Playing the Royal Game

Why she climbed out of bed to get dressed herself, for now that the initial shock was wearing off, now that the people’s verdict was sinking in, she wanted to speak with Alex before he spoke with the king.

She wanted to speak with her fiancé.

* * *

The king considered it a done deal.

‘We need to set a wedding date.’ He was pacing, distracted, when Alex came into his study. ‘I want you to speak with Antonio, to go through our schedules....’

‘We’re nowhere near ready to be speaking of dates,’ Alex said. ‘Allegra needs time to get used to things, to really see if this is the life for her.’

‘It became her life when you put that ring on her finger,’ the king said. ‘It became her life when you ended things with Anna. It’s not open for discussion any more. I’ve got enough on my mind without pandering to your fiancée—Prince Rodriguez is arriving tomorrow to meet Sophia.’

‘So?’

‘Your sister has disappeared and now I cannot get through to Matteo either.’ He looked to his son. ‘Last I saw him was with that Jackson girl, the one who was singing—’

‘Izzy,’ Alessandro said.

‘The palace is in a shambles. We need to give the press something to distract them. As soon as they hear the wedding date, that is all they will talk about.’

‘I am not giving a date just to appease—’

‘You are engaged!’ The king swung around. ‘Under the circumstances you should be grateful the news has been so well received by the people. Now, I think sooner is better.’

‘There will be no announcement till I have discussed things with Allegra.’

‘Why would you need to discuss things with her?’

Alex gritted his teeth. ‘Because it is the twenty-first century.’ He gave a grim smile as his mother joined them.

‘The people are delighted.’ She greeted him warmly. ‘You must be thrilled.’

‘Allegra’s feeling a bit overwhelmed,’ Alex attempted. ‘I think last night gave her a glimpse into how it might be and she’s not sure that’s she’s suited.’

‘Then ensure that she is,’ the king snapped. ‘Can she lose that accent?’ he said. ‘Preferably by lunchtime.’

‘It’s not just her accent,’ Alex said. ‘You’ve seen her family. Her father—’

‘I had tea with Mr. Jackson this morning.’ The queen smiled. ‘He’s actually rather charming.’

Alex was tired of flogging the ‘it’s clear she’s totally unsuitable for this life’ angle. ‘It’s not just Allegra feeling it—it was a mistake. Last night has shown me that. I’m taking her back to London.’

‘Running away again! Shirking your responsibilities!’ The king was not about to let this happen.

‘Hardly. I run a multibillion—’

‘Don’t try to impress me with figures. They do not come close to Santina’s worth. This is your duty, and you will not shirk it a moment longer.’ He was harsh, but he knew his son was needed, knew what a wonderful ruler he would make. And there was an element of truth in the papers—the royal family wasn’t as beloved as it had been. The king knew that and he wanted his son to step in and help, but he could never admit that. ‘It’s too late to change your mind. You wanted the engagement, you chose this path. Now you either make a date for the wedding and live here in Santina with your bride or you leave and go back to London.’

‘Fine.’ It was actually far easier than Alessandro had thought. They would leave this afternoon; he’d stay in London till things had calmed down. Alex turned, ready to head back to Allegra, to tell her the news—except his father hadn’t quite finished yet. He wanted Alessandro here.

‘I am not subjecting the people of Santina to two broken engagements from their heir.’

‘Meaning?’

‘We had two sons for a reason.’ Alex glanced to his mother, saw the humiliation scald her cheeks, for that was how his father spoke at times. He might love his daughters but bitter had been his disappointment that they had not been sons. ‘If you end things with your fiancée, I insist you step aside.’