to me, forcing my head to go back. He leaned in, hitching my lungs, his mouth brushing by my ear. “What do you remember about last night, Duchess?”
“Everything.” Lie. “I was in complete control.”
“Oh, you recall me putting you to bed? Though you were more determined to give me a striptease than sleep.”
“I did not!” I jerked back, my cheeks heating with a sudden blurry inkling of me using the bedframe like a stripper pole.
Oh. Holy. Fuck.
His lips tightened into a thin smile. “Needs work, but if this gig ever falls through, you could probably make a mediocre living at it.”
“Mediocre?” The word stabbed me like a dagger. What? Was I not sexy enough to strip? Jesus, Spence, listen to yourself…
“You need a lot more training.” He set the coffee in my hand and moved by me. I couldn’t stop myself from watching his backside walk toward the house.
“Oh, and Duchess, you are needed in the breakfast room,” he said before he slipped inside.
My skin sticky and heated, my body already exhausted by the ups and downs of the morning, it took me a moment to get my breath. Only an hour in and this day had been a bitch, and for some reason, I had this feeling in my gut it was only going to get worse.
Chapter 26
“Spencer.” The king greeted me first, glancing up from his spot at the head of the table. Dressed in a nice three-piece suit, the jacket on the back of his chair, he tipped his cup of tea into his mouth, reading over the paper. What was left of his breakfast was pushed off to the side. “I heard you skipped your detail last night, leaving the event, along with my daughter.”
“Your Majesty.” I dipped into a small curtsy, my eyes darting over to Theo. He had yet to look at me, sawing into his bacon and eggs from the middle of the long table, his shoulders stiff. It was only the two of them, making it even more tense. “I apologize.”
“I understand you are still learning our ways here, but don’t ever do that again. Eloise doing it is bad enough, though she would be forgiven. But if the media had found out you had walked out on Theo…” He wiped his mouth with a serviette, pushing back the chair. “No matter what the truth is, the press will twist it to fit what they want. And with the mishaps before and the public not responding to you like we hoped…”
The implication drilled right through my chest. I had been kept away from social media as much as they could, but no one could escape it entirely. And I seemed to be front and center… mainly being criticized and torn apart. It added more pressure down on me. Like if I was hated enough, Theo would relent and choose again, like this was some reality TV game. Even the most spirited person would be broken after a while.
Alexander fixed his cuffs as a footman helped him put on his jacket.
“Don’t mistake your popularity in being covered with actual approval.”
Ouch.
Alexander’s brows turned down. “I’m sorry. That might come across harsh and cruel. I do not mean to be. I want you to understand perfectly what you are getting into. What your position will entail. What people will expect of you. You will need a thick skin to endure this. The focus on you will only get worse.” Alexander’s gaze slipped to Theo like he was looking to him for an answer. Theo gradually dipped his head in response. Alexander turned away, looking between us. “I will see both of you later. The event is at three.”
Without waiting for a response, Alexander strode out of the room. His assistant, footman, secretary, and guard suddenly right next to him, handing him paperwork and items to look over as they strolled down the hall.
Theo continued to eat, not looking up at me.
“Theo…” I took a step to him. The clatter of silverware crashing onto the china plate caused my feet to stumble.
“How could you do that to me?” He shoved the plate away, rising.
“Do what?”
“Leave me like that! Not a word.” Anger streaked over his face. “I had no explanation as to where my girlfriend went. Why she wasn’t answering her phone. It was humiliating.”
“Humiliating?” I blinked, stunned by his response. He didn’t say he was hurt, but humiliated. “Maybe it was rude to leave without letting you know, I’m sorry, but El—”
“Don’t put this on