Page 31 of Royally Wed
CHAPTER
EIGHT
“Mum.”
Amelia regretted the word the moment it flew out of her mouth. She knew better than to address the queen of England so casually in front of a guest of the palace. She also knew better than to sneak around after hours with said guest, but that hadn’t stopped her, had it?
“Your Majesty.” Asher bowed. When the queen said nothing, but simply stood there gazing at him with thinlyveiled disdain, he bowed again.
Her mother sighed and turned her gaze on Amelia. “What’s going on here?”
Amelia shrugged and feigned nonchalance as best she could. Not an easy task when her heart was beating so fast she felt like a hummingbird was trapped in her chest. She hadn’t been this nervous any of the times she’d stumbled into the palace after a night out drinking with her friends. Shedidn’t even know why she was so frightened. It wasn’t as if she’d broken any rules.
This time.
“I’m just taking a look around. You’ve been after me for days about the gifts and the thank-you notes. Remember?” Amelia gestured toward the table piled high with treasures.
She didn’t dare look at Asher. She hadn’t figured out how exactly to explain his presence. And while exploring the darkenedpalace with her wedding cello soloist might not technically be breaking any rules, it didn’t look good.
“You’re working on thank-you notes?” Her mother lifted a dubious brow. “At this hour?”
“I couldn’t sleep, and you know what they say. There’s no time like the present.” Amelia sank into the closest chair. By some miracle, a pristine box of bespoke Smythson of Bond Street stationery sat directlyin front of her.
Amelia stared at the intertwined letters embossed on the smooth cream-colored paper. H and A. Holden and Amelia.
“I see,” the queen said in a voice that indicated she most definitely didnotsee. “How kind of Mr. Reed to assist you with your bridal duties.”
Amelia cleared her throat. “Actually...”
Actually what? She couldn’t think of a single logical reason why he shouldbe there.
She could have found the leopard on her own. Whywashe there, anyway?
She wasn’t sure, exactly. All she knew was that being assigned to “mummy duty” had been a reality check. The wedding was happening. There wasn’t going to be some kind of agreement between the families. No last minute reprieve. If she didn’t marry Holden, her family name would be dragged through the mud. They mighteven lose the crown. Giving upher freedom was the only way.
She could save the Amcotts. Shewould. But being at that school had made the future seem so real. So imminent. She wasn’t ready.
Would she ever be ready?
“Excuse me, ma’am. I can explain.” Asher stepped forward.
Oh God.What was he doing? Anything he could possibly say would only make the situation worse.
Amelia stared at him, imploringhim with her gaze to shut his mouth.
It didn’t work.
He aimed a polite smile at the queen and kept on talking. “It’s silly really.”
Then he shrugged. He actuallyshrugged.
Amelia wanted to die. There was a 0 percent chance her mother would find any of this silly, and the monarch despised shrugging. Her right eye had already begun to twitch, a telltale sign she was about to lose it.
Willow’sears swiveled like they always did when the dog detected an impending royal meltdown and she slinked out of the room.
“I was looking for the kitchen,” Asher said, patting his stomach for added emphasis.
It was a complete crock of nonsense, obviously. And Amelia doubted her mother would buy it for an instant. Still, a little flutter passed through her when she heard the lie come out of his mouth.
