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“I’m going to fetch Jennifer and meet you in the dining room,” Tristan said.
“See you soon,” Nolan said.
“Tristan,” Madeline piped up. “Let your dad and I explain to the family why I’m here, all right?”
“I can’t wait to hear your explanation.” Tristan grinned, and there was a telling twinkle in his eyes as he walked past.
She’d always favored him. She wouldn’t put it past Tristan to be matchmaking.
The door closed behind him. Nolan walked up close to her. “We’ll need to inform the staff to prepare a suite for you.”
“Thank you.”
He offered his elbow. “Dinner?”
She slid her hand through, relishing his closeness and the rounded smoothness of his bicep muscle as she cupped it. “Nolan.”
“Yes, Madeline?”
She loved him saying her name and that she didn’t feel she needed to add “king” to his.
“We need a cover story for the rest of your family, for me being here. With a closed session, no member of parliament will spread information about my mission. We deal with too many sensitive issues to flap our tongues.”
“I hope they’ll keep it quiet. The accusations are unfounded and humiliating. Still, I’ve been king far too long to get riled at every rumor flying around the country or the media.”
His parents had died in a small airplane crash when Nolan and Queen Anne had been newlyweds. She wondered if the strain of ruling a country had ever affected their marriage. Of course Nolan was the kind of man who wouldn’t run from hardship or responsibility. Very unlike her husband Bradford. He’d been fun, flighty, and she’d fallen for him hard and fast. Then he’d simply walked away when Chad was four. His last words to her were, ‘We burned bright, but the fire’s gone, sweetheart.’
Madeline was far past the heartache, but the sting of not being enough for her husband had never left. She’d also been leery of falling quickly, and over the years she hadn’t allowed herself to fall at all.
“That’s good.” Madeline looked up at him. She liked how tall and manly he was, liked being close to him. Cedar and mint filled her senses, making her brain a little cloudy. “Any ideas for a cover story?”
“I thought this wasyourlofty assignment. Parliament didn’t debate on a cover story before they sent you over?”
“Sadly, no. And all those brilliant minds could’ve come up with a fabulous one, I’m sure.” Madeline relished being part of parliament. She loved Augustine and felt she was making a difference for her country. She enjoyed all the smart and charitable men and women she associated with. Thankfully, Albert and George were the exception to the rule. It was maddening that the prime minister had given in to their incessant demands, but if he hadn’t, she wouldn’t be here. The prime minister was probably right that they would’ve sought other means to go after the king.
“You have the most brilliant mind of the group,” he told her, his gaze warm. “I want to hear your thoughts on the primary school expansion, but we’d better address this issue first.”
Madeline’s pulse quickened at the compliment. He valued her opinion.
Nolan pursed his lips. “The easiest course of action is to tell my family and staff that we’re officially dating and you’ve taken a leave of absence to spend time with me.” He winked. “And to see if Kiera approves of us furthering the relationship.”
Her heart slammed against her chest. She couldn’t think of a single response, witty or otherwise.
As seconds ticked by, his gaze changed from mirth to solemnity. “Unless that is a repulsive idea to you.”
“R-repulsive? Dating you is the furthest thing from repulsive.”
His lips curved back up, and she wondered if this fake dating idea could include kissing. No! There would be no fake dating or kissing.
“So you aren’t opposed to the idea? As a cover story, of course.”
Cover story. It couldn’t be real. He wasn’t interested in dating anyone, and she was strong and independent.
“I don’t think it will work,” she said. “Word will spread from your staff or guards or someone and we’d cause the scandal we’re trying to prevent.”
“Dating me is scandalous?” He arched one brow. The man could’ve been a male model, but he’d obviously been born to be a king. He wore it well.
“No.” Dating him would be a dream come true. If she were twenty years younger, innocent and naïve again. If he wasn’t a grieving widower with a large family. Kiera was too young to understand and probably wouldn’t like him ‘moving on’ from her mum.
