Secrets of a Prince (The Princes of New Sargasso #3) - Carol Moncado Page 0,7

never actually heard the serious tone directed at him before.

Joss took the seat Caleb had vacated. “What’s going on?”

“Lady Waterford?” Now, his father’s tone was serious but kind.

It confused Joss. Why had the tone changed?

Lady Waterford stared at her hands. “Caleb and Rosie told me the two of you switched places the night of the book release party.”

Joss glanced back at his father. She already knew that. Why was she acting like it was news?

“I apologized to Rosie for that a while back, but I don’t suppose I ever apologized to you. I am sorry for allowing you to believe I was Caleb.”

“I found out about a week and a half later that I was pregnant.” She still didn’t look at him, but something in her voice told him there was far more to the story, even as he tried to assimilate the words she said into coherent thoughts in his own head.

And when the reality of it slammed into the front of his brain, Joss felt like he’d been sucker punched. “You’re pregnant?” he whispered. “You’re having my baby?”

“Since you’re not denying the possibility, I presume it is possible for you to be the father of Lady Waterford’s child?” his father asked.

Bile rose in his throat at the sound of his father’s disappointment - nothing Joss hadn’t said to himself a thousand times after both evenings spent with Lady Waterford. “It’s possible,” he confirmed.

“I miscarried early on.”

Another punch to Joss’s gut hurt worse than the first one.

“I’ve asked your father that the family cover my medical expenses and compensate for pain and suffering.”

The only thing Joss could do was nod. It was the least they could do.

“Lady Waterford has provided me with copies of her medical bills, which will be reimbursed as soon as possible. However, the number she has requested for pain and suffering will need to be discussed.”

That surprised Joss. The number she was asking for must be astronomical. If it were reasonable, his father would just pay it.

Not buying silence or devaluing the life that ended almost before it begun, but because it was the right thing to do.

“Lady Waterford, my family and I extend our deepest sympathies over the loss of your child. Please allow me time to discuss this with my son and my advisors before we meet again. While I agree it is our duty to further compensate you for the pain and suffering caused through the loss of the child, I also believe we can come to an agreement on a more equitable number.”

Lady Waterford stood. “Please contact me when you’ve reconsidered.”

Before either of them could say anything, she stood and walked out of the office.

“I know,” Joss said before his father could say anything else. “I made a stupid mistake and now we’re paying for it.”

“Financially, you’ll be paying for it.” His father let loose with a deep sigh. “I’d imagine you’ll be paying for it emotionally for quite some time as well.”

Heaviness and grief settled over Joss. “I would imagine you’re right.”

“However, as the monarch, I have to consider the political implications as well. Discussions about money in a situation like this are a political tinderbox, especially when Lady Waterford came in with such an outrageous amount.” He shook his head. “I was prepared to give her whatever she wanted, until I saw the number.”

“How much?”

His father handed over a sheet of paper. Joss whistled his astonishment. “I know I live a privileged life when it comes to finances, but even I know that’s an extremely significant sum of money.”

“Enough to run the palace - staff, utilities, security, everything - for a pretty long time.”

“How many people are on staff here?”

“About a hundred, including executive staff and security.”

“Why did she ask for so much?”

His father shook his head. “I’m inclined to think her father is behind the number, though I don’t know why. I suspect there’s something more at play.”

Joss stood. “I need to talk to her.”

The king held up a hand. “No. I don’t want you to speak privately with her until this is settled.”

“Why?”

“This all has to be completely above board. If there’s any accusations of improper influencing or attempted influencing of her decision, the repercussions would be bad. Once we’ve reached an agreement, the two of you need to have a long discussion.”

“We’re both supposed to be at the grand re-opening of that children’s library in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, we’ll have reached an agreement by then, and we could take some time afterward to really