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“Well, then. I think it’s a fabulous plan. We’d better hurry to dinner. Kiera gets hangry.” He smiled, but then his face softened. “She and I don’t get near enough time together.”
He escorted her into the hall and they walked down it together, as if they were dating. Could she really run with his idea? She could email the prime minister and parliament and explain what they were doing. It would keep rumors about her investigating the king from coming out, but the rumors that would fly would be of a sort that she wasn’t prepared to deal with. The media and even their own countrymen might not like the idea of her dating the king, of him moving on … too many worries, and she wanted to talk about Kiera.
“I don’t want to interrupt your time together,” she said as they reached the grand staircase and descended. The offices were above the two levels of the ballroom, dining rooms, library, and various receiving rooms.
“She’ll love you being here. She craves a mother figure and has latched on to her sisters-in-law, Ellery and Macey in particular.” He gave her a sad smile as they reached the main level.
Mother figure? He surely didn’t mean it in reference to Madeline stepping in as a mother figure, though she yearned to nurture the brave young princess.
“The poor thing,” Madeline said. “I can’t imagine losing her mum so young.”
Madeline’s parents lived in the village of Providence and had been a great support to her as she had raised Chad by herself.
“She seems resilient, but occasionally overwhelming emotion and sadness will bubble to the surface.” They walked slowly down the hall, as if the king wanted to talk to her alone for a bit longer. “Tristan’s bombing really shook her, especially because Macey returned to California at the same time. Macey was in love with Ray and didn’t know he returned the feelings.”
“Your family had far too many attacks and events last year.”
He stopped outside the dining room. “That’s why our dating won’t faze anyone.”
She didn’t know if that was true and could already imagine the stir the distinguished king dating a member of parliament might cause.
“Dad!” Kiera’s happy call came from inside the smaller dining room.
Nolan turned as Kiera bowled into him. He hugged the beautiful teenager close, then picked her up in the air as if she were a small child. His strength was impressive, and Madeline’s mouth was very dry. She’d felt that strength under her fingertips and pressed against her in that fateful dance.
“Look who is going to stay with us,” Nolan said, turning toward Madeline.
“Chad’s mum!” Kiera called happily as Nolan set her on her feet. No matter how often she asked Kiera to call her Madeline, she always called her Chad’s mum. Kiera gave her a quick squeeze. She was a friendly soul.
“Hello, Kiera.” Madeline couldn’t resist putting an arm around her thin shoulders. She hoped the princess got enough attention and love. With all of her older brothers and sisters-in-law and a very concerned father, she imagined she did. “Your dad tells me we’re going to swim after dinner.”
“You’ll swim with us? Yes!” Kiera did a standing backflip, dislodging Madeline’s arm and stunning her. The girl’s hip knocked into a side table as she landed. An antique bowl teetered on the edge and then fell. Kiera swooped the up bowl before it could hit the ground and lifted it high above her head like a trophy.
“Wild Child,” Tristan teased her. “Stop flipping and let’s eat. I’m starved, and you’ll get to your swimming faster.”
“Okay, okay.” Kiera grabbed Madeline’s hand and tugged her toward the table. “You sit by me and Pops.”
“Gladly.” The word was out before she realized what effect it would have. Tristan and Jennifer exchanged glances. Raymond and Macey did the same, while Nolan gave her the most enticing look known to mankind. Was that part of his pretending to date scheme, or was he interested in her?
Macey and Jennifer welcomed her with hugs, Raymond with a firm handshake. The general was the most serious of Nolan’s children by a long shot. A very loyal and good man, to be sure.
A variety of delicious-smelling food was already loaded onto the table. Nolan sat next to her with Kiera on her other side. He extended his hand and her stomach flip-flopped. She placed her hand in his, warmth and tingles threatening to pop out of her skin. Kiera grasped her other hand.
“Macey,” Nolan said. “Would you please offer the blessing?”
“Of course.”
The darling American princess gave a sweet blessing on the food, the family, and the people of Augustine. She thanked heaven for all their blessings, most of all the love of their family and ‘Chad’s mum’ being with them. As soon as she said amen, she looked directly at Madeline. “Are you only here for the evening, ‘Chad’s mum’?”
“Madeline, please. To answer your question, I …” Her hand was still in Nolan’s. Kiera had pulled her hand free to dish up grilled chicken. Madeline looked at Nolan. He gave her an encouraging nod. He would rescue her if she wanted, but he trusted her to tell his family about their relationship.
Theirrelationship? There was notheirand norelationship. Could they be a team like he’d suggested? And how had she gotten all that information from Nolan from a simple locking of gazes? It was unreal how connected she felt to him.
“Nolan and I are officially dating,” Madeline burst out before she could second-guess his crazy plan.
Everybody’s eyes widened. Even Kiera stopped with a forkful of pasta salad on her way to her mouth.
“Dating?” Kiera looked at her dad.
