“Our two weeks away made a huge difference,” I agreed. “We appreciate that you were flexible about allowing us to miss the holidays.”
“We understand that you’ve both been through a great deal. And we know how hard it is to be a young couple in this family, with all the pressures and worries.” Her Majesty patted the Duke’s hand. “It’s been a very long time for us, certainly, but we remember.”
“Without a doubt.” The Duke coughed. “Damned nuisance it was, living in a fishbowl, always at the beck and call of the family ... all the advisors and courtiers weighing in on every decision in our lives. And we didn’t have the imminent worries you both do, about bombings and threats.”
“What we learned over all of these many years together was that when we attempted to deal with things on our own, without allowing the other person to help, everything went catawampus. It is quite true that a burden shared is a burden halved.” The Queen and the Duke exchanged a fond look.
“Quite.” The Duke nodded. “Men are often reluctant to believe that. We tend to think that handling problems on our own shows our strength, and asking for help demonstrates weakness. I’ve learned, particularly in these last years, that it is, in fact, the opposite.”
“I should’ve listened to your advice more often, Grandpa,” Nicky remarked ruefully. “But when I was first informed of the threats, when Kyra and I were on our honeymoon, I thought I was making the right choice by protecting her. I felt that was my job as her husband. It wasn’t until everything became so complicated and we learned the extent of the danger that I realized I’d painted myself into a corner. I couldn’t come clean to her without explaining everything, and I couldn’t figure out how to do that.”
“Instead, he got himself almost blown up by a bomb, and he counted on the fact that I’d be so glad he wasn’t dead that I’d have to forgive him for keeping the secret,” I interposed, mock glaring at my husband. “It worked for him this time, but I advise against a repeat performance.”
The Queen’s lips twitched. “Indeed.” She sat back, regarding us both with contentment in her gaze. “Your grandfather and I wanted you both to know that we want to do whatever we can to make things easier for you. We recognize that you’ve had a bumpy start, through no fault of your own—largely.” She cut her eyes to Nicky. “But if there’s something we can do, any path we can ease, please don’t hesitate to turn to us. I know you young people like to manage things for yourselves, but trust me—there are some times and situations in which having me as your grandmother might actually be a benefit.”
“Oh, Granny, being your grandson has always been a joy.” Nicky winked at the Queen and then added, in a more serious tone, “Thank you both. We spent a good deal of our time away talking about the future and how we communicate. I think we’re on firmer footing now.”
“I hope so.” Her Majesty toyed with the edge of her skirt where it lay on the cushion of her chair. “I’ve been updated by our security officers, too, about the status of the investigation into the terror cell sending threats and setting bombs.” Her mouth tightened. “I understand that both of you will have increased security until they’ve managed to apprehend the people behind all of this.”
“Yes.” Nicky sighed. “Both Simon and Harold will be with Kyra when she’s not at Kensington Palace. We’ll have additional coverage whenever we’re out on engagements.”
“Or during any private outings, as well,” I reminded him. “And we’re limiting official duties to smaller visits and appearances, no big conferences or meetings until everything has calmed down.”
“Right.” Nicky sounded grim. “Maintaining a low profile and all that.”
“It won’t be forever, Nicky.” The Queen was unflappable, and her smile was serene. “This is a short-term situation, and it will be resolved quickly. We’ve had troubles like this before—you weren’t even born yet when we dealt with other conflicts and threats. Time goes on, and everything settles down. Trust the people who know best about protecting us, and have faith that they will root out this group and deal with them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nicky might’ve been a favorite grandson, one who could tease and cajole his grandmother on occasion, but he was also canny enough to know when simple obedience was required. “I’ll admit, though, that all of this does make me wonder if I’m causing more trouble than I’m solving problems. Maybe if I’d kept my mouth shut and simply decided to be patron of regattas and horse shows and polo leagues, no one would pay enough attention to threaten us.”
“Bullshit.” The Duke spit out the word. “Nicholas, you know better than that. Of course, we are not a political entity. We do not take sides, nor do we influence matters of policy. But we are still human beings, passionate people who have the right—no, the responsibility—to speak up when we see wrongdoing. We use our pulpit to champion clear cases of right and wrong, and I’ll tell you, my boy, that the work you’ve done is important and necessary. Will you let the fools whom you’ve frightened with your convictions scare you off now? Will you be that cowardly?”
I felt Nicky stiffen beside me, his spine becoming ramrod straight. “No, sir, of course not. I believe strongly in the work I’ve done, and I’ll continue to do it. No matter what.”
The Duke clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s what I expected you to say, boy.” He stood up, wincing a little as he straightened his own back. “Now, isn’t it time for our luncheon drinks?” He grinned. “Let’s have a bit of a nip before the rest of the crowd descends upon us.”
Nicky rose to his feet, and together the two men wandered to the other end of the room to begin the process of pouring the ‘nip’ the Duke wanted. The Queen exhaled and shook her head.
“Men come at things in a different direction than we might, Kyra, but Philip is right. You must not be cowed into giving up, no matter how frightening this seems. We—this entire family—is at your back, and we support you.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” I inclined my head. I never doubted that the Royal Family would stand with us, but it was reassuring to hear the words from the Queen herself.
“No, Kyra, I believe it is I who should be thanking you.” Her bright blue eyes were steady. “Your love and care of our dear Nicky made all the difference. I believe that he knew you were sitting at his bedside, waiting for him to awaken, and that’s what helped to make him well. You’ve been patient and forgiving and kind. I want you to know that all of this does not go unnoticed.”
I didn’t take care of Nicky or sit vigil at the hospital because I wanted praise from the Queen, but the sincerity of her appreciation was clear. I was glad to know that apparently, she was going to forget about my disobedience of her orders that day at Edward VII’s Hospital.
“What else would I do?” I spread my hands. “There is no one else in the world like Nicky. I would do anything for him. He is my world.”
“I believe you, my dear.” Her Majesty took to her feet, tilting her head as she looked down at me. In spite of her ninety plus years, her gaze didn’t miss anything. “Come, Kyra. Let’s go join the gentlemen and have a small toast to the future. It’s looking quite rosy just now.”
“YOURROYALHIGHNESSES.”THE MANin the dark suit who stood at the head of the conference room table gave a bow as Nicky and I entered. “Thank you for coming.”
“We had a choice?” Nicky muttered into my ear, and I swatted him, hoping the movement was subtle enough to be missed by this room full of protection agents and counter-terrorism investigators.
“Please, sit down. I’m Commander Pratt.” He motioned with his head toward two empty chairs near his own, and another man—an aide, I guessed—slid the seats away from the table so that my husband and I could sit next to each other.
I tried to ignore the awkwardness that surrounded us. This was a meeting about the eco-terrorist group who had tried to kill my husband. We were present in order to share any information we might have and to hear what Scotland Yard intended to do in order to beef up our everyday protection moving forward.
But few of the men and women sitting around the table with us had ever met Nicky, and I didn’t know any of them. They were all trying not to look at the Prince and his wife, even though most were clearly intrigued.
