my father says dismissively. “We need a more favorable alliance, especially now with the aftermath of this devastating storm.”

  “Oscar sold his only asset to pay your debt,” I say through my teeth. “And he brings something even better than a wealthy alliance. He loves me, and I love him.”

  My mother sighs and exchanges a look with my father. She turns back to me. “Marge said he was in love with you. We knew you would be sentimental about it.”

  “There is no room for sentiment in the monarchy,” my father pronounces.

  “In your monarchy that may be true,” I say. “Not in mine.”

  My mother laughs. “Polly, you speak in riddles. They are one and the same.”

  “I want you to give Oscar a chance,” I say. “You’ll see that his support of me will only make me a stronger queen. He’s protective and cares deeply for my well-being.”

  “A guard could do the same,” my father snaps. “You do not get to choose your husband for sentimental reasons. He will be king, the head of our country, and that is not a personal choice. It is a choice of the monarchy.”

  I give myself a moment to collect my thoughts, trying to find a way to speak to my parents that will get through to them. I sip my tea, buying time, as they both stare at me impatiently. They want me to get back to the regularly scheduled programming—the traditional rules of Beaumont. Turns out I’m still an impossible rule breaker.

  Finally, I say, “In the past two days, I’ve been instrumental in organizing relief efforts. And before I arrived, I used every connection I had, along with the connections of Villroy’s kingdom, to send funds and humanitarian aid to Beaumont.”

  “And we are grateful for that,” my mother says. “We were in a communications blackout and unable to do much at first.”

  I give her a small smile. “Yes, I know. I took the lead, as I will continue to do. I am what Beaumont needs now and in the future.”

  “You’ve always been important to Beaumont,” my mother says.

  “You are the sole heir,” my father says. “Your place was never a question, but you must marry well to take leadership. That hasn’t changed.”

  I grind my teeth. “Marrying Oscar is marrying well.”

  “You know what your father means,” my mother says.

  I set my teacup down and take them both in. This is it. Nothing else is going to get through to them, I have to lay down an ultimatum. “I will marry Oscar and take my place here as queen, or I will leave Beaumont forever.”

  Silence.

  My mother looks shocked. My father’s face is stone.

  I’m on the edge of my seat because I’m bluffing. I could never leave Beaumont forever, especially now. And I don’t even know if Oscar would be willing to stay here permanently. I need to know he’ll be accepted before I invite him.

  “You would turn your back on us?” my mother asks accusingly.

  “You would be banished for your selfish choice,” my father says. “Kingdom above self, or you are not fit to wear the crown.”

  My stomach drops. I reached too far. They remain unbending when it comes to their unruly daughter. They’d sooner banish me than allow me to do what I believe is right. After they allowed people to shelter here and didn’t raise a word of protest about me running around the island, forgoing all royal protocol, I thought they’d honor my wishes.

  I stand on wobbly legs, my throat choked with emotion. I can’t believe it’s come to this—I must leave Beaumont, either through banishment or my own free will, to marry the man of my choosing. It’s no longer a bluff for me. Oscar is too important, and I won’t be pressured into marriage to any other man.

  I swallow hard and manage to say, “You will do what you must, just as I will.”

  My mother’s eyes plead with me to go along, but I’m done with that. My father stares me down as if I’m an opponent in a war I’ve never wanted.

  Just then, the door creaks open, a servant announcing, “Excuse me, Your Majesties, you have a visitor who was quite insistent he see Her Highness. May I present His Highness, Prince Oscar Rourke.”

  I whirl, my eyes instantly tearing at the welcome sight of Oscar. His thick
dark hair is messy, his face drawn, his eyes tired, yet he’s never looked so good. I hadn’t called him to me yet, waiting for a time when he would be welcome, but I see now that there’s no sense in waiting. He took action, just as I must.

  I rush into his arms and hug him tight. “Oscar! I’m so happy to see you.”

  His arms wrap around me, and he kisses my temple. “I couldn’t let you go.”

  “I’m glad.” I look up at him. “Never, ever let me go.”

  He glances over at my parents. “Hello, Your Majesties.”

  They stare at him in apparent shock.

  He turns back to me. “I need a few minutes alone with your parents.”

  “Oh! You sure?”

  He nods once and heads over to them.

  Oh-kay. I let myself out and just catch Oscar speaking in French to them, asking for permission to have a brief private conversation.

  I stand on the other side of the door, eavesdropping shamelessly. Damn. He’s speaking too quietly to hear through the door. I wait, my mind turning over what in the world they could be talking about. Is he asking for permission to marry me? Is he telling them how much he loves me? Those are both sweet gestures, but ultimately won’t make a dent in my parents’ stand on what Beaumont needs. They don’t recognize that I am what Beaumont needs and can serve better with Oscar at my side.

  Then I hear my mother say in surprise, “That is very generous.”

  My father says in a cross tone, “This is not how it’s done.”

  Just because Oscar isn’t from a prosperous kingdom, they see no value in the alliance. Wait. Generous? Did Oscar offer money in exchange for our marriage? What the hell is going on?

  Finally, the door opens and Oscar gestures me in, his expression solemn. My parents are looking at him like they don’t know what to make of him.

  What did I miss?

  My mother fills in the blanks. “Oscar has made a generous contribution to Beaumont for rebuilding.”

  I turn to him. “That’s wonderful! Thank you, Oscar. I’m sure it will be put to good use.”

  Oscar leans down to my ear. “You won’t have to marry for a financial alliance. That’s all I asked. The funds should more than make up for what your intended would’ve brought to the table. My vineyard sale went through.”

  My brows scrunch together in confusion. “What do you mean?” Oscar already allocated that money—my parents’ debt, pay off Charles, and the casino on Villroy. My gut knots. “No. Oscar, you didn’t. The casino.”

  He shrugs. “I walked away from it. I’m giving everything I have to Beaumont. I’ll stay to help wherever you need me most.”

  My jaw drops. I know what the casino meant to him, what it meant to me, too, before disaster struck. He has no legacy as the fourth-born royal. The casino was supposed to be his legacy and Adrian’s too. Without Oscar’s contribution to the casino, it won’t happen.

  He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, his gaze tender. “I gave you your freedom, Pol. You won’t be forced to marry for economic reasons. Your parents agreed on that point.”

  I search his expression. There’s pain lurking in his eyes. They haven’t accepted him as my husband, only his donation.

  I take his hand and pull him from the room, ignoring my parents’ protests over propriety.

  He’s quiet, serious, so unlike the Oscar I know. He thinks he’s lost me. He loves me so much he’s sacrificed his casino—his legacy—and his partnership with his own brother in order to give me my freedom.

  “Was Adrian furious that you pulled out of the casino?” I ask.

  “Well, he wasn’t happy,” he says mildly, completely underplaying his heroic gesture.

  I guide him down the hallway, heading to a more private space. “He doesn’t have the capital to move forward now.”

  “I’ll figure something out to help him down the line. First comes you.”

  My eyes water, my throat tight. My hero, my love. I won’t let his efforts be for nothing.

  I pull him into the drawing room, where no one ever goes anymore. And then I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him passionately. He returns the kiss fiercely, his arm banding around my waist, holding me tight against him.

  A long while later, I let him up for air. “I love you. If you’re willing to stay on Beaumont, I will marry you and make you king.”

  He swallows audibly. “Your parents won’t allow it. They already told me so.”

  My heart squeezes, energy rushing through me. “You’re willing to stay?”

  He frames my face with his hands. “I’ll do anything to keep you. I’ll fight for you, for us, but I think this will go a lot easier if you live with me away from here.”

  “I can’t leave. Please tell me you’ll stay.”

  He presses his forehead to mine, his words running hot over my lips. “I’ll stay.”

  I kiss him and then hug him tight.

  He hugs me back, leans down and kisses my hair. “Pol, I’ve missed you.”

  I lean my cheek against his chest, surrounded by his love. “I’ve missed you too.” I pull away a moment later, a plan formulating in my mind. “Here’s what we’re going to do.” He smiles, and I can’t help smiling back. He appreciates my ideas and plans. “We will act as leaders in the relief efforts, and the people will accept you as their own. I’ll make sure the press knows about our joint efforts as well. My parents will be forced to allow us to rule together, or turn us out. It would be a very unpopular decision and make ruling very difficult for them.” I can’t help my evil grin. “And make it even more difficult for my younger ill-prepared cousin to rule.”

  He throws his hands up. “You’re a genius. A diabolical genius. Apologize later, eh?”

  I lift my chin. “I won’t apologize for doing what’s right.”

  His lips curve up just enough for his dimple to appear in his stubbled cheek. I trace the dimple, and he grabs my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm, his aquamarine eyes sparkling. “I am so damn proud of you, Queen Polly. That’s who you’ll always be to me, whether or not you rule a kingdom.”

  I take his hand. “Come on. There’s much work to be done. Let’s get started.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Two weeks later…

  Polly

  Oscar and I get a surprise when we return to the palace late after a long day of work on the island. My parents have summoned us to the audience chamber, a formal room with dual thrones on a dais. It’s used for visiting dignitaries and other nobility, as well as coronations. The request to meet there is a display of power, and I can only hope they’re about to use it for good and not to banish us forever. I’ve spent all of my time working tirelessly with Oscar. We’ve been in the press and all over the internet. Money is pouring in for our cause. Privately, he’s taken a separate bedroom, but he visits me in the middle of the night. Servants could’ve talked, which means my parents may be furious once again with me and my impulsive, headstrong, out-of-line ways. It may just be the last straw. I break out in a cold sweat, too nervous to even speak on our walk there. Banishment would be like a death to me. Oscar is quiet too.

  I step into the long, vaulted audience chamber, a room meant to impress with its size and grandeur, along with the abundance of gold trim on everything—gilded framed oil paintings, gold and crystal chandeliers, and gilded mirrors. My parents are seated on their thrones. They’re dressed in a suit and dress respectively. No crown, scepter, or velvet jeweled cape around their shoulders. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Their faces are unreadable, but it feels like a heavy formal occasion, where something momentous and life altering is about to occur.

  We approach and bow our heads, greeting them formally.

  My father speaks first. “We’ve been made aware of your joint efforts on behalf of Beaumont.”

  My mother inclines her head.

  Promising start. I grab Oscar’s hand and squeeze it tight.

  My father stares at our joined hands and lets out a harsh breath. �
�In light of the good you’ve done for our kingdom, I’ve called you both here to pass on leadership to you.”

  I suck in air. My greatest wish come true! To claim my birthright with my love ruling by my side. Warmth bubbles up through me, a light floating feeling of utter happiness. I exchange a smile with Oscar before turning back to my parents.

  “We would be happy to accept leadership,” I say.

  Oscar straightens, his shoulders pulling back with regal pride.

  “You have proven yourself, Polly,” my mother says, her voice surprisingly warm. I do believe I made my mother proud.

  “Oscar has proven himself as well,” my father says brusquely. “The people are in favor. So it is done.”

  I throw myself in Oscar’s arms, hugging him, and laughing for no reason at all. It’s just such a relief! My strategy worked. And if it hadn’t, Oscar says he would’ve stayed here with me anyway. I offered to return to Villroy with him once order was restored here, so we could live together as husband and wife, but he believes, as I have always known, that Beaumont is where I belong.

  Someone clears their throat loudly.

  I pull away and face my parents. “Yes?”

  “We’ll have a formal coronation ceremony after your marriage,” my mother says. “The day you marry, you will become king and queen of Beaumont.”

  “I believe it would be best to ring in the New Year with new leadership,” my father says. “The people will need to feel they’re getting a fresh start as the hard work of rebuilding begins.”

  That’s four months away, much faster than I’d anticipated. I exchange a look with Oscar. He’s on board.

  “Yes!” I rush forward to hug them. “Thank you, Maman!”

  She gives me a squeeze. “These were extraordinary circumstances with the storm. Perhaps an extraordinary princess is what was required.”

  My eyes tear, my throat tight. “Thank you. I will make you proud.”

  She strokes my hair. “I’ve always been proud of you, my impossible daughter.”