The Queen of England

Chapter 17 Secret

I walk down to the dining room and find Cody reading the paper. He is frowning.

"What is it?" I ask.

He glances up at me and sighs, putting the paper down.

"They're talking about you." he says.

I walk over and try to look. He grabs my wrist and turns me to face him.

"You don't want to read that." He tells me.

Frowning, I use my other hand to reach for it.

He stops me once again.

"Cody, let me see." I order.

"No." he says, putting his hands on my hips.

Thinking I am slick, I jump over his lap and try to snag the paper.

But Cody's hands are tight and he just pulls me into his lap.

"Nice try." He says, kissing me on the mouth.

I frown. "Why can't i see?" I whine.

He buries his face in my neck and kisses me there.

"Cody, tell me." I command.

"They don't think you're a princess." He murmurs.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I mean, they think Lucian was lying about you being the Danish Princess." He says.

"But why?" I ask.

"Lucian is crazy. Nobody would believe him." He explains.

I huff angrily.

"What is it?" he asks.

"I'm so sick of being under the microscope!" I yell, getting up.

"This is exactly why I wouldn't let you read it." He says.

"So you were just going to keep that from me?!" I demand.

"Britt, they're stupid. Everything they say is stupid. All these rumors are just that:rumors." He tells me.

"It still pisses me off." I snap.

"I can see that." Cody says.

I don't say anything. I am too busy fuming.

"You're kind of adorable when you're mad." Cody tells me.

I glare at him. He chuckles and stands up.

"Relax, Brittany. We have a wedding to plan." He says.

I groan. He chuckles again and leads me to a chair beside his.

Livia comes out and presents me with breakfast. "Thank you," I say. She smiles in return and leaves the room.

"So, I thought about what you said." Cody says.

"About what?" I ask.

"About where we should marry. I was thinking in the church my parents got married in in downtown London. It's called St. Xavier's church." He says.

"That sounds like as good a place as any." I reply.

He pulls out a piece of paper and writes that down.

"Now, the date." He says.

"I need at least a month." I told him.

"How about April 19th?" he asks.

It's March 8th. That's plenty of time. "That's good." I say.

He writes down April 19th.

"Time?" he asks.

"I don't know...5:00 pm?" I propose.

"Perfect." He says. He writes that down.

"Now what?" I ask.

"I suppose we decide who should be in the wedding." Cody says.

"Well, who do you want to be the best man?" I ask.

"Would I be totally wrong to say anyone but Lucian?" he asks me.

I think back to what Lucian has done since he got here.

"No." I tell Cody.

He smiles and shakes his head at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing. You just make me laugh." He says.

"How about a friend?" I ask.

"My closest friend is Collin." Cody says with a frown.

Whoa, really?

"Then ask Collin." I tell him.

He looks at me. "Lucian is going to raise hell." He tells me.

"Let him." I reply.

So, Cody hesitantly writes down Collins name.

"Maid of honor?" he asks me.

I snort.

"I'll take that as a 'not Laila'." he says, chuckling.

I roll my eyes.

"May, I guess." I say.

Cody writes that down without question and asks me who should give me away.

"Richard. May's husband." I say.

"Anyone else?" I ask.

"Lucian should at least be a groomsmen. I know, he can walk mum down to light the candle." He says.

"And I guess Kate can be my other bridesmaid." I agree.

Cody freezes. "No." he says.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Just no." He replies.

"Cody, what is your problem with her? Do you like her or something?" I demand.

Please say no.

"Of course not. Brittany, don't ever think that." Cody says.

"Then what is it? I can see why you hate Lucian, but what did Kate do to you?" I ask.

He doesn't say anything. "Tell me or I'm asking her to be my bridesmaid." I warm.

Nothing.

So I take the pen and write her name down.

And he angrily stomps out of the room.