Page 36 of The Un-Apparent Heir

Natalie rolled her eyes. “My arms aren’t broken last I checked. You offered.”

“Agreed. Yes.” Ed kissed her cheek and disappeared.

Sanne was surprised by their cheerfulness.

“Hey, I just wanted to say, Nat, that I’m grateful you’re here. It means a lot to both of us. I know it isn’t easy.”

“I know,” Natalie agreed. “I know. The baby is going to be spoiled rotten, though. I couldn’t let others win that prize.”

Sanne snickered, cupping her belly. “I am sure that this baby will adore you as much as Charlotte and Leah do.”

Sanne and Natalie watched the girls run around the grand hall at Windsor.

“The cake is a nice touch. Mummy will be pleased with the buttercream.”

“As will I, yes. We have that much in common,” Sanne admitted.

“You never got sick of buttercream even after all those weddings?”

“Wedding cake is about my favourite. When a couple said they loathed cake, my heart sank like a stone.”

“Well, I think that’s brilliant. To cake,” Natalie raised a glass of champagne—set out for those not pregnant.

Sanne for a moment suspected maybe Natalie was pregnant due to her good mood. Her drinking put those hopes to rest. Sometimes, she felt guilty. They’d been wed less than six months apart, but now faced different trajectories. While Sanne hoped Natalie and Ed would soon have a baby, she remained sensitive and never brought it up.

“Luce! Come here!” Natalie barked.

Lucy chatted with her mother-in-law. Lucy excused herself, walking over. She was also visibly pregnant, due only a few weeks after Sanne. As it was her second baby, she was much rounder than Sanne. She looked downright adorable.

“What now? You finally made it?” Lucy gave Natalie a big hug.

“We did. I told you. Why are you staying out in London?”

“Well, you refused to tell us when you would be back and then you ghosted me.”

“I fell asleep. Please come and stay for a bit. If you can.”

“I really cannot. Like… we must go back to Scotland anddrivethere, Natalie, because I cannot fly. I’m not allowed.”

“I can fly you.”

“No, you cannot. I am not allowed. You aren’t a special case. There was no asterisk allowing for me to fly in a private plane, believe it or not.”

Sanne snickered. “Well, I am sorry it was such a trip. I didn’t even consider that you would come, Lucy. I figured now that you were settled, you’d stay up there. I am glad you’re here, but?—”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Sanne. Really,” Lucy beamed. “The first baby is a big deal. I am trying to forget I’m pregnant at this point. You’re in the last month now. That lasts two years.”

“It has begun to feel a bit long,” Sanne admitted.

“No, it’s not a big deal. Winston wanted to come down to London and I needed a taste of civilisation, but there was an opening at the local nursery school, so Malcolm is enrolled, and we must go back.”

“Aww, he’s starting preschool?” Sanne cooed. “God, how is he old enough?”

“I know, right? It’s too soon. I’m a hormonal wreck! . Anyhow, Natalie, if you were less busy, I would have bothered you to come by."

“Well, I am making a dedicated effort to visit you, okay? We will drop in and spoil Malcolm mercilessly. Then head up to Balmoral for a bit.”

“Oh, when?” Lucy asked.

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