Time was running out for them. It had already run out in some respects. They certainly couldn’t do the same things they had been doing right here in the palace with Giabella’s children a few doors down from her own rooms.
No, she was back to being queen mother. And he was back to being her secretary, at least for a few more weeks. And he would savor that until he had nothing left.
As the king kissed his wife’s hand then left the room and Giabella stepped away from the rest, she arched an eyebrow toward Dash and he moved to her side. “Yes, Your Majesty?”
She flinched ever so slightly at that return to formality. “The princesses and Queen Ophelia have arranged for a luncheon, and I believe the king wishes to speak to you if you have a moment.”
He glanced toward the door where Grantham had departed. “Of course. Shall we meet again later to discuss tomorrow’s meeting about the decorations for the dissolution of the crown?”
She inclined her head. “Yes, I believe Ophelia wishes to have that discussion after supper. Why don’t you arrange it with her staff?”
She gave him one last meaningful look and then moved to her daughters-in-law with a wide smile. “Have I overheard you two talking about that wonderful pork loin as the main course for lunch? You do know it’s my favorite.”
They all left the room together, laughing and chatting, in high spirits. Dash took a moment alone in the room, drawing a long breath. And that was that. She was off now, out of his reach again. Likely forever.
He tried to ignore the pain of that fact and smoothed his jacket before he headed down the hallway toward the king’s study. He knocked on the partly open door and Grantham’s voice responded from within. “Come.”
Dash stepped inside and found the king not at his desk, but at the window, staring out toward the garden where the ladies were gathering. He had a soft smile on his face, the one he seemed to reserve for Ophelia. In that moment, Dash felt a harsh stab of jealousy.
Grantham could have the future he desired. And Dash? Well…
“You look dreadfully serious,” Grantham said as he faced Dash with an arched brow. “Odd considering I’ve heard from reports from the road that your travels were a smashing success.”
Dash wrinkled his brow. “Reports from the road, Your Majesty?”
Grantham tilted his head. “If you do not think I have spies everywhere, you understand the monarchy less than I believed.”
Dash shifted. Good Lord, what those spies could potentially have reported. He might not have a position to come into if Grantham found out what was happening with Giabella.
“Sit, won’t you?” Grantham said, motioning to the seat across from the desk. He took his own place, steepling his fingers against the wood. “Tell me about the situation in the south.”
Dash drew a breath of relief and quickly recounted what he had observed. Grantham listened closely, asking pointed questions that got to the heart of the matter. And when they were finished with the topic, the king looked pleased.
“Thank you,” Grantham said. “I’m pleased that the situation is calming and that support is high for the new government in the most cantankerous area.”
“You’re held in loving regard, Your Majesty,” Dash said. “As is your mother, of course.”
Grantham snagged his gaze and held there. “Yes. My mother. Shall we discuss the topic of my mother?”
Dash swallowed. “She did well, as always. She even brought Hadley to his knees.”
A flicker of a smile twitched across Grantham’s lips, but faded swiftly. “And what about the two of you?”
Dash forced himself to hold the king’s gaze. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I have heard you two grew…closer…during this trip, Dash,” Grantham said softly. “Would you care to address that?”
Dash gripped the armrests of his chair. “Are you asking as my king? My employer? Or as a son?”
“I don’t think I can parse out the differences at present,” Grantham said. “So I ask as all three.”
“To the king, I would say that your mother did nothing that would ever bring shame to the crown, for so long as it lasts, and comported herself with as much grace as always. As your employee, I would remind you that I still work for the office of the queen, not the king. And if the position we discussed recently is still offered to me, I do not think I would be seen as an employee anymore. So my actions are not directed by you either way.”
Grantham was staring at him, but there was a twitch of a smile on his face rather than anger at his impertinence.
Dash drew a long breath. “And to her son…well, know that I would never hurt her.” He pondered Giabella’s obvious pain with this entire situation and shook his head. “I would never purposefully hurt her.”
“Fair points, all,” Grantham said, leaning back in his chair. “And I suppose you are trying to tell me that whatever is between you is none of my business. Which is true. Except that I adore my mother. I watched her suffer for decades. I would like to see her happy. And since I asked as a son, not just to her…but to…to you.”
Dash’s eyes went wide.
“Yes, I mean what I say,” Grantham said. “You were always far more of a father figure to all of us than the man who shared our blood. And so I look to your happiness as much as hers when I pry. Did you two get closer?”
Dash nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“Good,” Grantham said. “Then the plan worked.”
“The plan?” Dash repeated. “You’re saying you hoped that we would…we would…”
He didn’t know how to describe what had happened in an appropriate way and was pleased when Grantham held up a hand. “Let’s just keep calling it grow closer. For my sake, as much as yours.”
“Fine,” Dash said. “You were hoping your mother and I would grow closer?” He made a face. “This is not a conversation I ever hoped to have with you.”
Grantham snorted a laugh. “Nor I you. I honestly hoped that over the last six months you two might have worked it out for yourselves. And yet you haven’t, and with things about to change, I thought a little push might be in order.”
Dash ran a hand through his hair. “I appreciate your kind words. I appreciate when you tell me that I have been a father in your life. I care deeply for your family.”
“And you love my mother.” Grantham said it as a fact, not a question.
“But in many situations love is not enough,” Dash said softly. “I’ve served her, and she may not have a title as queen after the election, but she will always be queen to those around her.”
“But you will not remain a servant.” Grantham leaned forward. “Taking the position in my government will put you two on more even footing, Dash.”
Dash wrinkled his brow. “Is that why you did it? To give us some chance?”
Grantham shrugged. “I did it because you will be the best man for the job. But the fact that it will even things with my mother is an added bonus.”
“I talked to her about the position,” Dash said. “It did not seem to influence her thoughts on her future. She views whatever happened between us as a temporary thing. And it is over now. The fact is that I doubt I would ever be worthy of her, whether I am minister of the interior or secretary to the queen.”