Page 20 of Fit for a King

“No, sir. Nothing except…enjoy your breakfast.”

I wanted to be annoyed by his insolence, but when it was accompanied by that slight crook of his lips, I found my ire dampening.

“Thank you. That’ll be all.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Noah turned and made his way to the door, and it irritated me to no end that I was still staring at it minutes after it closed behind him.

What was it about this young man that kept getting under my skin? His persistence? His gall? His determination?

It was obvious at this stage he wanted me to eat something for breakfast, and while I knew it was his job to serve me, it wasn’t his job to care—and maybe that was it, the fact that this felt more personal, more an act of a friend or family member than a footman to the king. That it was affecting me the way it was. That I was feeling the need to…please him?

It was ridiculous.

Then why was it that two days later I was finishing every single bite on my plate? Why was I sitting here with my tablet waiting for Noah to arrive to take my empty plate for me so I could preen like some proud child?

No, that wasn’t it. I just wanted him to know he needn’t concern himself any longer with my health. That I was capable of taking care of myself. But when the handle to my chambers turned and he stepped inside, I found myself getting to my feet like he was royalty.

What the hell is the matter with me?

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Noah said as he closed the door behind him. “I didn’t realize you were still in chambers, sir.”

“That’s quite okay,” I said, and gestured to the plate. “I’m done.”

Noah’s eyes wandered to the empty plate and he gave a pleased smirk.

“Don’t do that.”

His attention shifted back to me. I’d expected his expression to fall, but it grew wider.

“What’s that, sir?”

“Act as though you won something here.”

“Won something?”

As I crossed the sitting room, Noah’s shoulders became increasingly straighter, stiffer, as though he were standing at attention. I stopped in front of him and said, “You think I ate that breakfast this morning because you told me to.”

“No, sir. I would never assume such a thing.”

“No?”

He shook his head, but his eyes remained locked over my shoulder on something in the distance.

“And do you think lying to me is going to make me forget the fact you have spent the last week defying my wish while continuing to bring me something I stated I do not want?”

“But you—” His eyes shifted back to mine, and I raised a brow. “No, sir. I know you’re eating it because you’re choosing to. Not because of anything I did.”

My lips twitched despite myself, and when he clearly noticed, I silently berated myself.

“Good. Don’t ever forget that. You may take the tray.” Noah gave a swift nod and stepped around me to retrieve the item. As he hurried toward the door, I called, “Oh, and Mr. Bennett?”

He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

“I’d like fresh blueberries tomorrow with my strawberries. I trust you’ll pass that along to Mrs. Stuart.”

He bowed ever so slightly, but not quick enough to hide that victorious smirk of his.

7