Forbidden Earl

Chapter 1 Absolutely not. Cassidy Bright wrote the letter of refusal and put it in the mail pile to be delivered. There was no way she’d ever tell Remington Burke the name of his true love, according to her computer program. His report was as wrong as hers—it had to be. Cassidy removed her blue frames to admire the garden view from her office in the Royal Palace of Avce, then closed her laptop. Today was payday—a day that always brought mixed feelings. She’d go home to Astori Manor where her parents and sister expected her to pay the bills, her mother, as usual, claiming it was only temporary. The fact that she’d managed the palace computers for five years now meant nothing to them. Since moving to Avce after the return of power, other nobles had prospered, but her family didn’t know the words “save” or “work.” Her boss appreciated her, at least, and Cassidy had received a gift card for a local restaurant as thanks for her hard work. She slipped her gift card in her pocketbook, determined to keep this treat for herself when she saw missed calls and two messages. Cassidy read them and her heart nearly stopped. Gigi Burke wasn’t expected to live through the week? Though not related, Gigi was the closest thing she’d ever had to a grandmother. She slipped her laptop in its bag and took off running in the fastest direction to the parking lot. No one in the servants’ quarters asked her questions as she dashed toward her old brown Renault. The engine purred to life for once and she drove quickly through the servants’ entrance. She reminded herself that it was time to be Lady Cassidy again. Sort of. At the Burke household, no one cared that she worked on computers, unlike her own home, where it was considered less than noble. She shook her hair free of the messy bun and let it fall in her face. Just in case somebody else was around, Cassidy would be the walking disaster they all thought. Remy had poked fun of her for years now and she expected he’d continue—despite what the computer program predicted. It had been her program that had found the royal princes’ true loves. She worried that this latest development indicated a glitch in the system because the last person she’d ever kiss was Remington—not that he’d indicated an interest, but her messy hair was just one more shield against the impossible. Right now, his grandmother’s health mattered most. Cassidy drove onto his massive estate, parking at the front door. She didn’t work for him and never would. The Renault sputtered to a stop and she kicked her door open, as that was the only way it unlocked, and hopped out, ignoring the decadence of Remy’s finely manicured lawn and gleaming windows. Her own family estate was outdated in comparison, but upkeep was not as big a priority for her as food for them all. Cassidy entered the house. From the foyer, she could see the blue room where Remington brought visitors to wait with tea and she heard him talking to a woman dressed in black. First goal was to see Gigi; second goal was to avoid Remy. Would Gigi be in the sunroom, with her view of the roses she loved? He wouldn’t care that she was here for Gigi, he’d even understand, though her nerves grated. Cassidy had seen the marriage proposal on her father’s desk from Remington, asking to marry her sister. The five years of tuition payments Cassidy had paid for her sister’s education would now benefit the already rich Burke residence, if Chelsea accepted. She probably would. Cassidy fixed her glasses and waited outside the blue room to listen to Remington’s conversation with the lady in black. “Blackwell and I are getting married,” she said. Cassidy deduced that the woman was Donna Smith. Her computer program had been flawless for everyone else so far. Why not her? Maybe because she was too close, emotionally. She heard heavy, masculine footsteps on the polished Maplewood floors leading down the hall and quietly opened the side door. The brunette wore a flattering Chanel skirt and when she saw Cassidy, she immediately introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Donna Smith.” Cassidy immediately offered to shake her hand, but waited by the pocket door. “Is Remington gone?” The young woman nodded. “I think so. He went to see his grandmother. Who are you?” Remy was with the one person she didn’t want to see—why couldn’t he have gone riding? She couldn’t lie to him and so it was better to avoid him until this marriage business was sorted out. She let out a small huff, and held out her hand to Donna, who shook it. “Cassidy Bright, technically Lady Cassidy.” The title sounded stupid, and she rolled her eyes. Then she pushed her mop of hair backwards. “I’m trying to get in to see Lady Sky without running into Remington.” The American, who had only been in Avce a few days, stared at her like she made little sense. “Why? He seems pleasant enough.” To everyone else, he probably was. To her, he was the jerk who tugged her hair or laughed when she fell off a surfboard. Remington was nice to everyone, except her. She made a pfft sound and ignored the comment. “Let’s just say that Remington and I don’t get along, though his grandmother more than makes up for his bad manners.” Cassidy had an open invitation to visit Gigi but she’d been so busy the past week she hadn’t realized that Gigi was so ill. How are things with you and His Grace, the Duke of Oakley?” Donna stepped away and her face went white. “Blackwell and I are engaged.” Good. It seemed her work held together. It was tragic fate that the computer program listed her true love as the one person it could never be. She gave Donna a thumbs up. “I told my sister not to bother going to the estate yesterday as Oberlin had met someone else. She hoped I was wrong.” Donna snapped her fingers and smiled like she’d put a puzzle together. “Chelsea is your sister.” Her perfect ladylike sister who would be the perfect Lady—of any estate. She swallowed and ignored the buzz in her brain when she thought about her sister and Remy. “My little sister, yes. She’s taken her place in society and intends to marry well.” Another image of her sister standing at the altar in a white dress holding Remy’s arm made her hand shake. She hid it behind her back. “Guess this means she’ll accept Remington’s offer and they’ll both be insufferable—together.” Footsteps from the hall interrupted her thoughts. She couldn’t imagine being near Remy, not now. She backed into the side door. “Oh, here comes Remington. Can you distract him while I slip past him in the hall so I can go say goodbye to Gigi? I owe her more than a few hugs.” Donna pressed her hand on her heart and shrugged. “Okay. I’ll try, but Blackwell is probably still with his grandmother.” It was clear Donna cared about Blackwell—though her fiancé didn’t matter to Cassidy. As long as they were happy, that meant true love existed. And, that she was a pretty darn good cupid. She waited, impatient to see Gigi, her favorite member of the Burke family. She never knew Remy’s parents who had died during the revolution which was why he’d been raised by his grandmother. “He can be there. I’m just avoiding Remy.” She waved and closed the door. “Interesting,” Donna said. Remington’s heavy footsteps brought him back to the blue room. Cassidy listened for the coast to be clear then quietly opened the door to slip down the hall behind them. Donna asked Remy, “Mr. Burke, I was wondering if Miss Chelsea Bright will be in attendance today.” “Remington is fine.” There was a glimpse of the nice guy others saw in him, she thought, captivated as he poured himself tea. Good. Cassidy tiptoed down the hall toward the sunroom. Remington said, “I hope she does come over. It will be good for her to know Blackwell is off the market, though my grandmother might not approve if I asked her.” Cassidy bowed her head outside the door. Soon, anything Gigi might have to say wouldn’t matter. It was fitting in a way that her sister and Remington be superior together. She ignored the barb of pain and entered the room. She turned, and there was Gigi, lying on her bed near the open window, staring at her flower garden, away from where Blackwell sat quietly, holding her frail hand. Cassidy, head low, made her way to Gigi’s side. Blackwell jumped out of his chair. “Hi, Cassidy. I’ll leave you two alone.” Cassidy blinked away tears and nodded her thanks. Neither of them said anything. Once the door closed Gigi said, “It’s good to see you, my sweet girl.” For years, Gigi had been the only one who had listened to Cassidy, who understood that she was different than her family. Gigi showed her simple joys in life. First in California and then when they’d returned to Avce, she’d tried to give Cassidy a green thumb—but it hadn’t worked. She squeezed Gigi’s hand. “So this dying thing you’re doing? It’s why we’re not in the garden planting a rose bush.” Gigi laughed low and throaty. “This was supposed to be your home, my dear.” If only she’d been born a Burke, she’d have been happy to be related to Gigi. Cassidy massaged the older woman’s wrinkled hand. “You’re leaving your Remy all alone now.” She sniffed as Gigi’s eyes welled. “I’ll be fine.” Remington stern voice sounded behind her and she jumped. Drat. He was here. She turned and recognized the rigid expression he always had for her. Remington came beside her. “Cassidy, for once be nice to my grandmother.” Clearly, he didn’t understand their jokes and never had just like the last time he’d scolded her over her joke about cutting all the rose bushes down. Gigi coughed. “Remington Burke, Cassidy is my dearest friend and she should be your wife. I wish you’d treat her better.” Cassidy flinched and felt her body go numb. “Cassidy!” Remington’s shout shook the windows. Then he took a deep breath. “Grandmother, she hates me. I won’t ruin her life that way.” Gigi had a firm grip on Cassidy’s hand as she glanced at her grandson. “You must marry, Remington. It would bring my heart joy to know you married Cassidy. And Cassidy, you’d do well if you left your parents’ house and moved in here.” Her heart pounded like a hammer to a nail in her chest. This was impossible. She shouted, “You can’t be serious!” But then lowered her voice. “I’d do anything for you Gigi, but I don’t think Remy and I would get along.” Remington stared at her and she felt her skin burn, but his dark eyes were hard to read—when normally she knew his every thought. He turned toward his grandmother, his shoulders bowed. “I’ll marry Cassidy if it makes you happy.” Her lips parted and she pushed her hair out of her face. Was he serious? Or was this another of his many pranks he’d played on her throughout the years? Gigi’s eyes glistened with tears as she squeezed their hands, but then she coughed so bad that she hacked and went white. Cassidy prayed she didn’t die on the spot. Her face felt numb but she nodded. “Okay, it’s decided, then. Remington needs to straighten it out with my father.” She didn’t mention the previous contract for Chelsea. “As long as no one stops me from working at the palace, I’ll agree.” Remington tensed and she lifted her head. Any second now, he’d take it back. She was prepared for the worst. He’d tell her it was too late and he was marrying her sister or Lucinda or some other woman from his past. Silence clung instead. Finally, Remington spoke, and she waited on pins and needles for his rebuttal. Rather than look at her, he turned toward Gigi. “Cassidy and I have a few things to discuss. Can you excuse us for five minutes while we settle our engagement?” “Seeing you and Cassidy together will make me happy.” Gigi’s cheeks flushed from her cough, but her gaze showed her approval. A knot grew in her stomach. This was a nightmare— marrying Remington when she knew he didn’t care. She’d put her desire for Remy away, dreaming that some day she’d meet a man who appreciated her, who wanted her, and she’d marry him. If she married Remy, she’d be stuck here, forever, both of them miserable. Remy guided her out by holding her elbow. She hurried into the hall where Donna stared at them with concern. Well, they had been shouting. Remington walked her into the small reading nook across from the day room and closed the door. The darkness in the room fit the bleakness of her mood, but he flipped the lights on fast and crossed his arms. “Cassidy, I can’t make promises to my grandmother that I won’t keep. She’s all I ever had and if she wants me to marry you, I need to know you aren’t lying to her.” “Actually, I thought you were lying to her.” Cassidy pushed her glasses back to keep her disguise, and tucked a thick mass of hair behind her ear. “I love Gigi too; you know she’s been closer than a grandmother to me.” He fell into a wide chair meant for reading and pinched the bridge of his nose. Standing over him felt awkward. Unsure of what to do, she sat beside him. Her heart pounded with the knowledge that she would marry him. This was real and happening, but she wasn’t sure why she had this zip of awareness in her belly. She kept her lips sealed so as not to ruin the shared moment. Slowly, he straightened and stared at her like a man standing on a cliff who was thinking about jumping to his death. “If I speak to the queen about a wedding this week, you’ll be prepared?” Cassidy was no fool and knew that the Bright family financial situation was about to change. She could hear the happy squeals and her mother wasn’t even here. She lowered her head and spoke softly, “I’ll need twenty-four hour notice to figure out clothes, and I have to tell my parents.” Would they even care about the circumstances? “I have tons of personal leave and I’d like to take time to be here, for Gigi, until the end.” “Move in today.” Remington stood, his jaw tight, very much lord of the manor. “I’ll have a room prepared for you. Are you sure?” Cassidy let her hand fall to her side. She whispered, “Yes. Go tell Gigi and I’ll be right in.” “Don’t run on me again, Cassidy,” Remington said coolly. Run? Was he talking about when they’d gone camping? She’d only been thirteen, and him, fourteen, with the other cousins. He’d sprinkled honey on her tent, thinking he was funny, and a black bear came in the night, to eat her tent, and her. Remington must’ve been waiting for her to scream because he’d been right there. He’d reached for her, but she’d thrown him in the lake and ran for her life, in the opposite direction. “No more practical jokes.” Neither one of them said anything else—though they had much to discuss, there were other priorities, such as rescinding Remington’s proposal for Chelsea and switching it for Cassidy. She rose and they walked out of the small room. Donna called, “Lady Cassidy, Lord Sky, are you all right?” Remington’s body straightened and it was clear he’d not talk to Blackwell’s bride. “It’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.” Cassidy winced. He didn’t have to be rude. Donna gave her a nod like they were friends. “Seriously, it’s okay if you walk away from one another as you both love your grandmother. For now, can you try to get along or at least ignore each other?” Remington glanced at her and placed his hand on her lower back. Again, she felt a jolt of awareness, but ignored the sentiment. No one usually touched or hugged her so anyone would get the same reaction. Or so she told herself. “It’s not that easy,” Remy said. “My grandmother believes that Lady Cassidy should be my wife and she made it her dying wish.” Donna covered her lips and stepped away. Perhaps this was the last chance she’d get to say anything, so she took the second and brushed her hand against Remy’s. “Look, I love Gigi and want her at peace, but Remy, we both know you and I are a bad idea.” His shoulders were so tight he could double for a sentinel. “I know my grandmother wants us and I must marry. Cassidy, I’m speaking to your father about this.” She gently shoved him toward the sunroom and Gigi. Cassidy walked with Donna to the blue room, eyeing the tea service and lace cookies. Donna turned toward the foyer. “Blackwell is taking a long time with Chelsea.” Chelsea was alone with the duke she’d just been jilted by? Her heart raced, and she shook her head. “They’re alone? That’s a bad idea. My sister isn’t that mature.” Her sister’s actions couldn’t fall on her shoulders too. Right now, Cassidy had to find her parents, tell them the change in plans and pack a bag. Her mother might help her but then again she might be so excited she’d be no help at all. Cassidy walked toward the main front door with Donna. A hundred years ago one of the Burkes had built the phone room to the right, where Chelsea and Blackwell now were. Donna said, “Yes, Blackwell wanted to break the contract. So he wanted to tell her first before meeting with her father today. I’m going in.” Her sister was twenty-two and soon, she’d have far more choices in the world than just Avce nobility, if she’d be patient. Cassidy would fund a European tour for her if that is what she wanted. Donna walked into the side room to fetch her fiancé. Time to go. Cassidy hurried outside into the setting sun, pulling a small weed from a pink rose bush. Gigi would want the fragrant plants cared for. Calmer, she returned to her car and dug out her keys. She tugged the driver’s side door open and jumped in her seat. She turned the ignition and once again the engine purred like it hadn’t given her problems all day yesterday. She’d pulled her hair into an elastic tie when she saw Donna run out of the house and toward the front of the car. Cassidy rolled her window down, hoping Donna was all right. Chelsea was not an easy foe. “Lady Cassidy, can I get a ride?” Donna gestured to the seat beside her where Cassidy had her empty coffee mug. She nodded, moved the mug to the back, and Donna jumped into the passenger seat. “Sure, though I think you’re making a mistake,” Cassidy said. “My sister wanted to be a duchess, bad.” “Well, she can have him. I don’t marry cheaters.” Great. She put the car in drive and rumbled down the road. Cassidy Bright’s two main jobs were computer programmer and family mess cleaner. At least her computer program helped people find love, because her other life certainly lacked the emotion. But for the ride home, she chattered with Donna and didn’t think about Remy. At the back of her mind she wasn’t sure she could be his bride, not really.