Page 30 of Wicked Queen

I didn’t have time to go into details, because we had reached the apartments. We’d chosen to dine in our family’s quarters rather than suffer through the inevitable awkwardness at one of the many over-long tables in the overly formal state rooms. That was Clara’s decision, and I’d agreed, wanting whatever made her feel comfortable. I hoped she hadn’t put herself to too much trouble following our afternoon together, but knowing Clara, she had. Despite how angry and confused she still felt, I knew my wife would do everything to make Sarah feel welcome, even if my sister continued to treat her like some lowly commoner. I also knew Clara wouldn’t put up with that treatment forever. If Sarah thought Clara was the type of woman she could walk all over, she was going to be very surprised.

The table was laid out formally. White roses, which I’d told Clara were Sarah’s favourite, had been placed in silver urns down its center. She’d chosen her favourite china, one my mother had commissioned after she’d first married my father. Despite those choices, there were a reasonable number of forks and glasses. The effect was elegant but not stuffy. It had been a long time since we’d sat down as a family to have dinner. I looked around for Elizabeth’s highchair, but it wasn’t there.

“I thought we’d make tonight adults-only,” Clara said from behind me.

I rather wanted to sit down with my wife and daughter, but turning to face her, I lost track of what I was about to say.

The dress she wore dipped low, putting her full breasts on display and skimming over the swell of her belly. The silky ivory material seemed to melt into her skin, nearly as soft and delicate as she was. While most of her was pale, her cheeks still held the flush I’d put there earlier today. My teeth sunk into my lower lip, remembering the velvet of her nipples against my tongue. Had she bathed and washed me from between her legs? I knew she hadn’t. I could almost smell it clinging to her, and it made me want to bend her over the table and fill her again. I wanted to see the marks I’d left. I wanted to kiss them.

“Oh Christ, you two have made up,” Edward muttered, looking away from us.

Both our heads whipped toward him at the same time. “No, we haven’t!”

Edward held up his hands in surrender, chuckling to himself. “Sure. Sure. Let me know if I should leave.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Clara said, her cheeks deepening to scarlet.

“I’m talking about the fact that any moment now you two are going to start shagging on the table.”

“Well, I’m not hungry anymore,” a lofty voice said from the corridor.

I should have known exactly who my sister would invite to dinner. I should have put a stop to it. The lovely, flushed pink drained from Clara’s face, telling me I was right.

Sarah was back, which could only mean one thing: Pepper Lockwood was back, too.

Clara recovered before I did, holding an arm out to the table. “We’re glad you’re here. Alexander told me white roses were your favourite.”

“They were,” Sarah said coolly.

“You look nice.” Clara wasn’t giving up on winning her over, even with Pepper’s presence. She was a better person than me, because I wanted to cancel and send them on their way.

“We thought we’d go out after.” Pepper smirked, her eyes zeroing in on Clara’s pregnant belly. “We’d invite you, but…”

“Not really my scene.” Clara took a chair at the table.

“We didn’t realize this would be so family-friendly” Sarah said, gesturing to her outfit. She was overdressed for a family dinner—or underdressed, rather—in a tight, black dress that barely covered any of her. Pepper seemed to have drawn inspiration from her, as she was wearing a silvery scrap and sky-high heels. They were mirrors of each other: the bitchy, beautiful blonde and the cool, dark brunette. I pitied any man they set their sights on.

“I’m sure Brex will be happy to take you out.” I chose my words carefully. My sister wasn’t a child anymore, but she wasn’t exactly an adult, either. Brex would keep an eye on them, but it might take Norris to keep the press at bay. After ten years, I didn’t have the heart to tell her she couldn’t go, but I would have to speak with her. For now, we needed to get through this meal.

“Is he the one who drove me here?” she asked. When I nodded, she licked her lips. “Pepper, you’ll like him.”

I tuned the rest out, my stomach turning a little, and sat next to Clara, dropping my hand on her thigh. Her eyes fluttered to me, surprised by the gesture, but she didn’t say anything.

“You don’t sit at the head of the table?” Sarah asked, watching us intently.

“My place is by my wife’s side.” I said it more for Clara’s benefit than hers. Maybe we hadn’t fixed everything between us, but I wanted her to know I still believed that.

“How modern of you.” She rolled her eyes at her friend.

Pepper unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap. “Tell me, Clara. Do you struggle with getting enough to eat for the baby?” She threw an anxious look at Sarah. “Clara has an eating disorder.”

“Oh? They didn’t tell me that.” Sarah dropped her chin onto her hand, leveling her gaze at me like a dare.

“My wife —” I began, but Clara placed a hand over mine.

“It’s fine. They’re just concerned,” she said meaningfully. “I struggled a little with morning sickness, but we’re both healthy. I suppose not being able to eat makes you appreciate food more.”

I was in awe of my wife. Here she was, sitting at her own table across from two vipers, acting like they were old friends. I’d always known Clara was magnificent, but she’d never seemed more like a queen. It wasn’t going to keep the snakes at bay, but maybe they’d think before they tried to strike.