Leo had won in secret at auction.
But this wedding was a true celebration of life and family.
“I’ll second that,” Malcolm said, tightening his hold on me.
His father took note of his movement, smiling almost wistfully at both of us. “Your mother would be so pleased.” It took me a second, but I realized he was talking about my mother, not the queen. I smiled back at him and he continued, “From the time you were both small, she told me you’d be good for one another.”
This was news to me. “I didn’t even know my mother knew Malcolm.” I tilted my head to see Malcolm’s face, but he just shook his head.
“Oh, yes. You may not remember her, son, but she was always near, tidying away and noticing everything from a distance. Ever the keen observer, she was.” He raised a finger. “And it turned out she was right. Although I don’t think she’d mind if I took a bit of credit for bringing you together.”
My eyes widened as I took in the satisfied expression on King Gregory’s face.
“Perhaps now that I’m retired, I can take up matchmaking full time.” He winked before placing his hand on my arm and moving on to speak with some of the guests.
I turned in Malcolm’s arms and looked up at him. “Did he just say what I thought he said?”
“It looks like I owe him a colossal debt of gratitude.” Malcolm pulled me into him while I attempted to break myself out of my dumbfounded state. I had to blink a few tears back at the thought that even though my mum had been gone for so long, she still found a way to look after me.
A minute later, we were all called in for dinner where more toasts and speeches were made and we enjoyed sumptuous dishes accompanied by soft music and the beautifully decorated atmosphere. After that, however, the party began in earnest with more lively music from a popular local band and a crowded dance floor. Even Carl joined in, performing some of the classics like the twist and the mashed potato, but he was enjoying himself, so that was all that mattered—despite the horrified look on Sadie’s face. I also didn’t miss Nolan dancing with Clara in the corner, something I’d need to keep Malcolm well away from.
“Have I told you you’re looking particularly tasty this evening?” Malcolm came up behind me again, refraining from groping me this time. I’d taken a break from the dance floor and was just watching for the moment.
I turned and rested both hands on his chest, breathing in his spicy cardamom scent and frowning up at him. “You’re not going to start talking about face sitting again, are you? We’re at a wedding, for God’s sake.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that you were the one to bring it up? And here you go again, you naughty, naughty woman.”
He was right, I supposed. I had become a little naughty in the past few months. I’d even surprised Malcolm one afternoon by bringing him a cup of tea in his office stark raving naked—apart from the tiny apron I wore. He’d sputtered into his phone, having to excuse himself from his conversation with the Ambassador to Belgium, promising to ring her later. It was two hours before he’d been free to ring her back.
“Admit it, you love it when I’m naughty.” I pulled him down for a quick kiss.
“Happily. Although I also love it when you boss me around. Always have.” He raised a brow at me. “Push up your glasses and growl at me and I’ll be a goner.”
“Quiet, you.” I laughed into his shirt and he wrapped both arms around me.
“You know, I was thinking,” he spoke into my hair, his trimmed beard no doubt pulling my hair out of its fancy updo, but I didn’t care. “What would you think about being a queen consort?”
I froze in his arms out of instinct. It wasn’t as if we’d never broached the subject before, but never as directly as this. If Malcolm and I married, I’d be queen consort, taking over the title from Queen Elsie as a woman, not of royal blood marrying the king. Queen Elsie would then become Queen Mother. Even the notion of it was a bit mind-blowing when I allowed myself to think about it, which was why I seldom let my mind go there.
But if the past months had taught us anything, it was