Royal Line by Carrie Ryan (lightweight ebook reader .txt) 📗

A nervous laugh bubbled out of my throat. “What? That’s ridiculous.”

“I agree,” Aunt Rebecca said. “But it’s one of those things that was likely brought about to enforce alliances with neighboring kingdoms to ensure that there was always new royal blood.” At my stricken expression, she squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

My brother Wilder shook his head. “No, there’s no way. How in the world did this happen, and why didn’t we know?” He tilted his chin up at Roman. “You’re the king. Change the rule.”

Roman’s expression was tight, and the muscle in his jaw ticked. “You know full well I can’t just change a law. It requires the Council of Lords to vote. And they’re not due to meet for another month. Obviously, London has just turned twenty-nine. That gives us a year to figure out what to do.”

What the hell were they talking about? No way could they be entertaining any of this. A hysterical laugh bubbled up. “You guys, what the hell am I supposed to do if you can’t get the law changed? Get married, get knocked up, and have a baby just so you lot can rule? No, thank you.”

Aunt Rebecca took both my hands. “Look, it’s not going to come to that, okay? I have a plan. First, we’ll go to the Council of Lords like your brother said, okay?”

The squeeze of her hands was soothing. Calming. Ever since Mom died, Aunt Rebecca had stepped up so often to help, to keep me calm. Growing up in a family of men was difficult. But she was always there. “Look, I will make this right, okay?”

From the corner, Breck watched us all. “This is bullshit. You can’t make London have a baby. Her womb isn’t up for auction.”

Aunt Rebecca turned to him. “I know that. And you know that. But the laws are the laws, and we still need the Council of Lords to change them.”

Roman rubbed his jaw. “All right. Aunt Rebecca, can you convene an emergency council meeting? We need to resolve this quickly.”

“Yes, I will. But also, I have another solution.”

Roman’s brows drew down. “What do you mean?”

“Well, just in case, we can help London find someone.”

Breck snorted. “Have you met London? Her dating life is a disaster under the best of circumstances. What? You’re going to find a ready-made royal somewhere who is her type? Which means, really, too pretty to be useful for anything. He has to be eccentric and quirky and like going on adventures with her. Oh, and we have to approve of him. Good luck, Auntie.”

Aunt Rebecca released my hands and crossed her arms. “Well, are you offering a solution? I have someone London could meet. She’s actually met him once or twice already. He’s lovely. You spoke to him tonight, even.”

Roman’s eyes went wide. “You’re serious? You’re proposing we marry London off?”

“Well, none of you seem to be doing your duty. And Roman, honestly, I know how difficult things have been for you. But you left it too long, and now it’s up to your sister. Can any of you have a baby?”

My brothers all shuffled on their feet. Assholes. “Aunt Rebecca, I love you, but it’s not happening.” I gestured toward my lower belly. “Nothing is coming to live here. It’s inhospitable. Babies don’t go well with photojournalism.”

She gave me a soft smile. “I know. But we are in a tight spot now. We’ll try and get the law changed, but we need to prepare ourselves while we still can.”

Roman shook his head. “London, don’t worry. We’ll make sure this doesn’t happen.”

“Roman, I appreciate you wanting to protect her,” Aunt Rebecca said. “But you have to understand, since an emergency appeal was put forth, she has to show that she’s taking this seriously. Otherwise, the Council of Lords will be against her. If she’s making no effort, there are those on the Council who will think that you’re trying to skirt them.”

Roman lifted a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “I am trying to skirt them.”

“You can’t. Or at least you can’t be seen as doing so. We have to follow the rules until we can get them changed or re-assessed. London, it’s in your best interest to announce your engagement posthaste.”

My jaw unhinged. “Engagement?”

“Well, yes. If you meet the duke and he’s at least good-looking enough for you, we can start those proceedings and then show good faith… Like you know the rule, you understand the rule, and you’re willing to play ball. And then when we get it changed, you won’t have to get married.”

“I’m not marrying someone I don’t love.”

She sighed. “Sweetheart, you know full well that many royal marriages are not about love.”

“I’m the girl. I don’t have to fulfill the duty. It’s Roman’s job. And Breck is right behind him. Why do I have to be involved? You can’t sell me off to the highest bidder.”

Aunt Rebecca huffed. “I’m not selling you. We have hard truths to deal with right now. What else can we do?”

Breck gasped. “Wait, so the next line, that’s...bloody Barkley?”

Aunt Rebecca winced. “I think everyone in this room knows what would happen to the throne if my son sat on it.”

My brothers all grimaced. Another hysterical laugh bubbled out of me. “Jesus Christ, is this for real?”

My aunt nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.”

My brothers and I just stared at each other miserably.

“Look, I’m going to go speak to some of the lords in attendance and let them know we need to have an emergency session in the morning. Roman, you might as well get some notes prepared on why we’re not going to allow this to occur. Even offer up Wilder and Breck if you have to. Something. Anything. We have to stop this.”

Tears welled in my eyes. There was no fucking way. I was not getting engaged to some random duke, and I was certainly not having a baby. I had plans. Things I needed to do.