Page 13 of The Crown

“I’m sorry Jo. Yes, I’m fine. I’ll see you back at the palace.”

The limo pulled out of the alley, two cars following.

When she returned to the palace, royal aides guided her directly into the house and then advised her to go to her room until she received further instructions. Marguerite was there when she arrived. “Oh don’t worry honey. These kinds of things happen all of the time. I’ve started a hot bath for you. Nico is going to be up into the night talking with security and tightening measures. I’d just relax if you can, and go to sleep my dear.”

Jo nodded, slipped into the bath and found she was more tired than she thought she would be. Soon she was wrapped in her softest robe with soft blankets piled above her.

6

She woke up to a staff member entering her room, handing her the remote and a tray for breakfast. “Channel five.”

Then she left.

With shaking hands, she turned on the television. Taking up the whole screen was Nico, embracing Monique, his lips firmly planted on hers. Then the screen flashed to her and Henry. They had captured Jo laughing, her hand on his chest while they danced. The headline, “A Royal Trade?”

She stopped herself from throwing the remote against the wall. The newscaster then covered the night’s scare. It was the first she had heard of what had happened, and it came from the morning news. Anger started to simmer, but she knew it had the potential to be a boiling mess.

Her obvious exclusion from the morning breakfast meeting alarmed her even further.

And her heart ached. She tried to find reasons why everything was still ok. It was an old picture.He wore the same outfit at the same club.

A small voice reminded her of all she’d heard about Monique.Stops at nothing, conniving, cut throat, determined to win him back.

But she couldn’t reconcile his lips on hers.

Then the newscaster went on to report about the scare. “It has been a confirmed terrorist threat. A small incendiary device was located in the women’s bathroom off the royal ballroom last night. No one was injured, but the facility has been shut down today for a complete screening of the area.”

A bomb.

A knock on her door made her jump. Then Nico’s head poked around the corner into her bedroom. Too handsome.

Her anger spiked inside. Her life was in danger last night and this is how he chose to let her know? The news? With Monique melting in his arms. She looked away so that she could stay angry with him.

“Can I come in?”

She scooted over so there was room to sit by her on the bed.

He looked contrite, but strangely hopeful. She saw nothing good from the whole evening.

“I got here as soon as father released us from breakfast.”

“So you guys did meet.” She didn’t hide the hurt.

“I insisted you were exhausted and recovering from our scare and didn’t need to be present.”

A tiny flicker of hope returned. He was trying to shield her, not shun her. That was something. But the kiss. “So what happened? Was your father upset?”

He cleared his throat. “I tried to get here before the news.” He indicated her remote. “You saw?”

She nodded. “Your parents?”

Nico let out all his breath at once. “He was furious. They both were. How could I even think of dragging you through my old disastrous life? And that weasel Henry, how could I subject you to his kind of vermin?” Nico’s face was full of smile lines. He was pleased. “And the best one of all. “She doesn’t deserve you.” He mimicked his mother’s voice. “You go and apologize to her this minute.” He leaned back against the headboard, sitting next to her and reached for her hand. “So I came here as quickly as I could.”

She thought it through. “You are happy they were furious.” After she thought a moment, her smile mimicked his own. “Because they approve.” A great happiness welled up inside.

“They do. They took your side.” He turned towards her. She watched as the stress tried to tighten his expression. And her heart went out to him. The burdens on his shoulders were heavy. But she needed to know. “And Monique?”

He closed his eyes. “When the group separated us, she led me away, telling me there was an emergency.” He shook his head. “Then when the alarms went off, she jumped into my arms.”

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