“Good to hear.” She made a forced smile.
“I was worried about you. I promised the children I’d check on you.”
“Oh. Well, you checked. I’m fine.” She started to close the door.
“I was hoping to talk with you.”
“About?”
“Will you come out?” He glanced at her room. “It wouldn’t be proper to come in here.”
“Yes. Of course.” She stepped out. “I forgot I’m just a servant and you are a prince.”
“That’s not it.” He shook his head. “It’s just that the palace has eyes…and mouths. Let’s not give them reason to talk.”
“Right.” She closed her door and went into the narrow hallway.
“Follow me.”
Feeling a bit suspicious but not overly concerned, she followed until they came to an open room with several chairs as well as views out over the snowcapped mountains where a full moon was illuminating the surroundings.
“Oh my,” she exclaimed when she saw the magical scene. “That’s absolutely beautiful.”
He waved to a pair of chairs, and she sat down. “You did just fine during dinner. We all thought so.”
She frowned. “Including the queen?”
“Well, perhaps not.”
She sighed. “I didn’t think so.”
“You need to understand the queen has her own agenda.”
“Okay. What would that agenda be?”
“To do what’s best for the country.”
“I understand. And I don’t blame her.”
“She doesn’t see you as part of that agenda.” He leaned forward, his hands laying limply across his knees.
“I’m not surprised. Does this mean I need to go? I figured it could happen.”
“No.” He sat up straight. “No one wants you to go.”
“All right. But I feel like I’m walking on pins and needles.” She gazed intently at him.
“I understand.”
“I care about your children—” Her voice cracked. “I really do. But it’s hard. I don’t know what to do.”
He leaped up from his chair and knelt by her, grabbing both her hands. “And they care about you. We all do. We don’t know what to do either. But we don’t want you to give up.” They both turned to a shuffling sound, but when nothing came of it, he continued. “Please, don’t give up, Meredith. We need you.”
She looked into his eyes, dimly lit in the moonlight, and felt herself melting. “I’ll do my best, Spencer. I care about the children…and you too.”
Just like that, he leaned forward and kissed her. And maybe it was just her, or maybe it was the silvery moonlight, but it was magical.
23
