least I didn’t have a headache. On the other hand, if Victoria waited inside for me, I’d likely develop one on the spot. We’d fallen into a routine of treating one another with civility in the presence of others while remaining as silent as possible when we were alone. Email and text had become our preferred manner of communication, but we’d need to find a tolerable way to work together if I were to impart enough of my experience in the short time allotted. Though I now understood that Malcolm’s reason for dragging me from America was to guide him through his public speaking fear, I felt it necessary to still complete the original assignment I’d been given. Even if I didn’t like Victoria, she’d be the one to stay with Malcolm after the coronation, and I didn’t fancy the idea of him being unhappy in any way.
Matthias stopped beside me and ran a hand over his beard as he appeared to search for the right words. “Um, unusual is how I’d characterize the prince today.”
I bit my lip. That could be good or bad. “Does he appear troubled?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He huffed out a small laugh and dropped his hand. “Good luck, Miss.” Then he continued down the marble hall, leaving me more wary than ever.
I smoothed the front of my crisp blouse, noting as I’d done for the past few days how much these new push-up bras did for my confidence. The saleswoman had done such an excellent job helping me find the right size and fit to even out my body’s proportions, I’d splurged and purchased half a dozen in a variety of colors. Tilly would be proud.
But all the push-up confidence I had wouldn’t be enough if Malcolm was in one of his turbo-charged states where an impromptu skydiving trip over the North Sea sounded like a productive morning activity.
Turning the knob slowly, I pulled in a deep breath and swung the door open.
The first thing I noticed was his small dining table set with two place settings and—was that a plate of cannoli? Sure enough, the Italian dessert sat amongst several accompanying covered platters, along with a large coffee carafe and a bowl of freshly cut fruit. My stomach immediately growled at the sight.
I closed the door behind me before walking to the kitchen to see if Victoria was somehow behind this. Malcolm generally ate breakfast either with one of his siblings or by himself where he made do with toast and coffee over his morning paper in his armchair.
But Victoria was nowhere to be found. The music sounding from the bedroom told me I’d find Malcolm there, so I proceeded down the hall and knocked on his door.
“Good morning, sir.” I raised my voice to be heard above the music as I faced the closed wood door.
No answer. It occurred to me only then that he’d probably brought a woman home from the dinner or wherever he’d chosen to go after. That would explain the breakfast perfectly. My head went a bit light so I leaned forward to rest my forehead against the wood of the door to steady myself. It wasn’t like him at all to bring someone back to the palace, but I’d been gone four months. A lot can change in four months. My affection and jealousy, however, appeared not to be among those things.
You are floating on a sturdy boat, the rolling sea lulling you to sleep as the sun warms your skin. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Before I could get my bearings, the door swung inward with a whoosh and I stumbled forward. But two strong hands on my upper arms stopped me from falling, and before I could think or utter a word, I was being pulled forward and a pair of warm lips landed on mine in a hard kiss.
It was over practically before it began, and then I found my nose buried in a firm, bare chest sprinkled with soft hair, the familiar cardamom scent filling my nostrils while muscular arms tightened around me.
“Good morning, Alice!” Malcolm straightened, pulling me off my feet and swinging me back and forth like a rag doll. My heart banged at my ribcage while I tried to catch up. Where was the woman? Was Malcolm even wearing trousers? Oh, God, please let him be wearing trousers or this was about to become very, very awkward.
My feet finally found the floor and he released me, pulling back but taking both my