Page 30 of From London, With Love
“Does it matter? My preference would be to remain unmarried, but my wishes are rarely taken into consideration. I think it more fitting for the council to tell me which of their candidates would be preferred, since they are running my kingdom for me at the moment.”
Mina arched a brow.
Fine. She was still vexed.
“I don’t believe the council as a whole has a preference, though I tend to agree with Malloryn’s choice this one time,” Mina replied.
“Youwhat?” Alexandra stopped in her tracks. “Since when do you agree with Malloryn?”
“I always agree with Malloryn when he makes sense.”
“Who? Who is it?”
“Oh, no.” Mina shook her head. “If I mention a name, then I may inadvertently circumvent the entire process. Youarestubborn, my dear.”
“Andyouare a terrible friend.” Alexandra strode ahead through the garden. “Plotting with Malloryn behind my back…. What does your husband think of that?”
“My husband merely rolls his eyes and tells the pair of us to leave you alone.”
“Hmph. Barrons is an exceptional man with excellent sense.”
A scalded sound echoed in Mina’s throat. “Please don’t tell him that. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“I should throw a parade just for him.”
“If you even think about it,” Mina warned, “then I’ll tell Malloryn you don’t have enough suitors to contend with.”
Alexandra slapped her with the fan that dangled from her wrist. “Truce.”
“Truce.” Mina caught her arm. “What a clever little brooch. It looks like my spider.”
“Thank you.” Alexandra turned her shoulder toward her friend. “It was a gift from Prince Ivan.”
“Do you favor him?”
Alexandra strolled across the grass, picking her way through her words. “He has an excellent bloodline. Strong ties to the tsarina.”
“Good teeth and a hearty constitution?” Mina murmured wryly. “You’re not choosing a horse to race at Newmarket. Has he been kind to you?”
“He is brusque, and his interest quite clear.” She sighed. “No, I do not favor him. I tolerate him because I must. Though perhaps he’s been the most forthright of all my suitors. The Duke of Alba’s brother can barely understand a word I say.”
“Don’t marry the prince,” Mina said dismissively.
“Why not?”
“You don’t care for him,” Mina replied. “Choose someone you do care for.”
“I don’t have the luxury of insisting upon someone I care for,” she replied curtly.
“If not love, then at least insist upon friendship,” Mina chided. “I want to be happy for you. I want to see a smile on your face.”
Alexandra sighed. “And I want a country that settles into a boring state of nonchalance, a council that doesn’t try to impede me at every step, and an end to being shot at or poisoned.”
“No word on the person behind the scheme?”
“Malloryn is still turning over rocks. You don’t think the cook did it either?”
“I would like to be that naïve,” Mina said shortly. “But if Malloryn thinks there’s more to it, then I daresay he’s right. He’s no fool.”
