Page 30 of Royal Player
His voice is silky. “As a matter of fact, it is.”
“Should I get Adrian and Oscar to join us?”
“I’d like to speak to you in private.”
“Why?”
“All will be revealed this evening.” He hangs up.
I press my lips together. What could he need to talk to me about in private? The only thing I can think of is that he wants to talk business and pleasure. Not a tempting prospect. Vaughn will be with me for protection in case Charles tries anything inappropriate. I’m just going to hear him out. I need something, anything, to get me out of this impossible corner with Peter and make something good come of it.
My personal phone rings, startling me, and I pick it up. My parents.
I answer in a cheerful tone despite my troubled thoughts. “Hello.”
My mother’s voice carries through the phone, speaking rapid French. “Marge told us she’s sick. We’re so worried about her. Has she seen a doctor?”
Guilt stabs at me. I haven’t checked in on Marge today. I switch to French. “Yes, and it’s nothing serious. Just a cold.”
“I hope you haven’t caught anything.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“See to it that she has plenty of tea with honey and lemon.”
“Yes, of course.”
“How’re you enjoying your time with Anna at the palace?”
I pace, guilt fueling me with extra energy. But how can I tell her the truth? Saying I’m at a casino without a chaperone, drinking and gambling, would lead to an immediate trip home. “It’s wonderful. I’m so thankful I was able to be here for her and the baby. I’ll be in the delivery room with her.”
“Oh! Don’t they have a doctor for that?”
“Yes, but Anna and I are as close as sisters. I’m to be her coach.”
“Polly, childbirth is a very difficult, very painful,personalthing. You took twenty-four hours to emerge. I thought I was going to die.” This is a story she’s told me many, many times, especially when I was giving her fits as a young girl. She always reprimanded me, saying, “You are not obeying! And after I almost died giving birth to you!”
“Yes, well, you didn’t die, and here I am, thankful for it.”
“Your father’s tremors are getting worse. He’s anxious for you to marry and take your place with Peter.”
I tense. “Of course, Marge filled me in. May I speak with Papa?”
“He’s sleeping. He’s not young anymore, Polly.”
He never was. He was a widower, who remarried my mother. He had me when he was fifty. His first wife wasn’t able to have children and drowned in a boating accident. There were whispers of foul play, but I don’t believe them. My father spoke of her fondly, even if she was a disappointment in not producing an heir.
My mother goes on. “He’s already outlived his father and grandfather. The genes on that side aren’t good for longevity. It’s time for you to do your duty.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Do you?” she asks sharply.
“Yes,” I say through my teeth.
“I do hope Anna gives birth soon. We need you home immediately after.”
I need more time to come up with a plan. “I’ve promised to be at the christening in the palace chapel. It’s a very big deal, the heiress to a kingdom. Anna would never forgive me if I missed it.” I have no idea when the christening is, I just need to be sure I’m not rushed home early.
