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The image of him protecting her stirred something deep inside her, something long repressed. Chad had always been protective of her, but until he was fifteen and reached six-two, none of the men who pursued her had taken him seriously. She loved her son’s protective nature and devotion to her, but the idea of Nolan protecting her was dreamy and thrilling.
“I don’t need anyone’s protection.”
“You’re very impressive, Madeline.” The king’s voice dropped, and his blue eyes became piercing. “But Chad has told us often enough how many men pursue you.”
If only he would pursue her. And why would Chad share men’s attempts to date her with the king?
“Nonsense.” She waved a hand. “I’m past my prime and rarely pursued any longer.”
“You are hardly past your prime,” Nolan said. His gaze traveled slowly over her. “You are stunning.”
Madeline couldn’t speak. She could hardly breathe through her suddenly thick throat. His words made her heart race and, crazily enough, made her emotional. Stuff and nonsense. She wasn’t an emotional woman. She’d never had the luxury of that. Many men had bestowed compliments on her over the years. Why did this one affect her so deeply?
He was the king. But he was also … Nolan. She wasn’t certain which title was more enticing. The combination of both was irresistible.
“Pops.” Tristan’s voice broke through their moment. “The prime minister is on.”
Madeline flushed. She should not have let her guard down with the king like that. Especially with Tristan watching. What must her son’s best friend be thinking?
She snapped her laptop closed, stood, and hurried to the desk in the corner. Quietly setting up, she settled in and listened and observed. There was an obvious strain between the three men, and she wondered if one of them would bring it up.
The prime minister knew she was here, but he’d cautioned her not to reveal her mission to anyone but the king and crown prince. They didn’t need rumors flying. Her purpose was to put any rumors to rest.
She’d have to speak to Nolan about what to tell the rest of his family. Only Tristan, Jennifer, General Ray, Macey, and Kiera permanently resided at the castle. Steffan and Hattie lived in Traverse near the hospital. Curtis and Aliya lived in the mountains a few miles from the castle. Derek and Ellery traveled back and forth to America but were often at the castle with Ellery’s mum and aunt in tow. Malik, Sophie, and Sunny lived in Traverse near her parents, running Sophie’s catering business and Malik’s health and fitness center that he co-owned with Steffan and Derek.
The afternoon wore into evening. She didn’t like the inactivity, but she’d grown accustomed to sitting for hours on end in meeting after meeting. She did like how often Nolan caught her gaze or made sure she had water, a more comfortable chair, or walked with her out on his office balcony to stretch and enjoy the sunshine between meetings. On any break, they discussed aspects of the most recent meeting. He asked her opinion, and she shared it. He seemed to value what she said.
It did seem silly to have her sitting through meetings with the prime minister, as if Nolan was hiding Naomi Rindlesbacher under his desk or something, but this was her assignment and she would fulfill it with exactness so nobody could claim their illustrious king was doing anything out of line. She owed it to him and to their country.
Her stomach growled, and Nolan glanced at her. “We’ll pick up with the primary school expansion discussion tomorrow morning,” he said. “I have a family dinner in five minutes.”
Madeline would be going to that family dinner. How would everyone react to her being here?
The members of the school committee all signed off.
“Good evening, King Nolan, Prince Tristan,” the prime minister said cordially.
“Prime Minister Carrera,” the king said before he could end the call.
“Yes?”
“Madeline Prescott was an ideal choice to shadow me, but I won’t be blindsided by issues that you and I both know are far-fetched and absurd.”
Madeline wished she could see the screen better, see the prime minister’s reaction to that.
“I understand, sir. Albert Gustaff and George Monaco have been bending my ear for months. I wanted to keep any issue out of the public eye, and repressing their motion would only force them to seek other means. In a closed session, I conceded I would support sending an emissary to put the issues to rest once and for all. I sent an ally instead of an enemy to lend you support.”
Silence filled the room.
“Please believe I agree at the absurdity of you harboring Naomi Rindlesbacher,” the prime minister tacked on. “I know you are beyond reproach, and that you and Ms. Prescott can put this matter behind us.”
King Nolan studied the screen with that intense blue gaze that nobody could look away from. Finally, he said, “Good evening,” and pressed end on the Zoom call.
Madeline was impressed. He had remained calm and addressed the issue like the strong monarch he was.
The men both closed their computers and stood to stretch. Neither of them said anything about the farewell.
Madeline stood as well, admiring the king’s well-built frame. He’d kept himself fit. He was a couple years older than her. She hadn’t known him personally until Chad and Tristan had struck up a friendship playing rugby in secondary school.
