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Chapter 8

Author: IRIS MORLAND
last update Last Updated: 2021-10-03 18:34:43
At breakfast three days after the artist scholarship event, I nearly choked on a bite of egg when Niamh said to me, “I need to talk to my dad first.”

We’d discovered through our own contacts that Connor Gallagher was, in fact, sniffing around the press. He’d hinted that he possessed information worth its weight in gold and that he was willing to sell that information for a tidy sum. 

I hadn’t been surprised that Niamh’s father continued to be a conniving bastard. He wasn’t about to keep the secret that I was a bastard to himself, not when he could profit off of it.

I’d informed Laurent and the palace press office immediately that Connor Gallagher claimed to have information that could damage the royal family. I’d been tempted to disclose what that information was, but I’d decided it was better that the fewer people who knew the truth, the better.

“You want to talk to him first,” I repeated slowly. “Why?”

“Because I want to understand why he’s doing this. And I want to see if
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    I’d been to too many formal dinners and luncheons to count. I’d attended ones with dozens of foreign dignitaries, politicians, and other royals. I’d met people who’d been so obvious about gaining my family’s favor that I’d felt slimy afterward. I’d seen prime ministers who’d not understood royal protocol, even one being so obtuse as to take my mother’s hand and shake it, which was not at all the thing.But all of those events paled in comparison to this informal family dinner my parents, my wife, and I were suffering through. Conversation was stilted, the sounds of eating and drinking filling the silences.My father sat at the head of the table as protocol dictated, my mother to his left. I sat at his right, while Niamh sat next to me. More than once, I’d caught Niamh’s gaze, wanting to apologize for the awkwardness. She’d merely wrinkled her nose at me and bit back a smile.I couldn’t help but notice that my mother seemed thinner than normal. She barely touched her food

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    I didn’t have time to wallow in my frustration with my parents for long. After the arduous dinner was finally over, it took all of five minutes for Niamh to come bursting into my room without even a knock.I was in the process of unbuttoning my shirt when Niamh opened the door to the adjoining room. I cocked an eyebrow at her.“Did you need something, wife?”She didn’t take the bait. “I can’t find the cat or the kittens. I’ve looked everywhere.”Considering how large the palace was, I doubted she’d truly looked everywhere. Just thinking about where those cats could’ve gone gave me an instant headache.“I’m sure they’re fine,” I said. “Aren’t cats self-sufficient?”“I’m just worried they got outside. What if something happens to them?”“They were born outside. They’d probably be happier out there.”Niamh growled, frustration marring her features. “I know you don’t care about the cats, but I’m not about to let them get hurt after bringing them here. Besides, it wouldn’t be good i

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    It was early hours when I awoke. Rain was falling softly against the window. Yawning, I glanced at the clock: five a.m. I wouldn’t need to be awake for another two hours.I considered going back to sleep, but then Niamh opened her eyes. She stared up at me, her gaze hazy, like she wasn’t sure who I was.“Bonjour,” I said, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead.She yawned widely. “What time is it? Oh God, it’s way too early to be awake.” She turned over and hugged a pillow closely. “Wake me up at a reasonable hour.”“So, noon?”“I don’t sleep in that late.”“Oh, then eleven a.m.”I could hear her rolling her eyes. I slung an arm over her waist, capturing her hand in mine. I kissed her ear then blew a raspberry against her shoulder.“Go away! You’re annoying.” She pushed me away, albeit half-heartedly. Our struggle soon devolved into a wrestle match that I won within ten seconds.My wife now pinned beneath me, I had both of her wrists in my grip. “You were

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    A coffee addict and cat lover, USA Today bestselling author Iris Morland writes sparkling, swoon-worthy romances, including the Flower Shop Sisters and the Love Everlasting series.If she's not reading or writing, she enjoys binging on Netflix shows and cooking something delicious.Sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases, sales, and exclusive giveaways! Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram

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