Reluctantly Royal

“Um, a little.” I frowned. “Actually I was going to ask you if there was a certain protocol or how it would normally be handled.”

“Just a short acknowledgment of his passing, expressing your family’s sorrow, and promising that the township would be taken care of no matter what.” She frowned. “It’s a little unusual that his granddaughter would be the one to pass on the information, but not so much that people will complain.”

“Would they really complain?” I frowned as my stomach churned.

“No, no. It’s usually the first duty that the new duke takes on, but no one will question that it’s you making the address.” She looked down for a minute before looking back at me with shrewd eyes. “Might I speak frankly, my lady?”

“Please call me Meredith and yes, by all means.” I sat back in my chair.

“Are you planning on staying and covering for your father forever? Or are you going to go back to England?” Her grandmotherly demeanor seemed to sharpen. “I know that’s terribly blunt of me to ask, but it might make the township feel better to know one way or the other.”

“I don’t want to. I have a life in England . . . but I can’t leave the township with no one to help.” Sighing, I leaned forward and tried to dispel the fear that thought brought. “Is this why the palace sent you?”

“It is known by certain people that your father has a problem.” She poured herself a cup of tea. “And he is certainly not the first person to deal with this particular problem. When needed, people are employed by the palace to help.”

“And you’re one of those people?” I felt my smile tighten.

“I am.” She looked at me over her glasses. “One thing I want you to know is that this is not a reflection on you. Quite the opposite. I’m here to help you and Marty during a difficult time. In any way you need me to.”

“What do you mean exactly?”

“I’m here to help with your father, to make sure he doesn’t do anything too far out of line. We’d hate to see him stripped of his title and his township passed down.” She sat back in her chair. “Passed down to you.”

“Oh Jesus, no.” I felt my eyes widen. “Do you know what that would cause?” I looked over my shoulder to make sure no one else heard. Panic raced up my spine as I thought of how my father would react.

“I assume that he would be greatly upset.” She nodded her head. “But from the fear in your eyes, I’m guessing it goes beyond that.”

“My father’s temper . . . it’s not something to take lightly.” I tried to calm my thumping heart.

“Are you aware that your grandfather left a will?” She cocked her head to the side. “It was done in secrecy and entrusted to the crown.”

“No.” I shook my head and took a deep breath. Shock sharpened my response and I wanted to shake her for not telling me sooner. “What does it say?”

“There will be a formal reading the day after the funeral. As of now, only the attorney, witness, and Her Majesty know what is included.”

“Who was the witness?” I narrowed my eyes. Who would my grandfather entrust with a will? And for the love of all things good, why hadn’t he told me about it?

“I don’t know.” She shook her head.

“You’re worried about what is in the will.” I frowned. “You’re worried that my grandfather left everything to my father. Nothing left to me and Marty which would leave us at my father’s mercy, or I’d have to start all over. Which I would and could do.” My sadness was replaced by determination.

“It is possible.” Her face was blank and I fought the urge to shake my head. Granddad had been blind to his son’s follies. However, I couldn’t really say it surprised me. He would expect my father to take care of me and Marty, not the other way around.

“I cannot stay here with my father forever.” I could feel the determination stiffen my back. “I can’t.”

“I understand.” She was so calm, so patient. It was at complete odds with how I was feeling.

“Why are you here?”

“I’m here to help however you need it.”

She was here for me. Not for my father. Message delivered.

“And if I ask you to leave?” Would the crown object?

“If that’s what you’d prefer, then I will go, but I’m asking you to let me help. I can stay out of the way, attend to the basic paperwork, act as an event planner. But if you need something else, I’m here. Simple as that.”

“So you’re here to spy for the queen?” I ran my fingers over the upholstery of the chair I was sitting in. “And I’m supposed to just let you?”

“I’m here to help.” She frowned. “The queen did send me, but it wasn’t to spy for her. I’m mainly here to help you through a difficult time. She didn’t tell me much more than that. Though—she was worried about your father’s problem.”

My frustration was at an all-time high. “Is there any one left that doesn’t know my father is a drunk?”

She didn’t respond, just watched me with sad eyes. I stood up and paced the length of the room.

“He’s going to ruin the family.” I turned and looked at her. “With Granddad gone, there is no one to stop him.”

“There is you.” Her words were quiet.