The Indentured Queen

by Carol Moncado

  “Still.” She swirled her wine in the glass. “You should go visit when the babies are born. The doctor said any day now.”

  “I thought she wasn’t due until the end of the month.”

  “She’s having twins. They tend to come earlier.”

  “Who’s having twins?” One of the princes from Belles Montagnes took a seat at the table. Malachi? Except for William, Benjamin had never been able to keep them straight, but he’d never really tried. He probably should.

  “Someone we know.” Evangeline turned a smile toward the other man. “How are you, Malachi? It’s been a while.”

  “We’re doing well. Jessabelle hasn’t been sleeping well, so she already went upstairs, but other than that, things are good. The baby is still taking a toll on her, even though she’s well into her second trimester.”

  “We’ll keep her in our prayers,” Evangeline promised.

  Malachi turned to Benjamin. “Congratulations are in order. We wanted to attend your wedding, but had a previous engagement with one of the charities we support and the date simply could not be changed.”

  Benjamin nodded and sipped his water. “I understand. I was unable to attend your brother’s wedding to Princess Margaret due to an unavoidable conflict.” Christmas in the States with his brother and his brother’s in-laws.

  Where King Edward had lectured him on the awful job he was doing as king, told him he wasn’t living up to his father’s legacy.

  Confirming the worst things Benjamin regularly thought about himself.

  Where was that waiter?

  He needed something stronger than water to drink if he was going to make it through the rest of this night.

  24

  Using a trip to the bathroom as an excuse to stay in her suite didn’t work for Katrín. Genevieve wasn’t going to let her get out of going back downstairs.

  Back in the room, now filled solely with adults, Katrín wanted to slink to a corner and stay there.

  “Keep your chin up,” Genevieve whispered. “I’m sure a group like this can be intimidating for someone who didn’t grow up attending events with these people. Remember, though, not only are you a queen yourself, you are a child of the King of Kings, and that’s what really matters.”

  Katrín nodded, knowing she would likely never be comfortable in this kind of gathering while also knowing it would be less than a year before they would all believe her to be dead.

  “You don’t even have to sit with my beast of a brother.”

  “He’s not a beast,” Katrín replied, automatically.

  Genevieve linked her arm with Katrín’s and walked toward a table with several women seated at it. “I know you’re in love with him and all, but he can be a beast. Like this party tomorrow. When we were first told to save the date, no one knew he had a girlfriend, much less that he’d be married. I’m not going, just so you know. I’ve already told your stylist that you’ll be attending with him.”

  Katrín shook her head. “I wasn’t the one invited.”

  “I don’t care. I’m not going with my brother to one of the biggest events of the year when his wife is in town. If you were sick or pregnant and dealing with hyperemesis gravidium like Catherine does, that would be different.”

  “Catherine?”

  “The Duchess of Cambridge. She’s lovely. You may get to meet her tomorrow, but I’m not certain they’re coming so soon after the birth of Louis. I’m sure every woman wishes she could bounce back as the Duchess does after giving birth.”

  Katrín wouldn’t have to worry about that. She wouldn’t have Benjamin’s child before disappearing and wouldn’t be able to remarry someday. Not when she knew the truth.

  She looked over to see Benjamin had taken off the tuxedo jacket and removed his tie allowing him to undo the top couple of buttons and roll his sleeves up.

  The muscles in his forearms held her attention as he lifted a glass of something amber-colored so he could take a sip. The arm that held her close to him while they took the group pictures. The arm that wrapped around her and the hand that splayed on her lower back as he kissed her in the consort’s quarters just a few days earlier. The muscles she’d secretively admired as a member of the staff, but now had a more intimate knowledge of than anyone else, save perhaps his trainer.

  With a shake of her head to clear the thoughts from it, she took the seat next to Genevieve, determined to not join the conversation and confirm to all that she really didn’t belong with this group of women. She searched her mind to remember who they all were.

  Two queens. Two crown princesses. The wife of a crown prince. A princess married to a prince who should have been king. A princess engaged to a prince who would be king.

  “Do you know everyone, Katrín?” Katrín thought the woman was Queen Adeline. “I’m Addie. I’m from here in Montevaro. I believe you talked with my husband, Charlie, earlier.”

  Katrín nodded.

  The woman next to Queen Adeline - Katrín couldn’t even make herself think the name Addie - smiled. “I’m Christiana from Ravenzario. We met for a second before dinner. I think my husband was talking to you about the same time Addie’s was. Probably telling horror stories about being a consort.” She rolled her eyes.

  Katrín shook her head. “They were both very kind, but did offer to commiserate about the role of consort should I ever want to.” She still wouldn’t.

  “I’m Yvette.” The next young woman jumped in. “I’m from Mevendia, but my husband is Christiana’s brother.”

  Right. The prince who wasn’t dead, though everyone had believed it for many years.

  “Alexandra,” the next woman said, “but everyone calls me Alex. I’m Litian by birth, but I’m married to Theo from Valdoria. We met briefly at your wedding.”

  Katrín nodded. “I remember. Thank you for coming. I appreciate it.”

  “I’m Maggie from Mevendia,” the woman seated to Queen Adeline’s other side told her. “We were actually married in Eyjania several years ago. William and I hoped Benjamin would be able to attend the ceremony at Christmas, but understand he had another engagement. It was kind of last minute like yours was.”

  “Esme, from Islas del Sargasso.” The woman next to Maggie told her. “I’m told you’ll be visiting us next month for a conference. I’d love to do lunch.”

  Katrín’s mouth went dry, and she reached for the water a waiter had dropped off. After a sip, she nodded. “I believe so, but I’m not certain of my schedule just yet.”

  “I’ll have my assistant get with yours. It needs to happen. Perhaps Benjamin could join you for a couple of days after the conference ends. I know you didn’t have a wedding trip.”

  Katrín fought the pink that had to be coloring her cheeks, but knew she was unsuccessful when the table either tried to hide their giggles or shot her sympathetic glances.

  “Benjamin sent the rest of the family away for a few weeks,” Genevieve told them. “He couldn’t get away, but didn’t want to postpone the wedding either.”

  “And I’m Astrid.” The last woman took the attention off Katrín for a moment anyway. “From San Majoria.”

  Katrín nodded. She’d known that.

  “How did you and Benjamin meet?” Queen Adeline gave a gentle smile. “We’re all romantics at heart. We love a good meet-cute.”

  Wasn’t that how the first meeting of a hero and heroine was described in a couple of the blogs she’d read about the books Thor recommended?

  The queen went on. “Charlie’s car rear-ended mine when I abandoned my security team and went driving on an icy day in Serenity Landing while I was still in grad school.”

  Not only was the woman a queen, she held a Master’s degree. Katrín had barely graduated high school.

  But they were all watching her expectantly. “I’ve worked for the palace since not long after I turned eighteen.” She stared at her fingertips as they rubbed lightly against the stem of her water glass. “But I love to play the piano. My old keyboard wasn’t the
same. I snuck into one of the reception rooms to play one night when I thought no one would be around. I didn’t see Benjamin until I finished playing King Alfred’s Overture.” She shrugged. “He kissed me a few minutes later. The rest is history.”

  No need to mention the inappropriate proposition or the lack of any real relationship existing between them even still.

  She sipped her water and wished she could ignore the calls for her to play for them. Just a few measures.

  But Queen Adeline clasped her hands together, her eyes bright. “Would you, please, Katrín? Just a little bit?”

  Katrín tried to hide her resignation with a smile. “Of course.”

  Benjamin continued to sip his drink occasionally as conversation flowed around him.

  It wasn’t until he realized the conversation halted that he turned to see what everyone else was staring at.

  Katrín.

  At the piano sitting to one side of the room where a small group of musicians had been playing during dinner.

  The first song she played sounded familiar but he didn’t place it until he heard many in the room singing the lyrics to an old hymn. The second was another hymn, though not one he recognized well.

  “Will you play the Overture?” Adeline asked her. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard it.”

  Katrín glanced at him.

  Benjamin tried to give her a reassuring smile, but wasn’t sure he succeeded.

  Her voice drifted to him. “I don’t think I’m quite warmed up enough, and it’s been a while since I’ve played it. I may have to sort of edit a little bit in the more complicated parts.”

  “That’s all right. Except for maybe Benjamin, Genevieve, and Evangeline, none of us will know the difference,” Adeline assured her.

  Katrín looked at him again. Did she want his permission? Approval? Either way, he tried that reassuring smile again and nodded. “It will be amazing, love.” He’d never used the word in this context before, and likely never would again, but he’d heard several of his counterparts say it to their spouses, and it seemed fitting.

  She took a deep breath and stared at her hands. He could almost feel the tension radiating off her. Could everyone else?

  The first notes were soft, much like the first time.

  He took another sip of his drink as the music built, ebbed and flowed, until it reached a crescendo several minutes later.

  Yet, every hair remained in place as Katrín’s fingers flew across the keys. Looking at her, she seemed to remain calm and collected, but Benjamin suspected she trembled inside.

  Had she even played since the wedding? Since the night they met?

  He’d been told her keyboard was returned to her, but between working so hard and her few duties as queen, he doubted she’d had much time for piano playing.

  As the last note died away, the tapestry of King Alfred the First, complete in his suit of armor with his Wulfrith dagger in his hand came to Benjamin’s mind. He avoided that hall whenever possible, but he remembered the look on his ancestor’s face. Stern. Impassive. Much like the face Katrín accused him of making regularly.

  As everyone stood to applaud, Benjamin set his drink down and joined them. He let his face relax into a smile. Several of the women gathered around Katrín as she turned backward on the bench. He could see her face turn pink as she tried to accept their accolades graciously.

  “She’s going with you tomorrow.”

  Benjamin turned to see Genevieve sipping on her own glass of wine. “Pardon?”

  “I’m not attending a party with you when your wife is in the same town and not indisposed.” She smirked at him. “You might even find some tips on how to look more comfortable with the love of your life in public.” With another sip of her wine, she sauntered away.

  Benjamin made his way toward the piano as everyone went back to their knots of conversation.

  Katrín smiled up at him, a nervous smile if he had to guess, the other women moving off. “So?”

  “I think the night we met was a little better, but it was lovely. I do think I’m ready to retire, though. Would you prefer to stay a little longer?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m ready to go.”

  Several people stopped them as they walked out, congratulating them and complimenting Katrín on her music. A few minutes later, Thor led them into their suite.

  Their one-bedroom suite.

  With all the VIPs in town for the party, and most staying at the Lydia House, no one was able to get a larger suite.

  “Will there be someone in the suite all night?” Katrín asked quietly as they walked toward the door separating the bedroom from the living area.

  “Most likely.” Was she planning to sleep in the living area if not? Did he want her sleeping with him?

  “I see.” She grabbed her pajamas, already laid out on the bed, and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

  He took the opportunity to change into his own pajama pants and wished he could do the kind of workout he would at home. It just wasn’t feasible when not at home.

  For the next ten minutes, he skimmed through the news sites wondering if there was anything about his family. He stood and headed for the living area as the bathroom door opened.

  “It’s all yours,” Katrín told him. “I’m done for the night.”

  Benjamin nodded his thanks but left the room. “Thor?”

  Thor looked up from his paperwork. “How can I help you, sir?”

  “Have you heard anything about Isaiah recently?” He sat across from Thor and set his tablet on the table.

  The security man shook his head. “Nothing of consequence, sir. The last report I saw he was living quietly in San Majoria. We, along with the San Majorians, are keeping an eye on him.”

  “Keep me apprised of any new information?”

  “Of course.”

  Benjamin settled back into his seat, pulling the folder for next week’s budget meeting toward him. For nearly an hour, he went through it line by line.

  As he was about to flip to the last page, something caught his eye, making him frown. Clicking his pen, he made a note. He would need to discuss it with Chamberlain at a more civilized hour, then possibly make a few calls - or have Chamberlain make some calls for him.

  Closing the folder, he pushed back from the table. Thor did the same.

  “Sleep well, sir. Someone will be out here all night.”

  “Thank you, Thor.” Benjamin yawned and ran a hand down his face and over his beard. He needed rest before being in public all day.

  He entered the bedroom to find the lights out except for one in the bathroom to let him see where he was going. After finishing his bedtime routine, he walked toward the bed, wondering which side Katrín had chosen.

  When he realized neither side was being slept in, he looked around the room. A lump in a chair near the window told him where Katrín decided to sleep.

  He crouched near the chair. “Katrín? You can’t sleep over here.” Gently, he shook her shoulder. “Katrín?”

  She sat straight up, her forehead hitting his chin.

  “Ow!” They spoke in unison.

  He rubbed his chin as Katrín held a hand to her head. “Are you all right?”

  Katrín winced but nodded. “I’ll be fine. Just hope there’s no bump or bruise there in the morning.”

  Benjamin lightly gripped her chin with his hand and tilted her head so he could see it better in the light from the street. “Let me look.” It was dim, but good enough. “I think you’ll be all right.”

  She moved her head just enough that he could look into her eyes, so dark they were nearly black.

  Before he could think, he brushed his thumb across her lips. “May I?” he whispered.

  Katrín gave a barely perceptible nod.

  He replaced his thumb with his lips, kissing her softly, differently than he had the first few times. His hand slid around to the back her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as she grasped the front
of his t-shirt and kissed him back.

  Katrín woke to light streaming in from behind the curtains on the window. The plush covers were tucked tightly around her. The cocoon-like warmth made it so she never wanted to leave.

  “Thank you.” Benjamin’s voice was soft but carried from across the room just before he closed the door. A few seconds later, she felt him sit on her side of the bed. “Katrín?” His hand rested on her shoulder.

  “I’m awake,” she muttered, but didn’t open her eyes again.

  “You have about twenty minutes before your stylist arrives to help you get ready for the party.”

  She rolled onto her back but kept her eyes closed. “So I’m your plus one after all?”

  “Yes. I’ve been told clothes were sent for you, just in case something changed.”

  “And Genevieve doesn’t want to go? She isn’t friends with Queen Adeline?”

  “I don’t believe so. We’ve never really run in the same crowds, as it were, not like the families from Belles Montagnes do, or us with the other Quad-Countries to a lesser extent.”

  “I see.”

  His fingertips brushed hair back off her forehead. “I’m going to go into the other room to discuss some security details with Thor. You probably need to go ahead and take a shower or whatever else you need to do before your stylist arrives. She’ll work with you in the other room or in my sisters’ room. It won’t take me near as long to get ready.”

  Katrín nodded, her heart skipping a beat as he placed a soft kiss on her brow. When the door closed behind him, she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She stared at the hem of his shirt, the one she wore.

  Part of her wanted to regret what happened the night before, but she couldn’t.

  As much as she wanted to protect herself, protect her heart, she had a feeling she could very easily fall for her husband.

  Not for the man he was, the man he showed the world, but the man he could be, the man she believed he wanted to be.