The Heir and the Spare (4 page)

It was killing me not knowing who he was. I couldn't take it anymore. “Singer?”

“What?” He looked at me, brows lowered.

“Are you a singer?”

He burst into laughter. “No. I absolutely cannot carry a tune.”

“Any type of musician then?”

“No, good try though.”

“Oh come on, won't you just tell me? I'm a Type A personality. I'm not going to be able to stop thinking about this until I figure it out.”

“Ah,” he said, his eyes lighting up. “So, you admit you'll be thinking about me nonstop then, will you?” He leaned close, his eyes on the same level as mine, and gave me an irresistible grin.

A flash of heat settled in my cheeks. “Oh yes, I freely admit it. Except I'll also be cursing you the whole time.” I smirked and pushed against his shoulders, making him take a step back.

“I'm sure you will.” He laughed, brushing up against me, hands in his pockets.

No matter how much I wanted to deny it, the more time I spent with Edmund, the more I liked him.
Really
liked him.

“Model?”

“Do you think I'm good-looking enough to be a model?”

“You're not too terribly bad on the eyes,” I flirted back. “Is that it then? Am I right?”

“Despite my dashing looks—” He playfully posed. “I'm not a model.”

“Rats. I'll get it, just you wait.” Normally this sort of game would irritate the shit out of me, but with Edmund it was fun and flirty. I was enjoying myself.

“I never doubted you,” he said and walked me to my next class.

Pulling out my phone, I snapped a picture of myself frowning in front of a Starbucks sign. It made me think of Dad. We were the Gray in
Gray's Coffee
back in Seattle. With a chuckle, I sent it to Dad as a text:
I think you have a franchise opportunity here.

“What are you doing?” Edmund watched me curiously as we walked back from our last class, which we ended up having together.

“Just sending a picture to my dad.”

“Of the Starbucks logo?” He looked puzzled.

“No, well, yes. I was just telling him about a business opportunity.” I put my phone away.

He shook his head. “That makes no sense, but okay.”

“We own a coffee chain in Seattle. Starbucks is our main competitor.” I gestured to the circular logo on the wall. “You could really use a Gray's Coffee here.”

“Ah, now I see.” He nodded.

Walking on, Edmund told me about his classical history course. His baritone voice was borderline hypnotic. If he wanted to talk all day, I wouldn't complain.

We neared the residence hall, and needing my key, I reached in my bag to dig for it. My fingers brushed against the packet of Mom's letters. They reminded me of my next task.

This is the perfect time. I should ask him now.
My nerves sparked rapid-fire and an uneasiness encompassed me. I wasn't sure I could do this. My palms were sweaty and my head light.

“Um, I-I'm not sure what your plans are this weekend . . .” My hands motioned as I spoke. “But I was thinking of heading into London . . . do some touristy things, Big Ben, Parliament, and the like.”

“That sounds like fun.” He tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

I cleared my throat. “Would you be interested in coming with me? I really don't want to go alone.”

My heart stopped beating as Edmund stared at me.
Shit. What do I say if he says no?
I should've thought this through more.

Then he nodded. “While we're there we can catch a museum, too.”

“Perfect. Maybe by then I'll have figured out who you are.” My heart was doing somersaults and my cheeks were hurting from trying not to smile too big.

We stopped outside the dorms and he kicked at a loose pebble on the sidewalk. “Well, I'll see you later. I've got to round everyone up for this do tonight.”

“Right, have fun. Later.” I smiled and scampered up to my room.

Hot damn! He said yes.
I threw myself on the bed and buried my squeals in my pillow. When I couldn't hold my breath any longer I flipped over and stared at the ceiling, grinning like a fool.
I love Oxford.

With a dreamy sigh I went to my desk. My to-do pile was already overwhelming. At least there'll be study sessions with Edmund. Well, I sure hope there will be. My mind drifted. Us, alone, in a quiet room.
I wonder what his lips feel like?
I closed my eyes, imagining. Soft, full, and warm . . . mmm. I giggled and stood, abandoning my desk.

Remote in hand, I climbed onto the bed and flicked the TV on. I clearly needed to unwind before I could concentrate on homework. Mindlessly, I zipped through the channels.

Wait, was that Edmund?

I stopped and backtracked. Edmund's face flashed across the screen.

The female news anchor was mid-story. “. . . continuing his studies as classes resumed today . . .”

One after another, pictures of Edmund streamed over the TV. A photo of him from behind, walking with a girl popped up.

Is that . . .
“No way!”
That's me.

“Why aren't you ready?” Edmund stood in my now-open doorway in a dark suit, giving me a once over.

It was after seven and I had no intention of going out. The homework spread across my bed had been my evening activity. I definitely hadn't planned on seeing
him
tonight.

I knew exactly who he was.

He was the spare heir to the British throne.

That little shit.
I wasn't sure how to behave. My discovery shouldn't change things, but it did. Honestly, I didn't know what to think. Staring at him, I wished I'd phoned Abby earlier. I could use some advice.

But it was too late for that. Here he was,
Prince
Edmund Stuart, standing in front of me. Staring.

“Evie?”

I shook my head. “Sorry, what did you say?”

“You should be ready to go.”

My eyebrows lowered in confusion. “Where am I going?”

“To dinner with us, of course.”

“Oh.” I stepped back.
Dinner with royalty? Me?
“I didn't realize I was invited.”

Edmund entered my room and leaned down, leveling our faces. “Of course you're invited. You're part of the group now.”

He was so close. I inhaled deeply.
Mmm, clean soap and sunshine.
My knees wobbled, as if they'd been replaced with Jell-o. “Oh.”

That's right, Evie. Keep it eloquent.

Edmund's eyes softened. “You, um . . .” He reached out, brushing a long curl over my shoulder. “There's a fuzzy in your hair.”

Warm fingers lightly grazed my neck, making me dizzy. I leaned against the wall, trying to stay standing.
Breathe. Need to breathe.

He pulled his hand back, cleared his throat, and looked away. “Everyone's downstairs. Um, how much time do you think you'll need to get ready?” He stepped away, putting some space between us.

“Ten or fifteen minutes, I suppose.”

“Great, see you in a bit.” He raked a hand through his hair and excused himself.

With a squeal of delight, I sprinted to my wardrobe and pulled out my little black dress. Edmund looked incredible in his suit, so dressing up was essential.

I slipped into my dress and spun around, struggling to reach the zipper. Once on, it fell snugly below my knees.

At the mirror, I powdered my shiny spots, perked up my eye shadow to enhance the green of my eyes, and slapped on some lip gloss. I only had time to run a brush through my hair and tie it in a low, messy bun.

Brimming with excitement, I beamed at myself. Then I remembered: Jax, the girl everyone hated. The girl who wanted Edmund for herself. The girl with his parents' stamp of approval.
If they want them together there has to be something special about her.
Self-consciousness seeped into the crevices my excitement had just dribbled out of.

I stuck my tongue out at my reflection. “He's totally off-limits and way out of your league.” The news anchor only confirmed it. I turned away, stepped into my nude heels, and grabbed my silver clutch. Time to join the gang.

Pushing the stairwell door open, I immediately saw Edmund. He stood by the front exit, the light of the sunset streaming in behind him
.

“Evie, you look smashing. How did you get ready so quick?” Suzy left the group by the double doors and joined me.

I tore my gaze from Edmund and shrugged. “I just threw on whatever.”

“Well, you look great.”

“Thanks, so do you,” I said. She wore a short crimson dress and, aside from her scowl, she looked gorgeous.

“Can we go already? I just want to get this night over with,” Caroline huffed as she walked outside with Marissa following.

“Let's go.” Suzy went to the doors, staring at Edmund on her way out. I wasn't certain, but I suspected she had a thing for him, too. Nothing but trouble can come when two girls like the same guy.

Still standing by the stairs, I glanced at Edmund. He abruptly averted his eyes from me and said something to Preston.

Nodding, Preston blew out a resigned breath and jogged to catch up to the girls. “Tally ho.”

Edmund walked toward me, a small smile playing on his lips. “Evie, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Warmth spread up my neck and settled into my cheeks. “You look very handsome, yourself.”

“Shall we?” He gestured toward the door.

Outside, a sleek black Town Car was parked at the curb. A chauffeur stood holding the door.
Holy cow.
This was so out of my realm of experience. The last time I'd ridden in a chauffeured car I was ten and I'd been forced into an ugly orange flower girl dress for my uncle's wedding. I still hated those pictures. Orange on a redhead, so not okay.

I stopped walking, glancing at him.
This is his normal.
Our worlds couldn't be further apart.
How the hell did I get here?

“You okay?” He paused beside me.

“Yeah, sorry.” I shook my head and went to the car.

Offering his hand, Edmund helped me in, then sat beside me.

“No, Christopher Eccleston was the best Doctor.” Preston shook his head at Suzy.

She stood her ground. “Matt Smith is.”

I sat back and watched them go back and forth before I intervened. “You're both wrong. David Tennant was the best, hands down.”

Preston's eyes lit up when he looked at me. “You're a
Doctor Who
fan?”

I nodded with a grin.

“Trust me, don't get him started. You'll never get him to stop.” Edmund rolled his eyes and looked out the window. The car left the dorm behind and merged onto the city streets.

Making a face at Edmund, Preston gave me a thumbs-up and went back to his squabble with Suzy.

I noticed Marissa and Caroline deep in conversation. I couldn't make out what they were talking about, but Marissa's hand rested on Caroline's knee; she didn't seem to mind.

Edmund remained silent, staring out his window. I leaned so I could see his reflection in the glass; he didn't look happy. His eyes snapped up and met mine.

“You seem deep in thought,” I said as I leaned back.

“Not that deep.” Edmund turned, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I was just thinking how much I'm going to owe Preston.”

“Because he's stuck with Jax's friend?” I glanced at Preston, who winked at me.

Edmund nodded. “He's never met Kelsey. He has no clue what he's in for.”

“What's so horrible about her?”

“It's not one thing, really. Jax and her friends are . . . difficult. They all have ti—” He stopped and looked at me. With a smile, he shook his head. “Let's just say they consider themselves better than everyone else.”

“So they're
titled
, then? Like you,
Prince
Edmund.” I don't know how I didn't recognize him. I'd seen him and his brother on magazine covers all my life. He must think I'm an idiot.

His eyes widened and he laughed. “You figured it out. I knew you would.”

“With the help of the evening news anchor.” Pictures of us as we'd walked around campus had peppered the screen. “Only my second week in England and I've already wound up on the news.”

The gravelly voiced anchor had questioned who I was and planted the seed that I was possibly the prince's new love interest.
Don't I wish.

Edmund looked sheepish. “I should probably tell you, those around me tend to spend some time in the press.”

“Yeah, kinda figured that out.” I chuckled.

“I'm sorry. I should've warned you.” The light in his eyes faded and he yanked at his tie with a finger.

“Don't worry about it.”

With a sigh, he turned to the window again.

“Why do you hang out with them?” I asked, hoping to pull him back to our original conversation.

“Who?” he asked as he angled himself to me again.

“Jax and her friends.”

Edmund studied the palm of his hand. “You could say we're forced together because of our families. I'm obligated to maintain a friendly . . . relationship with them.”

He buttoned his top two coat buttons as the car slowed. Falling silent, he wouldn't meet my eyes.

I placed my hand on his arm, wanting to connect with him. He looked where my hand rested.

Softly, so I wouldn't be overheard, I asked, “Obligation isn't the only reason you're her friend, right?”

Edmund's eyes blazed into mine. Leaning near my ear, he softly said, “Unfortunately, it is.”

Before I could respond, the car came to a stop and the door flew open. Flashbulbs popped and the paparazzi lining the entrance shouted at us. Edmund's bodyguards led the way. He followed past the photogs, not stopping for pictures.