My blush depends. “I’ve heard that before, yes.”
He cups my jaw and pulls me in for a deep kiss. When we break apart again, he sighs. “You are trouble, you know.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I know. I don’t want to be troublesome to you, though.”
He cracks his knuckles. “I know,skatter. I really do.”
I bite my lower lip. “Is there any way to contain this news story? Like… do you have any pull with the royal press office?”
He glances off at the window, through which the dawn has finally broken. “Some. It kind of depends.” He hesitates. “You’re probably going to have to apologize to someone about something.”
My eyes widen. “To who? About what?”
Stellan shrugs. “I have no idea. But as soon as I tell the press office, I can bet you that they are going to tell you to apologize to everyone for everything.” He scrunches up his face. “It’s their advice about every scandal.”
I make a face. “Do I have to?”
He smirks. “No. But it will make things easier if you intend to eventually make this your home and make me your husband.”
I wince. “I love you so much, Stellan. I really do. That’s the only reason that I’m okay with this.”
He pulls me close for one last kiss, then sighs. “I had better get dressed. I’m going to have to try to get out in front of this.”
I get up, biting my lip. “I’m just going to tell you this one more time. I’m sorry, Stellan.”
The ghost of a smile crosses his face. “I know,skatter.”
Then he leaves the living room, heading into the bedroom to get dressed. And I’m left standing in my silken robe, hugging myself and feeling bereft.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Stellan
Just as I finish getting dressed to go over to Marselisborg Palace to see Ida, my phone buzzes. It’s a message from Erik.
Your grandmother is here to see you and she is in a mood.
Fuck! Running out into the living room, I find Margot there, frowning at her phone.
“Come get dressed,” I say, my eyes skating over her little silk robe. “My grandmother is on her way up here.”
She stands up, slipping her phone into her pocket and swallowing. “Oh!”
She rushes past me into the bedroom and I close the door to give her privacy. A butler knocks on the living room door and I clear my throat. I won’t lie, I’m a little nervous, going to bat for my girl.
“Come in!” I call out.
The door swings open and the butler steps in. “Herroyal highness,” he says, bowing as he escorts my grandmother in the room. Impeccably put together as always, my grandmother is wearing a light blue linen skirt and a modest white silk top.
“Momse,” I greet her. “I was just coming to see you.”
Ida looks at me strangely and then turns to dismiss the butler. “Please make sure we are not disturbed.”
The butler bows and closes the door. Ida hesitates, then walks over to the sofas. She perches on one. “Take a seat, my dear.”
Shit. What does she know? Could there be more in Margot’s past that she wasn’t honest about?
The thought is like an icy knife twisting in my gut. Composing myself sternly, I take a seat on the couch opposite her.
