Page 57 of Forbidden Bastard
She lifted her chin and stopped reaching for her tea. Then like she was a queen herself, she said, “I was in a hurry but I’m not stupid. I did a bit of acting so the conductor didn’t think anything about me bringing you into my cabin, but I saw when the nun let go of your hand. I didn’t approach until she boarded a different train, leaving you alone.”
Something that weighed down on his shoulders lifted off him. “It was on purpose?”
She nodded. “I wanted to help you. And once you asked me for help, I never wanted to let you go. I was happy to be your mother. It was apparent you'd never had one and you became my only son.”
He rubbed her back. “Clara, you’re the only mother I ever wanted.”
She cupped his face like she always did and wiped his eyes that were moist. “No tears. You’re getting married today.”
Queen Anna Camila said, “And we’re so happy you found each other.”
For a few minutes no one said anything and they all drank their tea.
Slowly his mind focused on today. He glanced at the king, his natural father. Charles didn’t budge from Clara’s side but asked, “Why did you leave me in the orphanage?”
King Leopold put his cup down and held his wife’s hand. “I didn’t. Your birth mother decided that against my wishes and I didn’t know. She'd said she found you a family.”
Francesca had been cold to him. He paused, but then lowered his voice to ask, “And you believed her?”
Queen Anna Camilla sat forward. “I believed she liked money. My husband and Francesca were together before we married, when I was his secretary. She'd accepted the break-up money Leo'd sent, and I paid her again the day she showed up in the castle with the paperwork. She had a signed adoption contract she presented.”
Yet no one had ever adopted him. His first memories were of the women who left him to cry. “What?”
The king traced his wife’s hand. “I was torn, Charles, about just adopting you before you were born, but we were afraid of the scandal if others found out who your parents actually were. Francesca took that option off the table when she said she found you a family. All that time I,we,thought you were happy.”
Charles breathed in deeply and then spoke the truest words he knew. “I don’t want to be a prince. I’m happy as I am.”
Queen Anna Camilla said, “We want you, Clara, and Sandi to be part of the royal family.”
Charles snuck another glance at his birth father. If he had a choice between a lady like the queen and his birth mother, he’d… he’d choose Sandi. For once he wasn’t upset at the king.
Clara’s voice was tight as she said, “Highness, with all due respect, I’m from a small village.”
The Queen nodded regally. “For your service, you are now Lady Doblar.”
Clara’s nose wrinkled like she was just offered rotten tomatoes. “Lady Doblar… she… wasn’t a nice lady.”
The king laughed like he agreed entirely. “She died long ago and has no estate as the Duke of Modena inherited the lands as the nearest distant relative. So it’s a title and money only we can offer.”
Clara’s face was bright red and this time it wasn’t acting. Charles stayed close to her half afraid the offer would cause a second stroke as she said, “I wanted to return to Avce to see old friends. You’ve made this more than I ever could have imagined.”
Sandi loved him. He believed Clara when she called him "her son" and he empathized more with the king. Perhaps he'd genetically inherited the king's knack for business, if that was possible.
They finished their tea and Charles placed his cup down for the last time and glanced up. He might not have another opportunity and he had one more thing to say, so he coughed and met the king’s gaze. “Your Highness?”
He nodded. “Yes, Charles. Please call me Leo.”
That would be strange. He grew tense again but asked, “Can I talk to you about the day we met?”
Leo leaned toward him. “Yes, but we don’t have to. It’s your wedding day and we’re all happy to be here with you.”
If he was to be part of their family, he needed to explain. He massaged the back of his neck and said, “My behavior was extreme that day in your throne room. I didn’t want your enemies to know about Clara as a means to bribe or get to me. I humiliated myself and figured I’d never see you again so it didn’t matter.”
The queen patted her husband’s knee. “So you aren’t still pining for the Countess of Golchin?”
Sheena and he would never have fit. They had similar taste in art, but the similarities ended at business. Sandi was more. She had his heart. Charles took a deep breath and said, “Not at all. Sandi’s the only woman I've ever loved.”
She laughed. “Your brother’s wives will be relieved. We all very much enjoyed talking to your Miss Smith yesterday.”
