9
Rhett let Kenworthy have his time. Let him stomp around and preen his feathers. He watched Emily’s face and knew she had about reached her limit.
Kenworthy then pulled out a clipboard. “Questions about the solvency of your company have come up on more than one news site. Would you share with us the financials?”
“I will not.”
Kenworthy’s eyebrows rose in a victorious surprise. “And why is that?”
“They are not the business of your staff.”
“And another question has arisen from your search for investors and pitching of new programs for Mountain Blue. There are members of the press that wonder at the timing of your new, suddenly friendly, overture.”
Rhett shook his head and waved his hand. “You don’t need to answer that.”
“But she should tell us more about her company. If you yourself invest, the press will go crazy. They’ll accuse you of neglecting our poor and unemployed.”
“If I support her, and I already pledged I would, I will use my private funds.”
“Even if you do, people will know.”
Emily glared at him. “Without having seen our financials, I’m surprised at the doubt in a company that has a long track record of success.”
The silence in the room felt thick, but Rhett ignored it. “If that is all?”
“Not quite. We still need to settle the question of what your relationship is with Emily and how would you like it portrayed to the press.”
“I thought we answered that sufficiently. The answer is ‘we have no comment at this time.’ ”
“But that will just feed the speculation.”
“The speculation will die unless you are feeding it.” Emily stood, and Rhett knew they’d pushed her too far.
Kenworthy held up his hand. “We aren’t quite finished yet.”
But Emily shook her head. “I’m quite finished.”
“We need to verse you on some of the matters of state and how your answers should be worded.”
“I don’t need someone to tell me how I feel about matters of state.”
Kenworthy ignored her last statement, which Rhett knew was not a good move. “And we’ve pulled up a list of statements you’ve made in the past that might be considered inflammatory here in our country. I need to write a retraction of your thoughts. You can study them yourself so that if ever called upon, you will be ready to---”
Rhett stood with Emily, knowing she was about to lose her top. “That will not be necessary. We, as the crown, value Emily’s thoughts. And we take counsel from her wisdom, even if it differs from a defined stance of our cabinet.”
Kenworthy frowned.
Rhett tried to nudge Emily from the room, but she only took half a step before she whirled around to face Kenworthy. “You are half the problem with this current cabinet and crown. You and your policies.”
Rhett tried not to bristle at her comment, but he felt his own annoyance rising in the already tense room.
“Who runs this country?” Emily eyed the people on the screen, who stared back impassively, some with slight disapproving frowns.
Rhett could talk to them later. For now, he had to get Emily out of this room before she crossed the line of no return.
“How can you be so rigid in your policies, in your thoughts? Do you never listen to opposing opinions, never try to consider in what ways you might be wrong?” She turned back toward Rhett, and he was filled with relief until she whipped around again and he realized that she was simply pacing. They were in for quite a lengthy speech.
“Take your policy on the environment for example.”
Rhett leaned forward. She knew about their policies? And she took issue with one?
“Do you want to go down in history as the worst stewards of the Mediterranean that ever lived?”
“That’s a bit harsh, Em. There is more to consider than perhaps you’ve noticed.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed. And if anyone from the press asks me my take on the environmental issues facing this country, I’ll share my thoughts.”
Kenworthy’s frown deepened.
“And your policies on education and literacy.” She shook her head as though they were a great travesty.
Up until this moment, he’d thought they were making great strides in those areas. “Emily, thank you for your thoughts, but—”
“And while I’m at it, another policy I would definitely have a lot to speak about is that of the treatment of women in this country. You must realize that in every other forward-thinking nation in the world, women actually serve in leadership roles.”
Rhett studied his all-male cabinet. Then he dipped his head. “We’ll consider all your thoughts, but now I think it’s time for us to…” He pointed out the door.
“Oh, I have one more thing to say.”
Kenworthy clapped his hands together once. “But you’ve said so many things already. And we do have a lot of work to accomplish, so perhaps if you’re finished being prepped, we can move on to other things?”
Emily’s face turned white. Then her eyes flashed in anger. She whirled around and stomped out of the room.
“She’s not a good fit here, Rhett. Surely you see that.” Kenworthy shook his head. “Time has changed nothing.”
“Kenworthy, you overstep. You’ve always overstepped in this area. How can we answer questions about where we stand when we don’t know ourselves? The crown has one valuable commodity. Privacy. And I guard mine. And she’s right about our policies, as far as she understands them. She’s entitled to her opinions, and I value the sharing. I’m going to need you to tone it back or you will be dismissed.”
He stared, stony faced, until he at last nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
When at last Rhett caught up with Emily, she had her phone to her ear and was headed to the stables.
He gave her some space. By the way she carried herself and gestured wildly as she talked, he could tell she was not happy. But as she neared the stables, the huge tree came into view. The swing still hung from its lowest branch and floated in the breeze.
She paused, turning to look at it.
He joined her.
She still talked into the phone. “Just keep her safe, Dad. Even if the school assures you they will tighten security, it might be time to bring in the tutors.”
There was a slight pause as she listened to her dad’s response. “I know she doesn’t want to do this. I know she loves her friends. I know she is just starting to figure out lunch time. Look, just tell her it won’t be forever.” She held her forehead with one hand.
Rhett didn’t know how she felt about him in that moment, and he didn’t know how he felt about her or the speech she just gave his cabinet, but he couldn’t stand seeing her in such worry and pain.
He rested a hand on her arm. “You could bring her here.”
She stopped and turned to him. He could see she was actually considering his offer. Hope flared like the white-hot flames of Tarshish. Would she consider it?
Then she shook her head. And his hope was doused with the coldest waters of the English moors.
She finally finished her call and, before she said anything, she rolled into his arms and pressed her face up against his chest. “Jackson has been hanging around. He must have seen I’m out of the country. I’m scared.”
Rhett held her close and rubbed his hands up and down her back. “Should I send a security team?”
She squeezed him around the middle. “No. But thank you. We have our own security. It’s just that they haven’t been going to school with her. More than anything, she wants a normal life. I just don’t think that’s possible for her. I thought it would be, but now…”
She tipped her head back so she could look into his face. “I’ve done all I can from here.” Her expression grew sad, wistful. Then she pointed back toward the large wooden swing. “I stopped here because I noticed something behind me.”
Rhett looked over her head at the swing.
“Ah yes.”
“I wondered if I could have the first swing.”
His grin widened. “Absolutely. Can I do an underdog?”
“If you dare!” She snorted. “If you can.” She took off running. When she reached the swing, she grabbed both ropes and jumped on. Her weak efforts to get herself moving on that huge swing made him laugh. “You hardly fit.” She took up less than half of the huge board that was fastened between two of the thickest ropes they’d been able to find. “But I’m going to get you moving, never fear.”
He moved behind her and took a run, holding onto the ropes. She shot forward, her toes pointing toward heaven. And her laugh eased all the tightness in his chest.
He pushed her again and again, running forward and dashing out underneath her legs as the swing rose into the air.
The world quieted. Somehow they were young again, and he wanted nothing more than to spend the early evening chasing fireflies.
He pushed her until the worry lines around her eyes melted into serene peace, until his arms ached. Then he backed away, her swing soaring out to the sky, and watched as she leapt from her spot, her arms and legs flailing in circles. She landed on both feet and thrust her hands up in victory.
He clapped furiously. “Bravo, bravo!” He joined her, ready to scoop her up and cradle her in his arms.
“Thank you.” She reached forward and rested her hands on his forearms, facing him. “I needed that more than anything, I think.”
“Anything?”
She swallowed.
“Because this swing reminds me of something.”
“Oh, does it?” Her eyes turned mischievous as she stepped closer.
“It does.” He tipped his head down, brushing his mouth against hers, waiting. He was so close to having Emily back in his life, so close to the happiness he thought he’d never know again. He knew many obstacles stood in their way, but he was not going to make the same mistakes he made last time. He would figure out a way for them to exist together as leaders, to handle the publicity issues in his country, and to deal well with his cabinet, the ministry, and the press.
The same issues had come up last time, and he’d lost her. He vowed not to let that happen again. As he studied the lashes spread out below her closed eyelids, he knew he could be patient. He could wait, because he would never again push her from his life.
She smiled, her closed eyes crinkling at the edges, and then she lifted up on her toes to meet his lips. This time his kisses were soft, brief, and filled with as much promise as he could manage.
Her eyes were misty, welcoming, and the soft, dreamy look of just having been kissed filled them. He tapped her nose. “I think I like you most just like this.”
“Do you now? Asking to be kissed?”
“Is that what this is? Then yes. Because you know my namesake once said, ‘You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how.’ ”
“Why, Rhett, I do believe you care.”
He laughed at their overused joke, and he took her hand as they headed for the stables.
10
Their ride through the lavender was what fairytales were made of. The sweet smell rose up all around them. The rolling fields of purple and green, lined by deep rich soil, filled every direction with a postcard image. Rhett rode at her side, and his carefree smile made it easy for her to imagine a future filled with days just like this one.
But as she thought about it after, an important truth jabbed at her fantasy. Rhett would never be able to keep such a schedule. On their ride, they’d received no phone calls, no texts. She hadn’t seen his phone out at all. And she could only guess at what kinds of sacrifices he was making so that they could be together undisturbed. She would do well to remember the busy years when they rarely saw each other, and if they did, they were rarely alone.
It hadn’t been entirely Rhett’s fault. He’d been busy as the newly crowned king, and she had been busy preparing to take over her father’s company.
Thoughts of Mountain Blue reminded her she would have to spend a few hours today working with her new project managers. She sat out on the verandah, a delicious breeze blowing in over the fields. They’d had dinner with all the staff, everyone sharing their favorite stories of Emily and Rhett’s summers at the house. If life were always so simple, she and Rhett would get on as perfectly as any couple could.
He joined her, holding a book. As he sat, pressed up against her on the small settee, he opened the first page of the journal they’d left on the island.
“You brought it?”
“Someone had to rescue this treasure from the elements.”
“Are you sure it’s worthy of rescue?”
“Undoubtedly.” He read the first paragraph out loud. “The words of Emily and Rhett. Any other eyes reading these pages are sure to be burned out with a fire poker.”
“To the point.”
“I’m sure we had the best intentions.”
“I don’t know who you’re remembering…”
He cleared his throat and turned a few more pages. “Our statement of belief. One: All living things matter. Two: God’s earth is important. We should take care of it. Three: Family first. And crown. Four: The dynamic duo can never be parted. Our spouses will just have to get used to it.”
Emily laughed. “Our younger selves would be proud we’re back together.”
“I’m happy we’re back together.” He reached for her hand.
“Back together?” She allowed him to take her fingers in his. “Were you at the same PR meeting that I was? ’Cause that was a disaster.”
He ran his thumb along the back of her hand. “There was room for improvement. But see, something like that would have sent you hightailing it ten years ago, and today, here we are.”
“Because we aren’t planning on a forever.”
“Aren’t we?” He sat forward. “I think these things can be worked through. Kenworthy knows his place.”
“Are you sure? Because I just saw a lot of him getting to say whatever he wanted.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“And me getting to say whatever I wanted. I’m sorry. I should really bite my tongue sometimes.”
“I want you to express your opinions. You could do a lot of good for my country. I don’t plan to be with you and not respect your mind. But change is hard for anyone, and these people don’t know you like I do, so they might need a softer delivery.” He winked. She knew he was being gentle and that he was right.
“Point taken. I will work on my diplomacy. Somehow, where you’re involved, everything has an added level of emotion.”
“That’s not a bad thing.” He wrapped an arm around her back, and she snuggled closer while the stars came out, one by one.
The next day, far away from the house and the beautiful quiet moments with Rhett, she wished she could return. But instead, she walked the rest of the way down the boat docks to help her water ski team win the competition. As soon as she stood at the edge of the boat, the guys looked up.
“What seems to be the trouble, gentlemen?”
Five guys lounged in their swim trunks, their skiis lying on the bottom of the boat. “Milo says he’s lost his touch.”
“He’s not wrong. The guy can’t clear more than three buoys. We’ve been at it all morning.” Carlson seemed almost out of patience.
Emily studied their faces. This wouldn’t do. “What do you want to do about it, Milo?”
“I say we boot his sorry—”
“Carlson, come on. He’s our best skier.”
“Was.”
“Milo, want to show me what you’ve got?”
Milo sat up. “Don’t know how much good it’ll do. But the rest of the fam has seen, so I guess you should too.”
“We FaceTimed Dad. Even he said Milo’s a disgrace.”
“He used the word disgrace?” Emily hopped in and wedged herself in between her brothers.
“Well, no.”
Carlson pulled the boat ou
t into the bay and lined up at one end of the course. “Milo, you’re up. Again.”
Emily was worried about her brothers’ antics. Mountain Blue always won. If they stopped winning the water ski competition, it would affect their marketing and their consumers’ confidence. They were cool and they sold cool products. As soon as the guys stopped being cool, well, so would their products. “Look, guys, I need your best here. What’s going on?”
Carlson pulled the boat forward slowly, picking up the slack. “Not sure. Everyone else is skiing fine, maybe not champion quality, but fine. We could almost guarantee a win if Milo were on his game.”
“Hit it.” Milo’s bored voice would have made Emily laugh if the stakes weren’t so high.
Carlson gunned the boat, and Milo popped out of the water. They raced for the buoy course, and Milo took the first three with ease. “Alright, Milo! You got this!” Emily yelled back to him.
He hit the fourth and the fifth, but as he rounded the ball, he dug in too deep and his side slammed against the water. Milo sprayed to a stop while the boat turned around to go pick him up. When they got closer, he clutched his ear. “Oh man, guys. Something’s wrong with my ear.”
“What is it?” Emily leaned over the edge. Worry and fear gripped her.
“Did you hear me, Em? Something is really wrong with my ear.” He lifted his hand. Blood had pooled inside his palm.
“Oh my gosh!” Emily began to feel a rising panic in her chest. “Get in here quick! Who’s calling 911. What is 911 in this country?”
“Honestly, your boyfriend is the best 911 we have.”
She ignored the boyfriend comment and called Rhett. He answered on the first ring, something he’d never done in all their years of dating. “Rhett!”
“What is it, what’s wrong?”
As soon as she explained the situation, Rhett promised that he’d have people waiting on shore to take Milo to the hospital.
As they raced to the docks, Emily hung up. She was worried sick for her brother, her team, and her company. Rhett was true to his word, and they were taken immediately to a clean, well-organized, and top-of-the-line hospital.
Once Upon a Royal Billionaire Page 7