Chapter 53
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Rachel’s palms were sweaty on Matthew’s behalf. The last time this gorgeous man had stood up and made a speech it had been a disaster. Because of me. She’d apologized for turning the people of Aspen against him.
He can’t even go into his favorite coffee shop because of me.
Her mind kept replaying the moment the mob had torn apart Matthew’s beloved 3D model. I was the leader of the mob. And if his nervous finger tapping on the pristine white tablecloth was anything to go by, she would’ve guessed he was also in flashback mode.
“The first person who tries to touch your model, or embarrass you will have me to deal with,” she reassured him.
Matthew patted his pants pocket. He looked handsome as sin in his blue linen suit.
“I have all my speech notes in here, so there’s nothing to worry about. No one is stopping me today.”
She tracked his gaze as it drifted over to the other side of the round table and settled momentarily on Bryce. The oldest Royal brother, who was also wearing a blue linen suit, was busy whispering sweet nothings to his fiancée and didn’t look up.
“I’ll be back soon.” He rose from his chair and headed toward the front of the room, where the bride and groom were seated.
Rachel appreciated the casual way the reception had been set out. There was no long bridal table or formally set places for people to sit. The various members of the Royal family mingled as they pleased.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Family members. Could I please have your attention for a moment. As his best man, Jordan has asked that I say a few words.”
All attention settled on Matthew as he stood behind a small upright microphone at the front of the room. The hubbub of chatter slowly died down, then fell away to silence.
“So, firstly the bride and groom would like to welcome you all to their wedding. Chloe and Jordan are thrilled that so many of you could make it. With the number of boats moored off the dock, I expect the marina in Monaco must be half empty this morning.”
A few of the international guests chuckled.
He’s not wrong. I’ve never seen so many luxury yachts in the one place.
Matthew reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a wad of paper. “Now most of us know that the groom has had somewhat of a checkered past, but as best man I felt it my obligation to let the bride in on a few more of her husband’s secrets.”
Holding onto one end of the paper, Matthew kept a straight face as the other end cascaded all the way to the floor in a veritable waterfall.
The loud scrape of a chair being pushed back broke the silence. A stony-faced Bryce rose from his chair and made his way to the front of the room. When he reached the best man, he held out his hand. The youngest Royal went to protest, but his speech was ripped from his fingers.
Oh, this is not good.
Bryce had made it part way back to his chair, when Matthew reached into his other pocket and pulled out a second wad of paper. A snort of amusement rippled around the room, as Bryce turned on his heel and headed back to his brother. This time however, Matthew simply shrugged his shoulders and handed him the papers.
Rachel met Vivian’s gaze, and catching the sly grin on her lips, let out a small sigh of relief. This was all a part of the wedding.
Upfront, Bryce remained staring down his youngest sibling, who finally huffed and made a great show of reaching into the front of his suit pants where he proceeded to pull out another wad of papers. The bride and groom fell about laughing, and the rest of the guests joined them.
Accompanied by a round of applause, a grinning Bryce headed back to his seat. From his jacket pocket, Matthew took out a tiny scrap of paper, and waved it victoriously in the air. “It’s a good thing the bride knows all the groom’s secrets, so this will be a short speech.”
He stuffed the paper back into his pocket, then moved to one side and faced the happy couple. As he did, it occurred to Rachel that this was the real Matthew, not the stiff, formal man who’d tried to sell his proposal at the planning meeting.
“Many of you know that Jordan has had his fair share of demons to overcome in his life. And that he continues to meet that challenge every day.”
Tears pricked Rachel’s eyes.
“So when he told me that he had fallen for Chloe, I must admit I was a little hesitant about how that would go. Billionaire screw-up, his words not mine, meets world famous popstar. But over the past year or so we have all come to know the real Chloe. And during that time we have gained a sense of the warm and loving woman that she is, someone who is far more than just a musical legend.”
The bride dabbed at her eyes.
“Seeing these two people together has made me believe in miracles.”
Jordan rose from the table and came to Matthew’s side. The groom was blinking back tears.
“I say miracles because I swear, only a miracle would have made a woman like Chloe marry my brother. And we are so very glad that she did.”
Whatever was left in the best man’s speech remained unspoken as Jordan wrapped an arm around Matthew and the brothers embraced.
On the opposite side of the table Bryce stood. He held up his glass of champagne and toasted the happy couple. “To Chloe and Jordan.”
If she hadn’t already been certain she’d fallen hard for Matthew, this moment would have sealed the deal for Rachel. He was everything she’d ever looked for in a man, and so much more.
Rachel Royal. It had a lovely ring to it.