Page 13 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“Foryou! You didn’t push him out, Robert!”

“Dad, this is when we ask if we should give you a shovel,” Paul chuckled.

There was a knock at the door to the drawing room.

“Yes?” Vanna called out.

“It’s just us.” Natalie and Ed arrived for dinner.

Natalie strode in first, plopping on a chair. Ed perched on the chair’s arm.

Sanne always marvelled at how he was so willingly defferential. Even Paul, with his carefree nature and acceptance of his lack of ambition, would have insisted on a seat. Ed likely expected Natalie, his smaller counterpart, to throw her weight around and take up more space. Robbie often found her challenging. He learned how to accept his daughter’s natural leadership capabilities and respect them. While her tenure as heir started rough, Robbie now looked to his daughter for advice and counsel.

“What is happening? Did you all have a good visit? Georgie said he misses us and was quite cross we didn’t come,” Natalie said.

“It was an eventful visit,” Vanna smiled broadly.

“It was good. Everyone is well. I think George’s co-dependency was on full display,” Sanne said. “He does miss you. A lot. I get it. Twinsense and all."

“I try very much to remind him that I used to put up with not seeing him for months—even when I wasn’t deployed.”

“He’s sensitive, though. Very sensitive,” Robbie observed.

“What happened then?” Ed asked.

“Oh, um, we’re pregnant. I lost it all over their kitchen. So embarrassed.”

“She’s been under the weather. We found out while we were staying with her mums.”

Neither Ed nor Natalie acted in the expected way. Sanne saw the pain on Ed’s face. Natalie covered her dismay better, but it was palpable. She snapped into a generous smile after a moment’s hesitation. It wasn’t genuine. She was fighting her real feelings. Ed eventually did the same. Both were trained to never drop the veil in public—him for work, her for life. Sanne didn’t want distress. She knew something was wrong.

“It’s wonderful news, then,” Natalie said. “Congratulations. Another nibling, Edwin. We can handle that?”

“Of course,” Ed smiled. “Good for you both. Congrats, indeed. Cheers.”

A footman reported. Dinner was ready. They entered the family dining room and Sanne made sure to change the topic at the earliest convenience. She knew something was wrong. Later, after dinner, she and Paul rode home to London. Sanne needed to explain what she saw because she suspected he thought all was well.

“Paul, your sister and Ed are going through something,” Sanne said.

“What?”

“When we told them… they were momentarily upset.”

“They weren’t. They were fine.”

“They weren’t, Paul. They put on happy faces. They didn’t want to distract from our happy news. They were being kind. Something is going on. I think they’re struggling and this was a kick in the teeth.”

“Nah. Maybe Ed just wants a baby and she’s not there yet. She said?—”

“I think it’s more than that, baby.”

“Well, we could ask?—”

“No. If it comes up organically with them, fine, but don’t pry. This is always a sore spot. You never know what they might be going through. Perhaps they just started trying and feel left out? Perhaps they have been and aren’t having any luck? You just don’t know. All I will say is let’s try to keep the baby talk… subdued.”

“That’s unfair, Sanne. To both of us.”

“Paul, I am not saying be unhappy about the baby. I couldn’t force that no matter what I tried to do. You are jumping out of your skin with anticipation. We are both happy with what is to come. And yet? I don’t think we need to rub it in their faces. That’s the reality of the situation. Just… take a step back. Think of how it would feel to be in their shoes if that were true.”

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