“Scottie, hang onto that confidence.Don’t let him get into your head.Have you mentioned this meeting to the queen?”
“No, I was afraid she’d demand I cancel.Besides, she looked relaxed and happy when I came back.The appointment with Kimbra this morning to fit my ball gown provided a solid cover as to why we trained down to Port Fressa.”
“Two birds, one stone,” Michael said, loving the plural pronoun we.
“I really want to find out what MP Fickle is about,” she said.
“We shall see.This could go poorly and—”
“Don’t say it.”Scottie made a face, looking toward the steward entering with the tea trolly.
Michael fixed himself a cup at the trolly along with Scottie.Their synchronized movements were a kind of domestic symphony—the clatter of the tea kettle lid, the dollop of cream, and thetinkof the stirring spoon.If he weren’t in this dark, slightly stuffy government house, he might be in his own living lounge with his wife.
He glanced at her, the question “Did you miss me?”on his lips, but he dared not ask.Even in jest.Professional lines and all.But he’d missed her.Very much.
It took him six months to truly fall in love with Purnell, so this short time with Scottie presented no serious threat.His affection was nothing more than a crush.Easy to tumble in.Easy to tumble out.
“At least the tea is good,” Scottie said, still standing beside the trolly, cup and saucer resting on her palm.“Michael, when I was home, I realized how much I need to be there.I have more to learn from my father.My Aunt Leanne reminded me I’m the last O’Shay to take on the company, which is something we’ve never really talked about.Of course there’s no pretense of a life for me here.Kate’s offering much more than an honorary title but—” She shrugged off the last of her answer as she looked over at him with her blue eyes.“I can visit a lot, though.I want to help Eloise Ltd.”
“I came to the same conclusion.I’m not a Pratt man.I’m a Cross man, and I must cling to my Cross heritage despite Mum’s pressure.There aren’t many of us left serving the House of Blue.But if I choose to leave, I can serve the Cross line with the football club or one of our schools.”
“Well, look at us.Arriving at our futures the same week.You’re not Pratt.I’m not a Blue.”
The door swung open and Hamish Fickle entered.“Sorry to keep you waiting, Lady Royal.MP business.”He beelined for the tea trolly.
“I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to meet with me.”
“You presented a great temptation.No Blue has ever taken the time to meet with me or any Fickle.My curiosity got the best of me.”Tea and cake in hand, Fickle chose a chair and sat.
Michael retreated into a corner, making himself as invisible as possible, but his eyes and ears were tuned to Scottie, Fickle, and the whole bizarre setting.But Scottie waved him into the conversation, pointing to the seat next to her.
“You don’t mind if Mr.Cross joins us, do you, MP Fickle?”
“Not at all.This is your meeting.”
Scottie set aside her tea and took the seat opposite Fickle.“What was that crazy business at the Midlands Faire?People could’ve been seriously hurt, including me.”
“For change, sacrifices must be made.The Lauchten people want to be heard.The Crown and the government—”
“Both of which butter your cornbread.”
Michael hid a grin behind his teacup.This was fun.
“We have to take to the streets, Lady Royal.It’s unfortunate things get out of hand from time to time.”
“Speaking from a marketing perspective, MP Fickle, your branding stinks.”Scottie stood and leaned over her chair as if ready to do serious business.“Rabble rousing, shouting down the royal family only collects the lunatic fringe.You want change?Act like you’ve been there before.Show you have an ounce of intelligence.”
Fickle darkened for a moment but quickly fixed a smile in place.“Wise words.I’ll see what I can do.”
“Do you think Her Majesty is going to one day wake up and think ‘Daggum, ole MP Fickle has a point.A thousand years is a long time for one family to sit on the throne.I think I’ll throw my rule over to him and his undisciplined, loudmouth RECO party?’”
Fickle rose slowly, a sharp glint in his gaze.“How dare you come in here and lecture me.What business is any of this of yours?Have you asked about the shenanigans of your brother’s first wife, Lady Holland?Manipulating the Reingard Industries deal behind closed doors?And you.The queen’s dirty little secret.She tried to elevate you with the flimsy, archaic title of Lady Royal, but we all see through it.If you called this meeting to spout your stupid American wisdom, I think we’re done.”
Michael moved beside Scottie, eyes on her.Eyes on Hamish.
“No, we’re not done,” Scottie said.“The marketing advice was only a free preamble.My real question is simple.What’s behind your beef with the Blues?”
Fickle’s shoulders collapsed, but then he caught himself with a laugh.Surprisingly without his trademark mockery.
