Vidal lay in the circle of his arm and tried to stay quiet…but there were important things to be talked through. “Beauchamp, we must discuss the cohabitation protocols.”
Beauchamp lifted his head off Vidal’s shoulder, his face going serious. “Yes. Good idea. It’s just best practice to align expectations as early on in the relationship as possible.”
“These are my terms this time, and I shall be accepting amendments from no one. Clause one. The thermostat is to be set at twenty-four degrees in all seasons, to the approximate climate of Cardona in late May. I will not live in an English climate indoors as well as out.”
Beauchamp nodded.
“Clause two. The house olive oil will always be Fonte di Foiano, single estate. Nothing else can cross your threshold.”
“All right.”
“Clause three is on cured meats. Jamón comes from the deli on Moxon Street, and that atrocity in your fridge is to be relegated to the bin when you go to the kitchen to fetch me some water shortly. Clause four. Mercè is to have the armchair by the window as her spot.”
Beauchamp was grinning against the back of his neck.
“Agreed, sir.”
“Clause five—”
Chapter Thirty-Six
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
By hand. Eyes only. For God’s sake, Vidal, burn it after.
V+B,
The following landed on Caroline’s desk on Wednesday morning, was forwarded to the Private Secretary’s office on Wednesday afternoon, and arrived in my red box on Wednesday evening with a Post-it note from Benton that read,Sir, this one is unambiguously yours.
I should warn you about Sergeant Jenkins of Royal Household Security. He is a serious man. I’ve known him since I was eight, when he caught me trying to climb the wisteria at Highgrove, and he has not lightened up in the intervening decades. You will find he has approached his subject matter with the gravity it absolutelydoes notdeserve.
Read it through. We shall discuss over a stiff drink.
Yours in fraternal disbelief,
James R
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RESTRICTED — HOUSEHOLD EYES ONLY
INCIDENT REPORT
Subject:CCTV review, Clarence House. West meeting room, west corridor, ground floor
Reporting Officer:Sergeant M. J. Jenkins, Royal Household Security, CCTV Monitoring Suite
Reviewing Officer:Chief Inspector A. R. Pemberton, Officer in Charge, Royal Household Security
Location:Clarence House, London
Date:[REDACTED]
Classification:RESTRICTED
Distribution:Officer in Charge, Royal Household Security; Private Secretary to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal; Private Secretary to His Majesty The King (forwarded under separate cover).
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