Page 30 of The English Queen

“You are… insatiable,” Louis looked at her as they caught their breath.

“I needed that. Of course, I now want to smoke. God, I was so tempted the entire time I was home. It’s been ages. I used to bum a fag from Pierce or Perry but… it’s been ages.”

Louis chuckled. “I didn’t ever know you smoked. How French of you.”

“I only ever smoked socially. Not generally. It’s bad for your voice. I mean, it’s dreadful generally and a horrid habit. However, after good sex, it’s brilliant.”

“You’re such a mystery to me sometimes, Bethany,” Louis said as she returned his look.

“I have no idea why.”

“You aren’t like any woman I have ever known. I’m a square. Why on earth do we work?”

“You adore me,” Beth answered. “I love how you adore me. And I love to get under your skin. But ultimately, you love me so much I cannot be cross with you for any period of time. I always come back wanting you more. I have never felt so protected. I don’t know… why does any couple work?”

Louis shrugged. “I guess I don’t know. I cannot quit you, mijn liefste. I’d do anything for you. That’s a given.”

She beamed and rolled onto her side, “I wish I could have had you with me this week. I understand but… it was dreadful. I… I was so frightened. And I was isolated in a way I hadn’t been.”

“What do you mean?”

“Things are forever changed. And I’m not talking about Mummy alone. I’m talking about us–this. There is something bizarre about loving you. It changes things that were written in the stars and held true. It changes my identity in ways… it sounds stupid.”

“It’s not stupid. Things are topsy-turvy right now. What do you mean?”

“I mean, the hierarchy. I go home expecting if I have to stay at the Palace. And, newsflash! I did. Well, they would put me in my childhood bedroom. It’s just me. No. My mother’s staff did not find that fitting for the future Queen of the Belgians, so they put me on the other side of the house in this grand bank of rooms which, while nice, were not home. I was like a guest in the only house I ever knew. Unlike the boys, I don’t remember KP or Frogmore. I never lived there. And, yet, my status bumped me out of it. I feel… I don’t know…”

“Not allowed to be British?” Louis asked.

“Yeah, actually. Wow. You have summarised it so much better than I could have ever done. God, Louis.”

“It’s going to change–everything will change. I am sorry, but you can’t marry a monarch without it changing, Beth. You are stuck with all of me, unfortunately.”

Beth leaned over and kissed him. “I am stuck with you, but you are the one who got the frustrating, wilful, wild, inconsequential daughter of British Queen. How does that feel?”

“Altogether wonderful,” Louis admitted. “The best, really. Wouldn’t trade it. And, to me, nothing about you is anywhere near inconsequential.”

?????

Travelling to Australia was a feat with nothing but grown adults. However, travelling with a small child was altogether miserable. Robbie and Vanna left their two oldest children at school. Paul, now fully engaged in his new school in London was staying on with his Great Aunt Sabine and Great Uncle Malcolm while they babysat him in the Palace. Vanna, Robbie, Ralph, and Hannah set out with little Kiersten on her first ever trip to the Pacific. It was daunting. Natalie and George had been naturals in the air since birth. Paul was reliable enough. Hand him a tablet and he would sit happily in a warzone. Poor Kiersten, though, hated planes. She screamed, cried, and fussed at any degree of altitude above 10,000 feet. The trip was rough. If she was not sleeping or sitting on another human body, she was dissatisfied.

Vanna was already touched-out by touch-down after the incredible marathon flight. The baby was out-of-sorts. She was out of her sleep regimen. It was a disaster. Still, Robbie didn’t regret his decision to bring her. Vanna’s depression worked overtime since Maggie’s new diagnosis. The medication changes her doctor made helped. However, she simultaneously needed to see the baby to affirm she was okay while loathing the stress and noise Kiersten caused. She both needed space and to be near her child. Sometimes, Robbie wondered how anyone survived four children at his age. He worried for his sister and Louis. Of course, Beth was still young and energetic.

They arrived for the Australian tour and hit the ground running. Vanna was exhausted but dealt with jet lag better than Robbie. Robbie was cross, tired, and fell asleep that night desperate to sleep a minimum of twelve hours. Unfortunately, their baby who normally slept through the night woke no less than three times. Vanna got up first initially. The second time the baby woke, she threatened Robbie with castration if he didn’t also take care of the child. So, he woke with little Kiersten. The baby couldn’t have been happier to be awake at 3 AM. She was ready for a party. She slept another two and a half hours after another bottle and then missed her last feed. Vanna’s father, Ralph, was awake and took over, blessedly.

It took a village. Attempting this without a nanny was ridiculous, but their nanny took care of Paul. They hadn’t hired two with the arrival of Kiersten. There had not been a point. It was better for Paul to get consistency and for Kiersten to stay near her mother. Robbie knew his mother deeply disagreed with his choice to bring the baby and to split time with Duncan and Rebecca, but this felt right.

Three days into the tour, Robbie and Vanna found their feet again. Once more, their child slept through the night. Vanora was adored by the people. If The Firm had one nuclear bomb in the arsenal, it was Princess Vanora of Wales. You could have dropped her anywhere and she’d be charming. It didn’t matter if she was exhausted. She wasn’t daunted by prickly characters. In fact, Vanna loved a challenge. Robbie worked a lot less when he had his wife to rely on. That was good, as he kept up with briefings, corresponded with Duncan, and kept things moving with Beth’s wedding.

Weddings took over their lives. Robbie was stuck dealing with the negotiations for Beth’s upcoming nuptials. Vanna helped Mairead plan. Robbie couldn’t escape the wedding fever. Robbie wanted to run for the hills far away from discussions of security costs, dresses, and what was permissible given the interfaith nature of the ceremony. It had been hundreds of years since a member of the British Royal Family married a Catholic. It was unusual if not terrifying to manage such negotiations. And then there was the general fun of working with The King of Awkward. Robbie and Louis could not have been more different. He trusted Louis had Beth’s interest at mind, but the man was difficult to read. Robbie still didn’t understand why it worked for his sister, but it just did.

Things hit harder on day ten of their tour.

Following a performance at the Sydney Opera House, Robbie and Vanna were pulled aside by their team in the car. Her Majesty suffered a seizure and was rushed to hospital. She was fine now, of course. This was an unfortunate complication of her treatment. She was under observation and on medication. However, given Elliot was in China with his wife at an equestrian competition while Duncan and Rebecca were travelling to Australia for the state banquet and hand off, Robbie was in a bad position. He had not a single person at home to play counsellor of state.

Robbie made the call he didn’t want to make. The line trilled.

“Allo?” a voice answered. It was one of her staff. That meant she was at an engagement.

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