Her hand stayed in the air for the longest time.
‘I know who you are.’
The Italian accent that sounded so cute on screen was harsh in real life. Maria’s eyes swept up and down Ruby with obvious distaste. The dress that had felt so perfect upstairs suddenly felt old-fashioned and overdone.
This was a woman who had charmed in every interview Ruby had ever watched. She exuded elegance and grace. But the look she was giving Ruby now held none of those things.
She moved closer, still ignoring Ruby’s outstretched hand. Her voice lowered. ‘So how did you do it? How did little Plain Jane manage to catch the Prince’s eye?’ She sneered. ‘Or was it just too easy for him to do the hired help?’ The vulgar words were spat out. ‘Lydia Merr told me about you. She said you weren’t even eye candy—and she was right.’
Ruby had never been a girl for conflict. But if she’d been any other place, at any other time, she would have punched the perfect Maria clean in the face. Alex had warned her that Mrs Merr was a renowned gossip, and it seemed their kiss hadn’t gone unnoticed.
For the first time that night she drew herself up to her full height. She almost felt her dress lift from the floor. Up close, Maria wasn’t so perfect. Botox had made her eyebrows arch unevenly. Her suntanned skin couldn’t hide the wrinkles around her eyes.
Ruby lifted her hand up to her ears and smiled sweetly, though she knew her eyes would be shooting daggers. She’d dealt with too many difficult patients and members of staff over the years to simper around a woman like this.
‘I guess some of us have hidden talents, Maria. Or maybe our core values and ethics are just apparent.’ She let her fingers run over the sparkling drop diamonds. ‘Do you like the earrings Alex gave me to wear? They were his mother’s.’
The diamonds were elegant, in contrast; the bling from Maria was almost blinding her.
She met the cold grey eyes with another smile. ‘I always think that less is more, don’t you?’
She didn’t wait for an answer—just turned and walked away, ignoring the stifled noise of indignation behind her.
Ruby never behaved like that. But something had burned inside her. Was it the way Maria had looked at Alex? Or her total disrespect for Ruby?
Her stomach flipped over. Would this be something she would need to get used to?
She almost stumbled over her feet. Where had that thought come from? This was their first official outing together. It might lead to nothing.
But all of a sudden, even after all their talks and all this time, Ruby felt woefully unprepared. Alex had said nothing to her, but this almost felt like a test to see how she would do. A test she was about to fail spectacularly if her exchange with Maria was anything to go on.
She looked around the room. She didn’t have a single friend here.
It was a sobering thought.
And all of a sudden she felt very alone. When was the last time she’d spoken to Polly?
She was planning on spending Christmas with her parents in France—that was only a few weeks away—but for the first time since she’d got here she missed her colleagues, she missed her friends, she missed her flat.
It was this. It was here—standing in this room with hundreds of people and the only person who had her back was Alex.
It was as if he felt the vibe across the room. He looked up and his gaze met hers, and he gave her a quizzical are-you-all-right? look. It was impossible, but she felt as if she could see the bright blue of his eyes even from this distance.
He started to walk towards her and her feet automatically moved in response. All she could do was smile. It didn’t matter who else was in the room. The only person who mattered was Alex. And he was looking at her as if he felt exactly the same way.
The voices, the jewels, the chatter all around her just faded to background noise. Her smile was getting broader by the second. It was the strongest urge, the greatest pull she’d ever felt. Like metal being drawn towards a magnet from a million miles away.
Several people tried to talk to him as he made his way towards her, but Alex didn’t even blink—he just kept his eyes focused entirely on her.
Seconds later he filled her entire view. For another second both of them hesitated. Then his arms were around her waist, her hands were resting on his shoulders.
‘Are you okay?’
‘I am now.’
She’d never felt more sure of anything. This time there was a hush in the room. Their actions had attracted everyone’s attention.
But Alex’s bright blue eyes were still fixed on hers. ‘You’re the most beautiful woman in the room, Ruby.’
His voice was low, for her ears only.
‘That’s the way I always feel around you,’ she murmured.
‘Good.’
His lips met hers. She could hear the audible gasps around her but she didn’t care. Alex was kissing in her in front of everyone. Alex was making his intentions clear.
It was as if she could soar. Soar above the shocked faces in the ballroom and soar above the pink palace. The kiss in Paris had been special—had been electric—but this kiss was everything. He spun her around as he kissed her and they both started to laugh. Knowing entirely how it looked.
He pulled his lips back, their noses still touching. ‘You’re mine, Ruby Wetherspoon. And the whole world knows it.’
‘And you’re mine right back.’
She’d never thought she’d say those words. She’d never thought she’d believe them. But this moment was hers. Hers and Alex’s.
‘I don’t really want to look around,’ she said. ‘I don’t want anyone to spoil what’s happening between us.’
His eyes were still fixed on her face. He was smiling. ‘Who could do that?’
It was almost as if a gong had sounded. Some ancient clanging noise reverberating around the room. But it was actually the opposite.
Silence. Pure and utter silence.
No one was talking. No one was murmuring. All she could hear was her and Alex breathing. Every tiny hair on her arms stood on end. It was as if someone were walking over her grave.
‘Alex?’
He looked up and his hands dropped from her waist. There was an elderly couple standing in the doorway. Immaculately regal. Both were staring at Alex.
It took her a few seconds. She’d never met or seen pictures of Sophia’s parents. But for a reaction like this it had to be them.
She glanced nervously at Alex. How much had they seen? Had they seen him kiss her, or just hold her?
Those few seconds whilst he gathered himself seemed to stretch into hours. She saw everything. The fleeting moment of panic followed by the worry of what to do next.
Her heart plummeted. He’d been carried away. He hadn’t thought of the consequences of kissing her in front of everyone. This was a disaster.
Every eye in the room flicked between them and Sophia’s parents.
She heard Alex suck in a deep breath, then his hand moved over and took hers.
The feeling of skin against skin was unexpected. Her gaze fixed on their hands as he intertwined their fingers. He moved forward in long strides and she struggled to keep up, having to gather her dress in her hand to stop it from tangling around her feet again.
He gave a courteous bow to the King and Queen. ‘Ruby Wetherspoon, I’d like you to meet Annabelle’s grandparents—King Henry and Queen Isabelle of Leruna.’
Her brain was racing. What on earth would they think of her?
There were a few expanding seconds of silence. Then their immaculate breeding kicked into place.
The King gave a nod of his head, ‘Ms Wetherspoon.’
The Queen took a little longer. But her wide-eyed look had disappeared. Ruby could almost tell that to this woman composure was e
verything.
She held out a hand towards her. Ruby felt a second of panic—was she supposed to shake it or kiss it?
Alex made the tiniest movement and she reached out and shook the Queen’s hand. Something from fairytales long ago made her curtsy. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Queen Isabelle.’
As she stood up it was clear the Queen was regarding her carefully. Her heart was fluttering madly in her chest. If she didn’t calm down soon she’d end up in a crumpled heap on the floor. She felt as if the whole room was watching her. Anything she did right now would be crucial. Her actions and demeanour would temper what everyone in the room thought of her.
It was as if a lightbulb had gone off in her head. All of a sudden she realised just how much of a chance Alex had taken on her.
She sucked in a breath. She was worthy. She was worthy of his faith in her. She just had to show it.
She was still holding the Queen’s hand, and Isabelle’s eyes were starting to smart with disapproval.
Despite her glittering tiara and her sumptuous silver gown, Ruby knew a clear way to connect with this woman. In her job she’d managed to charm the most difficult family members over the last ten years, and she could do it again now.
‘It’s been a pleasure to work with Annabelle these last few months. She’s such a wonderful little girl and she’s making real progress.’
Isabelle looked a little startled at the familiarity. People probably didn’t speak to her like this. But as soon as Annabelle’s name was mentioned it was clear she was interested.
‘You’re the speech therapist.’ There was just the slightest hint of distaste—as if she were trying to put Ruby in her place.
‘She’s my friend.’ Alex’s words were quiet, but firm. Shooting a crystal-clear message across the tension-laden air. It was like a subtle counter-attack.
But this woman with decades of experience didn’t even blink. Her eyebrows rose a little. ‘Progress? Is she starting to talk?’
She was clearly surprised.
Ruby nodded and moved closer to her, away from the prying ears that were straining all around the room to hear their conversation.
Alex shot her a look that was a cross between pure relief and pleading, and with an almost imperceptible nod engaged the King in conversation, leading him over towards a drinks tray.
Ruby held out her hand to let the Queen lead the direction of their steps, and was unsurprised to find her leading them towards the entrance to another room filled with antique mahogany chairs. The door was closed quickly behind them by one of the palace attendants.
The Queen settled herself in one of the chairs and arranged her skirts around her before gesturing to Ruby to sit down too.
‘Tell me about Annabelle.’
Ruby smiled. ‘I’ve seen definite progress in the last few months. It’s slow. But steady. I don’t dispute the diagnosis of selective mutism. But do you know that in some cases children will speak in some circumstances but not others?’
The Queen gave the smallest of nods, so Ruby continued. ‘Annabelle was silent when I got here. Over the last weeks and month we’ve noticed noises.’
‘Noises?’
‘Yes. Gasps of excitement. Whoops of pleasure. Whimpers when we’re watching scary movies.’
‘My granddaughter whoops?’ There was an amused edge to her voice.
‘Yes, she does. But that’s not all—she often hums along to some of the songs in her favourite films. She seems to do it quite unconsciously—usually when she’s most relaxed or when she’s tired.’
‘And she’s that way around you?’ The timbre of the Queen’s voice had changed slightly.
‘It’s taken her a while to get to know me,’ said Ruby quickly. ‘But she’s been spending more time with her father.’
Part of her wondered if she should be saying this. She didn’t want to make it sound as if Alex had neglected Annabelle in any way at all.
‘We’ve made sure that all the palace staff knows that his time with Annabelle is to be uninterrupted. It’s time they spend alone—together.’
She was starting to get nervous and her mouth was running away from her. She wanted to be clear that she wasn’t trying to push herself between Alex and his daughter. The last thing she wanted was for the Queen to think she was trying to take Sophia’s place.
‘And is this working?’ There was a tone of slight disbelief. As if she didn’t quite understand the significance.
‘It’s definitely working. Annabelle is changing. Her confidence has increased in leaps and bounds. She’s a different little girl than the one I met when I arrived.’
For the smallest of seconds—almost instinctively—the Queen’s eyes narrowed. She straightened herself in her chair, pulling herself up to her full height. ‘Why do you think my granddaughter doesn’t talk, Ms Wetherspoon?’
There was a whole host of things she could say here. But experience had taught her to go with her instinct.
‘I think she misses her mother,’ she said simply.
There was the tiniest sound. A little gasp from the Queen. Then the woman’s eyes clouded, as if they were fogged by impending tears.
It was the clearest and most confident Ruby had felt all evening. Isabelle might be a distinguished queen—something that was way out of Ruby’s realm of expertise—but she was also a concerned grandmother—something Ruby could understand.
Ruby leaned over and squeezed her hand, and then changed position, gathering her dress and kneeling in front of the Queen.
‘Science tells us that even babies can form memories. Annabelle heard and recognised her mother’s voice for nine months in the womb, and then for another eleven months after she was born.’ She let go of the skirts in her hand and pressed her other hand over her heart. ‘She remembers her mother in here.’
Her voice was becoming huskier. She wasn’t trying to upset the Queen, but she felt it was important to be honest with her.
‘Alex has put a picture of Sophia next to Annabelle’s bed. He has made a picture album with photos of the two of them—as children they almost look like twins. It has pictures of Sophia alone, and pictures of her with Annabelle.’ She squeezed the Queen’s hand again. ‘He talks about her every night with Annabelle.’
If the Queen disapproved of Ruby using the familiar form of Alex’s name she didn’t show it. A slow tear trickled down her cheek. ‘He does?’
Ruby nodded. ‘It’s not sad. It’s not morbid. He just tells her a little story—something about her mother—and they move on to something else. They play a game. Watch some TV together.’
The older woman’s lips were trembling. ‘And who has helped him to do that?’
Isabelle’s pale grey eyes were fixed on hers. Ruby took a deep breath. ‘I have. Everything about their relationship has changed. I think Alex had a lot of grief locked up inside. Talking and spending time with his daughter has helped them both.’
The Queen’s gaze was fixed on Ruby. ‘You did this? You did this for them?’
A flash of recognition crossed her eyes, along with a whole host of fleeting emotions.
Ruby could step back at this point. She could fall into professional mode. It would keep her safe. It would keep her guarded. But the Queen had already seen Alex’s arms around her. Maybe she had seen more. It was time for honesty.
‘I care about them. I care about them both very much.’
The Queen licked her lips. ‘Do you think my granddaughter will ever talk?’
‘I can’t say for sure—but I do think so. I think she spoke the other day at nursery. I think she might have said something to one of the other children. But I didn’t want to make a scene. I didn’t want to draw her attention to the fact. We all have to be patient.’
‘And are you patient, Ruby Wetherspoon?’
The question shocked her. It might sound simple, but the Queen clearly wasn’t talking about Annabelle’s speech any more. She meant something else entirely.
Was she brave enough to be honest?
I’ve waited ten years were the words on her lips.
‘I am.’
There were another few moments’ silence. It was almost as if the Queen were taking time to digest all she’d told her. She shifted a little closer to the edge of the chair—a little closer to Ruby.
‘Alexander was Sophia’s safe place.’
Her voice was shaky, but controlled. Her silver-grey eyes were fixed on Ruby’s.
‘He was the one person she trusted to give her the ultimate gift.’
Ruby’s stomach squeezed. It would always hurt. It would always reach little parts of her that she couldn’t share.
Her voice was shaking too. ‘Annabelle is a beautiful gift. Of that there is no doubt.’
Their eyes met again and she felt the common understanding between them. This woman had lost her precious daughter. Her life would never be the same again.
If she wanted to she could hate Ruby. She could make life difficult for Alex. She could make their relationship impossible.
But it seemed she had no wish to do that.
‘I’m glad my granddaughter has someone who has her best interests at heart. I’m glad that Alexander is looking to build a life for himself and his daughter again.’
She pushed herself up from the chair and gave a little nod to Ruby with the hint of a smile.
‘And I would very much like to hear my granddaughter speak.’
Ruby straightened up and her knees gave an unexpected crack. She let out a nervous laugh—it certainly displaced any anxiety in the room.
Queen Isabelle gave her a serene smile. ‘I’m tired. But if I retired for the evening now people would talk. We should return to the ballroom together. I’ll be able to leave after a while.’
Ruby nodded. Of course. People had seen them leave the ballroom together and their tongues would wag if they didn’t return together.
Then the Queen did something she didn’t expect. She held out her elbow towards Ruby. An invitation to take it. Before it had been polite and because they were in company. In the confines of this room, when it was just the two of them, it was something she didn’t have to do.
The Prince She Never Forgot (Harlequin Romance) Page 15
