He opened one eye and looked at her, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ‘I’ll think about it.’
She laughed. He reached up to pull her to him.
The door buzzed and Ophelia wafted in. ‘Oh. Not interrupting anything, I hope,’ she said, without any sign of remorse. She threw herself into the sofa opposite. ‘This month! My goodness. So much to do and so little time to do it in. It’s mid-December already and I haven’t got presents for anyone. Have you?’
‘Working on it.’ Ben picked up the tablet again and resumed scrolling.
‘I haven’t,’ said Kumari. ‘Lucy’s coming next week. I’ll probably try and sort something out.’
‘Ooh, can I come?’ Ophelia pulled out her phone. ‘When is it?’
‘Wednesday,’ said Kumari. She was really looking forward to seeing Lucy. It had been months. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted Ophelia to be there too. Much as she loved her, she wanted Lucy all to herself for a bit.
‘Ah, I’m in Surrey, at a gala thing,’ said Ophelia. ‘Oh, bother. Never mind.’ She put her phone away.
‘Is it always so busy at this time of year?’ said Kumari. Her own diary had been booked solid for weeks, so had Ben’s. Many of the charities invited the patrons to their end-of-year dinners. She tended to be invited as Ben’s partner at the moment, but it wouldn’t be long before she would be allowed to do the dinners solo. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that, to be perfectly honest. She loved that they were able to support so many great causes, but she was bound by so many rules that she was in constant fear of getting carried away in her enthusiasm and becoming too involved. At least, with Ben there, she could take her cues from him.
‘Always hectic at Christmas, darling,’ said Ophelia. ‘After all the dinners and speeches and letter-writing, it’s almost a relief to get to Grandma’s on Christmas Eve.’
Ben snorted.
Ophelia ignored him. ‘Have you got your outfits sorted for Sandringham yet?’ she asked Kumari.
‘Erm . . . Sinead said it was all done. I’m meeting her next week to go over the final selection.’ Lucy was coming to hang out with her while she and her dresser went through the outfits. It was the only time they could find that fitted around Kumari’s schedule and Lucy’s shifts at the hospital.
Ophelia gave her an appraising look. ‘You did well, choosing Sinead,’ she said. ‘I like the style she’s creating for you. A bit different, but still following all of the rules. Good eye.’
‘Thanks,’ said Kumari.
‘All in all, you’re taking to this rather well,’ Ophelia continued.
‘Like there was ever any doubt that she would!’ said Ben.
Kumari’s face warmed. It had been a steep learning curve, but she was relaxing into the role of duchess now, even if she still got the urge to giggle if she stopped to think about it for too long. It was hard to imagine that not so long ago, she was a hospital doctor, run off her feet looking after patients . . . and now she lived in this enormous apartment . . . with a housekeeper . . . and hung out with princesses after work. And she had a team. A team, whose jobs revolved around making sure she was properly dressed, informed and looked after at all times. No wonder she had to pinch herself from time to time. ‘I’ve been very lucky with my team.’
‘Hmm. You know, darling,’ said Ophelia, looking pointedly at Ben. ‘I could murder a cup of tea. Shall we call the housekeeper?’
Ben sighed. ‘You are such a princess sometimes.’ He sat up and handed the tablet to Kumari. ‘I’ll get it. Ophelia clearly wants to get rid of me so she can talk to you about something.’ He gave Kumari a look of mock severity. ‘I’m relying on you not to let her plan anything too heinous.’
‘I’ve got your back,’ said Kumari.
As soon as Ben disappeared, Ophelia said. ‘I’ve got him the best present,’ she said. ‘Do you know what he’s got for me?’
Kumari laughed. ‘Nope. Because he hasn’t yet. Even if he had, you know I wouldn’t tell.’
Ophelia pulled a face. ‘Ah well.’ She leaned forward. ‘Actually, Kumari, I just wanted to check that you were OK. The whole Sandringham thing can be a bit . . . overwhelming . . . when you first join the family. So I just wanted to say, if you’re worried about anything, just tap me on the arm and I’ll do what I can to help.’
Kumari blinked. The idea of spending time with all of her in-laws over Christmas was scary enough, but to do it in such a formal manner was a whole extra level of nerve-wracking. She was grateful for any support. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I’m probably going to take you up on that.’
Ophelia smiled. ‘Do.’ She looked like she wanted to say more.
There was a beat of silence.
Kumari waited. Ophelia sighed. ‘Actually, there’s something else,’ she said, looking down at her hands. ‘What are you and Ben doing between Christmas and New Year? Are you going to see your parents?’
Ah, so that was why she waited until Ben was out of the room to ask. She wanted to give Kumari the chance to say something without having to check with Ben. Ophelia might come across as overly breezy, but underneath it all, she was one of the kindest, most considerate people Kumari had ever met.
‘Yes. They’re coming over here for a few days before New Year. But otherwise, we were planning on spending some time here . . . together.’ She frowned. ‘Why? Aren’t you spending it with Dominic?’
Ophelia gave a small one-shouldered shrug. ‘No. He’s going skiing with some old chums. He says there’s quite an important business deal riding on it and . . .’ She sighed, then flicked a hand as though waving away the next thought. ‘Anyway, I was wondering if you minded if I joined you . . . for some of the time. All my other friends have commitments.’
Kumari stared at her sister-in-law, torn. She and Ben had both been so busy, they hadn’t had much time alone together since their honeymoon, which seemed a very long time ago now. She had been hoping they could just laze around and enjoy each other in private for a few days during the holidays. She knew Ben was hoping for that too. But Ophelia was Ben’s sister. She had been incredibly thoughtful in asking Kumari privately, so that she could give an honest answer.
Looking at Ophelia now, Kumari saw the worry lines, carefully concealed, and the sadness in her eyes. This was Ophelia with her armour down. It didn’t happen often. Over the last year, Ophelia had become one of her closest friends. It was very rare that she needed anything. And now that she did, it wasn’t in Kumari to deny her help. ‘Let me talk to Ben,’ she said.
‘Talk to me about what?’ said Ben as he came in carrying a tray with three mugs on it. ‘Earl Grey for you, given the hour.’ He passed one to Ophelia. ‘And regular for you.’ He passed Kumari her drink, took his own and sat next to her. ‘So, what are we talking to me about?’
‘About Ophelia spending some time with us between Christmas and New Year,’ said Kumari.
Ben’s eyes met hers. ‘But—’ He looked at his sister, who gave him a small smile. ‘Oh.’ He looked back at Kumari.
‘Maybe some of the time,’ she said apologetically.
‘Ye-s,’ he said. ‘Yes. We’re not going anywhere. We were planning to stay here, so yes. Come over. You could meet Kumari’s parents again.’
There was a second of mutual understanding and Ophelia smiled, her full-wattage princess smile. ‘Brilliant. That’s settled then.’ She clapped her hands. ‘It will be a delight to see your parents again, Kumari. I haven’t had so much fun discussing literature for ages.’
Kumari wanted to ask Ophelia if everything was all right with Dominic, but the moment had passed. ‘My dad will be delighted too,’ she said.
*
The following week, Kumari and Ben went to see a community centre where they worked with young people to prevent youth offenders from reoffending. After a good meeting, they did the walk back to their cars, each walking down one side of the line of people, shaking hands and stopping occasionally to talk
to someone. A news reporter stopped her. ‘Your Highness, are you looking forward to your first Christmas with the royal family?’
Kumari paused and smiled. ‘Of course. It’s my first Christmas with my husband too, so it’s a very special occasion.’
‘There are a lot of traditions involved in the Sandringham Christmas,’ the man continued. ‘Will you be adding any Sri Lankan traditions to the mix this year.’
She had been expecting this. She laughed. ‘I’m sure everything is perfect as it is. If it isn’t broken, why fix it?’
The man opened his mouth to ask another question, but Kumari firmly turned away from him to talk to someone else. Her CPS officer, Danielle, stepped up to prevent her from being hassled any further.
A few yards further down, Kumari spotted a familiar face.
‘Victor!’ She reached forward and grasped his hand. ‘How are you?’
Victor’s smile was crooked. He leant forward. He had clearly come there with the express intention of speaking to her.
‘What’s wrong?’ said Kumari.
‘I need to talk to you about Boost Her!’ said Victor. ‘We’re having the funding pulled.’
Kumari stopped still. ‘But why? I saw the first report. It’s doing really well.’
He looked uncomfortable. ‘They . . . All the projects are going to stop after a year. But the project needs longer to show results It was meant to be a five-year project and they’re axing it after one.’ His voice was tight and anguished.
‘Oh no. That’s terrible. They’re just getting started. They can’t assess the full impact until the ambassadors have gone back to spread the word.’
‘Exactly!’ said Victor. ‘Please, can you help? You’ve got influence now.’
‘Of course,’ said Kumari, her mind already whirring. ‘Of course I’ll help. Let me—’
Beside her, an aide said sharply, ‘Ma’am.’
Oh bugger, she wasn’t supposed to make offers of help without consulting a million different officials first. She took a small step back and said, ‘Victor, could you write to my office formally, please.’
Victor’s face fell. He had assumed this was a standard brush off. Kumari’s heart ached for him. She leant forward and whispered. ‘I’ll do whatever I can. We’ll find you the money somehow.’
She gave him a reassuring smile and carried on walking. There had to be something she could do. She would have to ask Barry to investigate options as soon as she got back.
Chapter 31
CharityGossip.com
Better For All boss doing better for himself?
The chairman of the international health charity Better For All has been suspended from his post at the charity pending allegations of corruption and money laundering. Funding for all the charity’s projects have been halted pending the outcome of the investigation.
The Daily Flash
Kumari breaks royal rules and promises to help fund a charity
HRH Kumari, the Duchess of Westbury told a representative from a charity that she would help support them. The Boost Her! initiative, which aims to improve health and welfare in rural communities in Lesotho, was recently told that their funding would be curtailed due to a budget freeze. A representative of the charity project approached the duchess about it following a visit by the duke and duchess to a community centre in Hackney.
When she heard about the reduction in funding, the duchess, who was deeply involved in the project before she met Prince Benedict, appeared to be shocked and assured the charity representative that she would help. She gave the representative the formal response of suggesting he writes to her office, but then was heard to whisper, ‘We’ll find you the money somehow.’
The royal family do not donate to charities directly, so perhaps the duchess plans to take this through the Princesses and Prince Foundation, where she is newly a trustee? Or perhaps she plans to make a private donation from HRH Prince Benedict’s considerable private funds? Or is this latest addition to the royal family throwing out the royal rulebook already?
Kumari stared at the headline in horror. After all these months of being careful, she’d slipped up. She didn’t know who she was more annoyed with, the newspaper or herself. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘I was so shocked to hear about it.’ She was in her office, having her morning catch-up with Barry.
She frowned. ‘How did they know? Victor wouldn’t go to the press. He’s a friend.’ Except she hadn’t had any contact with him in a long time. She’d lost contact with a lot of her old friends. Her diary was so busy that she didn’t have time to reach out to them and she wasn’t allowed on any of her old social media accounts, which, in reality, had been the only way she’d been in touch with most of her friends.
‘One of the news reporters picked it up on his boom microphone.’ Barry gave her a stern stare. ‘Your Highness, when in public you have to always assume that—’
‘The mike is always on,’ Kumari finished his sentence. She should have known better. All those months of training and she forgot herself for one moment, which just happened to be when a microphone was nearby. Ugh.
Barry was giving her his ‘disapproving headmaster’ glare. He sometimes had a tendency to treat Kumari like she was an errant cadet. She would have to put a stop to that.
She met his gaze. ‘I made a mistake. I apologise. Now, what can we do to retrieve the situation?’
He stared at her a moment longer. She stared back. She lifted her chin. ‘Major Smythe,’ she said, in her sternest doctor voice. ‘What can we do to limit the damage?’
Barry looked away. ‘Well . . . ma’am. The press office have prepared this statement.’ He passed a sheet of paper over.
‘Thanks,’ Kumari muttered. This would be the official line that she was meant to follow. She twitched the paper straight and read the statement.
HRH Duchess of Westbury cares deeply about the education of women and the role it plays in improving welfare standards. She has requested that the Boost Her! initiative apply to the Princesses and Prince Foundation for funding in order to complete their mission. Their application will be considered alongside other applications for inclusion in one of the collaborative projects that are the core strength of the foundation.
It basically stated the facts and strongly hinted that Kumari was not personally going to support the charity, without explicitly saying so. Kumari sighed and handed it back to Barry. ‘Is this really the best we can do? This is an initiative that could change the future for women in Lesotho! It could—’
‘They have also asked me to tell you that in the past twenty-four hours, there have been three separate freedom of information requests submitted regarding charitable donations made through the Princesses and Prince Foundation.’ He gave her a meaningful glare.
‘OK. OK. Stick to the formal line. I get it.’ She rubbed her eyes. Her new life was meant to have power, but it came with so many rules and limitations that it was almost as though she was even more powerless than before. At least before she was allowed to say what she thought! ‘What if I get asked about it the next time I’m out?’
‘The press office advises keeping things vague and perhaps discussing the importance of increasing girls’ education opportunities both here and abroad. But in general terms only.’
‘I can certainly do that,’ said Kumari. ‘Is there anything else?’
‘Only that we have had an email approach from your colleague Victor Aye requesting more information already,’ said Barry. ‘They have been sent the full application pack for the Princesses and Prince Foundation grant schemes.’
He handed her a sheaf of paper. ‘He also sent in this, for your attention.’
She scanned the document. Victor had sent her a summary sheet of which parts of the project would need to halt as soon as the funding ran out. Since Kumari had spent so long working on the project plans before she left it all to join the royal family, it only took a quick skim through for her to grasp the severity of the shortfall.
There must be more she could do . . . ‘Barry, who assesses the applications?’
‘A full committee,’ said Barry. ‘You will be one of the people on that committee.’
Oh. Good. Perhaps she could—
‘However,’ Barry continued. ‘Given your links with this particular charity, you would have to declare your interest and abstain from the discussion.’
Bugger.
‘Also, the window for applications for this year closed a month ago, so any applications submitted now won’t be discussed until next year.’ He flicked through his notes. ‘Given the information we have, there may be a gap between the fund ending and the new funding starting . . . assuming their application is successful.’ He looked up, his expression apologetic. ‘I checked.’
Kumari sighed again. ‘Thank you.’ It just got worse and worse. Still, even if she wasn’t in the room when the decision was made, she could have a quiet word with people and make sure they gave it proper attention. ‘Can you get me a list of the people on the decision-making committee, please?’
Barry raised an eyebrow at her. ‘Is this wise, ma’am?’
She met his gaze. ‘There’s no reason why I shouldn’t know who my colleagues on the decision-making committee are, is there?’
Barry sighed. ‘I suppose not, ma’am. I will get you the list.’
‘Thank you,’ she said again.
Barry made a note. ‘This project won their original funding in an open competition,’ he said without looking up. ‘There’s no reason why it wouldn’t be supported if it went to the committee.’
That was true. It was a project with merit. It was quite likely to be funded . . . but the timing was not good. Kumari tapped a finger on her desk. She knew without asking that she couldn’t ask the committee to extend the funding period backward to cover the shortfall. They’d had to refuse another charity who had asked for that the year before. So how could she help cover the gap? There must be something she could do. If she wasn’t allowed to use her influence directly for that, then maybe she could just use money to help.
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