To Protect a Princess (Regency Royals #1) - Jess Michaels Page 0,1

crossing to the sideboard. “I think I need a drink.”

Her mother pursed her lips. “I expect that sort of thing from Remi, but you really must be more proper, especially as we enter English Society, my dear.”

Ilaria bit back a sharp retort, but she still poured her drink and then crossed to stand beside Remi at the fireplace. He gave her a side glance that said multitudes.

“You called me here, Your Majesties,” she said. “And clearly it isn’t about family business in general, but about me. So what is it? How could I have possibly offended during the last day and a half on board a ship in the middle of the North Sea?”

Grantham took a step toward her. “You’ve offended no one, Ilaria. Mother and I simply believe it is…time to discuss…the…the…”

“The future,” their mother finished with a quick look toward Dashiell at the desk. He lifted his gaze as if sensing the queen’s stare. He gave a tiny nod before he went back to madly scribbling.

“At present the future entails us disembarking on the shores of foggy, dirty London,” Ilaria said. “And spending what will surely be a few boring months of balls and official events. I’ve agreed to attend them all in order to help you, Grantham. What else could you possibly wish of me?”

Her mother rose from the settee and moved toward her, dark eyes locking with Ilaria’s. Now her heart rate rose, fear fluttered.

“It is time for you to be married, Ilaria,” the queen said softly, almost gently. “At twenty-five, some would say high past time, and perhaps we would have pushed this issue sooner if not for your father’s illness and death. But here we are, and we have been granted an opportunity by the fact that your brother has been officially coronated at last and the world has some interest in our family’s tour.”

“England is not the world,” Ilaria snapped.

Remi chuckled. “They believe they are. They’re certainly trying to conquer enough of it.”

“That is the material problem,” Grantham said, his gaze growing sharp as it focused on Remi. “Yes, they are land mad and resource mad. And Athawick may not have much of one, but we have plenty of the other thanks to the trade route. Generations of our family have fought and occasionally died to remain out of the Empire’s reach, and I will not have that all fall apart during my watch. Ilaria, you are of an age to marry. And if you are linked to an important family of Britain, there is some thought that it will continue to protect Athawick.”

She blinked. “You are going to barter me for freedom.”

Grantham flinched, but then he hardened his expression. “Not my own, I assure you. But for our country…yes, I suppose you could call it that.”

He turned away so he couldn’t see her reaction, Ilaria thought. The one she couldn’t keep from her face. It was as if someone had rolled one of the big waves on the sea right over her and she was now drowning in this new reality.

“Was this…was this always the plan?” she asked. “During all this preparation for this journey, were you two always lying to me about its purpose?”

The queen stepped toward her and caught her hand. Her mother’s fingers were warm against her cold ones, and she squeezed gently. “We were not…sure how you would react, Ilaria. You have always been so independent.”

Ilaria cocked her head. “Not so much anymore, I suppose. You will assure that, as will he.” She jerked her hand from her mother’s and used it to point at her brother’s broad back. Then she turned on the other brother at her side. “Did you know about this, Remi?”

He lifted his hands. “No one tells me anything, darling, you know that. I’m just the spare.”

“Remi, that isn’t helpful,” the queen said with a sharp gaze for her younger son. “Ilaria—”

Ilaria shook her head. “You waited until now to tell me while I was trapped on a ship and had no escape. You waited until we were half a day’s journey to the shores of what you desire to be my prison. How could you, Mama? How could you do that?”

Grantham pivoted. “Your mother did not make this decision. Your king did. And you will respect both of us.” He said the words harshly, but Ilaria could see the doubt in his gaze. The regret. But it didn’t matter. As he had said, he didn’t make this decision as her brother, but as