“Corina, Stephen said you’re doing an interview with Clive Boston.” The queen seemed delighted.
“That’s the plan. I texted him yesterday and we’re to meet at the premier, then get together the following day. But Clive is known to change his mind.”
“Tell him Queen Campbell is looking forward to reading your piece.”
Corina accepted the queen’s warmth and friendship. “Thank you. That should give me some proper ammunition.”
A footman cleared their salad plates and refilled the water goblets.
“Stephen,” Susanna said, “you know if you don’t show up at the premier with a date, Madeline and Hyacinth are going to have a field day with you.”
“Let them do their worst.”
“Corina,” the queen said, reaching for her water, poised and elegant, “are you attending the premier with anyone?”
“Well, no—”
“Stephen,” Campbell lowered her voice and leaned toward her son, eyeing the footman entering across the room with their main course, fried chicken and mashed potatoes. “Take yourwifeto the premier.”
“Mum, I thought you’d be my date.” Stephen flicked his hand at Corina. “She came to work.”
“Won’t it cause a stir if we show up together?” Corina said.
“Yes, thank you.” Stephen huffed, popping his hand on the table. “She’s right.”
“In your own words, Stephen, let them do their worst.” Campbell turned to the king. “Nathaniel, what do you think?”
“Mum, it doesn’t matter what he thinks.” Stephen pushed away from the table. “Corina and I are in the middle of an annulment.” He glanced her way but kept his eyes above her head. “If I attend a premier with her on my arm, we will be a media spectacle. Every paper and blogger will have their say. We don’t need anyone mucking up our past.”
Corina’s appetite faded as Stephen’s tirade heated up.
“They could find out we were married.”
“You are married,” Nathaniel said, and Corina felt as if she were in the middle of a family fight. A family to which she did not belong. She wanted to escape to the comfort of the Manor.
“But all she has to do is sign the papers and then we are not. If word gets out wearemarried, the annulment will become a big hairy deal. What’s the use in that? Nathaniel, you above all know what’s at stake here—”
“See, there you go. Hinting of something more. Just what is at stake here, Stephen?” Corina tucked her folded napkin beside her plate and pushed away from the table.
“Corina, I don’t think Stephen is implying any hidden motives.” Campbell also rose from her chair.
“I disagree. Begging your pardon. But he’s not telling me something. And until he does, his wagon is hitched to mine. I’d love to go to the premier with you. What time shall I expect you to pick me up?” Push. Shove. She’d get the truth from him one way or the other.
“Corina, Mum’s right. There’s nothing more going on.”
“You said to your brother, ‘You above all know what’s at stake here.’ I demand to know what that means.” Her voice speared the room with tension, toppling the once peaceful dinner. Corina regretted her outburst, but there was nothing to do about it now. She blamed Stephen. He did this to her. Confused her. Made her crazy. Rewired her heart. Trembling, she turned to the princess. “I’m sorry. I’ve been rude. My mother would be humiliated. Susanna, thank you for dinner.” She placed her napkin under her plate and turned for the door.
“Corina,” Susanna said. “You don’t have to go.”
“Oh, but I do.” Before she either freaked out, or . . . or . . . or crumbled into a weeping ball. She struggled, embarrassed, searching for the exit.
But the entry door was shut, blending into the carved walls. Corina whirled around until she spied a doorknob, and skirted toward it.
“Corina, wait.” Stephen came after her, his hand grabbing her arm.
She broke away, charged into the living room, retrieved her clutch, and started for the foyer. “Stephen, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here tonight. You and I, we’re like a ticking bomb. I don’t get you. You don’t get me. Shoot, I don’t get me half the time.” The love well message confused her, tripped her up. Why did God send a word but not understanding? She felt foolish and weak.
“Doyouthink we should go out in public together?”
