Crowns & Courtships Compilation Volume 1

by Carol Moncado

  “Thank you,” Kensington told her. After they washed up thoroughly and put on masks along with other protective gear, they went into the room, past two security guards on either side of the door.

  Anabelle’s gasp could be heard through her mask. “Gracie,” she whispered.

  “Maybe,” he cautioned.

  She went to one side of the bed and perched on the edge of the chair. “Gracie?”

  Kensington stood on the other side and watched as the little girl didn’t respond. He turned to the nurse. “What exactly is wrong with her? What are her injuries?”

  The nurse shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure. It’s not in the chart. Her medications are, but no mention of why she’s in so much pain.”

  “Is that unusual?” Anabelle asked.

  “Extremely.”

  “Can I hold her hand?” Anabelle reached toward the bandages. “I don’t want to hurt her.”

  “Please don’t touch where she’s bandaged.”

  Kensington watched as Anabelle ran her finger along the little girl’s arm.

  “Oh, Gracie.”

  He sat on a chair opposite Anabelle. If only he could pick the little girl up, grab his wife’s hand and take them both back to the airport and fly away to a place where they’d never be bothered again.

  “Kensington?” Anabelle’s urgent whisper caught his attention.

  “What is it?” He looked over to see her eyes wide and frightened.

  “This isn’t Gracie.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I just am.”

  He leaned over the hospital bed. “We need some sort of proof, love.”

  “Look at the bottom of her right foot. We can’t see if she’s got the scar near her hair on her forehead or the stork bite on the back of her neck, but she scraped her foot about a year ago. There was a scar on the bottom of her foot.”

  Apprehension filled Kensington as he moved to the end of the bed. He lifted the blankets until he could see her foot.

  Socks.

  Carefully, he removed it and lifted her foot by cupping his hand under the heel. “I don’t see anything.”

  “I knew it.” She pushed back and went around to the other side of the bed and studied the bottom of the girl’s foot. “I don’t see anything either. Is there a freckle on the side of her ankle?”

  He leaned closer. “I don’t think so.”

  “It’s very noticeable.”

  “Then definitely not.”

  She moved the blanket further to the side. “Check the other foot, just to make sure.”

  A minute later, he knew she was certain.

  “It’s not her.”

  Kensington looked over at the security guard who was already tapping furiously on his phone.

  “Then who is this?” Anabelle’s hands splayed across her stomach. “Who could do such a thing to a little girl, just for the money?”

  “There’s more good people than bad in the world,” Kensington reassured her. “But there’s enough bad people that, unfortunately, sometimes these things cease to amaze you. Especially when you’re in the public eye and have money.”

  He could see the continued disbelief in her eyes, as well as her reluctance to leave the little girl, whoever she might be.

  “I’ll stay with her, ma’am.” The nurse spoke gently to Anabelle. “My shift is over, but I don’t have anywhere to be tonight. I don’t want her to be alone any more than you do.”

  Anabelle nodded. “Thank you.”

  But she didn’t move. As though, if she left, she would be admitting this wasn’t Gracie, giving up the last shred of hope that it might be.

  He walked to her side and wrapped an arm around her waist, turning her partly into him. His wife buried her head in his shoulder, holding back her sobs as evidenced by the stiff set of her back.

  “We’re praying for you,” the nurse told them. “All of us. We’re praying for both of you and little Gracie. She’s still out there. She’s okay. I don’t know how I know that, but I do. We all have this unexplainable conviction that she’s okay.”

  “So do we,” Kensington told her. “But it’s hard to stay upbeat and convinced of that all the time.”

  The nurse nodded and walked toward the door. “Let me go clock out, and I’ll be right back to sit with her.”

  He stood there, holding his wife in his arms, heart breaking for her, for this little girl and her family, and for Gracie.

  Breaking at his impotence to fix this. To make it right.

  True to her word, the nurse returned a few minutes later with her bags. “I know you don’t want her left alone, so I’m here. I won’t leave. I know you both have a million things to do with the Games starting next week, and the ball tomorrow night, and everything else. Go. Do what you need to. We’ll take good care of this girl.”

  “Thank you.” Kensington would see she was compensated somehow for her time.

  Anabelle managed to walk out under her own power, but Kensington knew it was only his arm around her that kept her upright. She managed to hold it together until they reached their apartment. Then she crumpled and let the sobs overtake her.

  With tears of his own streaking down his cheeks, Kensington gathered her into his arms and prayed once again for peace.

  Anabelle hated wearing heels, especially spiky ones, but at a formal event, she had little choice in the matter. Her dress, also from Holly’s boutique, shimmered and sparkled, and her shoes had to match.

  As she walked out of the dressing room, the weight of the world still on her shoulders, a low whistle greeted her.

  “You clean up quite nice,” Kensington told her.

  She cracked a small smile as she looked him up and down. “You do, too.” His tuxedo fit him perfectly. “I will be the envy of every woman there tonight.”

  “And I will be the envy of every man.” He extended his elbow. “Shall we?”

  Her hand slid perfectly into the crook. “Let’s go.”

  With every step, her heart ached, but she knew she had to put on a happy face. This was the ball to kick off the Games. Kensington, though young, had put the whole thing together, and needed to look the part tonight. As his wife, she did, too.

  Photographers and reporters of all kinds would be waiting for them at the venue. Despite near-daily press conferences, questions about the search for Gracie were certain to be shouted their direction.

  She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized they wouldn’t be arriving alone. Three cars were visible under the portico through doors already opened for them to go through.

  “Princess Jacqueline Grace and Prince Harrison, Their Majesties will arrive momentarily for you to accompany them in the first car.” The footman spoke to Kensington’s younger siblings then snapped his heels together and bowed at the waist as he finished the statement.

  Anabelle turned to see the king and queen walking into the room. Would she ever have such effortless grace as her mother-in-law? Since she hadn’t seen either one of them yet that day, she bowed her head and curtsied.

  The king gave her a sly wink. “Tonight is going to be wonderful. I’m quite looking forward to what the two of you have put together.”

  Though Kensington was in charge of the Games, Astrid was in charge of the pre-opening ball. That’s why the four of them would be the last to arrive.

  A few moments after the other car pulled away, the door was opened for Anabelle, Kensington, Astrid, and Jordan to climb into their own vehicle.

  “How are you feeling?” Anabelle asked the Crown Princess. “Are you getting miserable yet?”

  Astrid rubbed a hand across her stomach. “Not quite, though I have my moments. This little one is harder on me than Sofia was.”

  Sofia was Astrid’s daughter from her first marriage, adopted by Jordan, and not quite two-and-a-half years old.

  “He’ll be here before you know it,” Jordan promised.

  “He?” Anabelle asked.

  Astrid shook her head
. “We don’t know so we alternate between he and she. We haven’t confirmed to the press or public if we know or not, though.”

  “They won’t hear it from me,” Anabelle promised them.

  Astrid stifled a yawn and leaned her head against Jordan’s shoulder as they traveled through the streets of Cabo Juan-Eduardo. “I’m ready for this night to be over.” She rubbed her hand against her stomach again, though this time discomfort flitted across her face.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Anabelle asked her.

  “Braxton-Hicks contractions. I’ve been having them for weeks. They’re nothing to worry about, though they are annoying. I’m under strict orders from my doctor and my husband to stay off my feet as much as possible, which means I get out of dancing for most of the evening.”

  Anabelle wrinkled her nose. “Lucky doesn’t seem to be quite the right word, but it kind of fits. My feet already hurt.”

  “I can usually sort of tune out the discomfort, but not right now. My ankles swell like balloons on a night like tonight, too. I’ll be sitting with my feet up for the next two days, even if I only dance the first dance.”

  That didn’t sound fun. Before she could say anything else, the car slowed to a stop in front of a red carpet. Closer to the other end, Anabelle could see the king and queen, along with Jacqueline Grace and Harrison. She knew he had only been in town since that morning, but he hadn’t wanted to miss this. He was back for a few weeks before returning to the States for university.

  But Princess Esther’s absence felt rather conspicuous. She should ask Kensington about it again, but Anabelle doubted he knew anything else.

  As soon as the door opened, the flashbulbs caused spots to appear in front of Anabelle’s eyes. Questions were shouted even before they emerged from the vehicle.

  Jordan and Kensington climbed out first then turned, each helping his own wife. Hand-in-hand, Anabelle walked next to Kensington, waving to the crowd on one side and the press on the other.

  “What about Gracie?” one reporter yelled. “Why aren’t you searching for her?”

  “Ignore him,” Kensington murmured. “I’ll handle it.” They stopped and turned to the man. “I’m sure you know there isn’t always much we can actually do. However, you can be assured the authorities are working around the clock to find our little girl.” At least the news about the still-anonymous girl in the hospital hadn’t been leaked. They’d been in contact with the nurse several times, and there was no change.

  “Your little girl? Don’t you mean your sister-in-law.”

  “For now,” Kensington conceded, as Anabelle tightened her grip on his hand. “However, adoption proceedings have already begun and, soon, my wife and I will be more than the Lady’s legal guardians.” He nodded and turned. “If you’ll excuse us...”

  “His palace credentials are about to be pulled for a while.” Kensington’s quiet words were meant only for Anabelle’s ears as they walked up the red carpet.

  They continued waving until they reached the door.

  “Is there somewhere we can step aside for a minute?” Listening to the questions yelled, even though they didn’t respond to any more of them, hit her hard.

  “Of course.” He motioned to an aide and whispered. They were led to a side door and into an office. There were windows into the main area, but the shades were drawn, allowing them some privacy.

  Anabelle let her shoulders slump as Kensington wrapped his arms around her. “When will we find her?” she whispered. “When will all of this be over.”

  “Soon.” His hand ran up and down her back, but his voice lacked the conviction she needed to hear.

  They’d been saying soon for an eternity.

  Maybe one day it would actually be right.

  24

  For all the privilege he’d been raised with, Kensington couldn’t do the one thing he needed to most. Fix his wife’s broken heart and find their little girl. He had no idea how many thousands of man hours had gone into the hunt for Gracie, but he knew they were still tracking down leads nearly 24 hours a day.

  Anabelle took a deep breath and moved away from him. “I’m okay. I just needed a minute.”

  “I know.” He cradled the side of her face in his hand. “I’m continually amazed by how strong you are.” With a kiss to her forehead so he wouldn’t mess up her lipstick, he stepped back and offered her his elbow. “Shall we?”

  With another deep breath, she nodded.

  They emerged from the office into the room filled with dignitaries from San Majoria, Eyjania, Islas del Sargasso, and Auverignon, as well as a couple of other small island nations who participated in the games, but never hosted them. Jacqueline Grace came up and took Anabelle, though he didn’t know what for.

  Esme found him a moment later. “How are you?”

  “As well as can be expected,” Kensington answered for both of them.

  “Anything from Benjamin yet?”

  Kensington shook his head. “No. My father was supposed to talk to him about expediting the adoption on their end, but I haven’t heard anything.”

  “You think he’ll let you? If the rumor is true?”

  Kensington took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. “It should tell us if it’s true or not. I can’t imagine him not putting up a fuss if it is.”

  Harrison joined them, putting an end to that conversation.

  For the next half hour, Kensington made the rounds, accepting the well-wishes and prayers from perfect strangers, business acquaintances, friendly business competitors, and members of other royal families. An announcement was made that dinner would be served in just a few minutes.

  Kensington found Anabelle and made sure she hung back with him and several others who would be the last ones in.

  They were third-to-last, followed by Astrid and Jordan, and then his parents. As the hostess of the ball, Astrid was in the center. As the coordinator of the Games, Kensington was next to her, one of the few times his father wasn’t the main focus.

  His other siblings were also at the head table, along with the highest-ranking delegates from Eyjania, Auverignon, and Islas del Sargasso. Esme was actually escorted by Benjamin as they were both unaccompanied. Due to an unforeseen family illness, no one from the Auverignonian royal family was in attendance. Instead, their ambassador and his wife representatived their country.

  Whoever arranged the seating made sure the eight members of the San Majorian family were seated so Kensington and Anabelle weren’t next to Benjamin, though Kensington did feel sorry for Esme.

  After dinner came dancing. Kensington, Anabelle, Astrid, and Jordan led off with a waltz. Jordan claimed Anabelle for the second dance, while Esme appeared at Kensington’s side. Astrid took a seat as promised.

  “I’m sorry you ended up with King Cold Shoulder,” Kensington said softly after making sure no one was close enough to hear.

  Esme glanced to his left where Benjamin remained seated. “You know, he’s really not so bad, or not as bad as he likes to act. I get the feeling there’s a lot of hurt he’s still holding onto. Losing his father so young was bound to have a huge impact. His mother’s time would have been split between her eight other children and being pregnant and her own grief. It’s no wonder he has a well-deserved reputation for being cold, but there’s more there. There has to be.”

  “I hope so. I hate the thought that he’s really that way.”

  They continued to dance, but Kensington couldn’t ask the question at the forefront of his mind.

  “He didn’t say anything about Gracie,” Esme told him. “At least nothing beyond a generic ‘hope they find her soon’ sort of comment. If what we suspect is the truth, he either doesn’t know or is very good at hiding it.”

  Kensington was inclined to think it was the former. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Of course.”

  The dance ended a minute later, and Esme was claimed by Benjamin, likely out of obligation. Dance after dance was spent with wome
n Kensington barely knew, occasionally interrupted by a dance with a relative, and once, an ex-girlfriend, albeit one he’d split on good terms with.

  “I’m sorry about your little girl,” she told him. “We’ve been praying daily for all of you.” She’d started dating another guy the week after they ended things then married him a couple years later. “I’m so glad you finally found your princess.”

  Kensington glanced over at Anabelle. “She’s pretty incredible. I’m thankful for her, but it kills me that we can’t find Gracie.”

  “You will,” she said firmly. “I truly believe that.”

  “Thanks.”

  The dance ended and with it came a break for dessert. As was customary, Kensington escorted his ex-girlfriend to her table then went back to his own to find the mayor of Cabo Juan-Eduardo seating Anabelle.

  As they ate, he turned to his sister. “How are you feeling?”

  She shrugged. “Fine. Not fantastic, but not awful. Tired and ready to go home so I can put my feet up.”

  “You should leave after this. You’ve put in an appearance, that’s all you really needed to do.”

  Astrid shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ve got tomorrow off, though. Jordan insisted.”

  “As well he should.”

  Kensington took another bite of the fruity concoction and looked out over the crowded ballroom. Did someone in here, someone local, know something about Gracie? About where she was? Were they showing her the videos of him and Anabelle arriving at events like this as proof to her that they didn’t care? To show her that they’d moved on, and Gracie wasn’t their priority?

  Nothing could be further from the truth, but when a little girl had her information controlled, she would believe what she saw.

  He closed his eyes and prayed again that they would find her.

  Soon.

  Anabelle had been to dinner parties at her grandfather’s house, but nothing compared to this. She’d danced for nearly an hour with one man after another. All were very polite and expressed their concern for Gracie.

  But none were Kensington.

  She really just wanted to spend the time with him, away from the madness.