If The Ring Fits.... Melissa McClone
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The pursuit of a wife had taught him “one true love” and “happily ever after” existed only in fairy tales and fantasies. Not even an enchanted ring could change that.
“Do you have the ring, Richard?”
“No, Didier has it.” The lie came so easily.
“Well, at the very least, I can wear it again.”
“No.”
Her blue eyes widened. “You do not want me to wear it?”
Richard had been too harsh. He hated disappointing his mother; the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. She was the one woman who loved him for who he was—simply her son. His title did not matter, nor did his faults. “So many women tried on the ring tonight, I want to have it cleaned first.”
The tenderness in her eyes made Richard swallow the guilt lodged in his throat. She caressed his cheek. “You are always one step ahead of me, my son. Just like your father.”
The comparison to his father made Richard feel like a cad. His father had been a respectable and honorable man. Richard was neither. A battle of duties raged inside him. Duty to his country or duty to himself. Had his father ever felt so torn? “I try my best.”
“You do better than try.” She kissed his cheek. “Happy birthday, Richard.”
“Thank you, Mother. For the ball and…everything.”
“It has been a long evening.” She stifled a yawn. “I will see you in the morning.”
“Good night.” Richard escorted her out of his room, closed the door and locked it. He hated lying to his mother, but he had no choice. He had to keep the ring on Christina’s finger a secret. It wasn’t as if the ring fit her. It did not; it was only stuck. But all San Montico wanted him to marry. He could not let them think the legend had come true.
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