Stealing Kisses With a King (Kings of Carolina #3)- Sylvie Stewart Page 0,36

tread carefully. “Good. Anything else you can think of that’s caused you difficulty recently?”

“Just the usual. Andrew and Trevor having no sense of humor, my mother threatening to end me, my father’s illness, Leo and Ruby’s seeming inability to locate a room with a closed door before they maul one another. And the small matter of preparing for a job I never wanted.”

I exhaled and considered him. His mood had lifted enough for him to make jokes, so that was a good sign, but he still lacked the exuberance he normally displayed. “Well, I doubt we can change any of those things, so let’s just tackle the public speaking, shall we?”

We nodded at one another in agreement and I began gathering my things so I could organize myself and dive in.

“Alice.” The graveness in his tone stopped me, and I glanced up at him again. “No one else knows besides you, and you must promise to keep it that way.”

“Absolutely. I promise.” I hoped my brief smile was properly reassuring. Although, if I was unable to make progress in the coming days, I’d be obligated to call in outside help. Malcolm being unable to speak at his own coronation—or at any important public event—was simply unthinkable. He’d stand on that balcony and address his people with the confidence of a king if I had to strike a deal with the devil to make it so.

“Thank you, Alice.”

There was nothing to say, so I nodded again before swiping up my bag and hurrying from the room. It was time to make a plan.

Chapter 10

Malcolm

Taking the time off to fly to America meant the next two days were hectic and tiring. There was no time for anything but shaking hands, kissing babies, and weighing in on issues ranging from the appointment of funds to charitable foundations to the question of whether the Feldlands was ready to designate a national dog breed. Luckily, I did remember to pipe in Feldish folk music to my office and order Thai spring rolls for lunch yesterday. Anyone witnessing Alice eating them could be forgiven for thinking she was having an orgasm instead of consuming a meal.

I’d had to put Nolan off yet again for surfing, and I feared I’d miss the rest of the season entirely. I supposed I’d better get used to it as I had little recollection of my father ever doing much of anything outside his family obligations and duties to the crown. One thing I had managed to fit in were my morning workouts, as my level of grumpiness tended to increase when I missed them, and nobody wanted that. Mitchell, my tailor, all but moved into the palace with all the fittings required for not only the coronation but the numerous dinners and visits associated with the occasion. He was the only man I trusted to go near my favorite parts with pins and shears. Luckily, he was good company and told the most indiscreet stories about his celebrity clients.

On another positive note, Victoria and Alice now appeared almost cordial to one another, which relieved me greatly. In fact, Victoria didn’t so much as grind her teeth when Alice removed all the red ties from my dressing room. Now they were off reviewing some list or another, leaving me my first moment alone since I’d awoken this morning with possibly the worst case of morning wood I’d had since my teenage years. The Captain had been at full mast for what felt like ages until I was able to find some relief in the shower and talk him down. I suspected it was the result of some dream or another, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember what I’d dreamt. Pity, that, as it must have been quite sensational given the result.

“You’re looking cheerier than when I last saw you.” Leo strode through my office door unannounced, wearing jeans and a Crankshaft t-shirt with an open shirt over it. “There’s not a woman under your desk, is there?”

“Sadly, no. Just trying to remember something.” I gave my head a small shake, not wanting to discuss my hard-on with my brother. “I didn’t realize you’d returned.”

“Yes. I, uh…” He rubbed the back of his neck and scanned the floor. “I thought I’d attend the dinner tonight.”

Since when did any of us purposely free our schedules to attend yet another boring dinner party?

“Which dinner is that?” I could have brought up the schedule, but I wasn’t taking my eyes off Leo