“She loves the boy, Rachel.”
“I know. She’s wonderful with him, and—”
“And she has a very impressive certificate from a very fancy school.”
Rachel nodded.
“Yes. And you paid her tuition.”
“Mrs. Jensen told you about that?”
“She certainly— Karim! You’re blushing!”
“I am not blushing,” he said, blushing harder.
“First tutoring. Then college. Then nanny school.” She kissed his chin. “You really are a very nice man.”
Karim smiled.
“What I am,” he said, “is a man in desperate need of food.”
“That’s it. Change the subject.” She sighed. “Ethan will have a fine time with Roberta. And you do need food. We both do.”
“I love knowing I’ve given you an appetite.”
It was Rachel’s turn to blush. She put her palms against his chest and gave him a gentle shove.
“I’ll make us some breakfast.”
“And force Mrs. Jensen out of her own kitchen?”
“Oh. I didn’t think of—”
“I’d love to have you make breakfast, sweetheart.”
“But Mrs. Jensen—”
Karim gathered her to him. “I’ll send her to the market.”
Rachel batted her lashes.
“Such a wise man, Your Highness!”
“Training,” he said loftily. “When a man is destined to be king, he knows how to keep the peace.”
Her teasing smile faded.
“For a little while,” she whispered, “I almost forgot that.”