Royal Affair

by Laurie Paige

  Max had agreed to Ivy’s plans without objection. “But you do realize we will have to have a formal ceremony in my country?” he asked Friday night as they lay entwined in the king-size bed.

  “No. Why?”

  “Tradition. The royalty of Lantanya are wed in the cathedral so that everyone can see they are truly bonded and their children are legitimate.”

  Ivy laid a hand over her abdomen with a tired sigh. “That means more shopping. Will we have to stand in a reception line for hours the way Queen Elizabeth did?”

  “Yes, but I will see that you don’t become fatigued. No harm will come to the child,” he averred.

  “Thank you,” she said, snuggling against him.

  “We will have the ceremony immediately after the coronation, then as king, I will crown you as my queen.”

  Ivy started to protest that she needed more time to think about this, then she realized it was too late. The wheels for the royal marriage were already in motion.

  “I will do my best,” she said simply, gazing into his dark eyes.

  “Ah, Ivy, you please me in so many ways. The day we met, my ministers had already told me much about you, that you were polite and intelligent and knowledgeable in your dealings with them. I’ve found you to be kindhearted and generous, a person of integrity…and passion.”

  With a chuckle he seized her and proceeded to let her have her way with him. Ivy found the weariness of shopping disappeared with a little TLC. She awoke refreshed on Saturday morning.

  “What are your plans for the day?” Max asked over coffee at the breakfast table.

  Ivy was aware of his and Chuck’s eyes on her while she swallowed a sip of coffee before answering. It came to her that their lives would always be shared with others, such as Chuck and Ned and palace officials. Except for the few hours they would have in privacy in their bedroom. A cold sensation trickled down her spine.

  “I’m going to the nursery to rock the babies this morning,” she told the men. “Katie and I are meeting for lunch with the florist at noon, then I’m supposed to go to the country club to talk to the coordinator about the reception at two. Oh, and I have to call Emma to see if she can be the matron of honor.”

  “No flower girls and ring bearers?” Max asked, his eyes gleaming in sardonic humor as he teased her.

  “No. Since neither of us has nieces or nephews, that won’t be necessary. Thank goodness,” she added. “At least with a quick wedding, I won’t have time for a nervous breakdown before it’s over.”

  Both men roared at this conclusion, delivered in a deadpan voice. She smiled and rose. “Am I to have a bodyguard today?”

  Max glanced at Chuck, then at Ivy. “Not if you’ll agree to let one of us drive you to wherever you need to go.”

  “What about when I’m with Katie?”

  “What do you think?” Max asked his security chief.

  Chuck considered. “There haven’t been any personal incidents and we’ve seen nothing suspicious since we found the bugs. So as long as you and your sister stay together and go only to restaurants and public places, I think it will be okay.”

  “No strange men sitting around in cars and trying to act invisible?” she asked.

  Chuck grimaced at her amusement. “Not without telling you first,” he said.

  “Oh, joy. You guys are finally going to keep me in the loop.” She gave them each a big approving smile and leaned over to smooch Max on the cheek. She stopped. “Am I allowed to kiss the king in front of someone else, Your Highness?”

  “I’ll show you,” he growled and pulled her across his lap and kissed her until she was dizzy and could only cling to him as her breath hung someplace in her throat.

  Then he set her on her feet. “Ready to go?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m still dizzy.”

  Laughing, Max put an arm around her and guided her to the door, grabbing her purse and handing it to her as they went. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes,” he told Chuck.

  “I have some calls to make. The FBI and the U.S. State Department will have to know about the wedding. The president might attend.”

  “Tell him he can come to the official ceremony in Lantanya. This one is for family only.”

  Ivy couldn’t believe how cavalier he was, regarding the president of the United States. “You are incorrigible,” she scolded as they walked down the hotel corridor.

  “But you like my kisses,” he whispered in the elevator as he nibbled on her ear.

  “I do,” she whispered back. “I do indeed.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Uh, it’s me.”

  “Make it quick. I’m expecting another call.”

  “There’s to be a transfer today, around noon, from the hospital nursery over to Children’s Connection nursery.”

  “Today? Why the hell didn’t you let me know sooner? I can’t get someone on it with no notice.”

  “Well, the mother didn’t sign the adoption papers until an hour ago—”

  “Great. You handle it.”

  “I, uh, can’t. I’m at work. Besides, if I were recognized, we would lose the inside info.”

  “All right, all right, let me think. Okay, I can handle it. Give me a call when the transfer takes place.”

  “I can’t use the office line. The call could be traced. I’m at a pay phone now. If you’re here within an hour, that should be time enough.”

  “Damn. Where will the kid be?”

  “The nurse will have to bring the baby to the reception area to sign it over to the adoption agency. I’ll open and close the blinds on my office window when it arrives.”

  “Okay, we’ll be there.”

  “Uh, who’s we?”

  “My ol’ grandma. Don’t ask any more stupid questions. We’ll stay in the car until you give the signal.”

  “Good news,” Matissa, the head nurse, told Ivy and Nancy at the hospital nursery. “The mother has decided to put this little one up for adoption.” She glanced down at Madison. “We’re getting her ready to go over to Children’s Connection.”

  “What made her change her mind?” Ivy asked.

  “She was told she’d have to take the baby home and that she needed to continue the rocking and special care for the foreseeable future. She started crying and said she had no place to go. The father would kick her out if she brought a ‘squalling brat’ home. He hadn’t wanted it in the first place.” The pediatrics nurse shook her head.

  “Poor baby,” Nancy murmured, her brown eyes tearing up as she patted the back of the little one she was holding.

  Ivy picked up the infant who was making little sobbing sounds as she gazed forlornly at the ceiling. “Come on, sweetie, let’s rock and talk it over.”

  After Madison quieted, Ivy gave her a bath and changed her into fresh clothing. She and Nancy helped bathe the other babies while Matissa recorded weight and food consumed and administered medication to those requiring it.

  Ivy took a quick break at midmorning and spotted her good friend in the corridor. “Emma!” she called. When she caught up with the other woman, she added in a low voice, “I’ve been meaning to call you. I need a matron of honor for my wedding a week from Sunday. Think you can make it?”

  Emma’s eyes opened wide, then she gave Ivy a bear hug. “I’ve never known anyone who married a prince before. I read the front page of a tabloid at the grocery. It said he would be crowned king in November. Is that true?”

  Ivy nodded. “Queen Ivy. Can you imagine?” she said with a sardonic roll of her eyes.

  “It’s incredibly romantic. But,” Emma told her firmly, “the most important thing is that you two be happy together. Remember that when things get rough.”

  “I will,” Ivy promised.

  A nurse stepped out of a room. “Mrs. Davis, your room is ready now.”

  “Thank you,” Emma said.

  Ivy noticed the overnight case Emma held. “What’s going on? Are you being admitted?” She followed the other woman into the p
rivate room.

  Emma nodded. “It’s nothing serious. I’m having a laparoscopy this afternoon.”

  “For the endometriosis? Why didn’t you let me know it was going to be this soon?”

  “I tried to call but got no answer. I left word on your answering machine.”

  “Oh, Em, I’m so sorry! I haven’t been home in a couple of days.” When her friend glanced at her in question, Ivy explained, “I’m staying at the hotel with Max and Chuck.” She waited until the nurse left the room. “Someone broke into my apartment the other day. So much has been happening this month.”

  She realized it was only the thirteenth of September, that less than two weeks had passed since she’d bought the pregnancy test and confirmed her suspicions.

  Concern for her friend overrode her thoughts. “Will the surgery increase your chances of carrying a baby to term?” she asked.

  “Yes, by about twenty-five percent. It’s a long shot, but…” Emma shrugged and gave her a faint smile.

  “It’ll be worth it. You and Morgan will make wonderful parents. How long will you be in the hospital?”

  “Twenty-four hours. You know how they throw you out at the first opportunity.”

  This last was said with a grin at the motherly nurse who had returned with a hospital gown, a box of tissues, towels and other paraphernalia. “We can’t have sick people lollygagging around here all the time,” she declared.

  After laughing and chatting a couple more minutes, Ivy returned to her duties in the nursery. Nancy Allen was still there, holding Joshua and singing to him slightly off-key.

  “Do you have duty today?” Ivy asked the E.R. nurse.

  She shook her head. “I’m free all weekend. In every way,” she added.

  Ivy took a baby and its bottle from the head nurse and settled in a rocker. “Aren’t you and Everett dating anymore?”

  “I guess not. If we ever were,” she added dismally.

  Ivy gave her a sympathetic glance.

  “Women and babies seem to frighten him in equal amounts.” Nancy bounced Joshua when he stirred. He settled back into sleep and she continued to rock him.

  “I’m thirty-one,” Nancy confided. “That’s not old by today’s standards, yet I’m feeling the press of time and not having a family or at least someone special—” She broke off with a laugh. “Alas, poor me.”

  Ivy nodded. “I know exactly what you mean. All my friends were so into relationships when we were in college, but I didn’t find anyone who made the earth shake with his kisses, let alone someone interesting, to tell the truth.”

  “By the way, the newspaper had a small piece about how much the fund-raiser brought in. You and Hunter run an efficient bazaar,” Nancy said.

  “Yes, I was pleased with the final amount.”

  “I saw Hunter with his son yesterday going to the pediatrics clinic,” Nancy said, switching subjects. “He brought the boy in for some tests, he said.”

  Ivy frowned. “He told me Johnny hasn’t been feeling well, that he didn’t have his usual energy. I hope it isn’t anything serious.”

  “Hunter lost his wife not long after they adopted Johnny, didn’t he?”

  “Yes. It would be terrible if something happened to his son…” Ivy blinked away the sting of tears.

  “Well, Matissa and I will be crying in our beer next,” Nancy said. She adopted a lighter tone. “The latest news I heard was that you and your Prince Charming are getting married next Sunday. Is that true or just a rumor?”

  “True. I think.” Ivy pressed her free hand to her temple. “Everything is whirling faster and faster in my head. I keep expecting it to explode like a balloon from too much happening too fast.” She sighed.

  Matissa came to the door of the comforting room. “Ivy, do you have time to do me a favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Can you take Madison to the adoption agency? They’re ready for her over there. They have a couple coming in this afternoon to see her. She’s as ready as she’ll ever be.”

  “That’s wonderful. I would love to walk her over. Do you think it would be okay to take the long way across the lawn? It’s so beautiful outside today. I think she would love to look at the world instead of hospital walls for a change, don’t you?”

  “That will be fine. I’ll call and let them know you’re on the way. I have her things all ready. There’s a carriage for transport, so you don’t have to schlep everything over like a pack mule.” Matissa went to the telephone and punched in the adoption agency’s number.

  Ivy laid the sleepy baby in the carriage.

  “Okay, you’re clear,” Matissa called out as soon as she hung up the phone. “The receptionist has the papers to check the baby in. You’ll need to sign that you delivered her to the agency.”

  “Right.” Ivy turned to Nancy. “See you Monday. I won’t be back later. Too many errands to run this afternoon.”

  “Take care,” Nancy said. “You, too,” she added with a sweet smile for the baby.

  Ivy wheeled the carriage outside. The sun was bright and warm on her face. She inhaled deeply. The air was like ambrosia, filling her with a sense of well-being.

  Flowers bloomed in lush profusion in beds across the lawn. Benches and tables were placed conveniently around, although none was occupied at present. The noon hour, when visitors and sometimes staff came outside to eat, was still several minutes away.

  She turned onto a winding sidewalk that would take her to the front door of the annex that housed Children’s Connection, a combination adoption agency and fertility clinic started by the efforts of the Logan family after Robbie Logan had disappeared.

  She adjusted the carriage hood over the sleeping baby. Madison opened her eyes, looked around, spotted her and smiled. “You little doll,” Ivy murmured.

  A couple got out of a car parked at the curb. The woman was elderly. Her makeup was terrible and had been put on with a heavy hand. She wore a sweatsuit that was baggy at the knees and the kind of lace-up shoes that older women seemed to favor. The man, who was probably her son, took her arm as they walked toward Ivy.

  “Oh, what a darling baby,” the woman said, stopping by the carriage. The man stopped, too, blocking the sidewalk.

  Ivy smiled patiently as the woman talked softly to the darling little girl.

  Before Ivy could guess at her intent, the grandmotherly woman leaned into the carriage. “I just love to hold babies,” she said, reaching for Madison.

  “I’m sorry, but you can’t—”

  Ivy broke off when the woman snatched the baby from the carriage. “You can’t,” she began again, then realized the couple were leaving—with the baby!

  With a thrust of her arms, she pushed the carriage into the back of the woman’s legs, causing her to stumble. Before the man could pause and turn, Ivy, in three strides, rescued the baby from the woman’s clutches.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” the man growled and clamped a hand on her arm.

  Ivy used the heel of one hand to whack him under the chin, forcing his head up and, she hoped, his teeth into his tongue. She sprinted for the agency when the man’s hold loosened. Just as she was grabbed from behind, she spotted Morgan Davis, the director of the agency.

  “Morgan, help! Kidnappers!”

  It took him less than a second to assess the situation, then he was running across the lawn, trampling flower beds and leaping over a low boxwood hedge.

  Ivy held on to the baby for dear life as the man tried to pry Madison out of her arms. Then he bought his fist up and hit her in the face. Stars literally danced before her eyes. The iron-tinged taste of blood filled her mouth, but she gritted her teeth and clung to the bundle in her arms.

  “Get your hands off her!” Morgan yelled, coming at them like a locomotive at full thrust. “Everett, grab the woman!”

  Ivy realized another man was coming to help. The woman kidnapper evaded the shy accountant and leaped into the car, locking the driver’s door behind her. Everett rushed after Mor
gan to help subdue the man.

  From behind her, Ivy heard a shout from the hospital emergency room portico. More help, thank goodness! She wasn’t sure she could hold on much longer.

  “Come on!” the woman shouted from the car, not acting at all like an elderly lady now. She pulled the vehicle forward until it was near her struggling accomplice.

  The man gave Ivy a hateful snarl, then kicked her before he released her and ran. The woman sped off before he got the door of the old car completely closed.

  Ivy went down with the blow to her abdomen, but managed to roll so she didn’t crush the screaming baby she so desperately held. Morgan glared in frustration after the car, which turned the corner and sped out of sight. He knelt down. “Ivy, you okay?”

  “I don’t think so.” Her breath was ragged. “Please, could you take the baby?”

  Morgan did so, then another face loomed over her. “They’re gone,” Everett assured her, breathing hard. He’d chased the car a ways down the street before giving up.

  “Thank you,” Ivy said. “Thank you both.” Then she moaned and wrapped her arms over her middle. “I think…I need…some help,” she whispered as pain and fear in equal parts swept through her. “I need Max.”

  Eleven

  The E.R. medic wouldn’t let Ivy move until a gurney was brought down to where she lay on the sidewalk. She felt rather foolish as several anxious faces peered down at her.

  “I can get up,” she told them.

  “We’ll lift you,” the medic said. He and Morgan and Everett lifted her onto the portable stretcher, then the medic wheeled her up to the emergency room. The on-duty doctor was ready and waiting for her. The older woman quickly checked Ivy’s vital signs and listened to her heart after instructing the nurse to apply a cold pack to the bruise forming on Ivy’s face.

  “Any pain?” she asked, palpating Ivy’s abdomen. “Other than the sock on the jaw, that is.”