Royal Watch (Royal Watch #1) - Stacey Marie Brown Page 0,41

really wasn’t a question, but a challenge, blue ice gliding to me. “So, Spencer, you must sit down with me. I want to get to know the girl who stole my grandson’s heart.”

Panic batted my lungs. Oh, feck no.

“She’d love that!” Theo’s smile bounced to me like a puppy.

Swallowing, I forced a smile on my mouth, dipping down on the lip of the sofa, making sure I crossed my ankles.

“Theo, my dear boy.” She smiled up at him. “It seems I lost the contents of my drink. Be a gracious host and get me another. It gives me time to get to know Spencer here.”

Don’t you fucking leave me. Don’t you dare!

“Sure. I’ll be right back.” He missed the plea in my eyes. “Spence, you want anything?”

Yes. The entire bottle of vodka.

“I’m good. Thank you.”

He squeezed my hand, dissipating into the throng of people toward the bar.

“Spencer.” A hand came down on mine, jerking my attention back to the dowager queen.

Fuckityfuck.

Facing her, fear pulsed against my neck.

“I have never been one to sugarcoat or tiptoe around something. I find it a waste of time, so I am going to be completely upfront with you.” Unaffected, she spoke with a matter-of-fact tone. “I think the world of my grandson. He’s smart, handsome, and kind, and will make an excellent king one day. However, he is very young. Pliable and innocent to the hardships of the world. Easily swayed by a pretty face, excitable at feelings of first love. I want him to experience all those. However…” She tilted her head, her gaze burrowing into me. “I have been queen. Seen what it takes to be a partner to a man who rules this country. It is their life. They eat, breathe, and sleep their responsibility. Everything else, including their own children, come second to their duty. And whoever is with them must also feel the same—that ruling this country is an honor. And with honor comes substantial sacrifices and consequences.

“I am sure you are a wonderful girl.” Like she was kicking me down a hill, every word left me bruised with shame and embarrassment. “But I will not pretend I think you have what it takes to be a queen someday. You are a fleeting emotion. A girl he will remember fondly but will not be the one he needs by his side in life.”

“You don’t even know me.” My voice came out low.

“I don’t need to, my dear.” She patted my arm. “I could see it from across the room. You aren’t meant for this life. You don’t have what it takes.”

My head jerked as if she slapped me.

“This is not personal. Again, I am sure you are a great girl, no matter the family you come from, but you are not meant for my grandson.”

“The family I come from?” My teeth gritted together. I was technically a noble. A baron’s daughter.

“Just because you have a title does not make you worthy of it.”

My shoulders pulled back, breathing in at her attack.

“Grandmother.” Eloise’s posh voice broke in, twisting both our attention to the girl strolling up. Dressed in an exquisite lilac A-line sheath gown belted with pearls, the material so light, it fell down her tiny frame like chocolate, her hair rolled up a loose twist. This girl was worlds away from the bookie in the club.

“Eloise. Darling.” Anne kissed both her granddaughter’s cheeks. “You look lovely. Though did you have someone tailor that dress? It doesn’t hang on you right.”

The strain in Eloise’s smile was slight, but I caught it.

“Yes, Grandmother,” she replied. Grandmother. While Theo called her Grannie. It didn’t take a genius to see who the dowager preferred.

Eloise’s gaze met mine, understanding in them. “Do you mind if I steal Spencer from you? Countess Stephanie would like to meet her.”

“Of course.” Anne tried to hide her scowl when I bolted up, already heading for El. “We’ll have to finish our conversation another time, then. It was a pleasure meeting you, Spencer.”

“It was all mine.” I dipped in respect, Eloise tugging my arm, pulling me away from her grandmother.

“You’re welcome,” she whispered, both of us swiftly moving across the room.

“Bloody hell. I need a drink.” I grabbed a glass off a tray.

“My grandmother is a lot.” Eloise snagged one for herself. “Some might say a bitch.”

“You guys don’t get along?”

“No. Never have. Maybe if I came out a boy.” She shook her head. “Theo can do no wrong, where I can do no right. Theo is the only