Page 48 of Falling for the Queen Mother

Had he already ordered dinner? Wasn't that a bit presumptuous?

He walked out of the swinging door wiping his hands on a kitchen towel that he then threw over his shoulder. "Dinner is almost ready."

"Dinner?" Brilliant. Was that the best thing she could come up with to say?

Nathaniel walked over to her and rested his hands on her hips. He didn't pull her close or try to kiss her, but his look in his eyes told her he wanted to.

"I talked to Tyler in the kitchen and asked for his help. He made sure I had what I needed to make something fairly simple but that he knows you enjoy." He looked straight at her, and Alaina found herself wanting to melt against him.

"That was sweet, of both of you." She leaned up and gave him a light kiss, but just barely on the corner of his mouth, nothing more. "Tyler is an excellent source of information when it comes to familial food preferences. He's been with the family since he was a teenager. His father was the head butler for many years. His mother is my Royal Archivist. He went to culinary school for the express purpose of coming back here to work." She grinned. "Between the three of them, and his other siblings, they probably know where all the secrets are hidden."

Her head tilted as a thought occurred to her. "I wonder if they might know anything about the painting. They've lived here for decades, raised their children here. In fact, both of them were raised here. That's how they met. Tyler's maternal grandfather was a pastry chef. His paternal grandmother was a seamstress. They both lived in the palace with their families. They likely know a lot about a lot of things." If she wasn't mistaken, the roots went ack even further than that. The family was almost as deeply ingrained in the palace and palace life as the royal family itself.

Nathaniel's brows knit together. "You don't think..." He shook his head.

"What?"

"You don't think any of them might have had anything to do with the photos, do you?"

That thought had not occurred to her. She'd only been thinking of it in terms of the missing artwork. "I don't think so. What would be the purpose? What would they gain? Possible prosecution for violating a non-disclosure clause? Being turned out of their home?"

"Even if they thought a new relationship would be good for you?" Nathaniel gave her a slight squeeze with his hands then turned and headed back to the kitchen. "I don't want anything to burn."

Alaina followed him "I don't think so. Kay has said something to me a few times about whether or not I thought I'd ever date again, but I honestly don't think she would have done anything about it. I don't even know how she would know about the relevant laws."

"How did anyone?" He pulled some bread out of the oven. "I did a little bit of research before it all went public, and I only found a reference or two. Nothing remotely easy to find. I even searched for weird marriage laws in different forms - like in Europe, in the Sargasso Countries, in Southern Santiero specifically. I couldn't find anything. Nothing. Not a thing."

She shrugged and reached out to get a bit of the sauce on her finger to taste it. "Delicious."

"Thanks. I have to admit that I didn't make it. Tyler sent it from the kitchen, but it did look like it was made in the kitchen rather than purchased that way."

"I can't imagine Tyler thinking prepackaged sauce is ever okay." She leaned against the counter as Nathaniel dished the food onto plates.

"I've only met the man once and only for a few minutes, but I'm inclined to agree." He carried the plates to the small table in the kitchen then held her chair for her to sit down.

"Thank you." She took a couple of bites then told Nathaniel what she thought. "This is delicious."

"I didn't do much except make the pasta. The sauce came to me already made." He took a bite of his own. "You're right, though. It is good."

As they ate, they talked about their days. Nathaniel filled her in on what was going on with the artwork which was a lot of nothing. She told him about her meetings, though none of them were very exciting.

The one he was the most interested in was with Emilia and Kay. It didn't surprise Alaina. After all, he was the one who met Emilia first.

"I've also volunteered to mind the little one anytime she needs a break."

That made Nathaniel laugh. "I can't say I'm surprised by that. I'm happy to help. I miss seeing my grandbabies more often." He took another bite.

Once they finished eating, Alaina insisted on cleaning up. He'd made dinner so it was only fair.

They each took a glass of wine and went onto the balcony. This time they made certain to sit in separate chairs - although they couldn't get any more married than they already were. Literally.

From where they were sitting, they could see the sun set over the ocean in the distance.

"Are we going to talk about last night?" Nathaniel was the one to bring up the subject.

Alaina looked at the liquid swirling in her glass. "Not outside. I know the chances are remote, but I don't want to risk it."

"I concur." He stood and held out a hand to help her to her feet. He didn't let go as they went back inside.