CHASED BY THE DUKE

4. Victoria

CHAPTER FOUR

“Did you get it brother?” Norah questioned as she barged into Liam’s home office the following mid-morning.

He sighed, taking off his reading glasses while setting down the file he had been going through. He leaned back on his seat, meeting his sister’s expectant gaze. Whoever said handling estate business was easy, had apparently been a liar and there was nothing he craved more than rest.

“Yes, I got it,” He gestured at the book lying on the edge of the table.

She grabbed it, placing a subtle peck on Liam’s cheek,” Did I ever tell you that you are the best brother anyone could ask for?”

“Not really but-“He was cut off mid-sentence by the sudden entrance of the queen. For someone her age, Queen Cecilia II, looked quite young and that harsh look on her face was enough to intimidate anyone. The clicking of her stilettoes came to a stand still when she stopped in front of her son’s desk.

“Mother. What are you doing here?” He questioned in surprise. It was very rare-almost impossible for the Queen to set foot in his mansion. If she wanted something, she’d just summon him to the palace.

“Good morning to you,” she sat down, the agitated look on her face matching the one in her eyes. Liam did not like that look at all.

“This is quite unexpected,” he proceeded to say. All this time Nora stood quietly, knowing not when to say a word.

“Well, your father is getting on my nerves again and then, there is your sister’s wedding giving me a headache. So, who are you bringing it to the wedding? Reputation is important,”

For a second, his mind flashed back to the woman yesterday, a smile unknowingly touched his lips. She had left in panic after well, ruining his clothes but he was not even in the least angry about it. He could not get her out of his mind and he had never felt that instantly connected to someone before like he did with her. A complete stranger, completely drunk and with a bad first impression and yet he felt like she could get him.

“Judging from that smile, you are bringing someone to the wedding. Now, who is it, if I may care to ask? I do not want you soiling the reputation of the royal family like you did before with that…whore,”

“Charlotte is not a w***e mother,” He snapped. The Queen remained unabated as she stared back at her son.

“Oh, is she not now?” she questioned.

“C-Can we not speak of her? Please mother,” he requested, trying to control any hint of emotion in his voice. Speaking of Charlotte always brought the unspeakable amount of the familiar pain in his heart.

“Well, then you should bring someone of status to the wedding. Nora won’t be the only one they’ll be watching on that day. I cannot afford to have the name of family tainted,” she spoke in her usual calm but authoritative voice.

“And you? You asked me to give you the choice to decide your Tiaras and wedding rings because you do not want the family ones. So have you come up with where you are getting them?” she turned her attention to Nora. Well, that was indeed a surprise. With mother’s knack for perfection, it did come as quite a shock to Liam that she let Nora do all that for herself.

“Yes, I did. There is this very popular company in the US and they’ve got amazing taste. It’s called The Carrington Jewelry company. It’s a family-owned business and her, check it out,” she pushed her tab towards mother.

She maintained a neutral expression as her eyes roved over the tab and once, she was done, she pushed the tab towards Liam. The first thing that caught Liam’s attention was the woman standing beside the older couple at the top of the website of the company.

Victoria Carrington.

That was the name of the drunk woman at the bookstore. Maybe this was a good day.

“So what do you think?”

“We’d have to check on them and my suggestion is that I will fly straight to LA myself, get first hand information on them. People can easily fake their life on the internet,” He said.

“That is ridiculous son. You think they won’t fake it if they know who you are? You are duke of Cornwall, the first born of the Queen of England,” She pointed out.

Liam knew she would not let him easily and lucky enough, the right answer popped in his head.

“Actually, I’m using this as an excuse and of course I’ll be in disguise. I heard Princess Mary of York would be in LA too. Wouldn’t you like her to accompany me to the wedding?” he poised and judging from the softening looking on his mother’s face, he knew he’d won her over.

“I supposed that would be very much okay,” she eventually answered.