Winning the Queen's Heart: Contemporary Christian Romance (The Brides of Belles Montagnes Book 2)

by Moncado, Carol

  Opening the door himself, he climbed out of the backseat. Turning he held out a hand to help her. Polite, nothing else.

  At his motion, Justin emerged from the car behind them. “Give Justin your information and itinerary so he can contact you if necessary and make the arrangements for Friday.”

  She reached up and gave him a quick hug. This one didn’t catch him off-guard like the one in the hospital had. He gave her a slight squeeze and stepped away.

  “Thank you again.” Julia walked toward Justin and stopped to talk to him while Alexander took his seat in the car.

  The manila folder didn’t help him find any more answers than it had the first sixteen times he’d looked through it. His uncle-in-law had disappeared after being released. No interviews. No anything. He’d lost his tail after three hours and had not shown up on anyone’s radar since.

  Alexander put his foot down about Christiana. Tony agreed. She wasn’t leaving the palace. Period.

  * * *

  Christiana chafed under the restrictions. She understood them, even agreed with them, but being confined to the apartment except when surrounded by heavy security, made her cranky. When she had not felt well enough to be out and about, it had been much easier to abide by the rules, but she felt better. Much better. Almost good even.

  At least she was not confined to bed.

  One of the other bedrooms had quickly been converted into a make-shift office and that was where she currently sat, trying to finalize the seating chart for the banquet in two days. It made her head hurt. A notification popped up on the computer in front of her. Two more. A woman and her son. Friends of Alexander’s who he just found out were in town.

  “Where on earth will we put them?” Christiana rubbed her temples as Diana leaned over the diagram of the banquet room.

  “How old is the son?”

  “I have no idea, but if this is a college friend, no more than ten or so?”

  “Why don’t we put them with David and Annie?” Diana moved a few tags around. “It’ll split their family off from Poppo, but you wanted him at your table anyway, right?”

  Christiana nodded. “That will fill out the head table while giving a reason to split their family. There will only be the three children there, correct?”

  “Five. Lily and Elana and their mothers are at the table, too. Both of their fathers are unable to attend. This is actually a perfect solution.”

  The headache continued to build behind her eyes. “Then we are done?”

  “Unless someone cancels or something else comes up, yes.”

  “Thank you, God.” The plans were coming together very nicely. The menu had been finalized the week before. The seating chart was now taken care of. “Is there anything else? Music is set, correct?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I confirmed with the quartet’s manager this morning, and he sent over the playlist. There’s nothing objectionable on it. Exactly what you requested.”

  “Thank you, Diana.”

  “The Baicampo property has been sealed off since Sunday night, after we found out about the pardon.” The decision had been made Monday night to move the venue from the palace to the ballroom at Alexander’s property. Easier to seal off and fewer people in and out of the palace was a good thing. The only thing scheduled was a wedding the next day. Christiana had called the bride herself and asked if she would put off the decorating until the next morning. Palace staff would assist in any way possible. The bride and groom had both been happy to help out, especially when she asked if their entire wedding party would like to attend the banquet.

  “Good. Tony is aware of the additional guests?”

  “I would presume so, but I will call him and make sure.”

  Christiana glanced at the clock. No wonder her headache did not seem to be abating. “I believe it is time for me to call it a day and get some dinner.”

  “I believe that is a wonderful plan, ma’am.” Diana smiled at her. “We accomplished everything we needed to.”

  “Good.” Christiana stood, the heels of her hands digging into her back as she stretched backward. Stiff would lead to sore if she was not careful. A two-man security team waited outside every door, following her to each new room, even the bathroom. She went to her room and changed out of the business suit she wore to work most days, though her commute could be measured in steps rather than miles. She rubbed lotion over her rapidly expanding belly and was rewarded by a fluttering. Not the first time she felt it, it still brought tears to her eyes. Her child. Hers and Alexander’s child moved within her. Would he like to feel the movement when the baby’s strength grew enough?

  The door behind her opened, and Christiana squealed reaching for her robe. Clutching it to her chest, she looked to the door.

  Alexander stood there, his eyes round before he looked to the ceiling. “I’m sorry, Christiana. Diana said you’d just come in here. I didn’t think there had been time...” He shook his head. “Sorry.”

  There should not be anything for him to be sorry for. When would they reach the point in their marriage where seeing one another in a state of undress would not be apology worthy? “I will be right back.” She backed into the bathroom, shut the door far enough behind her he could not see and slipped the robe on, tying it as she emerged back into the bedroom. “What can I do for you, Alexander?”

  She noticed his eyes trained on her midsection, on the semi-noticeable baby bump.

  “I wanted to let you know I invited an old friend to the banquet.”

  “I saw the notice, and we have them seated with David, Annie, Elana, and Lily. We moved Poppo and Nanny to sit at the head table.”

  He nodded. “That’s perfect. I also checked with Tony. The north cottage isn’t being used, and I arranged for them to stay there.” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “Turns out her son is fascinated by, well, me. She and I went to college together. I haven’t seen her in years, but he wanted to visit the country where ‘mommy’s friend is the prince.’” Alexander crossed his arms. “He’ll get a kick out of that secret bookcase panel.”

  Christiana nodded. “Yes, he will.” She had loved it whenever she stayed there as a child. In fact, it had been her primary residence when in Ravenzario. Never in the palace proper. She had always thought that unusual...

  “Is that all right with you?”

  She looked back up at him. “I have no problems with it. No one else will be using it.” There was another secret entry. This one a passage she did not believe anyone knew about. She discovered it late one night when she visited before starting high school in Montevaro’s elite Montevarian Preporatory Academy with Addie.

  “Paul said dinner is ready when we are.” He turned to leave. She wanted to call him back, to ask about his day, but something held her back. If he wanted to spend more time with her, he would. Her head told her maybe he waited for her to make some sort of move. Her heart was afraid he would not respond the way she dreamed.

  “I will be there momentarily.”

  Alexander paused before leaving, but continued without looking back at her or speaking. She dressed quickly in a pair of maternity yoga pants and a soft t-shirt she generally only wore when she would see no one.

  Time for the most uncomfortable part of her day.

  Dinner with her husband.

  * * *

  Alexander hated the awkwardness between himself and Christiana. Walking in on her clothed in so little didn’t help any. His first good look at her belly in quite some time. She had definitely started showing. He longed to rest his hand there, to try to feel movement, to talk to his unborn child. Hadn’t he seen a study that said a baby would know not only his mother’s voice but his father’s at birth?

  He sat at the head of the table, something she insisted on when they ate alone, since he was the head of their little family and all. When at a public function, she took it as the monarch.

  She came in a moment later, looking utterly adorable and relaxed in a way he’d never seen. Hair in
a sloppy ponytail, a soft pink t-shirt that he bet felt as soft as it looked, comfortable pants and... He snickered a bit. Socks. Had he ever seen her leave her bedroom without shoes?

  Just once, maybe after the baby was born, he wanted to take her sock-footed and go to the ball room and slide around like little kids. The floor in there would be perfect, and he’d bet she never had.

  She sat next to him. The meal was brought in. Normally, he tried to make small talk with whatever staff came in, but he found himself in no mood for that tonight. After a few bites, Christiana broke the silence.

  “How was your day?” She took a small bite.

  “Fine. Meetings went well.”

  “Anything new on, you know.”

  There was the biggest source of his frustration. “Not yet.”

  “Queen Adeline and King Antonio both called earlier and offered the services of their intelligence arms. My uncle visited both countries a number of times in the last decade. Perhaps there is something there.”

  “Tony talked to them, Italy, France, and Spain back when it all went down. No one had anything of any consequence at that point.”

  “Maybe something has turned up since then, and no one put it together.”

  “Perhaps.” He didn’t hold out much hope, but he’d let her hang on to it.

  “What is your schedule for the rest of the week?”

  “I’ll be in the palace until at least Monday. Nothing outside planned.” For a reason. And even Monday he wouldn’t go out of town. Not until this thing was sorted out.

  Something in his gut told him there would be a shoe falling, and soon. What exactly it would be, he had no idea, but something.

  The rest of dinner was quiet. Christiana went to her office to a little more work. Alexander thought about going to Baicampo to go over everything again, but Christopher was already at the property helping oversee security and other arrangements for Friday night. It left the other bedroom empty for Alexander, and he fell asleep wanting something he couldn’t have.

  His wife in his arms.

  He woke up wishing the same thing, yet before he could blink, Friday night arrived. He stood with Christiana in the ante room waiting for the announcement of their arrival.

  She turned to him. “Your tie is crooked.” He looked down at her as she reached up to tweak it. “Better.”

  Before she could move away, he caught her around the waist and pulled her close to him. “You look beautiful tonight, Tia.” Her hands clutched at his shoulders, and her eyes fluttered closed at the nickname. His head bent. Kiss her. When was the last time he’d really kissed his wife?

  The softest touch before parting. He felt her breath on his face. He’d have to move only a fraction of an inch to kiss her more fully. As he gathered his courage, a throat cleared behind him.

  “Everyone is seated, ma’am.”

  That was all it took. Christiana moved back out of his arms. She moved the mirror to check her hair it seemed.

  “Justin?” Alexander spoke quietly hoping she wouldn’t hear.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Never interrupt me when I’m about to kiss my wife.”

  Chapter 33

  Did he think she could not hear him? Christiana presumed that to be the case, though she did not understand why he had barely kissed her, soft as the brush of butterfly wings. Had he planned to kiss her again before Justin interrupted? She could see Justin’s smirk in the mirror. What about it was funny?

  She fiddled with one of the curls of hair on the side of her face before turning. “I am ready.” Holding her skirt up, she moved to Alexander’s side and slid her hand into his offered elbow.

  Her entire being buzzed with his nearness. She could hear the announcement, the scraping of the chairs as the door opened. Together, they walked in, straight to the dance floor.

  How had she forgotten they would dance the first dance then eat?

  Propriety dictated the distance between them as they waltzed around the floor, but it also demanded she lock her eyes with his part of the time. It was not the first time she danced with him, but once again he amazed her with the ease he led her. Though the dance did not take particularly long, she was still out of breath when they came to a stop in the precise middle of the floor. How did he do that? Did he practice without her?

  Alexander stepped back from her and bowed deeply at the waist. She inclined her head his direction. When he held his hand out, she took it, quite properly holding their hands at shoulder height for the walk to the head table. He stood to the side as she moved to the dais.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attendance and your gracious acceptance of the venue change. I am indebted to you for your understanding of so many things. Not just a trip across the water in dress-up clothes.” A laugh. “But of my disappearance several months ago on one of the best days of my life. You cannot begin to understand my gratitude for what you did for me that night. Coming together to give me memories of my parents, little brother, and our nanny.” She had to hold the tears in. “You brought them to life for me in a way no one else ever has. And it truly was a complete surprise.”

  She looked over at Alexander who smiled his support. “Since that time a number of revelations have come to light about my relationship with Prince Alexander. Some questioned the rationale of marrying a man I did not love in the conventional romantic sense. In my wildest dreams, I could have not imagined a man who would understand from an offhanded comment, how much that night would mean to me.” In more ways than one. Especially in the conception of his child she now carried, but they did not need to know that. “You know that I have been bed-ridden much of the last couple months, but during those times, I often had one of the scrapbooks with me.”

  “I learned about my mother’s childhood, my father’s courtship of her, his determination to win the heart and the hand of the green-eyed beauty from Vashta. I saw pictures of myself as a child ‘working the ropes.’ Pictures from your point-of-view, taken by those of you who came to wish us well on so many occasions. From the deepest parts of my being, I thank you for your continued support. I could not ask for more.”

  She stepped back and smiled, turning to accept Alexander’s escort to her seat. Before she could take a single step, the applause began. The chairs scraped again, and the crowd rose to their feet, almost as one.

  “Long live Queen Christiana!” someone shouted.

  “Long live Queen Christiana!” others shouted back. Several times.

  She took Alexander’s offered elbow, her fingers clenching the inside of the arm of his coat. She held her other fingers to her lips and kissed them, waving to one side then repeating the action to the other. How had she become so blessed?

  “They love you, Christiana.” She had not noticed Alexander bending his head, but his words, warm on her ear, did not startle her. Their truth did. Yes, this was a friendly crowd, such as it were, but the outpouring from all of her people overwhelmed her.

  She blew one more kiss to the crowd as the applause began to die down. Alexander held her chair as she slid into it. Poppo sat on her other side and squeezed her hand as her husband took his seat.

  Poppo leaned toward her. “You’ve done well, sweet girl. Your parents would be very proud of you.”

  The preacher who had performed their wedding came forward and asked them to bow their heads. As he thanked God for the meal, Christiana thanked God for the people He sent into her life to offset those who would do her harm.

  Peace settled over her. It would be a good night.

  * * *

  Julia talked with the woman sitting next to her. She’d been asked to dance a couple of times, but declined. Alex tried to dance with Annie, and he was doing his best to dance with Lily, but really they were just jumping around. The little girl was having the time of her life.

  “May I have this dance?”

  She startled a bit, but looked up to see Alexander bowing toward her. “Of course.”

  He held out his hand
, and she took it as he turned to the other woman. With a wink, he asked her to save him one for later. She laughed and agreed. Alexander led her to the dance floor, though his attention seemed to be elsewhere. Looking for his wife, perhaps? Seeing the way they looked at each other during the first dance of the evening, anyone would know they adored each other.

  His attention still hadn’t returned to her when they started dancing. Lines creased his forehead. Worry?

  “Is everything okay, Alexander?”

  He looked back at her and twirled her around. She could see the queen dancing with his twin brother. The only way she could tell the difference between the two was the red sash distinguishing Alexander as the prince consort.

  “I’ve got a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

  Right. The uncle’s release.

  “Have you enjoyed your trip to Ravenzario? Flat tire aside?” He grinned.

  She smiled back. “It’s been wonderful. Your tips helped a lot.” And using his name had opened a few doors, but he didn’t need to know that. She hadn’t insinuated anything, just mentioned that the duke had been the one to recommend a place. “Tonight is spectacular. Thank you for inviting us and making arrangements for the dress and tux for Alex.”

  “My assistant can work wonders. So, what was your favorite part?”

  This. Right now. Dancing with a handsome man. If only he adored her the way her high school crush had adored Alex Slate. There was no point even day dreaming about such a thing, though. Maybe Chris Slate... “I couldn’t pick,” she finally said. “But Alex is convinced tonight will be the best part. Staying on palace grounds.” And she didn’t mention the stress caused when she’d heard her apartment had been broken into, even if her mom couldn’t figure out what might be missing. At least she wouldn’t have to replace anything on her non-existent income.

  “What is it?”

  She shook herself. “What?”

  “Something’s wrong.”

  “Oh.” She might as well tell him. “I lost my job last week. The trip was already mostly paid for or non-refundable, so we came anyway, but it’s been hanging over my head.”