“Speaking of feeling our way ...” He palmed my ass. “Are there any restrictions at this point in your pregnancy? Anything we shouldn’t do?”
“Why, Prince Nicholas.” I tilted my head. “Whatever are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting that there’s a particular appropriate way we could celebrate this news.” Nicky laid me back over his arm. “As long as it’s safe.”
“I don’t think there’s any risk,” I murmured. “Unless you’re concerned that you’re not up to finishing the job.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Never. But now I guess I have something to prove.” He bent his head over mine and kissed me, his lips warm and persuasive as he got serious about that proving himself ...
Twice.
“ARE YOU CERTAIN YOU’RE FEELINGall right?”
For the fourth time in the past hour, I turned to my husband, struggling to hold on to my patience. Outside the train window, the world rushed past. All I wanted to do was enjoy the scenery and a little bit of quiet during this trip to Wales with my husband, but he wasn’t getting the message, even though my responses were growing increasingly terse.
“Yes, Nicky. I. Am. Fine.” I stared him in the eye now. “And if you don’t stop asking me that and hovering around me like I’m a grenade about to explode, I might scream. Or puke on your shoes.”
His forehead knit together. “Are you feeling nauseated?”
“No, Nicky. I’m not nauseated, I’m frustrated.” I glanced around us and lowered my voice. Her Majesty had kindly lent us the Royal Coach for this official trip, and so everyone in the car was either security or part of the Palace staff. Still, I didn’t think my condition was common knowledge even in the most inner royal circles, and I preferred to keep it that way for the time being. “I’ve been looking forward to this trip to Wales for weeks. May I remind you that it took us forever to get permission to go, even though everything has been calm and uneventful since last fall?”
Reluctantly, Nicky nodded. “Yes, I remember that. And I know you’re amazingly healthy, and I know the doctor told us everything looks wonderful with the baby.” He, too, glanced around. “But I can’t help worrying. If anything goes wrong over the next few days, I’ll never forgive myself for putting you both at risk.”
I pasted a smile on my face. “And if you don’t stop agonizing over this, I’m going to lose my mind, and then, my friend, you’ll understand the true meaning of regret. Are we clear?”
He winced and paled slightly. “Yes. Okay. Fine. I’ll back off. But you have to promise—”
“Nicky, I have promised and promised. If I feel the slightest bit queasy, the tiniest morsel of discomfort or even a hint of mental anguish, I’ll give you the high sign, and you can gallop to my rescue. But until then, zip it, buddy.”
“Consider me zipped.” He pinched his lips together and stared down at his feet, crossed at the ankle. For about ten seconds, I felt a little bit guilty, but only for that long.
With a contented sigh, I sat back and resumed reading my notes on the various visits and appearances we would be making in Wales. I hadn’t been exaggerating; this trip had been a tough sell to the Palace and to our security team. But it was something I’d really wanted to do. First of all, I hadn’t been to Wales yet, and I was excited about seeing this part of Britain. Second, Nicky and I had received an extraordinary amount of support for our work from the people of Wales. It had been in the wake of the bombing that the manager of an experimental, sustainable farm in Monmouthshire had written to us, inviting both Nicky and me to visit.
Once I’d read the letter, I’d begun researching the area, and I’d found that in southeastern Wales, there was a large and enthusiastic audience for creative food sourcing and agricultural sustainability. I’d approached our staff to request that they look into planning a brief trip for us, but I was summarily dismissed, reminded that until the eco-terrorists were found, we were supposed to stick close to London.
However, I didn’t give up that easily. After discussing it with Nicky, I had approached the Queen about the trip to Wales, pointing out that while it made perfect sense that we weren’t going to Canada, Wales was only a few hours away and easily managed. I had found a few other visit requests from other entities in the same area—schools, playgrounds and a senior center—to round out our itinerary so that the trip didn’t come across as simply another platform where Nicky and I could promote our own agenda.
Her Majesty had listened to me patiently. We had just let her know the week before that she was going to become a great-grandmother again, and I’d realized that information would probably play a role in her final decision.
“We did decide that you and Nicholas would stay closer to home until the threat of this terrorism group was eliminated,” the Queen had remarked. Her voice was even, and her expression was placid. My heart dropped; this sounded like the prelude to a refusal.
Before I could begin to protest, though, she went on.
“However, you do make a good case. Wales is not much further afield than staying in England would be. The trip would be fairly simple, and security easily managed, I would think.” She’d tapped her finger against the arm of her chair. “If I agree, it will be contingent on our protection officers giving their approval, as well.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I’d waited, half holding my breath.
The monarch had regarded me silently, her lips pressed together, her fingers twisting the worn engagement ring on her left hand.
Finally, she’d sighed. “I think it would be entirely appropriate for you and Nicky to make this trip. But you’ll have to take the train, in which case I’d prefer you make use of the Royal Coach. Also, while you are in Wales, I think it best if you stay in a royal residence, as well. It will be easier to manage security. The Prince of Wales would be happy to allow to use Llwynywemod, I believe. That’s his cottage in Wales. It would be private, easily secured and pleasant for you both.”
After that, with the Queen’s blessing, it hadn’t been such a difficult job to convince Scotland Yard that a jaunt to Wales would be a good idea. As a matter of fact, I’d almost thought at times that perhaps Commander Pratt was slightly pleased by the plan, and it hadn’t escaped me that maybe this was a test—not for Nicky and me, certainly, but to see whether or not the eco-terrorists would act again if Nicky and I dared to venture further afield.
It was probably stating the case too strongly to suggest that we were being used as bait, but even if we were like worms on a hook, I wasn’t going to complain. I was restless and ready to be back in the swing of things, pulling my weight for the royal calendar. And I was delighted at the thought of visiting Wales.
While Nicky had agreed to the trip, he was slightly less enthusiastic. He’d proved to be a much more apprehensive father-to-be than I’d expected, and every grunt or wince from me signaled panic for him.
Honestly, at nearly four months along, pregnancy had been a breeze so far. Oh, sure, I’d been exhausted to the point of crying many days. And speaking of crying, I’d done a lot of that, too, as my emotions were completely out of whack. But beyond the occasional tear, I’d loved the feeling of contentment that filled me most of the time, and telling my family and Nicky’s had been so much fun. This baby would be the first grandchild on both sides, and everyone was ecstatic.
