Page 97 of Royally Redeemed
“Youloveher?”
I stopped cold. How had I just admitted that to Monique—a near stranger.
“I will keep that under wraps, as I gather you’ve never said that before?”
“Not to her, no. And not in a very long time, for certain.”
“She’s easy to love,” Monique said warmly. “Tell her when she gets out and comes to. She might surprise you.”
57
BELOVED
ELOISE
“Welcome back,” I heard as I opened my eyes.
“What happened?”
“Well, you passed out, I freaked out, we had a love child, you went to surgery, I disputed the matter of a love child, and then you woke up.”
Duncan sat in a very uncomfortable looking chair.
“We had a love child?”
“Theoretically,” Duncan said. “That was a line of reasoning for a bit. You were simultaneously the opposite of pregnant and pregnant all at once. Wild ride, huh?”
“I am so confused.
“They’ll be lots of time to talk later. For now, I can say you are lucky. Your appendix burst, they did something to remove the ick within, and now you must stay in hospital for a few days. But the important part? You’re going to be fine. And no, there is no love child.”
“Thank God.”
“It will be okay. The press went a bit mad.”
“So people… know?”
He sat back, taking a deep breath.
“What? Duncan, tell me.” Instinctively, I tried to sit up.
Duncan hopped up. “You’re not supposed to be moving. Let me put the bed up.”
He adjusted it slightly. “Mum knows… dad, too. I cannot lie to her.”
“So I’m getting sacked.”
“You’re not getting sacked! God. I got an earful from her but mainly because men in our family tend to do stupid things and she was certain I was taking advantage. And Mo called. She gave me the third degree, but it’s fine. I’m a big boy. I can take the heat.”
He squeezed my hand tight, melting me. This was the tender man I fell for, but the nagging doubt pulled me back to reality.
I sighed, “Duncan… so much is broken. I just need you to be honest. I know I’m broken, but I’m still livid and concerned about how your actions impact my future.”
“I know I’m not off the hook.” Duncan stared at our hands. “I know you are cross. You have every right to walk away?—”
“That’s gotten more difficult, hasn’t it? Due to your outburst?—”
“Ella, I care about you. It frightened me. My reaction was genuine, not calculated.”
