Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 141385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Is there any way to stop this?”
“I think that’s a question you should ask your fiancée. She’s probably expecting something like this. She’s guessed all their moves rather accurately to this point.”
“Mm. She had a rough time at the Sinclair house earlier, though, and I’d rather not put her through any more pain that absolutely necessary.”
“That ice queen can feel emotional pain?”
“Alec,” I say darkly, my arms tightening protectively around Hattie.
He holds up his hands, smirking. “I’m joking. I know she’s a softie under all her bravado. But Rosalyn Sinclair is coming for her—openly, too. She’s determined to pressure the royal household into changing your fiancée to Jasmine, despite everything you’ve said about it never happening. Marina believes she’s going to throw a lot of shit at Harriet. It’s no longer a sneaky little stitch up from Jasmine. It’s an all-out attack from Rosalyn. As soon as something sticks, she’s going to run with it... and Harriet dared her to come for her.”
Of course, she did. “I’m going to kill Rosalyn.”
“Your fiancée may have something to say about that.”
“Fine. I’m going to help Hattie kill her.”
“That’s the spirit, Finn. Support your wife’s murderous ambitions.”
I smirk. “You’re one of my best friends, and I’d help her murder you if that’s what she really wanted.”
“I don’t doubt it,” he says dryly. “Anything you want me to do?”
“Yeah. Get her proof of Rosalyn’s prior affair with William.”
Alex pauses. “You mean of Jasmine’s parentage, right?”
“If that’s the evidence you happen to come across.” I smile tightly. “Whatever you find, make sure it hits harder than anything Rosalyn can come up with.”
“Sounds like fun.” He gets up with a smirk. “I’ll see what I can find out and come back tomorrow.”
I nod once and turn my attention back to Harriet. Seeing he’s getting no more out of me tonight, Alec heads for the door and makes his escape. The door clicks shut behind him, and I cradle Hattie’s head to my chest, kissing the top of her head.
De-legitimatise her?
In favour of her illegitimate daughter? Who stands no chance at marrying me?
How fucking delusional are they? When will they give up? Why won’t they give up?
Anger sparks across my skin.
She fucking wishes.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE – HATTIE
The classic ‘breaking news’ music rings through the room, followed by the newsreaders’ stoic tone. “Sensational news has broken overnight that Harriet Sinclair, the future Crown Princess, may not be who she says she is. The story was published online by the St Peters Herald, who claim to have evidence that supports the fact she is not the biological daughter of William and the late Francesca Sinclair. Erika Greene is outside the Royal Palace in St Peters. Erika, what can you tell us about this shocking news?”
“Well, Cassandra, not much I’m afraid. The Herald have said they won’t be sharing their alleged evidence publicly until they’ve received a reply from the Palace, but everything seems to be in lockdown here. All requests for a statement have been refused or ignored, and it’s not just us. Many other news stations and journalists are camped outside waiting to hear something, but nobody can get a response. It’s radio silent.”
I sip my green tea from my bed and stretch out my legs, circling my ankles to wake up my feet. Across the room on the sofa, Rowan peels an orange. Outside, a bird sings its little song from its perch on a vibrantly blossoming tree.
Objectively speaking, it’s the perfect early spring morning.
“Do we have any idea where this allegation has come from?”
“None, as of yet,” Erika replies to the newsreader in the studio. “As I said, the Herald are keeping their cards close to their chest. Rumour has it they didn’t want to publish the story until there was a response from the Palace, but their hand was forced when another paper got hold of the story.”
“Do we have any idea who they’re claiming the crown-princess-in-waiting really is?”
“No. Nothing more than she isn’t Harriet Sinclair. Of course, she went missing when she was seven years old, and her disappearance was extensively covered due to her mother’s close friendship with Her Majesty the Queen. A body was found and identified as her a couple of years later, and her family believed her to be buried. Although, sources close to her say Francesca Sinclair refused to accept it and died believing her daughter was still alive. Without exhuming the body of that child and conducting a DNA test, there’s no way to know if it is for sure Harriet Sinclair.”
“What about the Sinclair family? Have they responded to any requests for comment?”
“None. Much like the Palace, the Sinclair family and those closest to them have refused to speak to the media. There have been some off-the-record comments from sources claiming to be close to them about how Rosalyn and Jasmine Sinclair apparently had their reservations when Harriet quietly reappeared two years ago, and her surprise engagement to Crown Prince Finley forced them to revisit the possibility of her true identity. There’s a good chance this could be the results of those concerns.”