Page 131 of Thrones We Steal

“Didn’t you say he improves businesses for a living?”

“The royal family isn’t a business, Maisie.”

“Doesn’t mean it couldn’t function as one.”

“You’re talking about taking a centuries-old institution, steeped in history and culture and traditions, and commercializing it. You’re out of your mind.”

“Proposing a tax hike is going to sink your image.”

“Believe it or not, there’s more at stake here than the picture the press paints of me. Including your job.” I grab the coffee from the cupholder. “Besides, I already submitted the request. Now we just sit back and wait for Parliament’s decision.”

“I know you don’t think it’s important, but you can’t lead the people if they hate you.”

She’s right, but I don’t have time to think about my reputation right now. I have five hundred people waiting for the paycheck I owe them. Ever since the divorce, the press has painted me as the idiot who let the greatest catch of the century get away. What’s a little more fuel on their fire?

Meanwhile, Henry has retained his place as Wesbourne’s Golden Boy, despite the fact that he hasn’t set foot in the country for the past two months. A fact that proves the only thing he’s good at is keeping his word.

“The decision is made,” I say.

She holds her hands up palm-out. “Okay. Fine. I just thought I’d suggest it.” She chews on her bottom lip. “What happened between you two anyway?”

“Who?” By feining ignorance, I’m hoping to convince my heart to slow the gallop it’s currently taking around my chest.

“You and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.”

I roll my eyes. “Nothing happened. It was a mutual split.”

“That’s the story you’re selling?”

I jot down a question for the security team in the margin of my schedule. “I’m not selling anything.”

“Celia, I’m not stupid or blind. I know something happened between you in London. You were caught kissing in a pub.” To hear her, you’d think she wouldn’t be found dead in one herself.

“We were married. It meant nothing.”

“So that’s why you came home with streaked makeup and a cloud of gloom the next day?”

“Maisie, believe it or not, I actually have the ability to fire you. And right now, it’s very tempting. Where’s the schedule for the president’s state visit?”

“You can tell me if he broke your heart. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Friendly is not the term I’d used to describe us at the moment.”

She plucks a sheaf of papers from the back of the folder that I swear wasn’t there when I looked. “I don’t understand how you can throw away good things like they’re nothing.”

I lower the pages and look over at her. “Just what ‘good things’ are we talking about?”

“Well, you threw away your engagement to Beckham as soon as a better opportunity presented itself—” She holds up a hand to squelch my interruption. “And then you chased after Henry, only to walk away from that too. You don’t even realize how lucky you are.”

I’m rarely speechless, but there’s a first time for everything.

“Don’t look at me like that,” she continues. “I know that was an oversimplification, but you have no idea what it’s like to sit on the sidelines of your life, while you work your way through some of the most eligible bachelors in the world. Meanwhile, I would love to go on a single date with a guy who can talk about something—literally anything—other than his bunions the entire evening.”

“Bunions,” I deadpan.

“I wish I was joking.”

I snort out a laugh. “That’s awful. Truly.”

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