The Spare and the Heir

by Carol Moncado

  The members greeted them both warmly, congratulating Esme on her recent marriage since she hadn’t seen many of them since her wedding day. Her mother led the way to the dining hall where the luncheon would be held. Esme didn’t know where she was supposed to be so she fell in step next to the vice chairman. The chairman, Roland Franklin, walked with her mother, so it made sense, and no one objected.

  Fortunately, there were name cards on each of the places at the table. At least she wouldn’t inadvertently be taking someone’s seat.

  After they were seated, the Chairman Franklin looked at her. “Princess Esmeralda, I believe your husband was invited. Is there a reason he will not be joining us?”

  15

  The pounding on Gabe’s office door was followed a second later by the door opening.

  “We’re late, sir.” His security guard didn’t explain. The tone wasn’t quite what it would be in case of true emergency, but it made Gabe jump up from behind the desk and grab his jacket from the back of his chair.

  “Late for what?”

  “Your wife is having lunch with the queen and the Council. You were invited, but it was entered improperly on your schedule.”

  By the time the explanation was finished, they were nearly to his car. The security escort could use lights and sirens if they wanted to, but the venue where Gabe had been working wasn’t far from the palace. Fifteen minutes after he’d been interrupted, Gabe walked through the doors to the palace and tried to look unhurried.

  The first course was being taken away as he entered the room. A quick glance around the room showed an empty seat next to his wife. He bowed slightly toward the queen then took his seat.

  “My apologies for my tardiness, ladies and gentlemen. I am glad you started without me.” Though the remnants of salad looked quite good. He’d have to get one later. Maybe for dinner.

  Conversation picked back up with the councilman across from Gabe asking him questions about Auverignon. Gabe answered but kept the conversation superficial. He had a feeling the man was digging for information of some kind, and he wasn’t about to give it.

  “Were you told in advance about the resignation?” the man on Gabe’s other side asked.

  “I knew it was coming. We all did. It’s been customary for nearly two centuries.” He took a sip of his wine. Not a kind he preferred, but top-quality nonetheless.

  “But were you informed before the announcement?”

  Gabe tried to deflect. “I’m not sure what the relevance of that would be.”

  “You said no comment when asked about it.”

  “Why would I comment? It doesn’t affect me directly. How exactly does one reply? There’s no good answer.”

  The man started to say something else, but the doors opened, and servers brought in dessert.

  The next few minutes ground the conversation to a halt as they ate. By the time it started again, Carlotta had steered the whole table toward a different topic.

  After the luncheon, they headed for a sitting room. Gabe hung back and walked with Esme, who’d been polite but not much more.

  “My schedule was wrong,” he told her quietly. “I’m not sure why or how, but that’s why I was late.”

  “That was the first question the chairman asked, wondering where you were. I couldn’t give him an answer.”

  He slid his hand around her waist. “I want to apologize to you as well. I’ll find out what happened and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

  “Thank you.” She leaned into him slightly as they walked. “There is something I’d like to discuss with you this evening. Is it possible you could not go back to work and look something over with me instead?”

  Gabe ran through a mental to-do list. “If we can push dinner back an hour, that would work. Is that all right?”

  “That’s perfect. I have a few extra things I need to take care of, and then I can be done for the evening with the exception of our discussion.”

  Before they could say anything else, they reached the sitting room and split up. Gabe made polite conversation for another half an hour before the Council moved to their meeting chamber. Esme went with them. Gabe went to his office in the palace. When Esme became queen, his office would be next to hers. Until then, he worked from an extra office in the administration wing.

  He often spent part of the day at the different venues, getting a feel for them and for what needed doing at each one so they’d be at their best for the Games. Office space at each one was set aside for him to use when he needed it, so he’d often work there. It helped him get to know the people in the administration of each venue, but he didn’t need to.

  Russell came in as paperwork threatened to bore Gabe to death.

  “I found out what happened with the luncheon, sir.”

  From the tone, Gabe suspected it was partially the man’s fault.

  “They changed the time. It was correct on the queen’s daily schedule that is sent out every morning, but it wasn’t updated system wide. Your schedule wasn’t verified against hers.”

  An error, but not grievous one. “Don’t let it happen again.” Gabe gave his best glower. “If it happens again, it will be your last day.”

  “Yes, sir.” Russell wouldn’t make the same mistake again, and in all likelihood, hadn’t made it this time. He relied on a number of assistants of his own that he didn’t know well yet. He may have trusted the wrong one a little too much, but he was ultimately responsible, and he knew it.

  Gabe managed to finish a few minutes earlier than expected when he changed dinner time with Esme. When he walked into their apartment, she sat on the floor in one of her yoga outfits, stretching to one side.

  “You’re earlier than expected,” she called over her shoulder.

  “Is that all right with you?”

  “Of course.” She pointed to a file folder on the table. “Can you glance over that? I want to talk to you about it later.”

  He picked it up, frowning at the classified stamp on the cover. “Am I allowed to see this?”

  “Yes, but it can only be transported by security and viewed in secure locations.”

  Flipping it open, Gabe scanned the first page. “Is this what I think it is?”

  “Probably. I think it’s a test, but I don’t know enough about the military to know what piece is wrong, and I don’t know what questions to ask to find out.”

  Gabe walked over to a plate of snacks and picked up a cracker, popping it in his mouth as he looked over the next page. “I’m going to change clothes while I look it over. I’ll meet you in the dining room in about fifteen minutes?”

  Esme nodded as she leaned the other direction and stretched over the opposite leg. “Sounds good.”

  Gabe went into his room and went to the next page. Esme was right. Something was off, but what was it?

  * * *

  With the file folder firmly in hand, Esme marched into her mother’s office and tried to ignore that her mother was clearly taking medication.

  “I got it,” she announced triumphantly.

  “Got what?” her mother asked setting her water back down on the desk.

  “Gabe and I figured out what was wrong with the troop deployments.”

  Her mother smiled at her. “You knew there was something wrong?”

  “I knew it was a test, but I didn’t know enough about the subject to figure it out on my own. I found someone I could trust who did.”

  “That’s my girl.” Her mother leaned forward. “I kind of cheated. I had a friend who was a military leader. I asked him for help. He figured it out in less than thirty seconds.”

  “It took us longer than that,” Esme admitted. “But Gabe knows less than I do about the Sargassian military.”

  “It’s good that you can work together.” Her mother’s soft voice made Esme wish again things had been different for her parents.

  “He’s not the man I thought he was,” Esme confessed.

  “I knew he wasn’t, but I knew you need
ed to find that out for yourself.” Her mother took the folder and put it in her secure box to be returned later. “I believe he will be a good husband for you, Esme, a good supporter when you need one. I would never have let you marry him if not.”

  “I know.” Esme started for the door then turned. “I have work to do but wanted to ask if you’re feeling all right. You still look like you need sleep.”

  “I’m fine.” Her mother’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Go. Do your work. You have enough to do without adding worry about me to it.”

  Esme wasn’t sure she believed her mother, but there was nothing to be done about it. She went to her office and back to business.

  Mid-afternoon rolled around and with it came an unexpected visitor.

  “Hey there.”

  Esme looked up to see Gabe leaning against the door frame into her conference room. The paperwork was easier to deal with when spread out. “Hello. What are you doing here?”

  “Wondering if you wanted to play hooky.”

  “Hooky?”

  “Yeah. Let’s take off. Go to the beach. Make out.”

  Esme smiled. “Give me ten minutes. It sounds fantastic.”

  “Good. We’re headed to the beach house and can even stay the night if we want to. It’s close enough we can be back for office hours in the morning. Russell is handling the packing.”

  In just under half an hour, they were taken out a back route so they wouldn’t be seen. The press didn’t need to know.

  An hour after that, they were both stretched out on the beach. Esme didn’t bother with a swimsuit but wore one of her yoga outfits instead as she had no intention of getting in the water. It was still warm enough to swim, technically, but a little cooler than she preferred.

  Gabe had no such compunction. He took his surf board and went out. Esme laughed when he wiped out, but otherwise just enjoyed the sun.

  A shadow came over her, but even with her eyes closed she knew it was Gabe.

  She shrieked as water droplets rained down on her. “Gabe!”

  He laughed as she opened her eyes.

  “That’s not very nice.”

  “You were laughing at me when I wiped out. Turnabout’s fair play.”

  He dropped down, one knee on either side of hers and propped himself up on his arms. His hair still dripped onto her face, but Esme found she didn’t care.

  It was almost like he did a push up as he lowered himself to kiss her softly.

  Then more.

  Esme didn’t want him to stop, but the wet hair on her forehead reminded her they were outside.

  She rested her hands on the sides of his abdomen. “Gabe.” It took everything in her to say his name as his lips brushed along her jawline.

  “I know,” he murmured, but didn’t stop for several seconds before letting himself flop to the side. “It’s got to be almost dinnertime, doesn’t it?”

  “It does,” she confirmed. “Dry off, and we’ll go back to the house. I think they were making a salad for dinner.”

  “That sounds delicious. I wanted the one at the luncheon yesterday, but I was too late.”

  As they walked away from the beach, Esme reached for Gabe’s hand and linked their fingers together, staying close to his side.

  When they reached the house, Gabe kissed her again. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll meet you in the dining room.”

  Esme nodded, but had a better idea. She went to the kitchen to talk with the head chef. As soon as the water turned on in the shower, a table for two was set on the veranda of their room. The sunsets were always spectacular from here.

  “What’s all this?”

  Esme turned to see Gabe coming from the bathroom, still wrapped in a towel as he used another one to dry his hair.

  She shrugged. “Better view.”

  He winked at her, causing heat to flood her cheeks. “Like what you see?”

  “Go get dressed, Gabe.” She’d learned it was better not to respond to those comments.

  Leaving a chuckle in his wake, he went into the closet and emerged wearing shorts and pulling a t-shirt over his head.

  He sat next to her, blessed the food, then kissed her again before digging in.

  Lighthearted conversation dominated the meal. They both cleaned their plates. Esme put it all on the cart and left it in the hallway.

  Gabe held a deck of cards. “Go fish?”

  Esme shook her head, her stomach in knots. “No. Not tonight.”

  “Crazy eights?”

  She stopped in front of him, taking the cards and tossing them on the table. “I have a different idea.”

  Questions filled his eyes, but he didn’t stop her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Are you sure, love?” he asked a split second before she kissed him.

  Esme didn’t answer but kissed him more.

  16

  Pulling the door to the veranda closed behind him, Gabe swiped the screen of his phone. “Yes?”

  “I think I found the company for you, sir.” Russell had been looking into private investigators. “It’s run out of Serenity Landing, Missouri. The owner is friends with a number of members of royal families, and even dated Queen Adeline for a time before she married Prince Charlemagne.”

  “Jonathan Langley-Cranston?” Gabe had met the man several times but didn’t know him well. He did remember that courtship though. It had taken the attention off Gabe for a time. “I knew he did security but didn’t realize he did investigations.”

  “His company has several branches, but one specializes in investigations for high profile clients. He refuses to do investigations that need to be kept quiet because of illegal activity, but for something like this, he’s perfect.”

  “Set up a meeting with him. In person if possible. Perhaps invite him and his family down for the weekend. Esme and I would be happy to host at the beach house.”

  “I believe that is a good plan. I’ll get in touch with him today if possible.”

  “Thank you.”

  He disconnected the call and went back inside to slide under the covers with Esme.

  “What was that?” she muttered.

  “Business and pleasure both. I’ve invited an American business man and his family down for the weekend. I need to talk with him briefly, but in person. I thought they might enjoy it, and you might enjoy spending time with another woman who has no interest in your titles.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Two hours later, his assistant let him know the Langley-Cranstons would be arriving Friday afternoon. Gabe texted Esme, but he didn’t have time to talk with her. If he was going to take Friday afternoon off, he needed to do extra work the rest of the week. She would, too.

  And so they didn’t see much of each other before Friday. When he made it to their apartment at night, the door to her bedroom was closed. He didn’t ask her why but let her have her space. Soon enough things would be better. He had to keep believing that.

  They arrived at the beach house less than ten minutes before their guests.

  Gabe took the chance to pull Esme into his arms. “This is one of those weeks with trade-offs. No work Friday afternoon but more work the last couple of days.”

  She slid her arms around his waist. “I know, but I’m glad we have a minute. I’ve missed you.”

  Did that mean what he hoped it did? “All you have to do is say the word, and you get me eight more hours a day.” Give or take. Usually less, but the point remained.

  “I know. Thank you for giving me time.”

  He kissed her twice, and the third was just starting to get a little interesting when a throat behind them cleared.

  “Yes?” Gabe didn’t take his eyes off Esme.

  “The Langley-Cranstons are pulling up the drive, ma’am, sir,” the head of the household staff informed them.

  “Thank you, Reg.” Esme moved out of Gabe’s arms and toward the front door.

  Reg opened it for her as Gabe followed in her wake.
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  Esme had never met Jonathan before. Gabe introduced them before Jonathan introduced them both to his wife, Kenzie, and their daughter, Lorelai. After they shook hands, Jonathan removed a car seat from the back of their vehicle. Inside was a sleeping baby.

  They went into the house. Esme offered to show Kenzie and Lorelai the beach while Gabe spoke with Jonathan and took care of business, leaving the rest of the weekend for fun.

  Jonathan took the baby carrier with them to the office. Gabe sat in the sitting area rather than behind the desk.

  “How may I be of service, sir?” Jonathan set the carrier on the floor before sitting in the other chair.

  “No need to sir me, Jonathan. Gabe is fine.”

  Jonathan grinned. “Gabe it is. What can I do for you?”

  “I need a search done. A lot of them actually. I need it to be kept extremely quiet. Most of the information should be a matter of public record.”

  Jonathan waited for Gabe to go on.

  Gabe leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees and clasping his hands. “I’m sure you’re aware of my past.”

  “I am,” Jonathan confirmed.

  Gabe took a deep breath. He had to just say it. “I need to make certain I don’t have any children.”

  The other man didn’t react. “Do you think you might?”

  “No. I was always careful. I believe if there was a child, the mother would have made me aware long before now.”

  Jonathan nodded his understanding. “Because who wouldn’t want to have the child of a prince.”

  “Exactly. Even if I didn’t marry the woman, even if I refused to publicly acknowledge the child, there would be a lot of money involved.”

  “There probably isn’t one, but you want to be sure before you start a family with your wife.”

  “And I don’t want Esme to know about this. Regardless of what you find, I’ll tell her, but I’d rather either set her mind at ease or tell her there’s a situation we need to deal with once we know.”