Page 28 of From London, With Love
“Thank you.”
“I have been meaning to speak to you alone.” Prince Ivan presented her with a small box. “I have a gift. A token,” he said, “of my affection.”
Affection.Good grief. She barely knew him, though she had to admit he was playing his role well. “Thank you, Your Highness. You are most kind.”
She opened the velvet box.
A golden scarab brooch lay cushioned within it, to be tethered at her breast with a pin. She held it up, winding the small clockwork cog at the side of its body. Instantly, its wings began to flutter and it crawled over her fingers. “How lovely. My dearest friend, the Duchess of Casavian, has one just like this, though hers is a spider.”
“They tell me they’re all the rage in London,” he replied.
She’d never seen them, but then, she was sometimes kept at a distance from the rest of the world. It was possible.
Alexandra pinned the little brooch to her lapel, admiring how well the gold flickered in the early dawn light. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”
“A beautiful gift, for a beautiful queen.”
Yes, well. She forced a smile, and then decided she may as well make conversation. She couldn’t say “thank you” again. “Are you enjoying London?”
“Very much so.” He immediately brightened. “There is much to do here, and I would enjoy prolonging the experience.”
“You are one of Catherine’s favorite great-grandchildren, though,” she protested. “Surely your great-grandmother would desire your presence at court.”
“She has not roused for many years. I believe this summer may well be her last.” He shrugged and then gave her a steady look. “It may not be wise to be a grandchild in the court when she passes.”
Catherine’s eldest, whom she’d named heir, had been murdered, and now the rest of them scrambled for position.
“Ah,” she said. “Perhaps a summer in the south, then?”
“Perhaps.” His horse tossed its head, and he looked her in the eye. “Though I have hopes I may be spending it here.”
A little presumptuous. She smiled. “Not as warm and sunny as the Mediterranean, though London comes alive during the summer. You would enjoy it.”
“May I ask…? Sir Gideon is a friend, is he not?”
Alexandra froze. “Yes. A dear friend. He is one of the councilors that rule the city. The Duke of Malloryn is another. You have met Malloryn, yes?”
Prince Ivan’s eyes hooded. “Yes, I have met the duke.” And clearly not enjoyed the encounter.
Silence fell.
She could sense him gathering himself to ask another question, and nudged her heels against her horse’s flanks. “Time to return, I think. There is to be breakfast on the lawn, and then I believe we are to play croquet. Malloryn will be there. I shall introduce you again—”
“And Sir Gideon?” This time he looked at her boldly.
Alexandra wheeled her mare. “I do believe so, yes.”
Chapter 9
The next morning, the queen fled her suitors and found a quiet patch of lawn in the gardens.
Her solitude was not granted for long. A child’s laughter echoed through the air, and then Mina came into sight with little Madeleine, holding a kite in her hand.
The second the little girl saw her, her face lit up and she ran to grant Alexandra a hug. “Aunt Alexandra.”
The queen ruffled her hair, bending low to kiss her forehead. “My little rabbit. If you keep dashing about like that, you’re going to trip and stain your pinafore.”
Maddie smiled. “I never trip!”
