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Her heels clicked on the granite floor as she clung to strap of the large purse slung over her shoulder and almost believed her pep talk. She was wearing her favorite business suit—the dusty pink, knee length with short sleeves to showcase how hard she worked to stay fit at fifty-three years old. She’d heard many times from far too many men that the suit flattered her and made her emerald green eyes pop. The tailored suit helped her feel feminine, attractive, successful, and powerful all at the same time.
Powerful? She wasn’t powerful. Not compared to the king of Augustine. King Nolan August could hurl her out of his gorgeous castle, especially with the strength she’d seen in his chest and felt as she’d touched his perfect shoulder while they danced, have her arrested, tell her he would never love anyone but his beautiful, ideal, and angelic deceased wife.
Stop, she commanded herself. None of that talk was helping her nerves at all. The king was too gracious to arrest her or kick her out. Though anyone would be angry at the message she brought and the emissary mission she’d volunteered for. In her defense she was protecting him from worse emissaries, or was she selfishly wanting him all to herself?
The dreams of him noticing her as a woman were unrealistic and should never be on her radar. King Nolan had loved Queen Anne deeply, as had the entire royal family and country. He’d never even attempted a date in the eighteen months since his beloved wife died. He and Madeline had shared that one incredible dance at Prince Tristan and Jennifer Shule’s wedding but she doubted he even remembered the way their gazes had connected, the warmth that had filled her, the way both of them had stumbled over their words, and his sweet compliment. There was no way he had noticed, or would ever notice, Madeline the way she noticed him. Since their dance he’d been warm, cordial, and bantered with her when she teased him. Just like normal. Normal was good. Why did she want more than normal with the king? Insanity.
The royal guard rapped on the door to the king’s office. Not the receiving room. Why had the king wanted her to come to his office? Simply busy, or did he want a more intimate setting?
“Please enter,” King Nolan called in that deep, inspiring voice that sent tendrils of longing down her spine.
He was gracious and commanding and inspiring in all the right ways. She had to stop herself from fantasizing about their dance. It had been eighteen months that he’d been widowed but it seemed to be common knowledge that the king had no intention of moving on or dating anyone. She was certain not for a shortage of options. What woman wouldn’t be interested in the handsome, extraordinary king? Maybe that was why he claimed no interest in dating, to keep all the women at bay? She couldn’t blame him.
Was she special and could change his mind? Good heavens, no. He couldn’t possibly be healed from losing his wife.
Queen Anne’s death had been a horrific tragedy and quite the scandal with the former prime minister and his wife being involved and the Rindlesbacher family wreaking havoc and manipulating and blackmailing many people in the kingdom. Unfortunately that scandal was now being resurrected by two members of parliament and approved by Prime Minister Carrera. That was why she was here. Not to flirt with the king.
The guard slid the door open. King Nolan and Prince Tristan both stood as she entered. She curtsied to both of them. King Nolan didn’t stop at standing to show his respect. He hurried around the desk, his mesmerizing blue eyes lit up and one hundred percent focused on her. That warm look in his eyes made her stomach dance. His handsome face split in a grin. He reached her and extended his hand. Madeline knew she shouldn’t touch him, it would mess with her normally-well-functioning brain, but how did one refuse the king?
She put her hand against his and the unfamiliar tingles and warmth that she’d felt during their dance and again any time this past year when he’d graciously shaken her hand as if she were his equal, slid along her palm.
His gaze sharpened on her and he clasped her hand in his. She felt feminine, dainty, desirable, irresistible really as their gazes and hands held and every dream she hadn’t let herself dream in the twenty-six years since her husband ditched her and Chad danced in her mind.
Her earlier pep talk disappeared like a poof of smoke. Her pep talks rarely failed her and had pulled her through raising and providing for Chad by herself, working her way up to be a member of Augustine’s parliament, and staying impervious to the men who hit on her or asked her out.
“Madeline,” King Nolan said in a husky tone that made her even hotter than the bright July sunshine outside. “To what do we owe the pleasure of a visit from our favorite member of parliament?”
“I hope it’s still a pleasure after I present my mission.” She grinned even though she was serious and terrified to place the paper in her purse in his hand.
“Always a pleasure to see you.” King Nolan said those words in such a deep, melodious tone it made her shiver. As soon as he spoke them he stiffened. Shocked by his own response?
“You are too kind, Oh Mighty King,” she tried to tease and was rewarded with his blue eyes twinkling at her.
She forced herself to pull her hand back and turn to Tristan. He was her son’s best friend so it was hard to keep the title in front of his name. He approached and King Nolan stepped back. Tristan gave her a warm hug.
“Mama Prescott. It’s fabulous to see you.”
“You too, handsome. How is Jennifer feeling? I’ve been praying for her.”
“Those prayers are much appreciated. She’s horribly sick. Steffan claims it will pass in a few weeks. I certainly hope so. Watching her throw up is devastating.”
“I’m sure it’s more devastating being the one who is throwing up,” she teased.
“Oh, for sure. She is tougher than I am. We all know that. How are Chad and Hope?”
“You probably see them more than I do.” Chad had married Hope Radisson last spring and they were busy between his responsibilities with the Augustine military and running the military training center, and Hope owning a chain of fitness centers and athletic clothing stores throughout America. Lady Fit was hugely successful and Madeline was delighted with her new daughter-in-law and her sister Faith. Faith seemed to cling to Madeline, much in need of a mother since hers deserted her at only twelve years old.
“I doubt that. They both adore you and I know they visit every chance they get.” He smiled, crinkling the burn scars on the left side of his face. The scars had healed and faded somewhat, but they were a reminder that the royal family wasn’t safe or immune to pain. Last summer and fall had challenged them to the extreme.
Thankfully William and Treven Rindlesbacher were both dead and Naomi Rindlesbacher hadn’t been seen in over nine months. Unfortunately two key members of parliament were trying to claim King Nolan was secretly meeting with Naomi, and the woman on every crime watchlist throughout the world was going to be the next queen of Augustine. Madeline, and all of her friends in parliament, thought it was ludicrous. Hence she’d come personally, volunteered to watch the king and make certain Naomi had no power or sway over him.
She risked a glance at the man himself. His gaze hadn’t left her and she was grateful she’d worn her best suit. What would it be like working in close quarters with this inspiring and commanding man? Her cheeks flushed and she looked away.
“Come. Sit.” King Nolan took her elbow. Even that simple touch of his palm against her bare skin captivated her. He escorted her to a chair across from his desk. She knew Tristan had his own office next door, but it appeared that he set up shop here as well with a laptop on a table by the window and a comfortable office chair placed there. Another table and chair were empty. The former prime minister had spent most of his days here at the castle working closely with the king and crown prince. The new prime minister preferred staying in Traverse and working more closely with parliament. He spent hours on zoom calls with the king and crown prince, together and separately, each day.
The king walked around the desk and sank into his chair. Tristan pulled his chair up next to hers and leaned back, crossing his ankle over his knee. He was completely comfortable with her. As he should be after all the time he’d spent with Chad at her house over the years. How was he going to react to the outlandish accusations and her assignment? She glanced back at the king, far too handsome and regal in his tall kingly chair. It might as well have been a throne. How wouldhereact? She’d never seen him upset, but she was betting she might witness that today.
“What brings you to see us today?” King Nolan asked.
