Page 99 of A Royal Mistake

Still, despite the pain loving Henry had brought, she’d always be grateful for his guidance. Without his help, she’d still be scrambling to sort out her business plan and she certainly wouldn’t have seven investor meetings on the calendar.Seven.

That had to be some kind of record.

So, yes, he’d hurt her, but she couldn’t deny he’d also helped her.

Unlike Their Majesties, who were still determined to see her engaged, despite her broken heart. Like she could just fall in love all over again. As if she’d even want to.

She was done with love. From here on out, it was work, work, work.

Lord knew she had plenty of it.

And the sooner she could duck out of this party, the sooner she could get back to it.

A gentle tap on her shoulder pulled her from her thoughts.

Bloody hell. Is five minutes of peace really too much to ask?

She was so over needy toffs and gossip mongering socialites. Pippa closed her eyes, counted to three, and fixed a wide smile on her face before turning to meet her fate.

When she opened her eyes, she stood face-to-face with Henry. He smiled wide, revealing the dimples that erased all rational thought and her traitorous heart did a two-step. She gave him a slow once over, verifying her eyes—and the bubbly—weren’t playing tricks on her.

But, no, it was Henry in all his sexy-as-sin hotness.

Pippa’s belly quivered, whether from nerves or anticipation, she couldn’t say.

Why did he have to be so bloody handsome?

Dressed in a crisp white jacket, a black bowtie, and black trousers, Henry stood out from the crowd. Aside from the wait staff, he was the only one not wearing blue and gold, but she wouldn’t hold it against him. Not when they had other, more pressing issues to resolve.

Like the fact that he was definitelynoton the invite list.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded through a tight-lipped smile. “I was rather hoping to get through the night without attracting the attention of the populars.”

“You wouldn’t take my calls.”

“And you took that as an invitation to show up unannounced?” Pippa narrowed her eyes. “Speaking of invitations, how did you get past the palace guard?”

“Snuck in with the caterers.” He winked at her and his white jacket took on a whole new meaning. “I would’ve been here sooner, but I had to pass a tray of canapés to gain access to the gardens.”

Pippa arched a brow, doing her damnedest to appear unaffected by the sweet gesture. “Clearly, I need to have a word with palace security.”

“Just hear me out.” Henry took her hand in his, wrapping her fingers in his warmth. “Please.”

Her resolve faltered. Didn’t she at least owe him a chance to explain? Lena and Evie seemed to think so, but she wasn’t so sure. He’d lied to her and broken her trust.

Not to mention her heart.

“Please, Pippa.” He stepped closer and she could feel the heat radiating off his body in waves. It reminded her of all the nights they’d spent in his suite, wrapped up in one another. Of the last night they’d spent at his flat. Of how she’d blindly given him her heart, only to have it smashed to bits.

“I— You lied to me, Henry. Sebastian. Whatever the hell your name is.” She pulled her hand free of his grip. “I don’t even know you.”

He flinched. “I suppose I deserve that.” He nodded, brows pulled low, as if considering his next words. “I fucked up. I see that now. I should have told you about my family from the start, but I never lied to you.”

“A lie of omission is still a lie,” she said, keeping her voice low so as not to be overheard. “Or did your tutors skip that lesson?”

“I wanted to tell you. I thought about it so many times.” He reached for her hand again just as a firework shrieked across the sky, its golden tail leaving a glittering trail before it exploded with a resounding boom.

The explosion was followed by two more in quick succession. One bright blue, one a sparkling white that lit up the night sky as far as the eye could see.