A Royal Scandals Christmas by Nicole Burnham

Author:Nicole Burnham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nicole Burnham

It was the cracking of her voice that got him more than the tears. The pads of his thumbs went to the soft skin below her eyes, blotting away the moisture at the same time she squeezed her lids shut in frustration.

Did she have any idea how strong and beautiful she was?

“Who do you think you let down?”

“My family. Myself. And apparently you.”

“You didn’t let me down. Left me confused, but not down.” He allowed his forehead to fall against hers. “You didn’t let down your family, either. You said it yourself. You did what you felt was necessary to keep the peace…not that it should’ve been necessary. Mark’s a big boy. You’re not responsible for him.”

He felt rather than saw her jaw working as she gathered herself. “This is all water under the bridge. I shouldn’t—”

“Because it’s not only about Mark, is it?” The realization smacked him even as he’d told her she wasn’t responsible for him. But the only other people in her family were her father, who’d died years before, and her mother, who’d died only days before April accepted Fabrizia’s offer. The woman for whom April had done everything in those last days. “You did everything you could possibly do for your parents.”

“Thank you for saying that, but—” She tensed, then turned to the side.

“But—?”

“Your phone is ringing.”

“I don’t care.”

“Look at the screen.”

Irritated, he glanced past her to where his phone rested on the countertop. The private number displayed was one he recognized instantly, though it was one he’d only seen a handful of times before. It was the last thing he’d expected on Christmas Day.

He snagged it from the counter and answered, “Your Highness?” at the same time April slipped from his grasp.

“Good day, Rock,” Queen Fabrizia’s rich voice came over the line. “I understand you’re on the yacht.”

The security guards registered all the comings and goings on the dock, but he had no idea that Queen Fabrizia made that information her business. “I decided to give the New Year’s Eve menu a test run. If it’s a problem, I can clear out immediately.”

“Not at all. But I do hope you have some holiday time planned?”

“Of course, Your Highness.” He asked a polite question about her Christmas, though his attention remained on April, who gave his sauce a quick whisk before checking the chicken through the oven’s glass door.

“You’ve done an excellent job on the Libertà. Prince Bruno said the get-together he hosted yesterday went well.”

“Thank you. I’m glad he enjoyed it.”

April motioned toward the green beans before lifting the pot he planned to use to steam them and raising a brow. He nodded, wondering where Queen Fabrizia was taking the conversation. The fact she’d taken time from her Christmas festivities to call him meant it was important.

“I spoke with Dominic yesterday. I wish for the news to remain quiet, but he will officially retire this spring. I’d like to offer you his position.”

April had her back to him, but he knew she could hear every word on his side of the conversation.

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