“It’s for the best.” She looked down at her shoes.
“But—”
“Let’s not make this harder.” She firmed her voice. “The children will be back in school soon. Your life will be changing. It’s time for me to go. And, really, it’s been an amazing experience.” She hoped her eyes didn’t look too misty. “I’m grateful you gave me the chance…to be with your children. It was really an honor…and a wonderful experience.” She bent down to pick up a bag.
“No.” He put his hand over hers. “Please, don’t go. At least stay down here in your room for the night. I can’t stand the idea of you up there in the servants’ rooms.”
“The queen will have a fit.”
“Hang the queen.”
Meredith blinked. “I hope you don’t have security cams in here.”
“We don’t. But I don’t care. Hang the queen,” he said again. “I’ve looked forward to coming home for the past three days just hoping you and I could sit down and talk.”
“Really?”
Taking her hand, he led her to the living room area. “I have a lot to tell you, Meredith. Please, sit.” He pointed to the sectional,and without speaking, she sat. He sat next to her, his hands in his lap and a pensive expression upon his face. “The queen has been trying to orchestrate my life ever since Anastasia died. I put up with it for all these years for the sake of the children. For the past couple of years, she has paraded potential wives in and out of the palace with no regard to my feelings or opinions. This was the last time. Astrid is a nice woman, yes, but she is not the woman for me. I had to play along with this last charade since her family is close friends with the queen, and there are financial matters at stake there. But I am not the queen’s pawn. And it’s high time she knew it.”
Meredith was too stunned to speak.
“I plan to let her know tomorrow.”
“I see.” She took in a deep breath to steady herself. “I have been standing up to her lately too. I’m certain she wants to be rid of me. That’s probably why she wanted me in that upstairs room. We never even told her I moved back down here during your absence.” Now she told him about the meal where they all left in protest.
“Really? You and the children walked out on her?” He looked impressed.
“We did. She broke Kat’s heart by not allowing Kalina to come to the birthday ball. And although Kat has dined with the queen, she has refused to speak to her. Not more thanyesandno. They are having a stalemate over the ball. Kat really intends to boycott.”
“Good for Kat. It’s about time she rose to her title.”
“I’m so proud of her. She’s handling this in a mature way.” Meredith sighed. “She’s growing up fast.”
“I know. They both are. And it matters more to me than ever that I don’t miss out on it. I am seriously thinking of taking them both away from here. Back to England, with my parents.”
“That would crush the queen.” Meredith remembered that maternal moment when the queen kissed them goodnight. “I know she loves the children. Maybe she just doesn’t quite know how to show it.”
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I’m sure you’re right. I feel caught between the old proverbial rock and the hard place.”
“Maybe it’s time to follow your daughter’s example and stand up to the queen. Honestly but kindly, let her know what you can put up with and what you can’t. Compromise?”
“You’re right. I’ve had that thought before. But she’s an intimidating woman. She rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove. And she is not terribly fond of me.”
“But she does love your children,” Meredith reminded him. “You have that working for you.”
“You’re right. You brought up compromise. Will you make one with me, Meredith?”
“I’m willing to listen.”
He smiled. “I like that about you. A strong-willed woman.”
“Why thank you.” She smirked at him. “Not all males appreciate that.”
“I do. And here is my compromise. Promise me you’ll stick around a while longer, and I promise I will stand up to the queen.”
She didn’t have to think about it before she agreed with him. She stuck out her hand. “You’re on.”
“It’s a deal.” He grasped her hand and stared into her eyes for a long moment—so long she was worried he wanted to kiss her, and she wasn’t ready for that. Not until she knew for sure what his intentions were toward her. Was he looking for a nanny for his children? Or a wife and a mother? And if it was the latter, was she really up to the task?
