"Ah." The Queen chuckled. "Does this have anything to do with our darling Milo and his Brynn? They passed through here a few moments, both of them shouting at each other. They were so involved in each other that they didn't notice me at all."
"Well, perhaps just a little," I admitted. "I'm worried about them. And I'm worried about my sister and Rhys—ah—" I stopped mid-sentence, afraid that I was possibly sharing a secret that wasn't mine to reveal.
"Oh." Her Majesty waved one hand. "I know about their elopement. And while I think it was rather a wise idea, given the complicated family situation on the groom's side, I can understand that you might be feeling a little hurt. A bit left out."
"I guess that's it." I nodded. "Or at least partly it. But then there's Daisy, and there's my grandmother Honey, and there's you, Granny—"
"Me?" The Queen tilted her head. "What's wrong between us, Kyra?"
"Between us? Oh, nothing, Granny," I rushed to assure her. "I just meant that I'm very sad for you. I know this holiday must be so difficult, missing Grandpa. And we all do, you know. We miss him terribly."
"Yes, we do," she agreed. "Being here with everyone, I keep expecting him to appear in a doorway, or grouse to me about the damned noise from the children—noise he very much loved, mind you. The Duke enjoyed Christmas above everyone else. I think it came from his childhood, where there was so much uncertainty and loss . . . but being German, at the holidays, all the troubles vanished, and celebration ruled." She slid over a little on the bench and patted the spot she'd just vacated. "Come, darling, sit down."
I did as I was told. "Granny, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel worse by bringing up an unhappy topic."
"Dear Kyra, you didn't make me feel worse at all. On the contrary, by allowing me to share memories of my husband, you've brightened my afternoon." She gazed past me, her eyes softening. "Have you noticed that sometimes one can feel alone even when there are hoards of people about?"
"Definitely," I said, my tone filled with agreement. "Sometimes that's when I'm the loneliest."
"I'm so grateful to have all of my family here to observe this holy season. Still, in the hustle and bustle, with everyone doing their best to keep Granny busy so she doesn't have time to remember and grieve . . . well, I simply needed a few moments of solitude." She smiled. "To remember and grieve, and at the same time, to be thankful that my Philip and I had each other for many, many years. More than my parents had, and I know how blessed I am." She covered my hand with hers. "And you, too, are blessed, Kyra dear. When your worries begin to overwhelm you, you might try to remember how fortunate you are to have people you love—and how lucky they are that you love them enough to worry."
"That's an excellent point, Granny."
"Also," she went on. "Trust that everything works out for the best. Rhys and Bria are happy, and their marriage will be a strong one, I believe. Milo and Brynn wouldn't be fighting with such heat if they didn't have a deep and abiding love as well. Give over some of that fretting, Kyra, and choose trust instead."
I bowed my head. "Yes, ma'am. Granny."
"We should probably go inside before Charles and Nicholas send out search parties," the Queen remarked. "But perhaps you'll allow me one more observation, dear."
"Of course, Granny."As if I would tell her no.
"I was just musing about a few times when I found myself overwhelmed with worry. Preoccupied with all of the ways life could go wrong." She slid me a sharp glance. "Perhaps a bit more emotional than usual?"
I nodded in silence as realization began to wash over me.
"Yes." The Queen's smile widened. "Four times in my life that happened. By Edward, it was the first sign I noted." With a brisk sigh, she stood, and I jumped up, too. One did not remain sitting after Her Majesty was on her feet.
"I'm glad we had this quiet time together, Kyra." Granny slid her arm around me and gave me a quick side-hug. "If I don't say it often enough . . . I'm very glad that Nicky chose you to be part of our family. We're all the better for it."
"Thank you, Granny." Acting on impulse, I leaned down to kiss her soft cheek. "I am very glad to be part of your family, too."
Uncharacteristically flustered, the Queen gave me a brief nod and walked ahead of me toward the castle. I followed a few steps behind, my mind whirling.
Apparently, I had an unexpected gift to give Nicky for Christmas morning.
ChapterEight
"Merry Christmas, Nicky."
Sitting cross-legged in the center of our bed in the gray pre-dawn light, I leaned over my husband's sleeping form and dropped kisses on his cheek and neck.
"Mmmmm." He opened one eye briefly. "Merry Christmas. It's early."
He wasn't wrong, and we'd both fallen into bed late last night, having celebrated Christmas with the extended family most of the day, including tea, when the children among us had put the finishing touches on Her Majesty's huge evergreen tree, after which we'd opened the small gifts that the family traditionally exchanged. Our compromise was a smaller tree here in the sitting room that connected to our bedroom, where we'd placed our daughter's gifts last night, after the huge family dinner.
"Yes, I know," I whispered. "But Alice will likely be running in here soon, and I wanted to give you a special gift before she pounces on us and the day begins."
"A special gift?" Nicky rolled over, both eyes now open and alert. "That sounds promising." He lifted a hand to brush my hair away from my face. "Do tell me more."
