Since it's been a while, here is a scene from my upcoming book Crown Restored.
"Julien has requested inside this year," Richard said, slowly.
"No!" She shouted as she jumped up and threw her napkin on the table.
"Damaris," Edward said as he stood up slowly.
"Honey, we'll be there with you," Ann said as she leaned forward.
The comfort she felt from the family was strong, but her uncle could not be there. He just couldn't.
"No. He doesn't get to be a part of this," she said, starting at Huck. "Please, don't say yes. Don't agree to his request."
She knew she was pleading with him, but she had to make him understand.
"Princess," Huck said, shaking his head.
"Huckleberry," she said before taking a shuddered breath.
The fact he called her princess meant it was already a done deal that Julien would be there. The man never used her title unless it was serious.
"He killed them," she whispered as she tried to hold on to her composure. "He doesn't deserve admittance."
"His part in their deaths hasn't been proven. It's as much his right to be there as much as it is yours," Edward said, placing his hands on the table. "He's your father's twin brother."
"And his murderer," she said as she closed her eyes.
She backed away from the table.
"Damaris, I don't have a reason to deny him. If there was evidence, you know I would personally keep him out," Edward said. "Concrete evidence and not your gut or mine."
"I'm working on it," she said as she opened her eyes and looked around the table.
"You didn't tell me that," Edward said. "I have people looking into it."
"What? No. I don't want my uncle finding out," she said, shaking her head.
She felt her body shake. Fear washed over her in waves. She felt cold. Her hands were clammy.
