“Is this one of those things where we have to stand up on the balcony and make a statement? Do I have to stand behind you and look grave?”
“No. There will be no announcement. We will get married, you will wear a gown that is discreet regarding your pregnancy, and then we will announce the birth of the child when he is born.”
“Or she.”
“Either one.”
“People will count.”
“Yes. They will. They will count, and that is just fine. But in the meantime, we will buy space from that. In the meantime, we will keep a low profile.”
“Wonderful. Subterfuge. With the man of my dreams.”
“You’re angry with me,” he said. “But now you’re a queen. If you can’t find something to be grateful for in that, then maybe you are never destined for much happiness.”
“That will be a change. Living with someone who despises me? That just seems like more of the same.”
“I don’t despise you.”
“And yet.”
He turned to leave the room, and wondered if there was something else that he could say. There was nothing. But he knew how to live with a contentious wife.
She was right about one thing. It was only more of the same. And it seemed like the two of them had hungered for something different. Now they were going to get it. But he would have a child.
His life wasn’t his own. It belonged to the kingdom.
He could accept that.
Chapter Eight
The wedding was announced, and Birdie kept her head down, and stayed in her room at the palace. It wasn’t long before Elizabeth came to visit.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m as good as I can be. I’m furious at him.”
“And for good reason,” Elizabeth said.
Birdie sighed heavily, so aware of what she’d dragged poor Elizabeth into. “I’m glad that he didn’t fire you.”
“He wouldn’t. I’ve known him since he was a child.”
“Well, he’s acting in a fairly egregious manner. So who can say what he might do at this point.”
“True,” Elizabeth said. “You’re going to go ahead with the marriage?”
Birdie felt like there was glass ground into her heart. Every breath, every beat, was painful.
“I don’t have a choice. It isn’t about what I want, it’s about what’s best for my child. He’s a king, Elizabeth. I can’t deny him what he wants. If I don’t marry him then my child won’t ever be able to take the throne. And that is his legacy. His right. Or her right. It’s just that…he threatened me,” Birdie said, closing her eyes. “He said that he would take the baby away from me. I know he would. And I can’t even be furious with him for that, because what choice would he have?”
“To not be terrible?”
“Well, he’s dug the hole, hasn’t he?”
“That is remarkably insightful. And perhaps a bit too forgiving.”
“I don’t actually want to be forgiving. I just recognize that his options are limited.”
