Page 84 of The Un-Apparent Heir

Robbie chuckled.

“It’s bloody well true. Do not deny it!”

“I am not denying it, Nat. You say it more eloquently than I can. Find that person.”

“I know that person,” Natalie said.

Robbie furrowed his brow. “Go on.”

“The person is Lucy Ferguson, Countess of Lauderdale. I need her to be our Lady Chamberlain—and soon. Because George also wants to buy a house and make announcements. I cannot for the life of me do this without her.”

“Is she mentally in the place for that?”

“I know it seems like she’s not, but she’s like Mum. She’s better when she’s needed, loved, and appreciated for her talents. Dad, I need her, and she needs us.”

“Lucy being Lady Chamberlain will not make her your lady-in-waiting. She won’t be your private secretary. You may be incredibly close to her, but she will not travel with you. It’s not like it was, Nat.”

“I know that. What was won’t be, but that’s okay. The job will get her home every evening and give us the best candidate. Trust me here. I’m not the only one who would agree.”

“In dark times, Lucy was the champion this family needed. I appreciate you paying the favour back, but she has young children. And is this thing with Winston sorted?”

“It will be—one way or another. They’ll make up, Dad. We’re all certain of it. Lucy loves him and he wants to fix things. He will see the light, move the family back to London, and that will sort it.”

“I do hope for her sake he wises up. Seeing her like that was painful. Your mother feels a member of her flock went missing. In a way, Lucy is one of my own. I want to strangle him.”

“Lucy has a plan and she’s pulling ideas together for our media strategy. She’s coming back alive. She just needed that feeling of self. She’d lost it. Sanne and I have been breadcrumbing. We are certain it’s right. Mum agrees, too. Winston has to believe in this.”

“So, all the women in the family have conspired against me?”

“Not Kiersten. She’s uninvolved."

Robbie shook his head. “Well, we could use a Lady Chamberlain, I suppose. And Lucy has always been the best person for any job she’s ever had. I suppose we’d be lucky if she said yes. I leave that to you. If she accepts, notify me. I will talk to Lord Hewlett about succession planning.”

“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you,” Natalie said excitedly.

“It is your decision. Make these choices for yourself, Nat. You are ready for this. I’m proud of you. You take care of us better than we deserve. Whoever this baby is—they will be fortunate to learn from you. You have years left to go with me here, but I’m sitting back, watching and learning, quite frankly.”

Natalie felt her eyes tearing.

“Don’t start like your mother, I swear!”

“You cry more than I do! You should talk. I’m pregnant. I get away with things!” Natalie said.

“You do. Run the statement by comms and release it. Then, batten the hatches because it’s going to get wild.”

“I was going to have it go out Sunday morning.”

“I like that approach,” Robbie agreed.

“I’m having a baby, Dad.”

“You are. We’re all very, very excited to meet the baby when it arrives. In the meantime, give Lucy absolute power and have her frighten George. It’s a good approach.”

“Hasn’t failed yet.”

“Thanks for coming,” Lucy said.

Winston arrived at Frogmore alone to discuss matters in a cold, quiet room. Everyone else went to the castle for dinner—including Iona. Lucy and Winston were free to chat in an eerie, silent house. Lucy couldn’t help but worry about her husband. Nervous and gaunt, his sad ginger beard overran his sweet face. He was lost. He was a stranger.

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