Page 9 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

“My wife,” he said evenly.

Oh.

Well, no wonder he’d thought she wouldn’t like this plan. The wife bit had gotten her out of one situation, but she hadn’t intended to let him continue to use the incorrect moniker.

Still, the queen took her in at the word. Kierse had never felt so underdressed in her life. Her slip dress had been perfect for the outdoor Beltane festival but hardly felt fitting to meet a queen. There was no derision in her expression, though. Only appreciation.

“A wife,” Queen Aveline whispered. “I am so rarely shocked at my age.” Her eyes cut to Graves. “You? Married?”

“Allow me to introduce you to Kierse McKenna.”

“My dear,” the queen said.

“Your Majesty,” Kierse said with another little bob.

“Oh, you must be something spectacular to have caught such a man.”

Kierse met her gaze. “I generally find him to be the lucky one.”

Queen Aveline smiled in amusement. “As you should.” She gestured for Kierse to come closer. “We’re always the catch, aren’t we?”

“I can hear you,” Graves said with a laugh.

“I sure hope so,” the queen said, turning to Graves and pointing a finger at him. “I don’t have the time right now, but I must have the whole story. You cannot leave a single detail out. For instance, why does she not have a ring? I know you have many jewels in that old house of yours.”

Graves flashed his teeth. “If only I could get her to wear one.”

Kierse snapped her eyes to him. “I would wear one. You keep choosing incorrectly.”

The queen laughed. “There you have it, Graves.”

“Tell me what you would wear, my dear, and it shall be yours,” he promised with an earnest expression on his sharp features.

“If I have to tell you, then you’ve lost the game.”

“Noted,” he said with a knowing smirk.

“Personally, I’m a fan of something understated,” the queen said, enjoying the spectacle. She put her hand on Kierse’s and winked. “Or a family heirloom.”

Kierse looked at Graves and gestured to the queen as if to suggest he take her advice. She was purposely keeping the queen’s attention on the scene they were making. Because while she and Graves were a good distraction, the sleight of hand she had to perform was next level. She’d already admired the bracelet while they’d been speaking, and once she got the clasp undone, the rest was easy.

Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure someone would discover her deception by its racing beat. She tucked the bracelet into her small bag with her pickpocketed invitation. Time to get out of there as fast as they could.

“Another day,” Graves assured her. “Tonight you have your ball.”

“Yes, yes,” the queen said. “Are you in Paris long?”

“I have business tonight and then back to the city, I’m afraid.”

“The city. As if there’s only one.”

“There’s only one for me,” Graves said with a shrug.

“Next time, then.”

Graves kissed her hand and made their excuses. But Kierse didn’t release her breath until they disappeared into the anonymity of the crowd.

“Nicely done,” he said as he escorted her out of the ballroom, heading swiftly toward the nearest exit. His hand rested on the small of her back, directing her down another hallway away from a set of guards.

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