Easton chuckled at the childs sober sincerity, then quickly sobered himself. This situation put him into quite a sticky wicket, though it wasnt the stability of Nicks home or the quality of his guardianship that concerned him. Eleanor had told Easton everything he needed to know about her brothers dependability.
What is it you want from me? he asked Nicholas point-blank.
Intervention, Nicholas answered quickly, decisively. Youre the king. One phone call from you and the dragon-lady social workers from the Ministry of Family will drop their case against me and leave me in peace.
Dragon ladies, Jakob repeated, then giggled.
Easton found nothing to laugh about. This was serious business. He rose from his chair and paced. I dont think you fully understand what youre asking me to do. Korosol is a constitutional monarchy, not a dictatorship. Ive successfully ruled the country for fifty-something years precisely because I dont throw my weight around. The Parliament makes rules, the police and courts enforce them. And I dont go meddling in affairs that arent my responsibility, no matter what my personal feelings.
If you dont meddle, and you dont make or enforce laws, what do you do? Nicholas asked with a trifle too much arrogance, Easton thought. But he chose to overlook the breach of protocol.
I do many of the same things the American president does, Easton explained patiently. Im commander in chief of the Korosol Armed Forces. Im the head of state, and I undertake a number of diplomatic duties. I act as an adviser to Parliament. But I dont run around giving orders. Maybe thats what kings did a hundred years ago in Korosol, but not now.
So you wont help us? Amelia asked, incredulous. Help Nick, I mean. You wouldnt have to issue an order. You couldadvise the Ministry of Family, couldnt you? Im sure they would listen.
My dear girl, to make requests such as you suggest would open a Pandoras box. Pretty soon everyone would be asking me for personal favors, and many would be as persuasive as you, with causes just as righteous, just as urgent.
But Im Amelia objected, then stopped herself. He deduced shed been about to remind him of her newly special status as his successoras if he needed to be reminded. Im your granddaughter, she continued. A member of the royal family.
And to alter my standards and ethics just because youre royalty and not some peasant would be even worse. I abhor favoritism under any guise. He turned his attention to Nicholas. I sympathize with your situation, but it wouldnt be practical for the king to step in and usurp the authority of one of my ministers. I suggest you let the Ministry of Family conduct its investigation. If the situation is as healthy for the children as you say, theyll rule in your favor, without my interference. The Ministry does good work. I have complete faith in it.
Im afraid they wont, Nicholas said. Theyve made it pretty clearno wife, no adoption, no kids.
Easton felt for this cobbled-together family, he really did. But his hands were tied by his own principles.
A long, awkward silence followed Nicks pronouncement. When it became clear Easton wasnt going to change his mind, Amelia cleared her throat and stood. Well, then, Im sure you have important matters to attend to.
We appreciate the audience, Nicholas added. Itsinteresting for an ordinary citizen such as myself to get a firsthand look at how the royal mind reasons out problems.
Easton had come close to the end of his patience with Nicholas Standish. His veiled sarcasm didnt come close to escaping his notice. A generation ago, men had been thrown into leg irons for lesser insubordination. But Easton knew how upset Eleanor would be if he did anything to her brother, and good secretaries were hard to find. So, again, he let the comment pass.
Nicholas stood and hoisted Jakob onto his hip. He gave Easton a curt nod, then held the kings gaze until Easton nodded back, giving him silent permission to withdraw. The little girl stood last. She said nothing, didnt even look at Easton. But he saw the sheen of tears in her eyes. The silent tears were almost Eastons undoing, and he knew he would be haunted by her solemn eyes for many nights to come.
NO WIFE, NO ADOPTION, NO KIDS. Those words ricocheted through Amelias head as Ellie escorted her, Nick and the children down the echoing embassy hallway toward the elevator. Nicks face was hard, impassive, but Josie was blinking back tears. She understood what had just happened. Even Jakob was quiet.
Come home with me, Amelia said impulsively. Well have a nice lunch, and well try to figure
No, thanks, Nick said curtly. The kids and I are going back to our hotel to change out of these clothes, then Im taking them to the Statue of Liberty. They might as well learn some history while theyre here.
Amelia made herself smile at the kids. That sounds like fun!
You can come with us, Josie said cautiously, which pleased Amelia. It was the first friendly overture Josie had made to her.
No, she cant, Nick said, speaking to Josie but looking at Amelia. Her Highness cant step out her front door without reporters and groupies descending on her, and Im not up to dealing with that right now.
Amelia wanted to argue that he was wrong. She could usually move about the city with a certain amount of anonymity, provided she was careful. But she knew an excuse when she heard one. Nick didnt want to be with her.
When do we go to the orphnage? Jakob asked innocently.
No one is going to any orphanage, Nick said firmly. Josie, what have you been telling him?
But thats where kids go when they dont have parents, Josie said. Remember that movie we saw, Annie?
There are no orphanages in Korosol, sweetheart, Eleanor interjected. A bell announced the elevators arrival, and she gave Nick and the kids quick hugs.
Call me later.
The elevator doors opened, and Amelia started to get on, but Eleanor held her back. Amelia, I just remembered, I have apackage for you to take home with you.
Ugh. More study materials about Korosol. Amelia hadnt read so much boring material since her last political science class. Nick and the kids boarded the elevator. Jakob waved to her, Josie stared at her, her young face full of disappointment. Nick pointedly ignored her.
Amelia wanted to scream at the ineffectual way shed handled the situation.
Come back to my office, Eleanor said. I dont really have anything to give you. But I wanted to talk to youabout Nicky.
She said nothing else until they were settled in Eleanors little alcove sipping tea. How much do you know about Nicks past? Ellie asked.
Amelia shrugged. Not very much, really. We became friends in Palemeir, but we never talked about personal things. Hed been easy with her, kind to the children, but shed recognized an emotional wall when she saw one. There were certain boundaries shed learned not to cross during their brief acquaintance. One of those was Nick Standish didnt talk about his past.
Let me show you something. Eleanor reached behind her and picked up a silver-framed photo from a group of personal knickknacks shed arranged on top of a low bookcase. She handed it wordlessly to Amelia.
The subject of the photo took Amelias breath away. It was an informal portrait of a familya beautiful young woman with black hair and dark, dramatic eyes, laughing into the camera; a darling little boy not much older than Jakob, his eyes full of mischief; and a younger, more boyish-looking Nick.
He was married? This was something Amelia had a hard time visualizing.
For five years, very happily. Then Monette and William died in a car accident, about four years ago. It changed Nicky, made him into a different person. He resigned from the army and became a mercenary. He took crazy chances with his lifeI believe he didnt care whether he lived or died.
Amelia struggled to absorb this new piece of the puzzle that made up Nick. Now his aura of reckless danger made sense. Shed been drawn to it as much as to his rugged, handsome face and enough muscles for a wrestling team. He and his band of ragtag soldiers had been hired to subdue rebel forces and restore order to the capital city. But somehow hed gotten caught up in the plight of refugees trying to flee the fighting.
Those children have changed him, Eleanor went on. Hes not quite the lighthearted, fun-loving man he was before, but I see flashes of the old Nicky beginning to surface. If he loses Josie and Jakob, I dont know what will become of him. A man can only take so much pain.
I had no idea hed suffered such a terrible loss.
I wanted to tell younot because I think theres anything more you can do, but just so youll understand why hes acting a bit harsh.
I dont blame him. I put him in a terrible position. If Id only realized
Dont blame yourself, either, Your Highness.
Please, could you call me Amelia? Weve become friends, after all.
Yes, but youre soon to be queen.
Amelia resisted the urge to groan. She detested pomp and circumstance.
At any rate, Eleanor went on, I wanted to express my appreciation for what you did to help Nick and the kids. It was a huge risk for you as well, staying behind until the ICF practically dragged you out.
But it had been an easy choice for Amelia. It might have been a marriage of convenience, but shed have done anything to protect those children. And Nickwell, saying vows in a church with him at her side had been a little frightening, but a part of her had thrilled at the idea of being married to such a powerful, dangerous man.
If she had it to do over again, she would have stayed with them, returned to Korosol with them and consequences be damned. But shed made the wrong decision. Now she carried the responsibility of that mistake with her. The fates of those children were on her head, and it was up to her to make things right. But how?
Chapter Three
Macys opened early on Sunday morning specifically for a private royal shopping party. As Amelia shopped for baby things with her two sisters and Hester, she couldnt get her mind off Nicks dilemma.
No wife, no adoption, no kids.
Hey, how about this? Lucia held up a hot-pink romper embossed with psychedelic flowers.
Mmm, cute, Amelia said absently.
Cute? CeCe repeated. Its ghastly. Even Lucia knows its ghastly, and shes a bohemian. She was trying to get a reaction out of you, and you arent paying the least bit of attention. I need your help with the nursery decor.
Im sorry, Amelia said. Im just a little distracted.
Poor dear, Hester said, putting her arm around Amelia. Its that Nicholas, isnt it. Youve been blue ever since he showed up. Well, hell be gone soon.
Thats just what worries me, Amelia said, sinking into a cherry-wood rocking chair. He believes he doesnt have a prayer with the Ministry of Family. But hes not about to relinquish those kids. Im afraid hell do something desperate.
You mean like kidnap the kids and take them to Canada or somewhere? Lucia asked, pulling up her own rocking chair.
Exactly. Nick is a skilled mercenary and survivalist, Amelia said, anxiety building in her chest. He could slip across any border undetected. But thats no way to bring up children. They need a stable, safe home.
Stable and safe is overrated, Lucia said, drawing one leg up and resting her chin on her knee. Youve said that yourself a million times.
Yes, but Im an adult. With children its different.
Children love adventure, too.
Lucia was the real rebel in the family. She lived in a loft in SoHo despite their mothers vociferous objections, crafting avant-garde jewelry in her studio and actually selling it to the public. Charlotte thought it was far too common an activity for a princess, but Lucia was starting to make a name for herself. Her brooches and earrings were showing up on debutantes all over New York, and even a few Hollywood actresses had been seen displaying Lucias designs.
With her shoulder-length blond hair hanging loose and windblown, and her flamboyant clothes, Lucia looked even less like a princess than Amelia. But the girl had a spine of steel and the will and determination of a charging rhinoceros. Secretly, Amelia thought Lucia might make a very good queen. She would love the attention, at any rate. But Easton had chosen Amelia instead because she was the next in line, and that was that.
Its a shame dear old Granddad didnt come through for Nick, CeCe said, sitting on the edge of a carved wooden toy chest. He can be a rigid old goat sometimes.
Cecelia, Hester scolded. We dont speak that way about our king. But she pulled up a chair, too, and pretty soon the four of them were deep in conversation, the shopping expedition forgotten. The salespeople and bodyguards all politely withdrew out of earshot.
I dont understand why this Family Minister or whatever wants to take the kids away from Nick if hes such a good father, Lucia said. I mean, so hes single. Big deal. Single people in America adopt all the time. And its not like potential parents stand in line to adopt older children.
Ministry of Family, Hester corrected. Korosol isnt America. Theyre much more traditional and old-fashioned than we are here. But it does seem a shame that a little technicality like lack of a wife should keep Nick from holding on to Jakob and Josie.
Hey, what if he married someone else? CeCe asked.
Yeah, why not? Lucia said. A guy like that shouldnt have any trouble finding a wife. He could probably snap his fingers, and a dozen would stand in line.
He already thought of that, Amelia answered quickly, dismayed at how disturbed she felt at the thought of Nick marrying someone else. He would run into the same problem he has now. The Ministry of Family is hung up on the fact that Nick got married solely to facilitate the adoption. If he entered into another quickie marriage, it would be obvious what he was up to. So thats not the answer, she concluded, relieved she could argue so eloquently against CeCes idea. It made her squirm to picture Nick with some other womanonly because she worried that another woman might not care about the children the way she did, Amelia reassured herself.
Hmm. Lucia tapped her chin, looking thoughtful.
I just feel so terrible, Amelia said. Its my fault hes in this pickle. I ought to do something towhat do you mean, Hmm? Amelia zeroed in on Lucia. Of all of them, Lucia was the most used to thinking outside the boxwhich made her a constant worry to their mother. But she was also a great problem-solver.