“Or his suite.”
“And when he’s not there, do you frequent those areas?”
I shook my head again. “No. I realize they aren’t locked, but I don’t enter without the prince’s invitation.”
The king stood and turned. “Lucille, this next subject is also personal, but it is a matter of state. The royal physicians have discussed with Roman and he with me that you may have a better chance of conceiving with what the physicians refer to as IUI.”
My breath caught. I had a flash of a memory of Roman mentioning that, but I’d forgotten with all that was currently occurring.
“Of course,” the king went on, “no one would know how the heir was conceived.”
Standing, I lifted my chin. “I do believe this is a discussion for the prince and me.”
“You said you don’t speak. I wasn’t certain if he’d told you that you have an appointment to see Mr. Davies.”
The head royal physician.
Over the last five years, I’d been seen by Mr. Davies as well as other specialists, all searching for the answer of why I hadn’t conceived. The idea of another examination caused the dinner I’d eaten earlier to churn.
“An appointment? When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“My father?” I tried, searching for a reason to postpone.
“Senator Sutton will be here in the afternoon, after your appointment.”
“Afternoon? Roman mentioned he would arrive in the morning.” I honestly wasn’t considering my words. The idea of conceiving a child in a scientific manner had me troubled. “That was why Roman called me here, to see my father. It has been over a year.”
The king’s smile returned. “It seems you two do speak.”
Shit.
I’d said too much.
Taking a breath and curtsying, I added with a grin, “Your Grace, I believe Roman was pacifying me. I truly have pestered him to allow me to take a trip to America.”
“It would be better to wait until after the holidays. There are too many issues at hand.”
“Yes, that’s what Roman said.”
“Lady Kornhall will inform Lady Buckingham of the details regarding your appointment.”
“Of course, sir.”
The king looked around the sides of the gazebo. “It’s far too cool for me to leave you outside.” He offered me his arm. “Let us get to the warmth of the palace.”
Laying my hand on his arm, I nodded. The king spoke of flowering bushes and changing weather as we traversed the garden paths. With my gaze mostly down, I wondered if Roman was near, if he’d heard our conversation. Discussing my inability to conceive was a delicate subject with the real prince, and one I found too personal for a man I’d just met.
“…consider staying in Molave City. The weather prognosticators are predicting an unusually heavy snowfall in the elevations. Monovia could be covered in a meter of snow.”
“If it is your wish, Your Grace.”
“My concern is for your safety, Lucille. You are not a prisoner in the palace. If going back to Monovia is your wish, please do so before the first snow.” He grinned. “Historically, the early snowfalls don’t last too long. The temperature will rise, and travel will again be safe.”
“Good night, Your Grace,” I said with a bow of my head as we entered the palace and warm air caused the king’s glasses to fog.
“I would not be offended, Lucille, to hear you call me Papa in private.”
It was never a title I’d assumed. I referred to my father as Dad, a different endearment for the man who had always been supportive and loving was welcomed.
“It would be an honor.” My smile grew. “Good night, Papa.”
Entering Prince Roman’s and my private apartments, I turned toward the prince’s suite, wondering if he were behind the closed doors. A knock and the opening of the main doors caused me to turn.
“Princess Lucille,” Lady Buckingham said with a smile. “I’m glad you’ve returned. Let me help you ready for night. I’ll draw a bath.”
“Is the prince…have you seen him?”
“No, Your Highness, neither he nor any of his advisors.”
As we entered my suite, Lady Buckingham alerted me of my appointment with Mr. Davies. “At ten, following breakfast.”
“This is a matter I should discuss with the prince.”
“According to Lady Kornhall…”
I wasn’t interested in the justification. “Ask her if I could see Mr. Davies earlier. I don’t want to miss out on my father’s visit.”
“Your father?”
“Yes, he will arrive tomorrow morning.”
“Your Highness, the senator isn’t on tomorrow’s approved schedule.”
“Then add him.”
Lady Buckingham nodded. “I will suggest—”
“Add him,” I said with more conviction than normal. “And move my appointment to eight.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lucille
Awakened and dressed much earlier than usual, I was sitting at the window in my private parlor, sipping tea and eating fruit with toast and jam when the door to the parlor opened.
Roman’s laser-focused stare met mine as he closed the door behind him.
“Your Highness,” I said, standing, and followed with a curtsy.
His deep voice was lowered. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the gazebo last night.”
“I told you not to apologize.”
He reached for my hands. “We’re in private.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
Roman tugged me toward my bedchamber. My suite was the same as his, only reversed. It wasn’t odd that he would know the way. Once inside, he again closed the door to the outer parlor. “I don’t know anymore. I’d hope the Firm would respect the privacy of one’s bedchamber.” His dark eyes opened wide. “I wanted to talk more before this morning’s guest arrives. Are you ready for today’s meeting with your father?”
“Yes, I think. Well, after my appointment with Mr. Davies.”
Roman’s gaze narrowed. “The royal physician. Are you ill?”
“No.” Taking a step away, I turned toward the wall and looked up at the portrait of Theodore Rothiford Godfrey IV in a white gown. All I’d been told was that Prince Theodore was King Theodore and Queen Anne’s first son, who was tragically lost in an accident when he was an infant.
I turned as Roman’s hand came gently to my shoulder. “I wasn’t told.”
My gaze met his. “It’s the same reason I am constantly examined. Mr. Davies and you have apparently discussed trying IUI to improve my chances of conceiving.”
“IUI?”
“Intrauterine insemination.”
His dark eyes closed with a huff.
“Roman?”
“It has not been discussed with me. And in my opinion, the last thing you want is to bring an heir into this circus.”
“But you’re here to make things better.”
“And where will they get the sperm?”
I hadn’t thought of that. “Roman, I presume.” My chin fell to my chest. “This is an uncomfortable discussion.”