Crowns & Courtships Compilation Volume 1

by Carol Moncado

  “And Christiana, Nicklaus, Yvette, all of them, but I know Ana the best I think.” He turned to the woman standing next to him. “This is my wife, Kenzie. Kenzie, this is Darius of Eyjania and Esther of San Majoria. I spoke with your father last night, Esther. He’d like me to take a look at your property to make sure everything’s secured like it should be.”

  So this guy rubbed elbows with royalty regularly. He also knew they were trying to stay under the radar as it were and didn’t draw attention to their titles.

  “We’d love to have you join us for lunch after second service,” Kenzie told them.

  Esther gave them all her brightest smile. “Perhaps some other time. Darius has promised me brunch.” Her hand slid through his arm and clutched his bicep. “And I intend to collect at that little café on Highway 60.”

  Jonathan smiled and bowed his head again. “I’ll likely see you sometime this week. We’ll have you over for lunch some other time.”

  Darius let his hand come to rest on Esther’s back. As they talked, they’d moved out of the sanctuary and into the foyer. Ian had accompanied them, but stayed a distance away, keeping an eye on their movements. Jonathan and his wife were distracted by another couple saying hello. Darius and Esther used it as their excuse to exit.

  Rather than sitting in the passenger seat, Darius slid into the back by Esther. “What did you think?”

  She shrugged. “Different than I’m used to, but not necessarily bad different.”

  “Would you want to come back or try somewhere else?” With more notice, another church would be an option.

  “I’d like to come back. The fact that my father has spoken with one of the attendees about security says something to me about the safety of it at least.”

  “He looks familiar.” Darius shook his head. “But I don’t think we’ve ever met.”

  “You likely saw him on television, sir.” Ian looked at them in the rearview mirror as they sat at a stop light. “His wife already had a little girl when they married this summer. She wandered off while at a friend’s house and was missing for a time near Serenity Lake. They were on television a couple of times afterward. His brother went missing not far from here a few years ago and just recently revealed he’d gone to rehab. They were on the news programs wrapping that up as well.”

  “The little girl,” Esther said. “I remember watching the coverage and following the updates online. I was so relieved when they found her safe.”

  Darius only vaguely recalled the story from a few weeks earlier, but clearly it made more of an impression on Esther. Because it made her think of her own lost child?

  The car pulled into a parking lot near a building Darius would normally avoid, but everyone he’d talked to said this was the place to get breakfast. The best in town. He tried to be objective. It probably wasn’t that bad, but definitely not a place he would have frequented at home.

  As they started inside, his phone buzzed in his pocket. When he saw it was Benjamin, he told Esther to get them a table, and he’d be just a minute.

  After exchanging the mildest of pleasantries, Benjamin cut to the chase. “What do you need?”

  “My credit and debit cards don’t work,” he told his brother.

  “So? You’re married to a princess. I’m sure she has enough money for both of you. Have her put you on the accounts.”

  He took a deep breath in and blew it out slowly. Those words weren’t Benjamin’s. They came straight from Isaiah. His brother might be many things, but Darius knew he wasn’t the person everyone thought he was. Not really. “That’s not the point, and you know it.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” The very noncommittal words frustrated Darius.

  “You’re the king, Ben. If you want my cards unfrozen they will be, even if some of your advisors oppose the idea.”

  Movement in the background suggested Benjamin wasn’t alone. “Like I said, I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Do you remember what King Edward said the day I married Esther?”

  “Most of it.”

  “I’d work on remembering all of it and take it to heart.” The more time Darius spent away from the palace, the more he realized just how much negative influence Isaiah had on Benjamin. “You might also make sure your family can get a hold of you when they need to. Did you get my voicemail?”

  “No.”

  “I left three on your office phone because I seem to be blocked from your mobile. Finally, I asked Mother to have you call me because that seemed odd.”

  “I’ll look into it.”

  Darius wasn’t sure he would, but he’d done what he could for now. He’d do the best he could to keep an eye on Isaiah from a distance then talk to Benjamin. Maybe over Christmas. If King Edward gave him permission to see his family, and he could get Benjamin alone. Or maybe he could convince King Edward that both families, now related through marriage should spend the holiday together in San Majoria. Maybe the other king could get through to Benjamin.

  His brother disconnected the call without saying good-bye. Darius needed to get in touch with his father-in-law and put the wheels in motion.

  But first he needed to have brunch with his wife.

  Interviewing potential employees was a new thing for Esther. She thought it was new for Darius, too, though he hadn’t said.

  Their original housekeeper, a San Majorian woman, had let it be known she wanted to move back to her home on the island of San Minoria to be closer to her pregnant daughter.

  That left them with no one to instruct Esther and Darius how to “adult.”

  “Several women are coming to interview.” Jonathan Langley-Cranston had been hired by her father to double check security at their home as well as find them a new live-in housekeeper/instructor.

  Esther wouldn’t tell anyone she’d been watching some YouTube videos on “How to be an Adult.” At least she already knew everything in the “How to Choose a Wine For Dinner” video. And since she’d turned twenty-one not long after they moved to Serenity Landing, she could even legally drink in their new home if she wanted. The video about meal planning had been a bit more informative.

  “I can take the lead if you want,” Jonathan went on. “We won’t actually hire anyone on the spot. Everyone will be told that we’ll make calls later.”

  They sat in his office in a strip mall in Serenity Landing. Apparently, he normally worked from home, but he didn’t want to do this there. His wife wasn’t feeling well.

  “Mr. Langley-Cranston, your first interview is here.” The disembodied voice of the receptionist at Cranston Security crackled over the intercom.

  Jonathan pressed a button. “Send her in.”

  Moments later, a young woman came in clutching her purse in front of her.

  Though she tried to put off an air of innocence and dependability, Esther didn’t like her.

  “Do you travel for business, Mrs. Quatremaine? Is that why you need a housekeeper?” She smiled, projecting interest in what effect it would have on her duties.

  “No. Mr. Quatremaine and I travel together when we travel.” Esther kept her face impassive, but she really wanted to dump her water on the perfectly coiffed hair.

  Darius shot her a look, but Esther didn’t look back. After a few more minutes, Jonathan thanked the woman, and she left.

  “What was that about?” Darius asked as the door closed.

  “She has no respect for your marital status,” Esther told him.

  “How do you know that?” He sounded incredulous. Did he really not see it?

  “I just do.”

  “She’s right,” Jonathan told them. “I’ve seen her type before.” He snorted. “At one point in my life, I was her type.” He shook his head. “Not really. I was a teenager, but relationship status didn’t always mean much to me. Things have changed. She may change, but I would not recommend hiring her.”

  “We won’t be.” Esther was proud of the finality in her voice.

  Darius shrugged. “If you
say so.”

  “I say so.”

  “Just because she might have wanted me to cheat on you doesn’t mean I would have.” Darius crossed his arms over his chest.

  “I don’t care. I don’t want her in my house.”

  “You don’t trust me?” He stared directly at her.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You might as well have. Why would you care if she worked for us if you trusted me?”

  Before Esther could say anything else, Jonathan jumped in. “Enough.” He pointed his pen at Esther. “You should trust your husband until he actually gives you reason not to. I don’t know the whole story, but I know this wasn’t your first choice.”

  She opened her mouth to respond, but his glare stopped her.

  He turned to Darius. “You need to learn to trust your wife. Women tend to have a gut instinct men don’t always have, especially about stuff like this.” Darius started to protest, but Jonathan stopped him with a raised hand. “I’m not saying you would have acted inappropriately. But you don’t want to start this marriage off with someone who doesn’t respect those boundaries living in your house.”

  Then to both of them. “You’re both young. You don’t really want to be here. But you need to work as a team. Trust each other. Be honest with each other. And get over yourselves. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.” She and Darius spoke in unison.

  That made Jonathan smirk and roll his eyes. “That’s not necessary, but take it as a word of advice from someone who learned life lessons the hard way. Then you don’t have to learn them the hard way yourself.”

  Esther exchanged a glance with Darius, certain his smirk meant he was keeping his own “yes, sir” to himself this time, much like she was.

  Jonathan just shook his head. “Okay. The next woman is older. She has some experience as a nanny and housekeeper, but not much. It says she has a lot of experience in the kitchen, though, so that could be a plus.”

  A minute later, another woman walked in. This one appeared significantly older, perhaps in her late forties. This time it wasn’t anything Esther could put her finger on, but she didn’t like the woman.

  Jonathan concurred. Darius shrugged.

  The third woman was the other way around. Esther and Jonathan had no strong feelings either way, but Darius wanted nothing to do with her.

  “Next is what looks to be a British woman based on the spellings. Or at least from somewhere in the Commonwealth.” Jonathan read the application. “Early-60s. She’s been a housekeeper and personal assistant for years. Her last employer left the area, but she didn’t want to. She’s not looking for a lifetime commitment to a job, but plans to work for another year or two before retiring. That’s perfect for what you need. You have a year-and-a-half of schooling left. By the time you move home, she’ll be ready to call it quits anyway.”

  Jonathan flipped the page back. “Louise Butler should be here in a minute.”

  All three of them checked their phones while they waited. The first official picture of Astrid and her family with the new baby had been released. Sofia was over the moon in love with her new baby brother, and it showed.

  The intercom buzzed. “Your next interview is here.”

  “Send her in,” Jonathan responded, pressing the button without looking up from his phone.

  “I’ll send him in immediately.”

  The three of them exchanged a look. Him?

  8

  Darius didn’t know how he felt about a man working as their housekeeper, cook, and life instructor. As they’d waited for him, he’d thought back over the interactions with the first girl. Grudgingly, he could admit Esther and Jonathan were probably right.

  She likely would have had very little respect for his wedding vows. Though he believed he wouldn’t have been tempted to break them, having someone around who didn’t have scruples probably wasn’t a great idea.

  The door opened. The man who walked in reminded Darius of his father’s valet who later worked for Benjamin for a time before being dismissed by Isaiah for some slight or other.

  Jonathan gestured for the man to have a seat. “You don’t look much like a Louise.”

  The man sat and sniffed. “No. My name is Louis. I’m afraid typing is not my strongest skill. Clearly there is a typographical error.”

  “You’re Eyjanian.” Darius couldn’t stop himself.

  “I am, Your Royal Highness.” Louis bowed his head. “And I fear there may have been a bit of subterfuge in my résumé. I do hope you’ll forgive it.”

  Darius glanced at Esther who sat wide-eyed. Jonathan hit a button on his phone but didn’t speak.

  “Go on,” Darius urged.

  “I worked for your father for many years and then for your brother.” His head dipped. “However, given the circumstances surrounding my dismissal, I cannot exactly use them as a reference, despite nearly two decades of exemplary service. The names on the résumé are fictional. The rest is real.”

  “And the phone number?” Jonathan asked.

  “My sister.”

  “Why?” Darius asked.

  “When Mr. Langley-Cranston began to put out feelers for this position, I became aware of them almost immediately. Darius Quatremaine could be only one person.” He tipped his head again. “I suppose there is more than one in the world, but I knew I had to try for this appointment.”

  His head fell until his chin nearly touched his chest. “The truth is, I have long felt I failed your father in my failings with your brother.”

  “How so?” Darius wasn’t sure he wanted to hear that.

  “I served your father faithfully and grieved his death as though he were my own son. I served your brother the same way.” The man’s shoulders slumped. “Six years ago, the week before Christmas 2009, I was dismissed after voicing my disagreement over a matter deemed trivial by your uncle. Your brother, the king, was asked to attend an event. Within my hearing, Prince Isaiah suggested King Benjamin, who was only sixteen at the time, take advantage of a young woman who had flirted with him in the past. He even insinuated the woman would have no right to decline the advances.”

  The thought made Darius sick to his stomach, though he’d heard similar speeches from his uncle.

  “What did you tell the king?” Jonathan asked quietly.

  “I urged him to remember his father. His father would never have taken advantage of a woman and was never with a woman besides your mother in all his days.” He heaved a sigh. “Your uncle declared my services were no longer needed. I would receive no severance and be given no recommendation. By the next morning, I was homeless.”

  Darius wanted to apologize, but wasn’t sure it was his place to do so.

  “Your other qualifications are accurate?” Jonathan asked.

  “Yes, sir.” Louis hesitated. “May I make a suggestion? Or perhaps a request is a better term for it.”

  Darius looked at Jonathan who seemed to defer the decision to him. He nodded.

  “My sister worked for your family for many years as well. When she heard the truth of my dismissal, she resigned her post. Eventually, we moved near St. Louis to work, because we could no longer find employment in Eyjania. It would be an honor for both of us if we could tend to your needs while you live in the States.”

  “One of the main duties will be teaching these two life skills they have not yet learned,” Jonathan told Louis. “As members of royal families, they have never been required to cook or clean or even learn to drive, though I’m told Darius learned on his own.”

  Louis looked shocked. “Families?” He stared at Esther. “Should I know you, ma’am?”

  “My father is King Edward of...”

  “San Majoria,” Louis interjected. “I met him on several occasions. He is a good man.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  Louis looked at Jonathan. “My sister and I would be most willing to serve in this capacity, helping equip both Mr. and Mrs. Quatremaine to live on their own should they e
ver need to.”

  “It will mean being a parent in many ways,” Jonathan warned. “Forcing them to learn when they don’t want to. Not making every meal for them when they don’t feel like it. Not allowing them to get away with not cleaning their own bathroom, things of that nature.”

  Louis straightened in his chair. “It would be an honor.”

  “I’m not certain I have the authority to hire two people, though,” Jonathan mused. “That’s twice the salary.”

  “I’ll make it happen,” Esther blurted out.

  “Nay.” Louis shook his head. “We can share one salary. The biggest issue would be the need for two rooms instead of one.” He grimaced. “We learned many years ago that we cannot share such close quarters.”

  Jonathan set the application back down. “No official decisions are being made today, Mr. Butler. I will discuss your proposition with King Edward. We will be in touch shortly.”

  All four of them stood. Darius knew the decision had been made, as long as King Edward approved it. Louis and his sister would get the job.

  “Thank you for the consideration.” Louis bowed slightly at the waist. “Your Royal Highnesses, it has been an honor to be considered.” He left the room.

  Darius, Esther, and Jonathan took their seats.

  “What do you make of his story, Darius?”

  After lacing his fingers together on the table and staring at them for a moment, Darius looked up. “It rings true. When I saw him, I was reminded of my father’s valet immediately. My uncle is not above such statements. If I had to guess, he has committed such actions and spoke to Benjamin out of experience.”

  “Would you have any qualms about inviting your family to visit with him there? Your mother likely knew him as well.”

  “I could feel her out. I need to call her later today anyway.” He hadn’t spoken to her since that call Sunday morning. Benjamin had unfrozen the accounts, though.

  “All other things being equal, I’m inclined to recommend hiring Mr. Butler and his sister, even though we haven’t spoken with her.” Jonathan closed the folder and pushed it away from him on the table.