Highness (The Lonely Heart Series) Read Online Free PDF

Michael said, quickly putting the glass to his mouth and taking a large gulp.  It went down smooth, barely burning. 
    Without pause, he poured another. 
    “You’ve made a mess, so of course I’m here,” Richard said, taking a seat.  He crossed his long legs and looked at the fireplace.  The embers danced about and warmed the drafty room.  “While you’re up there playing bartender, why don’t you pour a glass for your brother?  Mother should be finished soon.  That gives us just enough time to talk.”
    “What is there to talk about?” Michael asked, pouring Richard a glass that equaled his.  He walked across the room and handed it to him, then sat in the chair across from him. 
    “You asked publicly for Thalia’s hand in marriage and then you broke up with her.  This is not the way of a Prince of England, Earl of Wessex, on and on,” Richard said, taking a sip of the drink.  He had done this entire song and dance for so long until he could not bear to finish the lecture.
    Michael’s chest began to swell.  He didn’t need another speech from his more than accomplished, over achieving, perfect do-gooderbrother, especially on matters of the heart.   
    “This isn’t about you,” Michael huffed.  “This is about principalities…”
    “ This is about our entire family, and your inability to commit to anything longer than it takes for paint to dry.” Richard cut his eyes at him. “You’ve always been spoiled.”
    “Not this again,” Michael said, preparing to get up from his chair. 
    “ Don’t move,” Richard said voice stern.  His eyes narrowed on his brother. 
    “Don’t use your king voice on me,” Michael growled as he sat back down.  He hated when his big brother tried to play the father role .  He was nothing like their father had been, although he looked just like him. 
    “Don’t make me,” Richard said, easing up just a bit.  He wiped his face with his hands.  “As I was just saying, you’ve always been spoiled.  And I blame Mother for it.  You were always the fair one with your wheat blonde curls, your blue eyes, perfect aesthetic features, and muscles like a caveman, charisma and what not.  Women respond to a boyishly charming fellow, regardless of his stature, but add the title of prince and you’ve got utter free-fall.  So we’ve treated your beauty like a handicap most of your life.  And I’m sorry to say, but it has made you stupid.”
    Michael bucked his eyes. “I beg your pardon.”
    “It. Has. Made. You. Stupid,” Richard repeated slowly and loudly, adding insult to injury.  He took another sip casually as if he had not just offended his brother, and then continued with his explanation.  “No teacher would fail you when you were a boy, regardless of how horrible you were at making good marks .  No woman would deny you, even though you had no idea how to treat her .  You were the first person anyone picked for a team because of your agility.  You were the last person a woman would break up with because you were Michael .  Everything socially obtainable, you have obtained, and it’s mostly due to your handicap of being beautiful, rich, and royal.”
    Richard said the word beautiful like it was a cardinal sin.  It wasn’t like he was an ugly man.  Broad chested, brown haired, serious and noble, Richard had always been regarded as the stately, intelligent aristocrat that was a result of impeccable breeding while many of the same people labeled Michael as the child that the queen must have drunk a few glasses of wine while carrying. 
    Richard was day.
    Michael was night.
    It had been that way since they were boys.  
    “So, you’ve just called me a hopeless, beautiful idiot, and I’m supposed to say thank you?” The frown lines in Michael’s well-tanned face showed.  “This is very much like pissing on a man and calling it rain.”
    Richard gave a half-grin and threaded his manicured hands together.  “How is it any different