Page 433 of Sweet Royal Romance Suspense

Her stomach growled, and Nolan glanced at her. “We’ll pick up with the primary school expansion discussion tomorrow morning,” he said. “I have a family dinner in five minutes.”

Madeline would be going to that family dinner. How would everyone react to her being here?

The members of the school committee all signed off.

“Good evening, King Nolan, Prince Tristan,” the prime minister said cordially.

“Prime Minister Carrera,” the king said before he could end the call.

“Yes?”

“Madeline Prescott was an ideal choice to shadow me, but I won’t be blindsided by issues that you and I both know are far-fetched and absurd.”

Madeline wished she could see the screen better, see the prime minister’s reaction to that.

“I understand, sir. Albert Gustaff and George Monaco have been bending my ear for months. I wanted to keep any issue out of the public eye, and repressing their motion would only force them to seek other means. In a closed session, I conceded I would support sending an emissary to put the issues to rest once and for all. I sent an ally instead of an enemy to lend you support.”

Silence filled the room.

“Please believe I agree at the absurdity of you harboring Naomi Rindlesbacher,” the prime minister tacked on. “I know you are beyond reproach, and that you and Ms. Prescott can put this matter behind us.”

King Nolan studied the screen with that intense blue gaze that nobody could look away from. Finally, he said, “Good evening,” and pressed end on the Zoom call.

Madeline was impressed. He had remained calm and addressed the issue like the strong monarch he was.

The men both closed their computers and stood to stretch. Neither of them said anything about the farewell.

Madeline stood as well, admiring the king’s well-built frame. He’d kept himself fit. He was a couple years older than her. She hadn’t known him personally until Chad and Tristan had struck up a friendship playing rugby in secondary school.

“I’m going to fetch Jennifer and meet you in the dining room,” Tristan said.

“See you soon,” Nolan said.

“Tristan,” Madeline piped up. “Let your dad and I explain to the family why I’m here, all right?”

“I can’t wait to hear your explanation.” Tristan grinned, and there was a telling twinkle in his eyes as he walked past.

She’d always favored him. She wouldn’t put it past Tristan to be matchmaking.

The door closed behind him. Nolan walked up close to her. “We’ll need to inform the staff to prepare a suite for you.”

“Thank you.”

He offered his elbow. “Dinner?”

She slid her hand through, relishing his closeness and the rounded smoothness of his bicep muscle as she cupped it. “Nolan.”

“Yes, Madeline?”

She loved him saying her name and that she didn’t feel she needed to add “king” to his.

“We need a cover story for the rest of your family, for me being here. With a closed session, no member of parliament will spread information about my mission. We deal with too many sensitive issues to flap our tongues.”

“I hope they’ll keep it quiet. The accusations are unfounded and humiliating. Still, I’ve been king far too long to get riled at every rumor flying around the country or the media.”

His parents had died in a small airplane crash when Nolan and Queen Anne had been newlyweds. She wondered if the strain of ruling a country had ever affected their marriage. Of course Nolan was the kind of man who wouldn’t run from hardship or responsibility. Very unlike her husband Bradford. He’d been fun, flighty, and she’d fallen for him hard and fast. Then he’d simply walked away when Chad was four. His last words to her were, ‘We burned bright, but the fire’s gone, sweetheart.’

Madeline was far past the heartache, but the sting of not being enough for her husband had never left. She’d also been leery of falling quickly, and over the years she hadn’t allowed herself to fall at all.

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