by Jenny Frame
“And you had them wrapped around your little finger. I chose this team with advice from the head of Denbourg secret service. Your chief of security is the woman who rescued you from the car.”
Roza recalled the striking woman who’d pulled her from the car wreck. “The tall, silent, Amazon-looking woman?”
Augustus nodded. “Major Ravn.”
Yes, she’ll be putty in my hands. Maybe I can get out, thought Roza. If there was one thing Roza was confident about, it was using her feminine wiles to charm both men and women.
Augustus must have seen the glint of mischief in her eyes. “Don’t even think about trying to use your many charms on her. She was picked for specific reasons. Major Ravn has served in the army and intelligence services for twenty-five exemplary years, has been happily married to her wife for fifteen years, and has two little children. Apart from the fact that she is the consummate professional, I know even you wouldn’t disrespect someone’s marriage just to get your own way. You’re too good a girl for that.”
She didn’t answer but he was right. Infuriatingly right. Just then a message came through on her phone from her lady-in-waiting. When she read it, she became more enraged. “Cressie says she’s been removed from her post.”
“Yes, she was a bad influence on you, Roza.”
“She was my choice!”
“Keep your voice down, please.” Augustus walked to her and tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away.
Augustus sighed and approached her more softly. “Roza, please. I’m trying to help you. One day Father will be gone, and it’ll be down to you and me to carry this family. You have to face your responsibilities.”
Roza was not only angry, she was hurt. She put on her coat and picked up her handbag. “I want to go back to my apartment now.”
“I’ve appointed Lady Linton as your new lady-in-waiting. She was Mama’s best friend from school and her lady-in-waiting until her death. I think you need to be around someone who knew Mama well.”
Roza slowly walked toward the door and held it ajar. Everything that had happened to her was now truly hitting her, and when she saw Major Ravn and her team of guards waiting for her in the hospital corridor, claustrophobia threatened to suffocate her.
She turned to her brother and said sadly, “You were the only one, the only one who understood me, and who was on my side. I’m truly alone now.”
Then she walked sombrely out the door.
“Roza, wait—”
*
Lennox looked into the mirrored interior of the lift, and checked her grey suit and tie were sitting just right. As always they were perfect, and she waited for the lift to arrive at the fifth floor where her office was located. She exited onto her floor of Timmy’s new London headquarters. Lennox thoroughly enjoyed her work at Timmy’s and making a difference. She’d come to Timmy’s with a reputation for making money, having worked in the high-powered London financial district. Lennox had made a lot of money for herself and a lot of companies but now she was determined to make money for those most deserving.
Lennox loved this part of the day—coming back from an intense workout, ready to work hard for the rest of the afternoon. When Danny Simpson, Bea’s old boss, medically retired from work, she applied for and was given the directorship.
Lennox strode purposely to her office, and when her PA Conrad saw her, he quickly got up from his desk outside her office.
“Everything under control, Conrad?”
Conrad was in his early twenties, exceptionally well organized and immaculately dressed. He needed to be, to keep up with Lennox’s pace of work. She was a highly driven individual and expected no less from her staff. But he appeared to be in a state, both nervous and excited.
“Lex, the Queen Consort’s private secretary Lali Ramesh called. The Consort would like an urgent word with you.”
Lex smiled at him. Conrad became awed and star-struck whenever Beatrice called or visited the charity, but he wasn’t the only one. Beatrice had a kind of star quality that endeared her to everyone she met. In the first year of her marriage to the Queen, Beatrice had charmed not only the country, but the world, and the staff at Timmy’s couldn’t have been prouder that she had worked for them. The media had named her the Consort of the People, and they were not wrong. Lennox couldn’t remember a time when the monarchy was as popular as it was now, and all because an anti-monarchist joined their ranks.
“Give me a few minutes and put me through to the palace.”
“Will do, and I ordered your lunch. It should be here anytime.”
Lennox shut her office door and slung her gym bag on the couch, before taking a seat at her desk. The Queen Consort often called her to keep in touch with how things were going at Timmy’s. She had in fact been one of the people that conducted Lennox’s interview for the directorship job. Timmy’s was Beatrice’s baby. She had helped build the charity from a tiny regional charity to a national, and now international, charity, with healthcare centres now being built in some of the poorest countries of the world.
Luckily Lennox and Beatrice had hit it off straight away and enjoyed a good working relationship.
The computer beeped with an incoming call. Lennox straightened her tie one last time and said, “Answer.”
The Queen Consort’s smiling face appeared. “Hi, Lex. How are you today?”
Lennox bowed her head quickly. “I’m fine, Your Majesty. It’s nice to speak to you again. How can I help?”
Bea pushed a strand of dark blond hair behind her ear. She was a beautiful woman and Lennox could easily see why Queen Georgina fell in love with her. She was both beautiful and totally without guile.
“I, or I should say the Queen and I, have a favour to ask you.”
“Of course, ma’am. What can I do?”
“It’s a delicate situation, and we would need your complete discretion, but you’re the only one I would trust to do it.”
“Thank you for your trust. You know you have my word that I will be discreet.”
Bea sighed. “The Queen’s cousin Princess Rozala is coming to stay with us for a while. You’ve probably seen she has been in the media a lot recently.”
That was an understatement. The Denbourg princess’s private life was constantly being splashed all over the news and celebrity websites.
“Yes, I understand she was in an accident this morning. I hope she wasn’t injured too badly.”
“No, thank you for asking. Only a few bumps and bruises. Her father, King Christian, wants her to have some time away from the Denbourg court, until things calm down a bit. The Queen would like her to be useful while she is here, and I suggested that she come and work with you at Timmy’s.”
Lex groaned internally and tried to hide her horror at the thought of babysitting a spoilt princess.
“You know I’m completely at your service, ma’am, but…”
Bea smiled, obviously reading her less-than-enthusiastic response. “But?”
“May I speak frankly?”
“Of course.”
“Is it really the best place for her? I’m sure she would get bored with the day-to-day grind of business meetings and endless emails and telephone calls.”
She watched a smile creep over Bea’s face. “That’s exactly what we want. She needs to experience the real world, a different world from the closeted court of Denbourg and her privileged friends. I want you to show her the business from the bottom up—think of her as a second PA. I’m sure Conrad won’t mind sharing you.”
Sharing her? That was a joke. Conrad would happily give her over completely if it meant working with a princess.
“I don’t doubt that.” Lex could foresee falling behind with months of work because of this. She had no choice but to ask this direct question. “Ma’am? I’m sorry if this is a bit disrespectful, but I must ask. Is this just a PR exercise for the benefit of the Denbourg royal family and world media after the arms scandal Princess Rozala was involved in?”
“It’s not di
srespectful, Lex, and I appreciate your honesty. No, it’s not a PR exercise. We want her working hard eight hours a day, and being useful to you. Believe me, I know what you’re feeling. You’re thinking what a waste of your time this will be. I remember when my boss, Danny, told me I was working with Queen Georgina and I point-blank refused. I could only imagine how much it would disrupt my important work. But it didn’t work out too badly in the end, did it?” Bea joked.
Lex laughed out loud and said, “I’m in a slightly different situation, ma’am. I can’t exactly refuse.”
“Maybe not, but then I couldn’t either. Danny told me in no uncertain terms that I was doing it. I want you to treat her as you would any other new start.”
“Will I have your full backing if she doesn’t follow instructions? For this to work I can’t have her running to the Queen with complaints.”
Bea leaned forward towards the screen and said seriously, “You have my word, Lex. We want her to experience the real world, and I’m certain you are the one to do it.”
Lex puffed out her cheeks and let out a long sigh. “I’ll do it.”
This had disaster written all over it.
Chapter Three
Roza had to admit, her new security chief was efficient and single-minded. Despite all the media that had swarmed all over the hospital, she had an easy escape thanks to Major Ravn. Roza had been taken from the building in an armoured car without the press even knowing she had gone.
Her previous team would have followed meekly as Thea led Roza through the clamouring crowds. Thea’d enjoyed the attention Roza’s position gave her. Before she had met Thea, Roza already had her security eating out of her hand, but then Thea stepped in and they followed her lead. They had been seduced by the glamorous lifestyle alongside Thea’s hired bodyguards. But as Roza looked across the state car to the upright and professional Major Ravn, she knew that would never happen with her.
Major Ravn had a strong, steady gaze that appeared incorruptible, and a physique that looked as if she could rip your arm off and beat you with it—and of course that thick gold wedding band on her ring finger.
Gussy had been right. As much as she liked to use her looks to gain an advantage, and as flirtatious as she was, she would never try it with someone who was married. She wasn’t that sort of a person.
Roza sighed. What a shame—she would have had such fun with Major Ravn. She was just her type, an experienced older woman. Just like Thea.
She looked down at the ring Thea had given her, which she still hadn’t taken off. In some deep part of her soul, Thea still had a hold on her, and she wasn’t strong enough to let go, yet. “Ravn? How long till we get back to my apartment?”
“About fifteen minutes, ma’am.”
Roza felt the need to talk, and despite the fact that conversation probably wasn’t her strong suit, Major Ravn would have to do. “Major Ravn—you’re married?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
One-word answers. Great.
“My brother says you have two little children too.”
Ravn looked at her with a hint of suspicion. Prince Augustus had obviously briefed the major on Roza’s penchant for gaining leverage through personal friendships with her staff.
“Don’t worry, Major. I know what my brother probably told you about me, but believe me, I’m only interested to get to know you since we’re going to be together a great deal.”
Ravn hesitated, then said, “Yes, they are ten and five.”
“That’s nice. Are they going to visit you a lot when we go to the UK?”
“My wife and children are coming with me. I’ve rented a house in London for them. I couldn’t be without my family.”
“Wow. Your wife’s very lucky to have you.”
Major Ravn took off her sunglasses and put them in her top suit pocket, before making her position clear in the nicest possible way. “I’m the lucky one. My wife and children are everything to me and there’s nothing in this world that could change that, ma’am.”
Roza’s heart sank. Everyone had such a low opinion of her, and that made her feel sad. No one really knew who she was, not even her brother any more.
She plastered on a smile and said, “That’s nice. You sound like a really loyal person, Major.”
“I am, both personally and professionally. I can assure you that you will be well protected. No one will get through me.”
“Great.” Roza sighed, leaned her head against the car window, and stared out at the passing scenery. Denbourg’s ancient capital of Battendorf was alive with people going to and from work, laughing and having fun, or shopping together. Tears started to roll down her cheeks. They are free.
Freedom was something she would never have, especially after her recent transgressions. This state car might as well be a prison van taking her to her punishment.
Cressida being replaced as lady-in-waiting was the last straw.
They might be keeping me under lock and key, but I’m going to make as much noise as I can, and you’re going to hear it, Father.
*
Timmy’s was a hive of activity after Lex’s earlier call from the Consort. She had passed responsibility for the preparations over to her PA Conrad so that she could continue with real work.
When Lex had first told Conrad that the princess would be joining them, he literally let out a squeal and then jumped into action, organizing teams of cleaners to scour the building with a fine-tooth comb and make every conceivable preparation. Since then word and gossip had spread like wildfire and the whole staff was buzzing with excitement.
They didn’t have to babysit her though, did they. Lex pushed up from her desk with a sense of resignation, walked over to her office fridge, and pulled out one of her protein and vitamin drinks.
As she took a sip, her computer signalled a call.
“Answer.”
“Lex, it’s Mel from PR. I think we need a meeting about Princess Rozala.”
Bloody hell. I’m sick of the girl and she’s not even here yet.
“Why would that concern PR? The palace wishes this to be a useful exercise, not a publicity stunt.”
“Oh, come on, Lex. Bea knows this is going to be huge in the press, no matter what happens, and we have to handle it.”
Lex strode back to her desk and glowered at Mel on the screen. “That would be the Queen Consort to you, Mel.”
She always tried to discourage any sense of overfamiliarity between the Timmy’s staff and Beatrice. She might have once been their colleague, but now their positions had changed and despite the fact that Bea herself was very easy-going about it, the staff had to remember that they were dealing with Queen Georgina’s wife, not their colleague.
Mel looked annoyed. Lex had noticed that her head of PR wasn’t as pleased as the rest of the staff were about Bea’s advantageous marriage. She had been told the two had been like chalk and cheese when they worked together, and it showed.
“Of course. The Consort would be well aware of the press interest and would expect us to use it for Timmy’s benefit.”
“I don’t want it used or hyped up any more than it needs to be, Mel. Prepare a report for me on the likely media intrusion and any recommendations you have. That’s all.”
“But—”
Lex ended the call before she could say anything else. “This place is going nuts.”
She immediately got back to work on the budgets for the overseas Timmy’s medical centres. Only there in the numbers would she find calm in this sea of royal excitement.
A knock on the door was followed by Conrad popping his head in her office. “Lex?”
“Yes?” She was beginning to lose patience with all the interruptions she had been having ever since Bea had called.
“The tech people are here.”
Conrad said it as if she would automatically know what he was talking about.
“What for?”
“To install Princess Rozala’s desk and computer facilities.” He opened th
e office doors wide and a large group of technicians came in carrying a desk and other equipment.
This was just too much for Lex. She leapt up and said in a menacing voice, “Oh no, her desk is not coming in here. There are plenty of desk cubicles out in the open office.”
Conrad gulped audibly. Lex was a popular boss and well liked, but everyone knew that she had little tolerance for anything that disrupted or slowed down productivity.
“I got orders from Denbourg security, Lex. I emailed you the instructions they sent. They insist that she is situated in a closed office, and in close proximity to you.”
Lex could feel the stress and pressure building up inside her. She was losing control of her surroundings and her job and she didn’t like it. The banging of the tech guys fitting the desk together didn’t help. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself.
Just as her stress started to calm, another call came through—this time from security.
“What?” Lex snapped.
“Lex, we need to have a meeting about the security arrangements for the princess’s arrival. A Major Ravn has been in touch and—”
She was going to blow if she didn’t get away from what was rapidly turning into a circus. “Conrad will give you a time this afternoon.”
Lex shut off her computer and marched out of her office, which now seemed to have an open door policy, and growled in Conrad’s direction, “I’m going upstairs for a while. Make an appointment for me with security for later in the afternoon.” Conrad knew when she said she was going upstairs, that she needed some time alone.
“Yes, Lex.”
Lex got on the lift and pressed the button for the top service floor. The lift doors opened and she walked through a pair of fire doors out into a hidden oasis on the top floor of the office building, the roof garden.
The little garden featured a small variety of well-landscaped shrubs, plants, and flowers, plus benches and the calming sound of running water from the water feature. The roof was her sanctuary when she needed to breathe, and get out of the high-pressured office environment.