Page 118 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

Her eyes widened. ‘You were the one who was convinced it was necessary.’

‘We don’t know one another,’ he pointed out. ‘And we don’t like one another. Bringing a child into an unhappy marriage is not something to be done lightly. Trust me, I speak from experience.’

She’d heard about his mother’s first marriage from the king. She knew that the princess had been unhappy with her husband, but also that she’d been young and, according to Renee, quite unreasonable in her expectations. The same could not be said for Rosie.

‘I’m so glad you brought that up. I’ve been thinking the same thing.’

‘Then your answer is “no”?’

‘No. That’s not what I’m saying. None of this is ideal, yet here we are—married—and with the king in failing health.’ Her voice broke a little. ‘The best thing for the country would be to provide a stable line of succession.’ She took a step towards him without realising it. ‘You were right—we have to do this.’

His eyes glittered when they met hers. Another step forward, though Rosie wasn’t sure whether that was her or Sebastian. They were toe to toe, just as they’d been in her study the night before.

‘You’ve changed your tune.’

‘Yes.’

‘Last night you seemed pretty set against the idea.’

‘I was.’

‘And now you’re arguing the other side.’

‘I told you I needed to think it through.’

‘Which makes me, if I’m honest, a little apprehensive.’

‘Why? Because I’m giving you what you asked for?’

‘Because there must be some hidden benefit to you in this.’

‘Not hidden,’ she responded archly. ‘I intend for us to negotiate new terms before I conceive.’

‘Ah.’ He nodded once, lifting a hand to rub his chin. ‘Here it is. What would you like this time?’

‘There is a lot to consider,’ she said calmly. She had experience dealing with the more bombastic members of the king’s staff, many of whom had resented her quick ascension to the position of king’s advisor. She was used to ignoring belittling comments; even when issued from her husband, they failed to hurt. ‘Such as the mechanics of me falling pregnant, where we’ll live once we’ve had the baby, what expectations of privacy the child will have and what will happen to the child if either of us dies or becomes otherwise incapacitated. On top of that, I need to know we can work together, to co-parent without this...animosity...that surrounds us becoming a part of our baby’s life.’ She sucked in a breath. ‘I would also like some protections for the projects I’m undertaking. No matter what happens—if, for example, I were to die as a result of having this baby, or if you were to decide you could dispense with me once our baby was born, I would like to know that funding will continue for the charities I currently oversee.’

His expression was kept carefully immovable, but something swirled in the depths of his eyes, something that caused her belly to churn.

‘We would live here—definitely not at the palace. I hate that place. Royal children have a high guarantee of privacy, that’s a legal requirement, as I’m sure you’re aware. Your charities—I will need to see what you’re working on, but I can’t see a problem with that request.’

She expelled a slow, shaking breath.

He continued, ‘I would also like to avoid bringing a child into a marriage that is as flawed as ours. I don’t know a way around that, but I agree, we have to discuss it. Suffice it to say, the fact we’re in agreement as to the importance of finding a way to work together bodes well.’

She nodded slowly.

‘As for the mechanics, I presume you’re familiar with how one falls pregnant?’

Heat flushed her cheeks. ‘In the ordinary course of things, yes. But there are alternatives, such as IVF.’

‘IVF?’ he repeated, as though it hadn’t occurred to him.

‘We’re not a couple,’ she pointed out. ‘I’m not going to have sex with you just because we need a baby.’

‘Heaven forbid you should let a little fun be a part this.’

‘Fun?’ she repeated, then furrowed her brow. ‘I’m not having sex with someone like you.’

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