Hand-Me-Down Princess (33 page)

“What’s the woman’s name?” He sank into his desk chair.

Josh hesitated. “Sorry, sir. No can do. Not until we’re sure.”

“Is it someone she knows?”

“Not to my knowledge.” Malachi heard some papers shuffling. “That’s where we’re at on this end right now.”

“All right. Keep me updated?”

“I’ll talk to you next Friday unless we have definitive news before then.”

After another minute of idle chat, Malachi disconnected the call.

“Who was that?” Jessabelle looked up from her book when he emerged from his office.

“Josh Wilson.” He sat on the chair across from her.

“Did he have any news?”

Malachi told her the latest.

“So nothing.” Jessabelle sighed. “I guess it’s too much to hope it would happen quickly.”

“I’m sorry.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time for dinner.”

He kissed her soundly before they made their way down to the formal dining room. The cousins from Montevaro and Ravenzario had arrived earlier in the day, though Malachi hadn’t seen them yet. He was surprised when Lizbeth and her father were already seated at the dining table. He knew they were coming but when had they arrived?

He did notice that he wasn’t seated anywhere near Lizbeth. Jessabelle would appreciate that. He knew his father was in charge of the seating and he appareciated the arrangements. He did wonder what Mr. Bence thought about being seated so far from the head of the table, but with so much royalty present, he could hardly expect to be seated near the monarch. The man’s attitude must be grating on his father as well.

After dinner ended, a number of the women, including Jessabelle and Lizbeth, gravitated into one of the sitting rooms. The men in the group ended up in the billiards room. Malachi avoided Mr. Bence as much as possible, but found himself cornered a time or two. William seemed to pick up on Malachi’s annoyance and rescued him both times.

After a while, Malachi decided to simply remove himself and walked out onto a balcony circling a large portion of the second floor. He rested his forearms on the stone railing and stared across the darkened valley. Lights twinkled down below and to one side. The village was nice as far as villages go. Not a whole lot to offer except quaintness and proximity to the ski slopes, but that was enough.

“Tired of all the man talk?”

He didn’t glance around to see Lizbeth walk up. “Just wanted some fresh air,” he told her.

“The women are all talking about the queens. One is having a baby and the other is getting married. Is that public knowledge yet? If it is, I misssed it, I think.”

“I don’t think they’ve made the announcement yet.”

“It’s a gorgeous night.”

“Yes, it is.” Jessabelle’s voice rang in his head. Don’t be alone with Lizbeth. He liked her well enough as a friend, but he didn’t trust her father with anything. If he answered in short, curt sentences, maybe she’d leave him alone. He could hear the laughter coming from both rooms from here. They weren’t far and anyone looking out the windows either place would be able to see them. Not exactly a compromising situation.

Lizbeth pushed back from the rail a few feet away from him. “I think I’m going to take a walk through the gardens.” She stopped closer to him, but not too close. “I’m allowed to, right? Since I’m already here anyway?”

Malachi shrugged. “Sure. Just don’t destroy anything.”

She laughed. “Like I’d do that.”

Lizbeth went down the staircase on the far end of the balcony, but Malachi didn’t watch her go. He just stared over the valley, wondering when he’d get a chance to go skiing again.

A noise in the gardens caught his attention, but it didn’t sound like anything to be alarmed about.

Until a scream split the night.

Malachi yelled to those in the rooms, praying they’d hear him, and sprinted toward the sound.

Chapter 33

Jessabelle heard something that didn’t quite belong and glanced out the window to the balcony. Malachi had been standing out there. Lizbeth had excused herself a few minutes later to go to the bathroom, but Jessabelle saw her on the balcony. She’d kept a respectable distance. From Malachi, so Jessabelle hadn’t been too concerned.

But now the balcony was empty.

Where could they be?

Jessabelle thought about getting up to check, but her mother-in-law asked her opinion about one of hte names Adeline said they were considering for a baby. A few minutes later, Malachi was still no where to be seen. Excusing herself, she went to the balcony and peeked through the window into the billiards room. She didn’t see Malachi, but the king saw her and stepped outside.

“Is everything all right?”

She turned to look over the rail. “I was just wondering where Malachi went. He was out here a few minutes ago.”

“Oh. I have no idea where he is.”

She shrugged. “It’s fine. He probably had some work to do or decided to turn in early.”

Someone called from inside the billiard room, and the king held up a hand. “Most likely.” He gave her a smile and nod before turning to go back in the room.

Jessabelle took two steps and set her hands, palm down, on the railing.

Another voice sounded behind her. “Or he found someone more interesting to spend his time with.”

Jessabelle forced herself not to turn, not to let Mr. Bence see how much he bothered her.

Mr. Bence chuckled. He didn’t say anything else, but she could feel his eyes staring at the back of her head.

She struggled to keep her voice even. “More interesting, Mr. Bence? I don’t believe we’ve ever had a conversation.” Malachi would be proud of how well she kept her composure.

“My daughter told me the
princess
is as exciting as watching paint dry.”

Don’t believe him,
Jessabelle sternly told herself.
Does that really sound like something Lizbeth would say?

She knew the answer was no. He was trying to get under her skin. Jessabelle couldn’t let him.

His footsteps moved closer until he stood just a foot away. He turned until he rested his backside against the railing. With his arms crossed he gave her a look.

Chills went down her spine, and she shivered.

He leaned to the side, his voice low and threatening. “You won’t have to worry about making a fool of yourself much longer. That speech you gave? It’s got to be the worst one in the history of the royal family. You couldn’t even pick the right winner at that obnoxious flower show. I could make a better bouquet in my sleep.”

“I don’t remember asking you for your assessment of either event.” She worked hard, but thought she kept her voice from trembling. “I don’t see every member of the legitimate media and the paparazzi watching your every move. If they did, I imagine you would find you’re not nearly as calm and collected as you think you are.”

Mr. Bence shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll be party of the royal family soon enough. Malachi will set you aside. He’ll marry Lizbeth who, even now is pregnant with his child.”

It’s not true!
Deep inside, she knew it wasn’t, but the part of her that had always been so insecure questioned that knowledge.

“Get out.” The authority in the voice couldn’t be questioned.

Mr. Bence stood, but Jessabelle continued to stare across the valley.

Taking a step away from the railing, Mr. Bence seemed annoyed at the king. “Why, Tony? Afraid I’m going to spill some secrets?”

“You don’t know nearly as many secrets as you think you do. And I’ll thank you to remember to address me properly in the future. I have never given you permission to be so informal.”

Was she the only one who heard the steel in her father-in-law’s voice?

“Get out of my home. Don’t expect to be invited back.” The king snapped his fingers and two members of the security detail appeared. “See that Mr. Bence is escorted off the property immediately. His belongs will be delivered to him after we get back to Erres.”

“But...” Each of the guards took one of Mr. Bence’s arms and ushered him off the balcony.

“He won’t bother you again, Jessabelle.”

She finally turned to see not-quite-concealed fury on his face. “Thank you.”

“You were doing all right for yourself, but I know him well enough to know he wouldn’t have stopped until he’d pushed way too far. I have no idea why he is so adamant that Lizbeth marry Malachi.”

“I’m not either, sir.”

Jessabelle and her father-in-law both turned to see Malachi carrying Lizbeth up the stairs. She waited for feelings of jealousy to appear, but instead all she felt was an urge to wait for an explanation. Malachi set Lizbeth down next to a bench, and favoring one foot, she lowered herself to it.

“What happened?” King Antonio asked.

Lizbeth winced. “I went for a walk in the garden and tripped. Malachi heard me yelp and came to see what happened.”

Malachi came to stand next to her. “I yelled that I needed help. Didn’t anyone hear me?”

Jessabelle exchanged a look with her father-in-law. “I didn’t.”

“I don’t think anyone in the billiard room did either,” the king added.

She looked at the other woman. “He said you’re pregnant with my husband’s child.” Her face remained impassive.

Something undefinable passed across Lizbeth’s face before she looked straight at Jessabelle. “I’m not pregnant with Malachi’s child. He’s never kissed me. Never gave me any hint we’d be more than friends.”

Jessabelle leaned her head against Malachi as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “I know.”

Lizbeth turned to the king. “Could you have someone take me home? I don’t have a car here.”

He nodded at her. “Of course.” He pulled out his phone and texted someone. “Someone will be here in a moment to look at your ankle and help you to your room. Stay here tonight, and someone will drive you back to Erres in the morning.”

A moment later, two aides came out along with most of the people left in the two rooms. The king only told them that Lizbeth had been slightly injured and urged all of them to head to their rooms to turn in. When it was just the three of them left, the king turned back to her and bowed slightly.

“Have a good evening, Jessabelle. You have my sincere apologies for allowing a man to be around who would try so hard to undermine your marriage.”

Malachi stiffened at her side, something she didn’t quite understand.

She gave the king a small smile. “It’s all right. It’s not your fault. If you’d known how far he would go, you wouldn’t have let him stay.”

“You’re right. I knew he wanted Malachi to marry Lizbeth, but I never dreamed he would have taken it so far.” He smiled at them and turned, leaving them alone on the balcony.

“Are you all right?” Malachi asked, kissing the side of her head.

She smiled up at him. “I’m fine. I promise.”

He turned and put both hands on her hips. “I’m glad.”

Malachi kissed her, for real this time. Jessabelle kissed him back until he drew away. Together they headed to their suite.

“Did you finish a letter for my father?” he asked as they neared the door.

She shook her head. “I tried. I really did. Maybe I can come up with something tonight.”

Malachi sighed. “If you can’t, it’ll be okay.”

Jessabelle nodded, but noted how unsure he sounded. Okay. Right. She prayed it would be. Otherwise, this uneasy truce she just began to feel with the king might be too fleeting to be real.

* * *

Everyone had gathered in one of the large sitting rooms. A fire blazed in the large stone fireplace. Malachi sat on a love seat with his arm around Jessabelle. The rest of the family including the commonwealth cousins, sat around the room. His mother stood near the fireplace with a gold gift box in her hands.

“Antonio,” she started. “I know we agreed the festivities for the anniversary of your coronation would combine with your birthday celebration, and you said you did not want any gifts this year, but we did not listen to you. Not entirely.” She handed him the box.

He looked as relaxed as Malachi had seen him in a long time. “What is this?”

“Open it.” His mother took a seat in another chair nearby.

His father shook the box a little bit to get the top off. “What is this?” he asked again, a bit more awe in his voice. “Letters?”

“From all of us,” his mother confirmed.

He picked up one and opened it. “From my mother.” Since the wedding, Malachi’s grandmother had spent most of her time out of the country visiting an old friend who was recovering from surgery. As he read the letter a smile crossed his face, and then, if Malachi wasn’t mistaken, tears filled his eyes.

“That was lovely, Mother. Thank you.” The king stood and kissed his mother on the cheek. “I appreciate it.”

He read through the next several letters, laughing at the anecdotes and sharing bits and pieces of some of them with the rest of the group. After he made his way through all of them, he said, “I’ll read them all more carefully later, but grandmother?”