Page 97 of A Royal Mistake
Somehow.
“Such blind determination.” A smile tugged at the corners of the prince’s mouth. “I admit, it’s one of the qualities I most admire about you.”
“Thank you.” He turned the page and scrawled his nearly illegible signature. Just a few more pages and he could get the hell out of there. “I’m proud to be partnering with the Royal Foundation and look forward to sharing the news with my team.”
“The feeling is mutual, Prince Sebastian.”
He stiffened at the mention of his title and given name. “It’s Henry. Just Henry.”
“Of course. Forgive me.” Prince William flashed an apologetic smile. “Slip of the tongue.”
Kuhscheiße.What the hell was the prince playing at?
Henry forced a smile. “Our organizations will do a lot of good working together. I’m glad we could close the deal, despite… everything.”
The prince steepled his fingers but said nothing.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what was it that finally prompted you to accept my proposal? Knowing might save me some time in future negotiations.”
The prince smirked. “I very much doubt that will be the case, as it was my wife who convinced me.”
His wife? It explained the request to add art lessons to the children’s programming, but what the hell did the future queen have to gain from their partnership?
Confusion must’ve shown on his face because the prince continued. “Lena isn’t into material things, but she’s got a big heart. As soon as Pippa told her about the work VDRI was doing and showed her the pictures from her gap year, Lena was determined to help. And since my beautiful bride made me promise not to buy her a wedding gift, we agreed this would be the perfect way to celebrate our marriage.”
“I should’ve known this was Pippa’s doing. When she puts her mind to something, nothing can stop her.”
Verdammt. Why had he gone there? Why couldn’t he keep his big mouth shut? He wanted to take it back, but it was too late. He was committed.
“I realize it’s too little, too late, but I’d trade all the privacy in the world to get her back.”
Prince William lifted a skeptical brow. “Easy words to say, harder to live by.”
Wasn’t that the bloody truth?
“That’s fair.” Henry slowly capped his pen and returned it to his pocket, weighing his next words.In for a penny, in for a pound. “How is she doing?”
The prince studied him for a long time before answering, jaw set, eyes contemplative. He was quiet for so long, Henry thought he might not answer at all. “Why don’t you man up and ask her yourself?”
If only it were that easy.
“She isn’t taking my calls,” he said through gritted teeth. “I haven’t spoken to her. Not since the article broke.”
“We both know that’s a bullshit excuse.” The prince leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “I didn’t take you for a quitter, Henry. Tell me. Was I wrong about you this whole time?”
“I’ve never quit a damn thing in my life, but I’ve caused Pippa enough heartache.” More than enough. “If she doesn’t want to talk to me, then I’ll respect her wishes.”
Even if it hurt like hell.
It went against every instinct in his body—all of which were screaming at him to fight for his woman—but he would back off if that’s what she wanted. Pippa had suffered enough at the hands of the media. He wouldn’t add to her distress by forcing himself into her life if she didn’t want him there. After all, he was the one who’d created this mess with his lies.
If only he’d told her the truth from the beginning—
She would’ve thrown you out on your arse.
Prince William leaned back in his chair. “So let me get this straight. After everything you’ve been through and everything you’ve seen at the palace, you’re just going to sit back and watch as she marries that Spanish arsehole?”
Henry’s blood ran cold and a sheen of sweat beaded across his forehead. “Pippa will not marry that prick.”