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Madeline’s delicate brows lifted. He had the feeling he was missing a piece to this puzzle.
Tristan pushed the paper on the desk toward him. “Dad, the financial issue looks to be only the beginning.”
Nolan looked down at the paper he’d ignored, glancing over the fluffy political jargon, the financial concerns, and his eyes stopped on a hated name. He read the laughable suggestions, but he was far from laughing.
“They believe,” he said slowly, but still with too much bite, “I would haveanythingto do with Naomi Rindlesbacher? That I’m aiding her, secretly dating her, and planning to make that appalling woman queen?”
Ridiculous wasn’t a strong enough word. Outrageous, bizarre, insane, nauseating …
Madeline nodded tightly. Did she think he’d ever associate with that vile monster? Naomi and William had caused Anne’s death and more misery and tragedy than any one couple should’ve been able to produce.
He’d wondered when she’d strike again. Had Parliament organized this attack, or was Naomi behind it?
Nolan met Tristan’s gaze. His son folded his arms across his chest. “It’s completely ludicrous, Pops. I’m sure that’s why Madeline has agreed to shadow you until the concerns are resolved, because she knows how outlandish the mere suggestion is and wants you to have an ally.”
He looked at Madeline. Her green eyes were shuttered. Was she his ally? Could she know he was intrigued by her and attracted to her, despite how he’d fought it, and she would use that against him? He couldn’t think like that. This was Madeline, Chad’s mum, a loyal Augustinian and a smart, classy, and generous lady. She wouldn’t trick him. Right?
“You’ve agreed to shadow me?”
“I did.”
“For how long?”
“As long as it takes for parliament and Prime Minister Carrera to believe the corruption of the Rindlesbachers and Prime Minister Shule did not reach our highest royal. That you have absolutely no association with and are not harboring Naomi Rindlesbacher.”
Thankfully, she didn’t addwith plans to make Naomi the queen. Bile crawled up his throat at the mere suggestion. As a lifelong Christian, he knew he shouldn’t hate, but he loathed Naomi. She was so despicable, the thought of being in the same room as her made him sick.
“You understand how bizarre these allegations even are. My family has been the constant target of the power-hungry Rindlesbachers, and Henry and Leslie were manipulated and threatened by them. There is no corruption in the royal family.” He stood. “I was willing to show you my personal financial information, which, to be frank, is none of anybody’s business, but to be watched like I’m a criminal when I’ve done absolutely nothing untoward is unacceptable.” He wouldn’t mind her being close to him, but only if she wanted to be.
“Nolan.” Her voice was as soft as he’d ever heard it. Madeline was feminine, but she was a tough single mum and parliament member. “I already told you, the other members who volunteered will not be as open-minded and generous as I will be. They have each shown affiliations with William or Naomi Rindlesbacher in the past and they have, at times, been openly critical of you on the parliament floor and even with the media.”
He knew exactly who she was talking about—the brutish Albert Gustaff and slick, or more accurately slimy, George Monaco and a few of their associates. Those two were the ones most likely aiding and abetting and hoping to put Naomi on the throne. If he knew Naomi, this was only the beginning of some sadistic plan.
“So I either agree to have you by my side, or have somebody worse assigned?”
“I’m afraid so. Your favorite parliament member is the lesser of two evils.”
She was more than simply his favorite parliament member. “There is nothing evil about you, Madeline, but you do recognize how absurd and out of line this is.”
“I do. And I’m very sorry it’s come to this. You must know the majority of parliament is supportive of and grateful for you and all you do for Augustine. Unfortunately, the law states that if a member of parliament brings up a motion, another member seconds the motion, and the prime minister approves, the issue does not have to be taken to a vote.”
Nolan knew the law. He couldn’t understand why Carrera would support such a notion and blindside him with it. He wouldn’t take this lying down.
“Let’s work together, Nolan,” she said softly, his name on her lips almost distracting him from this insanity. “We’ll give them no opportunity for recourse.”
Let’s work together.And she’d said his name without his title in front of it. His chest warmed. He liked the sound of together with Madeline. If only she wasn’t here because someone, most likely Naomi, was trying to destroy him and usurp the crown.
When would the machinations of the Rindlesbachers ever end?
ChapterThree
After sortingthrough the king’s financial documents for an hour, Madeline could clearly see the personal accounts he’d used to purchase his vehicles and clothing and the fact that the vehicle and clothing allowances paid to him from the country’s coffers were untouched. She shouldn’t have been surprised to see that the king was wealthy beyond what she’d imagined. The man could buy a small country without exhausting his funds.
In the past hour, she’d been impressed with his self-restraint and quiet confidence. She’d also had far too many opportunities to brush his hand or lean close and smell his unique cedar and mint scent, almost as alluring as the man himself.
She wasn’t certain if this was the best assignment she’d ever had or the hardest. How was she supposed to maintain a personal distance? The prime minister had told her to expect to stay with the king for a few weeks. It was an odd assignment for a parliament member, but they’d all learned not to take Naomi Rindlesbacher for granted. A hint of her being associated with the revered king, even if it seemed ludicrous, had to be resolved.
She pushed send on her email to Prime Minister Carrera and parliament and leaned back in her chair. “Proving you’re insanely wealthy and bought that Lambo with your own money was the easy part.”
