Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Augustine huffed and threw up his hands before slumping low on the settee. Hugo knew his youngest brother was cooking up some bizarre scenario in his mind that involved Hugo slicing his way out of the palace dungeon with a sword while explosions went off around him.
“Obviously, Hugo spun the straw—”
“I did not,” Hugo snarled at his mother. He clenched his teeth and nearly growled at the woman. “And you well know I can’t do anything of the sort. Why you thought it was a good idea to spin such an outrageous lie is beyond my understanding. I know you’re disappointed that I’m not more talented and handsome, that you feel you need to lie about me to find me a husband.”
“No! Never, Hugo! My baby, never!” Jessamine jumped up from her seat and kneeled in front of Hugo, gathering up his hands in hers, squeezing them tight. Tears glittered in her pale-blue eyes, and Hugo believed they might actually be real, just like when he’d last seen her at their meeting with the queen. “I didn’t tell that stupid lie because I thought you weren’t talented or handsome enough. I said it only so that those people would take a moment to see you. If any of them bothered to stop looking down their noses at you, they’d realize that you’re worth more than a hundred of them, even without being able to spin straw into gold. Those snooty mothers would get on their knees and thank the gods to have such a wonderful son-in-law as you.”
Hugo’s sigh was caught up in the sudden tightness of his throat. “Thank you, but please, no more lies. I was very lucky not to have been killed, and I’d rather not be put in a position like that again. The same goes for Dorian and Augustine.”
Jessamine released his hands and pressed her right hand to her chest. “I swear to be on my very best behavior. No more outlandish lies or stories.”
“No more lies, period,” Hugo urged.
His mother rolled her eyes but acquiesced. “Yes, yes. I won’t tell any more lies.”
It was probably the best he was going to get. Hugo helped his mother onto her feet and into her chair.
“We’re all happy to have you home, but what we really need to know now—”
Dorian jumped in, interrupting their mother. “Is how he did it!”
“No, no.” She waved a hand at her middle child before turning her full attention on Hugo. “The reward was supposed to be lunch with Prince Everand. So…did you have lunch with the prince?”
Hugo was sorely tempted to walk out of the house, but there was no point. His family would pester him about it until he admitted the truth. Even Augustine appeared interested, perking up from his slouch.
“Yes, I had lunch with Prince Everand,” Hugo admitted a bit sullenly.
“What’s he like?”
“What did you eat?”
“Did he fall in love with you?”
“Does he have an impressive sword collection?”
“Has he proposed?”
The questions hammered him from every direction, all of them completely ridiculous.
“Lunch was…fine,” Hugo said, grinding the word between his teeth a bit.
“Ugh. This is boring,” Augustine declared first. He jumped to his feet and strolled out of the room, pausing long enough to pat Hugo on the shoulder, mumbling something about being glad he wasn’t dead.
Jessamine released a frustrated noise. Only Dorian seemed a bit concerned. Hugo offered him a reassuring smile before turning to deal with his mother.
“It was a lovely lunch. The food was delicious, and the queen was kind enough to allow me to clean up. I was even fitted for a new suit.” He leaped to his feet and turned this way and that, showing it off. “Don’t you think it’s nice? The royal tailor made it for me.”
“Oh yes, yes. The material is exquisite, and it’s obvious the tailor is quite skilled. He was smart enough to show off your perfect shoulders. What we need to know about is the prince. What was he like? Did you speak together for a long time? Do you think there’s a chance that he might call on you?”
“No, absolutely not,” Hugo answered like a shot. He needed to nip this line of thinking off as soon as possible. “I don’t believe we had anything in common. We didn’t talk much at all. I think he was rather tired and had no desire to dine with me.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense. You’re always so charming.”
“No, Mother. He didn’t want to be there. The queen commanded it, and so it happened. Prince Everand had no desire to spend a single second with me.”
“That’s only because he doesn’t know you.”
“And after meeting me, he still had no interest in knowing me.”
“But—”
“It’s fine,” Hugo pressed.
“No, it’s not. He just needs another chance to get to know you. He will love you.”
“Does it matter that I could never love him?”