Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
“And the king’s.”
He bowed his head. “Of course. When he is here, I shall surely take him into account. When you return from your honeymoon, I hope we can sit down and plan the next few months.”
“What do you know that I don’t?” She wasn’t going to beat about the bush any longer.
The lord chamberlain shrugged, an elegant motion. “I know he’s planning a trip to Hong Kong a few days after you return from your time on the yacht. He’s going to be gone for a week or more and he told security that you would be remaining behind. He’s planning a series of trips and I do believe he intends to take them solo.”
That couldn’t be right. Hanin had simply misunderstood. Kash wouldn’t leave her behind right after their honeymoon. If he had something he needed to do, surely he would have spoken with her about it.
She looked back over the ballroom floor where couples were dancing. The ballroom was glittering and elegant, but Kash was nowhere to be seen. She did, however, note that Jesse Murdoch was standing at the edge of the ballroom, his back to the hallway. He guarded the door that led to the more intimate gathering areas. There were several rooms in this wing that the royals used to entertain heads of states. They were cozy rooms, perfect for a talk with her husband.
She would ask him calmly and he would explain that it was all a mistake. Then they could start their honeymoon early. She was ready to leave the pomp and circumstance behind and focus on Kash. He’d had a long day. He would need some play to alleviate the stresses. She’d seen his forced smile, the stiff way he’d waved to the crowd on the balcony.
“Thank you, Hanin,” she said politely. “I would love to sit down with you and plan everything out. I think we shall have a busy schedule.”
Hanin nodded. “Excellent, Your Majesty. And let me know if you need anything to make this evening even brighter.”
Because they should be heading off to bed in a bit. They would stand together and greet their guests and then retire while the party went on. It was custom.
So many customs. She stepped out onto the floor and was forced to smile and greet people whose names she barely remembered. Her brand new social secretary was across the palace, meeting with the photographers and helping the queen mother select the right photos to be published in the morning.
Where was Kash? He’d kissed her on the cheek and then frowned as he’d gone to dance with yet another guest. He’d been dancing all night long and only once with her. Kash had spent the evening charming all the ladies, and she missed having all that masculine attention to herself.
She worked her way through the crowd, trying to ignore the chatter around her.
“I don’t know. I hope she’s doing this for the right reasons.”
“Such a beautiful wedding. He’s so dreamy. She’s pretty and all but I’m surprised he would marry a commoner.”
“I don’t know. I expected more from her. She’s a bit on the plain side for a man who could have any woman he wanted.”
“The right reason being money and power, since she’s not going to be getting any fidelity from that man. Imagine actually marrying Kash. Not that he isn’t exquisite in bed. I enjoyed my time with him, but the humiliation would be terrible.”
“Who wants to bet how long it is before he’s right back to his playboy ways? As soon as she’s pregnant, he’ll find a way. I’ve heard he’s already seeing that actress again. She showed up at his wedding. What gall.”
Day stopped.
“I can’t believe he walked out with her. Everyone could see the way he was touching her. The poor queen. Not married more than a few hours and her husband is already cheating.”
“Ah, well, we all know he married her because his mother forced his hand. He’ll get her pregnant a few times and then he’ll be done with her.”
She could feel her cheeks heat, humiliation swamping her.
“Don’t listen to them,” a low voice whispered.
She turned and Phoebe Murdoch was standing beside her. Someone had figured out the new queen was walking among them and the gossip was now being whispered instead of openly talked about. She felt a hundred eyes on her and she steeled her spine. She’d stood up to professors who didn’t think she had a place in their world, to parliament members who laughed openly at her suggestions. She wasn’t about to crumble because a few people said some nasty things about her marriage.
Day gave them her brightest smile. “I hope you’re all having a lovely time. His majesty and I are so glad to be surrounded by such supportive friends. I will let him know how much you care about him.”