Page 13 of Pregnant In The King's Palace

‘What is it you want me to see?’

‘Thallasia’s national newspaper. Front page. Above the fold.’

‘And?’ She leaned over his shoulder and plucked a sweet roll from the basket. No need for butter; she liked them plain and warm and slightly sticky on top and the kitchen here did not disappoint.’

‘“Scandal Rocks the Thallasian Throne as King Valentine Threatens to Quit.”’

‘What?’ She almost choked on her roll.

‘It mentions you too.’

‘It does not!’

‘Yes, you were seen having a spirited conversation with him in the stables.’

‘Ah. Well, yes.’

‘And again during the banquet.’

‘That was very cordial.’

‘Cosy was the word used. And then there was the dancing.’

‘It was one dance.’

‘Shockingly intimate, I think you’ll find, and then he left and then you left—’

‘To tend the horses. As many, many people can confirm.’ She reached for the coffee pot and hoped the coffee in it was sufficiently strong and hot. ‘Why’s he threatening to quit the throne?’

‘Oh, that’s your fault too. His people won’t accept you as his Queen—’

‘True enough.’

‘—and you’ve given him an ultimatum. Make an honest woman of you or your rekindled romance is dead.’

Angelique sighed. ‘So much for being able to do my job today with that rumour flying around.’

‘Unless, of course, you consider it your job to bring about the downfall of kings.’ Carlos sipped his coffee and kept on reading. ‘There’s a quote from a billionaire.’

‘Oh, you mean the one who can’t ride?’

‘The very one. He fears for Valentine’s mental health, what with being in thrall to a shrew like you.’

‘I’m never going to be invited back here again, am I? They’re going to say, “By all means bring your Cordova ponies to the picnic, but please leave that king-slaying shrew behind.” Father’s going to ask me how this went and I’m going to have to say I’ve stuffed it up again. It wasn’t my fault but, hey, who cares?’

‘It’s not that bad.’

‘Speak for yourself, Carlos. It’s bad enough.’

Carlos regarded her patiently. ‘Why don’t you give an interview?’ He gestured towards the paper. ‘Set things straight.’

‘Because no one wants to hear my side of the story. People want the scandal, not the truth.’ She nibbled on her suddenly tasteless breakfast roll and her brother silently pushed a bowl of marmalade in her direction. She had a sweet tooth when stressed. She ripped her roll in half and slathered a generous supply of marmalade on both halves before jamming it back together again. ‘Last night’s civility was supposed to fix things, not stir all those old stories up again.’

‘It’s possible we miscalculated.’

‘Oh, you think?’

Carlos regarded her steadily. ‘I’ll help you with the horses today. That’ll shield you from the worst of it.’

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