Page 67 of Wicked Queen

“It’s in the baby’s best interest that we schedule your cesarean in advance. I would prefer you don’t go into labor at all,” Doctor Ball said. “Being able to control the situation will mean more control over the outcome. I’d like to set that date today and adjust only if you’re showing signs of early progress.”

Tears blurred my eyes as I realized he wanted me to pick out the baby’s birthday.

“I understand that you may want to discuss this with your husband.” It was no secret that Alexander was involved with his children. He’d never missed a single appointment when I was pregnant with Elizabeth.

“She needs to tell him first,” Belle remarked, surprising the doctors.

“The King isn’t aware…” Doctor Rolland trailed off when he realized he was voicing his thoughts.

“Not yet. He’s been busy. It is my body, after all.” I clung to my bravado like a shield. The truth was that I didn’t need anyone else telling me that I needed to come clean.

“And we will respect patient privilege regardless of who the patient is,” Ball said significantly.

“Of course.” Rolland agreed, but he looked uneasy about the prospect.

“I will tell him. Tonight,” I added. “May I call you to schedule the date tomorrow?”

“Of course.” Ball made a note on his clipboard, then shoved his pen in his pocket. “The nurse will schedule our next visit at your home, and she has Mary’s medication. Make certain that Henry reads through the side effects, please.”

I’d nearly forgotten about picking it up. I felt more like a bobblehead than a human as I nodded again. It was all I could do nod and accept what was coming.

Belle walked beside me in the hall, taking the medication the nurse tried to hand me, and forcing answers from my lips to her questions. Tuesday. The doctor would come exactly two weeks from now. Yes, I had the office number to schedule the birth. No, I didn’t have any questions.

I had answers—answers I didn’t want.

“Clara, everything is going to turn out all right,” Belle promised as we reached the waiting room. “You and Alexander are fighters. This baby will have that in spades.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Georgia assessed me as we met her in the lobby. It wouldn’t escape her notice that I was upset, but could she tell something was wrong?

“Baby will be here before she knows and she wishes Alexander was here for the scan,” Belle lied smoothly.

I could tell from the way her eyes pinched that Georgia didn’t believe her, but she didn’t press the matter and I didn’t tell her the truth. Maybe we weren’t friends, after all.

I went straight to Alexander’s office when we reached Buckingham, bypassing Belle’s offer to have lunch in favor of getting the bad news out of the way. I’d dreaded telling Alexander, but I no longer had any capacity to worry about anything other than the baby. His door was closed.

I could risk walking in on a confidential discussion with the Prime Minister or I could wait outside. Seconds ticked by like days. Of course, now that I was ready, I would have to wait. When the door finally opened, I was surprised to see Henry standing before me.

“Oh, I thought you were meeting with Prime Minister Clark,” I said to Alexander, not containing the bitterness I felt at discovering his important meeting wasn’t what I’d thought.

“He did,” Henry assured me. “We were discussing young Sarah.”

“What about her?” I asked carefully.

“It’s possible she will come to stay with Mary and I for a while. If she’ll agree…”

“Naturally.” Mentally, I began packing her bags. I didn’t care if she demanded the Crown Jewels, I’d agree to almost anything to get her out of here.

“Your appointment went well?”

I was still caught in the fantasy of watching a car drive away with Sarah, so I merely mumbled, “Yes.”

“You must need to speak with Alexander. I’ll be going.”

His farewell jogged me from my daydream. “Wait!” Opening my bag, I retrieved the bottle of pills that I’d been given for Mary. “As promised.”

“She’s an angel, Alexander,” Henry called into the office. He took the medication and kissed my cheek. “Get some rest. You seem tired. This will all be past you soon.”

Alexander didn’t look up as I entered the room. He looked weighted to the spot by thoughts. I wished I could lift that burden from his shoulders. Then again, maybe I could. There was a place we could go together to be free for a few moments. Desire coiled at my core at the thought of release.