Page 15 of The English Queen

“Robert, you’re not making sense,” Vanna shook her head.

“Mum has cancer–again. Glioblastoma.”

“Fuck,” Vanna’s eyes fell to the floor.

“It’s… it’s not as bad as Nate’s was. They caught it early in part because you went to Sabine. When did you go to my aunt?”

“That weekend. After the outburst. I said something to her on hunt day. I said the behaviour was aberrant and I worried for her. Sabine told me Maggie had been having headaches and… I got paranoid. I felt stupid for mentioning it almost immediately after I did. I was involving myself too much—”

“I am so glad you were brave. You probably saved her months and months of life, Vanora. She wants to thank you. She has about a year and a half because of you. Fuck. We’re excited about a year and a half and…”

“Every month counts. Nate had six months. He outlived it by a couple. We were grateful for every day, Robert,” Vanna said.

Robbie held Kiersten close as he fed her. Vanna handed him a tissue.

“I love you to the ends of the earth, Robbie,” Vanna said. “It kills me to see you hurting–to see your family hurting–but let it out. Grieve. Holding it in… it helps no one. It’s okay to be sad and angry and off your game. Don’t try to keep pushing. You’re going to have to—”

“Vanna, I will have to do everything. I’ll be Regent again within the week when the announcement is made. I am again dealing with an unstable fucking government. All I want to do is soak up these last-firsts with this baby. She is so perfect. She was the one we never suspected we’d ever get. She’s so lovely. And now, I’m going to miss everything and drop it all in your lap.”

“You can only work as much as is feasible. Give yourself time. People… they will understand as they did last time,” Vanna assured him. “Spend the time with your mother. Take the time you need. I’m going back to work.”

“Vanora—”

“No, I am. I will be more myself. We will hire help now. We will persevere as we always have.”

“You’ll be queen by the time she’s out of nappies, Vanora,” Robbie sighed.

Vanna nodded. “I figured. But I signed up for the job. I’m not running away, baby. I’m here. I am always going to be here. Lean on me.”

“I am sorry this is happening for a third time in your life,” Robbie sobbed.

“I am, too, if only because it means someone I love–lots of people I love–will be hurting. Robbie, I love you. I am strong. We will make it through this. It will hurt like hell but… we will persist. We always do.”

?????

“You need to get here. I can’t get into it,” Robbie insisted on the phone.

Beth’s mind reeled.

She was tired from a long day and frustrated. “I don’t understand. Robbie, I have a life. I have a schedule. Louis and I supposed to be in Ghent. If this is Mum wanting to give me some stupid apology—”

“No, Bethy. It’s not. I cannot get into it. I’m not throwing you into the fire. Trust me. You will regret it if you do not come home. Please, hop on a plane.”

His voice was tired and disconnected. He sounded sad. He didn’t get like this. Something was, indeed, terribly wrong.

“I will talk to Louis and let you know,” Beth said. “I will do my absolute best.”

She did just that. Beth went to Louis’s office and waited until he left a meeting to break the news.

“I hate to do this, darling. My family is a disaster but… Robbie told me he is holding family meeting and it’s crucial I attend. I will fly in for the day. I… I need to arrive as soon as I can. I’m not sure what hat it is about but he sounded distraught.”

Louis cocked his head, “Okay? Um… well, we need to meet with the cardinal tonight—”

“Tomorrow morning? Early?” Beth wondered.

“What you need to do is up to you,” Louis said. “I wouldn’t want to make your life harder, mijn liefste. If Robbie says it is crucial, believe him. He’s never asked you to come home like this before.”

“It’s weird.”

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