Page 67 of The Heart of the King

This time Jazz woke up alone.

Even as she refused to open her eyes, she knew David was nowhere nearby.

Maybe he’d gotten a call and was needed elsewhere. Maybe he was in the bathroom.

Maybe, in the light of day, he regretted what happened in the dark of night.

She finally peeked an eye open to realize it was still twilight out.

So light of day might be a misnomer this far north, though the days were getting longer. She didn’t know how she’d deal with near constant daytime in a few months.

Sitting up, she found a robe laying on the end of her side of the bed. Had he left it for her? Had someone else been in there while she slept?

That idea disturbed her.

Quickly wrapping it around her, she tied it shut before finding her clothes from the night before.

And a note on his pillow.

Snatching it up and holding it in one hand as her other arm held her ball of clothes, she went through the sitting area to pick up her phone where she’d left it while waiting for him.

The choice to go through the door directly into her quarters was an easy one.

Wasn’t there another door between closets? She needed to double check. That would be easier.

“Oh, there you are, ma’am.” Sarah smiled at her as she curtsied. “You don’t have anything on your schedule until this afternoon. Would you like to get some more rest, and I’ll come back around noon?”

Jazz shook her head. “No. Is my outfit already laid out?”

Sarah nodded.

“Then you can go. I can handle it myself this morning. I’m not leaving the building, am I? Not until it’s time to leave for the cabin.”

Sarah shook her head though she looked like she’d been reprimanded. Jazz wasn’t sure why she thought that.

She just didn’t want to prolong this awkward moment. She’d never done the walk of shame, and didn’t think this actually counted, but she wanted to be alone. Pronto.

Sarah curtsied again and left without saying anything else.

Alone, Jazz breathed a sigh of relief. She went into her closet, closing and locking the door behind her.

She sat in one of the chairs and opened the letter.

My dearest wife,

I regret that I must leave you while you sleep, however, I am glad that you continue to rest after the trauma of yesterday.

I’ve instructed Stewart and Marie to find a few days as soon as possible where we can get away together, just the two of us, to discuss the things we need to discuss, and make the decisions that need to be made.

And simply spend some time together without the rest of the pressures of daily life.

We’ll be going to the cabin later today, but that’s only for the next two days. I’d like to find a few more to spend with you.

I will admit that I’ve never quite understood the appeal of waking to a mass of hair that’s not your own on your pillow.

Until this morning.

Tonight, I’ve arranged for a private dinner, just the two of us, in my quarters in the cabin, unless Hazel needs us.

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