Page 93 of The English Queen

“I cannot ignore you, bolleke.”

Paul rushed into the crowd of onlookers. “Auntie, you need to take deep breaths.”

“Yes, darling, thank you. That is an excellent recommendation.”

“I think giving her some space might be a better idea,” Rebecca said. “Nurse’s orders.”

“Doctor’s orders.” Beth heard Ravi. He was Rebecca’s ex, the obstetrician, and came with his wife and Nira to celebrate his daughter’s cousin. He’d delivered Kiersten the year before. They were basically family now.

Everyone backed up and Rebecca took Beth’s pulse, “You’re coming down. I think you had a panic attack and then it just… overloaded you somehow.”

“She’s starting to get some colour back,” Ravi noted. “Any other things going on? You been sick… anything?”

“No,” Beth said, nervously.

“I think maybe you should get checked out. We should at least call the palace doctor,” Maggie interjected.

“Ravi is right here. It’s fine,” Rebecca said. “Calm down, Maggie.”

“I promise my medical training is up to date, Your Majesty.”

Maggie piped down.

“But your medication… are you up to date?” Rebecca asked.

“She is fine. Took her meds this morning right after I arrived. Her team has been insistent, and I’ve been bothering her so much since our honeymoon—”

“I took my meds. I can assure you it is fine. Give me a moment. Is everyone else leaving?” Beth grew further annoyed the longer she lay there.

“People are leaving you alone, yes,” Rebecca confirmed.

“Good,” Beth sighed. “I can tell you what it is.”

“What is it?” Louis looked concerned.

“Well, I didn’t want to do this here but it’s going to happen. I wanted to wait until we were back in Brussels.”

“Say it, Beth. You have me nervous.”

“I don’t mean to frighten anyone. I guess it’s making me weak. Which is just what I need at present.”

“What?”

“I’m pregnant,” Beth whispered.

“Pregnant?!” Louis declared at a decibel level which ensured those all the way in Whitehall heard him.

“The point was to not announce it to the world,” Beth groaned. “Louis, come on!”

“Well, that is an unfortunate symptom,” Ravi confirmed. “But one many people have. When are you due?”

“January fifteenth. So, it’s too early to say anything.”

“You’re pregnant?” Maggie shouted. “Is that what he said? Oh, thank God!”

Beth gathered her strength and shouted, “Mother, calm down. It is too early to say anything, and I could kill him!”

Rebecca helped Beth sit up as Louis stared at her in disbelief.

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