Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“I can’t ignore an opportunity.”

“We have had a long-standing agreement. And our trade goes well beyond financial gains. We are allies in many ways.”

He raised his eyebrows. “We are. We have history.”

“I also expect that to mean we have a future. You don’t have that with Portugal.”

“They are extending pearl activity.”

I scoffed. “Pearls? That’s what this is about? You want access to our oyster reefs.”

He nodded. “You know the situation in the islands. They’ve been over-harvested. It’s going to take decades to reclaim the oyster beds. We have dedicated funds going to science, but I don’t know that we have that kind of time. We’re known for our pearls.”

I scratched the back of my head. It was a slippery slope. Allowing the Bostiques into our waters would require heavy regulation. I’d need to speak to our own environmental team. Consult our conservationists. I wouldn’t destroy Galona just to keep a shipping contract.

Just then the service entry opened and a waiter appeared with a cart of food. He rolled toward us, presenting the trays.

Our discussion paused while the food was laid out in front of us, along with a bottle of Spanish wine. I knew the chef had paired it with the meal.

Paul grinned. “Please, let’s eat.”

Fuck. I was never getting out of here.

***

The lights in the first floor rooms were dim by the time the prime minister left for his hotel. The ballroom doors were locked. The library was dark. I walked to the residence elevator.

There was a quick salute from security before I entered the carriage.

I turned on the light as soon as I arrived in the residence. I didn’t expect it to be quiet. I didn’t expect it to be empty.

I expected to see Molly.

I checked the balcony before combing my suite. I reached for the royal line.

“Sutcliffe,” I snapped.

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Where is Miss Washington?”

“I’m sorry, sir. Miss Washington?”

I exhaled. “My guest, Sutcliffe. Where is she?”

“Oh. The young woman wandering around the palace.”

I clenched my fist. “Where is she?”

“Sir, we had no instructions. Security followed royal protocol.”

I gritted my teeth. “What does that mean exactly?”

“She left, your majesty.”

The irritation made the vein in my temple throb. “Why didn’t you ask my input?”

“Sir, it seemed as if the meeting with the prime minister was in a delicate state. And again, we had no instructions. I couldn’t be certain she was your guest. She was not on the royal roster. How did I know she wasn’t a lost tourist?”