Page 27 of Royally Wed
Jane was firmly in the prior category. She was the perfect match for Edward. Proper in every way. Amelia wholeheartedly doubted anyone but her brother had ever caught a glimpse of Jane’s bloomers.
The school doors opened as she approached and, beyondthe delighted facesof the teachers and administrators assembled near the entryway, Amelia spotted Jane.
Amelia knew there’d been some sort of mistake. She was probably supposed to be at a hostel in Camden right then, not at Battersea Nursery School.
“Amelia, you look lovely.” Jane greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. As usual, the scent of Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom cologne clung to Jane’s exquisitely blown-outhair.
“Thank you.” Behind her sister-in-law’s slim frame, Amelia could see tiny children lining the hallway. Some wore plastic tiaras and others held bouquets.
It was all very adorable. Very innocent. Very, very Jane.
“I’m not sure what I’m doing here exactly,” Amelia whispered. “I had a change in schedule, but I’m certain I’m supposed to be someplace else.”
Jane’s expression remained effortlesslyserene, as if she’d walked right out of a yoga class. She spoke so quietly that Amelia could barely hear what she said. “No mistake. You’re on mummy duty now.”
“What?” Amelia blurted.
Every head in the foyer swiveled in her direction.
“Be mindful, Amelia,” Jane murmured. Now she practicallysoundedlike a yoga teacher. “People are watching.”
Of course they were. People werealwayswatching.Gregory Beckett was probably lurking behind a bush somewhere right this second. “But I don’t understand. I’m getting married, not having a baby.”
“Not right now, but you will be soon enough.” Jane gave her a knowing a smile.
Amelia had the sudden urge to smack her. She really needed to get a handle on her emotions these days. “Mummy duty? This is insane.”
No one actually expected her to havechildren with Holden, did they? He already had children.Grownchildren. Besides, in order to have babies, she’d have to actually sleep with Holden.
Oh God, I’m going to have to sleep with Holden.
“Amelia, everyone is waiting.” Jane’s smile was beginning to look strained around the edges.
“Right. So sorry.” Amelia swallowed.
The principal of the school introduced himself, and she shook hishand. She posed for photographs with a few of the teachers and then pasted a smile on her face and greeted the children. Jane took one side of the hallway while Amelia took the other. She accepted bouquet after bouquet, until her arms were full.
And all the while, she imagined what it might be like to have a child with Holden. Because Jane was right. This was no coincidence. Once the weddingwas over, everyone would expect her to get pregnant right away. The Becketts would want an heir... an heir that would have a place in succession for the throne.
The thought made her sick to her stomach. She couldn’t even picture sleeping in the same bed with Holden, much less having sex with him.
She should’ve seen this coming. Husbands and wives had sex. Obviously. And Holden was going tobe her husband. He was in love with her. Of course he’d want to sleep with her.
How stupid had she been? When she’d agreed to this arrangement, she’d somehow thought that her life would remain largely unchanged. In her mind, it had never been a real marriage.
The plan had sounded so simple at first. Marry Holden. Save the family crown.
No one had said anything about sex. Or children. If theyhad, maybe she wouldn’t be running around kissing strange American cellists.
Or maybe she still would.
When at last the visit to the school was over and Amelia was nestled safely back inside the Range Rover, Ben asked her if she felt okay. She looked unwell, apparently.
Probably because shewasn’twell. She was panicked.
Mummy duty.
The words rang in her head the entire ride back to the palace.She closed her eyes, leaned her head against the seat and tried to think of something else.Anythingelse.
