Secrets of a Prince (The Princes of New Sargasso #3) - Carol Moncado Page 0,36
“She went about ten days without seeing another person around the time of the wedding. I promised her I’d be there a lot more, and I have been.”
“Ten days is a long time not to talk to another person.”
“I know. Minnie and I talked about it at length, and I promised it wouldn’t happen again. There’s nothing more I can do about it at this point except keep my word. Which reminds me, where is she?”
“She’s been shown to the Green Sitting Room.”
“What’s the plan from here?”
“She’ll be welcome here. We can protect her better here than at the apartment, should anyone discover that she’s with you. The marriage record is in the public database. It’s only a matter of time before someone figures it out, and it goes public.”
“I know. I was hoping it would slide under the radar a while longer, though, but it’s not impossible that the earl would find out and come after her. He’s already asked me at least twice if I know where she is. I’ve managed to avoid lying, but barely.”
“What’s your plan?”
Joss slumped back in his chair. “I didn’t really have one long-term. But now, I suppose the real question is, what’s your plan?”
“Most likely one we come up with together would be best, but long-term? Do you see a life with this woman? Growing old together? Having more children together?”
Something he and Minnie hadn’t ever talked about - not even the one they’d already lost, not really.
“I don’t know?”
“That’s something you should have thought about before you contacted your friend, much less discussed the possibility of marriage with Lady Waterford.”
Joss felt like a pre-teen being reprimanded by the principal. “I know, but it’s too late for that now.”
“Then where do you go from here? What’s your plan?”
He sat up and slumped forward. “Talk to Minnie, I guess.”
“That seems like a good first step.”
Something else occurred to Joss. “What time did you pick her up?”
His father shrugged. “We left the apartment a little before noon.”
Joss’s eyes narrowed. “And you’ve left her alone in the Green Sitting Room since then?”
His father shook his head. “She had access to food from the kitchen. Your mother and sister were supposed to check in on her, as was Rosie, though I didn’t tell them why they needed to stop in there.”
Joss pushed up from his chair. “So you don’t know if they did?”
His father followed suit. “No. I’ve been in meetings and on phone calls ever since.”
Without waiting for his father, Joss stormed out of the office and headed for his wife.
14
As she tried to look un-awkward, Minnie faced both Joss and the king as they walked into the room.
“Hey,” Joss started quietly. “Has my mother or anyone been here?”
Minnie shook her head. “No. Just the people who brought me some food.”
The king frowned. “My deepest apologies. I sent word for several of my family members to stop in and see you, so you wouldn’t be alone all day. I’m not certain why no one did, but I’ll be looking into it.”
Minnie shook her head. “It’s not a big deal. Please don’t worry about it.”
The look on the king’s face said he’d still find out the reason why, but Minnie suspected it was because none of them wanted to talk to her.
“You have a choice, of course, but I would prefer you stay here for the time being. Until we get everything sorted out with your father, it’s safer. Someone will discover the marriage registration, and he’ll start looking for you. We can protect you better here. We pray the need for protection won’t arise, but it well could.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Joss sat next to her while the king took a seat in one of the chairs. “I will be scheduling a time for both of you to come in so we can discuss this in great detail, but it will probably be a couple of days before I can clear enough time. Meantime, your belongings will be here in the morning. You’ll be staying in Joss’s apartment for the time being.”
Minnie nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
At least he wasn’t throwing her out on her rear.
She decided to be bold. “Is it possible to get my phone and tablet back?”
He looked surprised. “You don’t have them back already?”
Minnie shook her head. “No, sir.”
After sending a quick text, he apologized that her items hadn’t been returned. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“Not officially. I ordered a snack because I didn’t know what to expect for dinner, but they sent