Page 9 of The Crown

The queen reached a hand toward her on the table. “I could see that. And thank you for your efforts to divert the attention.” She cleared her throat delicately. “We will work on ways to do that more consistently and effectively.’ She raised an eyebrow, “As well as how not to scowl at your intended in public.”

The others chuckled. Lucan murmured under his breath, “He probably deserved it.” Which earned some more laughs all around.

Jo had an idea. “Should I be doing some diverting right now? While this is hot?”

The queen tilted her head in admiration. “Now you’re thinking.”

“Perhaps Nico and I could both go together to their homes, talk to them there?”

They planned the rest of their day, including an invitation to two reputable news channels to accompany them to the homes of the literacy families.

Even though the conversation took a positive turn, Jo felt shaken in her failures. They were so public. But more than anything, she was concerned at the look of doubt in Nico’s face.

* * *

She knockedon the Queen’s office door.

“Enter.”

Pushing open the door slowly, because that’s about how much she wanted to visit her future mother-in-law, Jo looked inside. The room looked like the queen. Neat, crisp lines, classical. High backed chairs, thick dark woods, crisp white lace. The room spoke queen from another age. And Jo was struck with the tiniest beginnings of an epiphany as she looked around her.

The queen waved her into the room, all business. “You need a whole new look.”

“Pardon me?”

She nodded. “The look you portray now will still be visible of course, if people look hard enough, but we need an image that says, venerable, royal, impeccable.”

Jo didn’t agree. But she listened because she was here to learn.

“I’ll have the royal makeover specialists make an appointment with your assistant. “

“I haven’t actually met my assistant yet; I just get a lot of emails.”

She nodded. “That’s how I asked her to operate. We don’t need the staff to hover about us. They can be quite anxious, fluttering about all the time. Trust me. It’s better this way.”

“I appreciate you taking the time to help me. “

She waved her in. “Of course. Come. Sit with me.”

Jo joined her on the love seat. Her office had a sitting area off to the side which Jo fell in love with. Everything about it spoke comfort.

“We will begin with the people we know. I feel you will be much better off if I give you an education about each of the people we come in contact with. Some are more acceptable than others. I will help you differentiate between those you may ignore to be at Nico’s side, and those that must be catered to more.”

She knew the queen to be less arrogant and more logical even though she sounded incredibly high brow. Her interest immediately picked up. “Excellent.”

The queen’s smile warmed. “I want you to know, I’m happy you have come. Nico is a different man with you at his side.” She took a sip of her water. “Naturally we loved Monique as a future queen. But you will be a good wife. He is working to become the man I’ve been waiting to see all these years.”

She quietly reshuffled her papers. “There is another matter I would like to bring to your attention.” She slid a packet of information across the table to Jo. “Well, two matters.”

Curious because of the Queen’s altered tone, she lifted the envelope flap to peer inside.

“It’s just a few things that need to be discussed and signed before the marriage can take place.”

Jo’s heart sank.Like a prenup?Her indignation rose. “Oh, of course.” She curled her toes inside her sneakers.Just smile and say thank you.“Thank you.” The smile wouldn’t come. “So, if we’re finished?” She stood to leave.

“And the other thing.”

Jo paused, a slow dread clenching her insides.

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