CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE – HATTIE
There’s a certain shift to the air whenever Finn is around. I’ve not quite pinpointed it yet, but I always know when he’s coming because something simply ripples through the very oxygen I breathe.
More than a chill, but less than a warmth.
A peculiar mix of regality and softness that comforts me in a way only my heart truly understands.
That’s how I know he’s standing in the doorway without me having to look up. How I know he’s been watching me for the past few minutes without saying a word.
“You know,” I say, flicking through the photos I’ve taken of the palace grounds over the past few days. “I am a photographer. If you’d like to stare at me, a photo might be a little less creepy. I’m not great at self-portraits, but I’ll give it a go.”
His deep laugh rings through the room, and he finally pushes away from the door when I look up. “But a photo won’t show me all the cute little expressions you make when you’re concentrating.”
“Your insistence upon calling me cute is nauseating. Cute is for babies and bunnies.”
“And you when you bite the corner of your lip when you concentrate.” He cups my chin as he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “What are you focusing on so diligently, anyway?”
“Nothing important. I’ve been exploring the palace gardens over the last few days, and I took my camera. Do you want to see?”
“Of course.”
“Grab a chair, then.”
“I have a better idea.” He yanks my chair back, pulls me up, then steals my seat. Before I can muster up a response, he tugs me down onto his lap and clamps his arms around my waist.
“This is childish,” I mutter.
He rests his chin on my shoulder with a, “Hmm,” and squeezes me a little tighter.
Fine.
Whatever.
I do like it when he touches me.
Nestled on his lap, I take control of the mouse and flick through the photos.
We stay like this for the next ten or so minutes as he explores the familiar gardens through my lens, and every other photo has a little anecdote or story that makes me smile.
Memories of years gone by, little flashes of what life could be if one had a real childhood.
“I’m jealous,” I murmur. “My memories are nothing like yours.”
His fingers twitch against my waist. “We’ll make new ones. Better ones. I’ll give you all those memories you wish for and the ones you never dreamt of.”
“Those are big promises.”
“Big, but not impossible.” He presses a kiss to the side of my neck. “And our children will never want for anything. We’ll give them the most magical childhood. Memories like mine. Two parents who love them. All the stability and certainty you could ever dream of.”
Something fizzles through my veins.
Something that feels an awful lot like hope.
He kisses my neck again before he says, “I’m afraid I have something to tell you that might ruin your day.”
“I can’t have anything nice, can I?” I groan and spin in his hold. “What is it?”
“I spoke to your father.”
“I suppose someone must.” I cradle his face with my hands, squeezing his cheeks slightly. “What did he say?”
“He wants you to visit. He hasn’t seen you since the party.”
I wrinkle my nose up, letting my hands fall to rest on his chest. “Ugh. As much as I hate it, he’s right. I do need to show my face. It’ll give me a chance to get the rest of my things, too.”
“It’s not going to be fun,” Finn warns, a shadow passing across his gaze. “It’s been a few weeks, but I get the impression they’re not going to let our relationship go.”
“They’ll never let it go,” I reply. “We could be married for twenty years, and they’ll still hold a grudge.”
“Mm. Well, that’s unfortunate for them.” He pauses and tilts his head to the side. “You don’t have to go if you aren’t comfortable. We can send people to get your belongings.”
“No, it’s fine. He’s right. I really should show my face.” I sigh, sinking back into his embrace. “At least then they can’t say I’ve abandoned them. And I suppose I will look rather magnanimous if I show up after Jasmine hit me.”
He pauses. “Look at you, always thinking ahead.”
“Well, I am very concerned about my image.”
“And theirs, if I recall.”
“Oh, yes. How people perceive my multimillionaire father, his mistress, and their secret daughter is very important to me.” A tiny laugh escapes out of me.
“No, it’s fine. I need to get it over with.
They’re going to interrogate me no matter what, so the sooner, the better.
I’ve already dragged this out too long.”
Finn grunts. “Don’t let them bully you. You don’t have to play the obedient little daughter anymore, you know that, right?”
“I know.” I kiss his cheek. “How else do you think I made Jasmine hit me?”
“Please don’t remind me. It pisses me off every time I think about her laying hands on you. Especially since there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Yes, well, she’ll get what’s coming to her. They all will.” I cup his handsome face and brush the tip of my nose against his.
“Mm.” His hold on me tightens slightly. “Just walk in there knowing they’re going to try to hurt you.
I fully expect them to still try to use your trust fund against you, and whatever you say to them is going to be turned back on you.
Even though we’ve made it clear I’ll never marry Jasmine, it could be that they switch gears from her becoming my wife to stopping you at all costs. ”
“If they have any sense, they won’t.” I pause. “Then again, that’s asking a lot of them. Now I know Rosalyn was definitely involved in what happened to me, I hold the cards.”
“Do you think your father knows?”
“No. There are many, many things I could say about him, but I truly don’t think he would have married her or let her do any of the things she has if he knew she was partially responsible.
He may have been unfaithful to my mother, but he did love us.
Well, he loved me. Not to mention his appearance really is everything to him. ”
“He’s doing a terrible job of that right now.”
“Why do you think he wants me going over to the house? People caught his reaction during the announcement of the engagement, and the fact Jasmine and I had a public altercation... The Sinclair family doesn’t look good right now.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he was facing some pressure from investors, either. ”
“Good point. Want me to find out?”
“Can you do that?”
“Oscar can.” Finn’s lips curve into a smile that makes his eyes twinkle. “And if he can’t, Alec can.”
I tilt my head to the side. “True. I’m learning that there isn’t much he can’t find out.”
“Best not to think about it too much.” He trails his finger down to my thigh where he draws tiny circles with his fingertip. “When are you going to your father’s house, then? I can have someone arrange it all.”
“Tonight.”
He freezes. “Tonight?”
“Yes. He wants me to come, and when better than in a few hours?”
“Harriet...”
“Don’t Harriet me like that.” I pull back and squish his face again. “The worst thing one can do in battle is give your enemy an advantage. Why would I schedule a visit so they can plot and scheme against me when I can show up out of the blue and catch them off guard?”
He holds his stillness for a moment longer before sagging into a long exhale. “Tonight it is, then. Just... don’t do anything drastic.”
“I can’t promise that.”
“Fine. If you are going to do something drastic, hide in the bathroom and call me first. Then do it.”
I grin. “What a wonderful compromise.”
***
“Harriet.” My father’s blue eyes widen at the sight of me at the front door. “What are you doing here?”
I blink innocently at him. “Finn said you asked him to pass on a message for me to visit. He told me earlier, so here I am. Is it a problem?”
He glances at the guards behind me, his cheeks paling. “Of course not. You’re my daughter, and this is your home.”
No.
“Is... Everyone coming in?”
Sophia clears her throat from just behind me. “We’re also here to collect the rest of Miss Sinclair’s belongings, Mr Sinclair. It would be greatly appreciated if you would permit us access. We won’t intrude on your family time.”
“Oh, yes. Yes, of course.” He turns back to me. “You should have told me you were coming. I would have made sure everything was packed.”
I wave my hand. “I took the most personal things with me before I moved into the palace, so it’s not a big deal. Is there anyone who could help them?”
“Yes, I can make that happen. Marina, is it? She’s been looking after your room since you... Well, since you left.” He smiles tightly, and his displeasure is evident in the slight narrowing of his eyes.
I love that girl.
“Thanks, Dad.” I tuck some hair behind my ear, smiling brightly. “Are you sure I’m not interrupting?”
“Of course not. Like I said, this is your home.”
“Then can I come in instead of standing out here on the doorstep like a cold caller?”
He flinches, then takes a deliberate step back. “I apologise. Come in, come in.” He spins away before I cross the threshold and grabs the nearest maid, instructing her to find Marina. She glances at me with wide eyes before scurrying off with a nod.
I gaze around the hallway.
Not a single thing here has changed. It is what it always has been—a shrine to Jasmine. A place you’d enter and, if you knew nothing about the family, you’d think only one daughter existed. You’d be forgiven for never knowing my name.
After all, that was the whole point for Rosalyn.
To wipe me from existence.
Unfortunately for her, I have far too much vigour for that.
Okay, fine. Spite. I have too much spite.
“Harriet.” The woman in question walks out of the living room and stops dead. “What a... lovely surprise,” she says, her tone a mix of hesitance and shock that says it’s anything but.
I peek around Dad’s side and give her my best smile. “Finn passed on a message from Dad asking me to come over, so here I am.”
“Yes, of course.” She glances at Dad, her annoyance flickering through her eyes. “This is your home, after all, and we were slightly worried that you hadn’t come to visit.”