Page 95 of A Royal Mistake
“Also,” Evie said, casting her an apologetic look. “Henry’s not a stranger.”
Pippa straightened. “I don’t even know him.”
Lena frowned. “Don’t you?” she asked, eyes softening. “Knowing someone’s name isn’t the same as knowing their heart.”
“Lena’s right,” Evie chimed in. “You didn’t fall in love with Henry’s name or his titles. You fell in love with the person in here,” she said, placing a hand over her heart. She flashed a knowing grin. “Besides, people do stupid things when they’re in love. I certainly did.”
“So did Liam,” Lena said, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Pippa stared at them, incredulous. “So, you’re saying I should just forgive him?” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that?”
Lena shook her head. “Only you can decide if forgiveness is in the cards.”
“Look,” Evie interjected. “Henry should have been honest, but maybe he had a good reason for holding back. Have you talked to him about it?”
No. No, she hadn’t. She’d blown up at him and stormed out.
He’d wanted to talk, but she hadn’t been ready to hear it. Not then, anyway. It had all been… too much. A total shock to the system. But now…
Now she wasn’t sure what to think.
Maybe Lena and Evie were right. Maybe Henry had a valid reason for hiding his identity. But was she ready to hear it?
“I’m not saying what Henry did was okay,” Lena said, toying with the hem of her dress, “but you should at least hear him out. It’s not every day you make a connection like that with someone.”
She wasn’t wrong. Pippa had thought their connection was the stuff of love stories and legends, the kind of connection that only came along once in a lifetime. Or in literature.
If that were true, didn’t she owe him the chance to explain?
Yes.
The problem was, she didn’t know if she had the strength to see it through. The hurt was still too new, too raw. And facing Henry again would be like pouring salt on an open wound.
She wasn’t ready to go there. Not yet. But, despite everything, he’d held up his end of their deal. It was high time she did the same. Their relationship might be smoldering in the ashes, but he wouldn’t leave Valeria empty-handed. She’d promised to deliver a partnership with the RFV, and she would honor the commitment.
Pippa stood and went to her desk. She opened the top drawer and retrieved the VDRI pamphlet she’d stashed there weeks ago. The one she’d stuffed with color photos of her time volunteering in Tanzania. “I’ll consider talking to Henry,” she said, turning back to Lena, “if you’ll look at something for me.”
Lena shrugged. “Sure.”
She returned to the bed and handed Lena the pamphlet. The other woman scanned the cover and when she opened the flap, the pictures fell out, tumbling into her lap.
“What’s all this?” Lena asked, collecting the photos and putting them in a neat stack.
“They’re pictures from my gap year,” Pippa explained. “From my time volunteering for VDRI.”
Lena’s eyes grew round as she flipped through the pictures and Evie climbed up on the bed to look over her shoulder.
“VDRI is in trouble.” Talk about getting right to the heart of the matter. “Without a sizable cash infusion, the organization won’t be able to honor their programming commitments. Henry came to Valeria to negotiate a partnership with the RFV, but Liam has been giving him the runaround.”
Lena looked up, arching a brow. “And you want me to find out why?”
“Not exactly.” Pippa sucked in a breath. It was a big ask, and there was no sense putting it off. “I want you to convince Liam to make the deal. I’ve seen firsthand what a difference VDRI can make in developing communities, and despite everything that’s happened with Henry, I don’t want to see the organization falter. The work they’re doing is too important.”
Lena nodded and closed the pamphlet. “I can see that.”
She’d been counting on Lena’s big heart. Back in New York, her sister-in-law had provided free art classes to underprivileged children.
“So, you’ll talk to Liam?” Pippa asked, hope sparking deep in her chest.