With his thumb and forefinger, Roman lifted my gaze to his. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Lucille. I’m concerned.”
“Where were you last night?” I asked.
“The classified information I’m able to access must be done with a deputy of the ministry present. Last night, after you left the dining room, I was summoned to my office by the chief minister. She showed me some recently discovered documents that may help with today’s meeting.”
“With my father?”
“Yes.”
“Is it anything I should know…to help me?” I asked.
Roman exhaled as he took a step back. “You shouldn’t know this.”
“Would it help if I did?”
“It is believed that your father proposed that in the new agreement the US would pay exactly the same as they had for the last seven years, appeasing the budget concerns.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s not good, but also not bad. The less favorable part of his proposal is a suggestion that Molave increases exports by twenty percent per year, exclusively to the US.”
“Pay the same,” I said, “and receive more.” My eyes opened wide. “I remember Roman being upset that the resources were losing value.” I had an idea. “Is this enough information for you to successfully communicate with my father?”
“Potentially. However, I’d like you to try as we planned. My gut is telling me there is more that I should know. Why would the king press this agreement if he had this information? He knows who I am. Does he not want me to succeed?”
I lifted my hand to his cleanly shaved cheek. “You will succeed.”
Taking my hand, Roman kissed my palm.
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Cancel the medical appointment,” Roman said. “Tell them I forbid it.”
“You would not, Your Highness.”
His smile grew. “Tell them you will conceive the old-fashioned way.”
Warmth filled my cheeks. “So far, that hasn’t worked. I had the appointment moved to eight.” I looked down at my watch. “Soon. I will be back here before nine.”
“I’ll escort Senator Sutton to our private apartment.”
“I cannot bring him into my bedchamber.”
Roman nodded. “Perhaps a stroll? The sun is mercifully shining today.”
“Molavian winters are dark.”
“It gets worse?” he asked with a smile.
“Much worse.” I knew my time was limited. “Roman, the king spoke to me last night. He appeared while I was in the gazebo. He asked about you.” Being perfectly transparent with this man was easier than it should be. There was his familiarity as well as his improved personality.
The tiny fissures of worry formed near Roman’s dark eyes. “What about me?”
“He asked how you seemed. I told him the same, that we rarely speak. However, I did let it slip that I knew my father would arrive in the morning.”
Roman’s nostrils flared. “That can be explained.”
“I did. I hope. I told him you were pacifying me. I’d made my displeasure known that any trip to America would be delayed.”
He nodded. “Very good.”
There was a knock and we both turned toward the opening door.
“Leave us,” Roman bellowed a millisecond after Lady Buckingham’s gaze went to both of us.
“Your Highnesses…” Her voice trailed away as the door closed.
“I must go,” I said, looking at my watch.
Roman reached for my hand. “Will they complete the procedure today?”
“It’s not the right time,” I said, looking down.
“Good.”
My lips curled as I glanced upward. “Why do you care?”
“I don’t know, Lucille. I should have walked away. I should be on a beach in sunny Southern California. I’m a foreigner here but know that I do care. I want to concentrate on the senator, but now I’m concerned about your appointment.”
“Don’t be. I’ve had more examinations in the last four and a half years than in my entire life. Mostly, this subject upsets you.”
He grinned. “Of course it does. Everything does.” He lifted my hand to his firm lips, brushing my knuckles with a soft kiss. “Come to my offices once you’re done. I’ll inform Lady Buckingham.”
Following my examination, I dressed and waited for the chief royal physician. Five steps one direction and four the other. I paced the small room. Finally, the knock came to the door.
“Come in,” I commanded, standing tall as Mr. Davies entered.
“Your Highness, we have confirmed that you’re not currently with child.”
I didn’t think I was pregnant; nevertheless, the verification never came as a relief.
“Based on your menstruation…” Mr. Davies went on to explain the timing of the procedure and what was involved.
“And you’re certain the prince approves?” I asked.
“While he should have told you that himself, yes. The procedure has reached the highest level of approval.”
Highest level—King Theodore.
The doctor went on, “Use the app the nurse installed on your phone and record your temperature every morning upon waking. In ten days, we will complete the procedure. However, if it doesn’t succeed the first time, the information we’re gathering through the app will help us the following month.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“And one more thing.”
“Yes.”
“The prince will be informed that during this period as your body prepares for fertilization, no intercourse.”
My lips came together at the realization. This wasn’t as much about the IUI as it was preventing Roman—the new Roman—and me from having sex.
Did someone know about the act we gave Lady Buckingham yesterday?
That question and others swirled through my thoughts as I left the exam room. I met Lady Buckingham waiting outside the infirmary. Her gray gaze met mine with a smile and curtsy. As we made our way through the palace toward Roman’s offices, I questioned the woman at my side, wondering who I could trust, indeed if there was anyone.
When we reached the official offices of the crown prince of Molave, the guard outside the door granted us passage with a bow after addressing me with the usual title. I’d expected to wait or to go into one of the many rooms within the office suite. Instead, my father was seated on a sofa with a cup of tea at his side.
As the secretaries who were present stood and curtsied, my father’s blue eyes opened wide as I came into his view.
With a grin, he stood, bowed his head, and looked up, his smile even larger. “Lucille.”
Forgetting about the audience, I hurried to his arms. Relief and comfort flooded my circulation as he held me in an embrace.
When I pulled away, I took a step back, the excitement in my voice impossible to disguise. “Dad, I just learned you were to be here.” I looked around. “Where is Roman? How is Mom? Why couldn’t she come along?”
Lucille
“The prince was called away as soon as I arrived,” my dad said with a slight smile. He patted my hand now on his arm. “It’s a welcome surprise that I get to visit with the princess.”