The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(88)

“I will.”

“And for the record”—his face takes on an edge of repulsion—“that Haydon dude is cruising for a bruising.”

“He’s misguided,” I sigh in his defense. “It’s not his fault. Plus, he is dealing with some family problems. Don’t be too harsh.”

Damon pulls the door open, and I hop out, brushing down my dress. “A bank?” I question him dryly. “You horror.”

“You forget, ma’am, I was in Mr. Jameson’s suite that night, too. He deserved his chance to explain. The man’s been shafted.”

“But by whom? Nothing has been mentioned from the top about Josh.”

“I’m aware of that,” Damon muses, clearly as mystified as me as we wander toward the field.

“I don’t know what to do.” My fingers twiddle with the tassels on my bag.

“For now, you smile.” He nudges me in the shoulder and my smile pops onto my face as if by magic. “Oh, and you should know, Felix really was looking for you. I told him you were MIA.”

“Seems plausible,” I say on a light laugh. “What did he want?”

“The call he got earlier was security on the gate. Gerry Rush was trying to get into the club.”

That magic smile drops away like a rock. “What?” I can’t take any more. What the hell is wrong with him? He’s married, for God’s sake.

Damon’s eyebrows are scarily high. “Mr. Rush was demanding to see you. He soon departed, mind you, when Felix waved a few photographs under his nose.”

I feel myself shrink. But there we have it. Threats come first, then action should warnings not be heeded. My family’s army of advisors can’t possibly be responsible for the wreck that was Josh’s suite. It’s not how they operate. After being summoned to the palace, Josh would have received a polite stay away. It’s of no consequence that Josh would never take notice of a threat, nor would I obey my father’s demand. The point is, neither of those things happened. They would never jump straight into fixing a problem that may not need that much fixing. This is hurting my head.

“Just be careful, ma’am,” Damon offers gently, nodding past me to give me the heads-up that we soon won’t be alone.

Matilda joins us, falling into stride beside me as Damon drops back. “I’m not even going to ask,” she says snootily. “I’m offended by your lack of trust in me.”

The game is now over, the riders all dismounted and shaking hands. “He was set up. It was Josh’s room, but he wasn’t there when it was trashed.” I keep my eyes set on the field before me. “It happened while he was at an after-party. But the night they’re claiming it was done, I was with him all night. He’s been set up.” I peek out the corner of my eye to gauge her reaction.

My cousin is looking at me like I could be a unicorn pissing rainbows. “What?” she chokes, a little too loudly for my liking.

“Keep it down.” I link arms with her and start walking around the outskirts of the field, out of earshot of everyone.

“I don’t know what question to ask first,” she admits. “Wait, yes I do. You spent all night in Josh Jameson’s suite?”

“Yes.” I can’t help the smile that creeps up on me, my mind giving me a lovely replay of that night. And just now, back in the car when he laid it all out for me. He leads, I follow. It seems so natural.

“And you’re not falling for him?” Her glare dares me to deny it.

“I’ve fallen so hard I’m black and blue.” I laugh on the inside at the irony of that statement. My body has never been in such a terrible state, yet my heart has never been in a better state. As for my head, I haven’t the first idea how to deal with the state of that.

“Oh my goodness, Adeline.”

“I do not need you to tell me what a mess I am in, Matilda. Please.”

“No, you don’t. You have photographs of Josh’s hotel suite to tell you that.”

“That’s just it. I don’t think the wonderful institution that is our family is responsible. Only you, Eddie, Kim, and Damon know, and I trust you all wholeheartedly. Besides, they would never steamroll in and tackle a problem so brutally, not without the mundane warnings first.”

“Who else would want to paint Josh in such a terrible light?”

“I don’t know.” We come to a stop on the opposite side of the field, and I scan the crowds, my eyes falling on my father, who is flanked on all sides by close protection. “The King would never be able to hold back on berating me if he knew I had been keeping company with Josh Jameson, and he sure as hell wouldn’t allow Josh here today.”

“True,” Matilda agrees, lowering to the grass.

I join her, picking at the blades, observing the people waiting in line to lick my father’s boots.

“There’s your lover.” My cousin jars my forearm with a flick of her elbow.

I look to where she’s discreetly indicating and follow Josh’s path until he reaches Senator Jameson, who greets him with a firm slap to the shoulder before walking him over to my father. I watch, rapt. Matilda is quickly holding my arm tightly, equally as interested, and maybe nervous, too. My mind only bends more when the King gives Josh a friendly smile, taking his hand and shaking it firmly. I witness only civility in my father’s countenance. Then they’re laughing, all three of them, sealing my conclusion.