Page 25 of The Crown

What was he doing? He dipped his head to study the water. He had used the night to blow off steam, to let go of his stress. And just like he used to, he let loose at the exclusion of everything else. What kind of husband could he be to Jo if at the first possible moment, he ignored her so completely.

It was the drink. That first one must have been more powerful than usual. He had felt it almost immediately.

Monique said his name. Her voice sounded strange so he turned. Her face, pinched, tears already forming, she ran into him and threw her arms around his back, crying into his chest.

* * *

Jo heardthe last noisy partiers pull away in the transport boat. She pulled her hair into a bun on top of her head, put on a pair of leggings and her most comfortable t-shirt and went in search of Nico.

The boat was a mess. She stepped around a maid who had already begun cleaning everything up. As Jo looked from room to room, she admitted to feeling a growing angst. And she walked faster.

At last, Julian directed her upstairs. She heard low murmurs of talking from the top deck. So not everyone had left. She climbed up the ladder that led to an opened hatch on top. As her head peered out the top and she felt the night breeze on her face, she wished she could scoot back down and hide.

Nico stood, clinging to Monique as though she were his life thread. His hands, anguished looking, clenching, his head in her neck.

She was about to turn around and retreat back the way she came, shaken and alone, but Henry waved and caught her attention. He shook his head and motioned with his hand that she should go to Nico. Her heart tore at the sight. It would have been easier if Nico had been locked in a kiss with some woman who meant nothing. This sight hurt in a deep way because he seemed to be reaching out to Monique for comfort. But Jo took a deep breath and forced herself to be brave. She was still his fiancé after all, the potential queen to his country. That had to count for something.

She cleared her throat. Monique jerked her head over in surprise. She had been crying. Jo was shocked at the pain in her face. And she worried about what she would discover.

Monique stepped away, held onto Nico’s hand in a lingering way, too long, then whispered, “I’m sorry.” And walked away.

Jo stepped closer. “Nico?”

His face crumbled. “Oh Jo!” He pulled her into his arms, sobbing.

She clung to him. “What is it? What has happened?”

He gasped twice, trying to take a big breath, then he said, “Father.”

And Jo knew the king had died.

“I’m sorry Nico.”

She pulled him to the side, and they found a bench near the railing. He grabbed handfuls of his hair in his hands, leaning forward with his arms on knees. Tears fell to the deck beneath them.

Everyone had cleared off the top deck, leaving them alone. She sought words that were difficult to create. “Nick.” She ran a hand along his back. “I’m here for you.” They sat for a moment, sounds of the cleaning staff working below them. “I love you.”

He turned to her, anguish in his eyes. “I need you, Jo. Will you stay?” He pled with her, choking on another sob.

She nodded, wrapping her arm across his shoulders. “Of course I’ll be here as long as you need me. Let’s get through the funeral and co-coronation and everything together.” She tried to squeeze him, to take away the pain, even knowing she could not.

They sat in silence until his body stopped shuddering and he leaned back against the railing behind them. “I thought I had more time.”

She nodded, linking their hands together.

Julian approached and cleared his throat. “My deepest apologies your majesty.”

“Julian.” Nico’s voice was sharper than she had ever heard it.

“We have received word from your mother. She asks that we return as soon as possible.”

Nico nodded. “Alert the captain, we leave at first light.”

When Julian left, Nico said, “I’m sorry about tonight, Jo.”

She waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it now. Let’s do what needs to be done. We can talk about it later.”

He stood. “I’ll be in my room.” And he left. Without a backward glance, he took the ladder rungs down and disappeared.

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