Page 111 of The English Queen

Beth spun. “Yeah?”

“You were wearing that when I saw you at the opera?”

She nodded. “It’s not too past-Beth cosplay?”

“It’s beautiful, Beth. You are spectacular. People will talk… about the hair.”

“I don’t even care. It is a hummingbird, and it is the name of the opera–something all of the French and Dutch speakers will gather.”

“That’s from Martin?”

“I wear lots of things Martin spoiled me with. Don’t get so offended—”

Louis tilted Beth’s chin up. “I’m not. You had a life. And I’m practical. Besides, I think I have done a lot to catch up to him.”

“No one will beat the tiara, darling.”

Louis gave her a slow, deep kiss that made her knees weak. He pulled away and left her standing there, face still tilted up, her eyes slowly opening. Beth couldn’t have loved him more. He rubbed her stomach, as if preoccupied and then turned to the mirror.

“I love you to the ends of the Earth,” Beth told Louis. “Really and truly. You’re my forever now.”

Louis turned, almost stunned by her flowery declaration.

“I can be romantic as well as cheeky. Don’t look so surprised!”

They arrived, press salivating over Beth’s entrance. One, she looked pregnant. The country was overjoyed about a royal baby. The press put to bed the rumour Louis was gay or simply unwilling to produce an heir. Two, Beth was wearing the brooch. It seemed a tell.

“Any thoughts on the performance tonight?” one asked her.

“Oh, as always, excited to see what Mr. Schreiber’s orchestra is up to,” Beth said. “He is a genius.”

They continued up to their box and watched the performance. Martin was totally absorbed in the moment. He was out of body when performing. Conducting was exhausting and required strong focus. Get the cues wrong and you were sunk. Get out of sync and you might have a runaway orchestra. Change the weight of a cue and you might not get the response you wanted. He was a god. There was something sexy about commanding dozens of people to work together with slight cues. He was like a general marching into battle. Still, her admiration for him wasn’t based on sexual chemistry. She didn’t long for him in that way. She was nostalgic about performance. She was marvelling because she inspired such beautiful music.

When the performance ended, Beth and Louis went backstage to meet the symphony and eventually Martin. Beth knew many of the musicians and was glad to catch up with old friends. This was a surreal blast from the past. It had been ages since she spoke to many of them. And here she was, Queen and pregnant with a baby—something no one saw coming a year before.

Finally, they reached Martin. He played with his wild curly hair as he did when he got a bit nervous. He welcomed Beth and Louis with a bow.

“I was wondering if you would be here given all of the news, Your Majesty,” Martin said to Beth.

Beth laughed. “Oh, well, you certainly did a number.”

“No, no, I meant the happy new. I should congratulate you both, yes?”

Beth smiled and blushed. “Oh, that? We are grateful for any good wishes, as always.”

“Well, congratulations, then. You look lovely as ever. Louis, she has struggled with her health. I am sure you are taking care of her best you can.”

“She is getting better,” Louis said. “But it is difficult on her. Still, we are excited.”

Beth smiled at Louis lovingly. “I know it seems weird. You probably never thought I had it in me.”

“No. I always knew you would fall in love with someone, have a big wedding, and have children. I predicted it,” Martin said.

“I thought you were just defensive—”

Martin shook his head emphatically. “No. I wanted happiness for you and assumed you would marry. It will be good. I hope your children will be as talented and clever as you, Bethany.”

“We can certainly hope. I cannot read music, struggled at piano lessons, and can barely carry a tune.”

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