The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1926

"We're doing alright." Dave slung an arm around his buddy's shoulder, grinning from ear to ear, "If only he didn't have a knack for bullying and taking advantage, we could be even better."

"Quit bad-mouthing me in front of my fiancée."

Where had he bullied anyone or taken advantage?

"Do you really think Bella's only got eyes for you? As if her pretty little head is filled with nothing but your mug?"

At that moment, Arabella sized up Romeo's face and found it rather fetching.

He looked even more handsome than he had a few days ago, his features even more pleasing to the eye.

"Notice anything different about me today?" Romeo's gaze fell on Arabella, oblivious to the others.

"Your hair's shorter." Arabella chuckled, "And you're wearing the shirt I designed."

"What else?" Romeo admired her with doting eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, can you two spare a thought for my feelings here??" Dave, with his millions of followers, felt utterly ignored by the pair, which was a blow to his ego.

"Romeo's here?"

In the meantime, Louisa emerged from the main house. Seeing Romeo, she beamed with affection.

"Come on in, take a seat. David, what are you doing clinging to Romeo? Let go!"

She approached her son and whispered, "Can't you give the lovebirds some space? You've been hanging all over Romeo the whole way here, leaving your sister in the dust. To the uninitiated, they'd think you two were the couple."

Dave was riddled with question marks in his head, but before he could clarify, Louisa had already ushered Romeo inside, and in a low voice asked Arabella, "You going to the Fairfield Manor tonight?"

"Yeah."