Sitting at his office desk, he rang for his secretary. “Could you place these flowers in a vase in Jo’s room?” The kindly woman smiled. He added, “And fill the remaining space with gardenias?”
She nodded. “And a note?” She widened her eyes.
He grinned. “And a note. I will write it now.”
Obviously pleased, she turned and he called after her, “Thank you Vitoria.”
Several hours later, exiting the larger conference room, the heads of the energy corporations carried a feeling of optimism and cooperation. One had been difficult to convince, but they had, at last, all come to an accord on how to further preserve the natural beauty of their island, while still ensuring the sustainability of the nation’s place in the industry, and the survival of their corporations.
His mother entered as the last of them turned the corner down the hall. “Hello Nico. I see you’ve had a productive meeting. They are all optimistic and cheerful from the looks of them.”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “They are. It took some doing but I believe we have come to an accord.”
“Your father will be pleased. He’s been working for this for the past five years.”
Nico nodded. “His efforts are what have brought us to this point.” He sat back and motioned for his mother to sit beside him. “How is father?”
For a moment, her burden became visible across her face, lines appeared around her eyes and a tug at her mouth showed her suffering. Then it disappeared as though it had never showed itself. “He is tired, Nico. Thank you for taking so much of this on. We are both grateful you are at such a place in your life where you are ready for this.”
“I am not ready. But sometimes you do what you must, no matter how ready you feel.”
She nodded. “And Jo. Is she ready?”
He bristled, until he saw the open concern and care in her face.
“One thing I love about Jo is that she is a problem solver. She rises to the task and meets it head on.” He fiddled with his pen. “She is at such a disadvantage though, Mother. She lacks knowledge, understanding of our culture, and even a firm footing here in the country.” He chuckled. “She become lost on her way to the pool yesterday.”
The queen waved her hand. “That can be overcome. It is the person inside you will marry, not her knowledge of politics and history.” She rested a hand on his arm. “Still, we don’t know this person. Perhaps we should consider your engagement somewhat of a trial period? Not announce it to the nation as of yet?”
“Are you that uncertain of her?” A trickle of unease festered and dampened Nico’s happy thoughts about Jo. But he searched his heart, and found he didn’t care so much what kind of queen she was. He valued Jo as a person and the man he became when he was with her. But his mother had a valid concern. For the first time, he looked at Jo as a queen and realized he had very little idea how she would handle most things. He sighed. “I don’t know if it matters how well she could handle the role today. She can learn. We will help her.”
“And the press? She has yet to leave the palace. Will she be able to navigate the sharks that lie in wait?”
He suddenly felt tired. Even more than before. “I don’t know mother. How can we know that I will be able to handle it myself? We must navigate each day as it comes.” He stood. “And now I need to rest. If just for five minutes.”
He walked down the long hallway to the family quarters of the palace. He flipped his wrist to signal his valet. Hot bath. Warm robe. Quiet. Then he texted his assistant. “Black out one hour.” Then he turned off his phone.
3
Everyone gathered for breakfast. It was a long-time Valdez tradition that Jo was learning to appreciate more the longer she was with them. No one could be certain of dinner plans, so they grabbed onto the one meal they knew would likely be free.
They coordinated schedules, which Jo found most helpful. One of the difficult things about this new palace life was learning to keep up with everyone.
This morning, a screen filled the far wall. As soon as everyone was gathered, Francisco cleared his throat. She still felt like she should call him your highness, king, majesty, or something along those lines, but he insisted on Francisco for now.
“We have a breach in security and protocol.” He turned to Jo, and she immediately felt at fault.
Her voice caught. “Oh no, what has happened.”
He smiled, and her relief calmed the surge of adrenaline that had raced through her.
“It seems, you have become a celebrity during the night.” He clicked on the screen, and the room dimmed.
Image after image of Jo in her bathing suit, enjoying the yacht, draped across Nico, and kissing him on the dock scrolled across the screen. Her face flamed. They were from websites, news pundits, paparazzi, and tabloids. The pictures kept scrolling. Nico reached for her hand and whispered, “You look hot.” She knew he was trying to cheer her up, but the invasion of her privacy felt so personal. She felt bare, even violated.
And they kept coming.
Nico called out, “Father, I think we get the point.”
“Just a few more.” The next set were from waterskiing, ending with her most spectacular spray.
“Whoa, Jo, look at you! That’s incredible!” Nico’s admiration almost made the embarrassment worth it.
Trane grinned. “She can slay, brother. She might even take you down.”
“We should take her out on the course.” Nico turned to her, eyes animated. “We have designed our own buoy course, requiring you to cut the sharpest possible turns, up your speed and everything—”
Their father cleared his throat.
Daniel’s quiet voice added. “Those aren’t from my camera.”
Jo turned to him, “What?”
Trane frowned. “Are you certain? You took nearly 100 shots.”
“Of course I’m certain. Look at the angle.”
Jo felt even more spied upon. “How could anyone get those shots? That is a private, secluded place with only one entrance. We would have seen anyone enter or leave.”
“Unless they knew we would be there and camped out in the woods.”
Jo couldn’t believe it. “Surely not…”
But everyone’s faces told her this was completely plausible.
“How are you, Jo?” Nico’s obvious concern comforted her.
“I feel like something has been stolen.” For the first time a trickle of doubt crept in. Was she cut out for this life?
The queen interrupted. “This is part of our life here. We do our best to ensure private moments. We work hard to keep a portion of our lives from the outside eye, but it is to be expected.” She smiled and there was a hint of warmth there, comfort. “At least you look marvelous, dear. You have won them all over.”
A strong unspoken concern weighed on the group. The queen sipped her orange juice, her eyes now calculating. “For now.”
Jo had seen what they did to Nico all last year while he hid out in her home town of Shady Lakes, South Carolina. The tabloids might love her now, but they would love to exploit her first mistake just as much.
She voiced one niggling worry. “Do they ever get inside the house?” She was starting to feel a creepy awareness of imaginary eyes watching her every move.
Nico put his arm around her shoulders. “Absolutely not. We have one of the best security forces in the world in our country.”
That was something she didn’t know. Why would they need such a force in their quiet unassuming island? But she was glad for it. She nodded, trusting their system.
“So, I can’t tell. Is this ok? Good or bad? Should I do something about it?”
The queen said, “The pictures are neither here nor there. The positive aspect is that you have their attention. If you want to do something of worth with the notice, now is a good time.”
Jo stopped. And for the first time considered this aspect of her role as future queen. She would have a place here; she could make a difference. But she
would need help. “Could you help me, do you think? In putting together a platform? I want to be organized and productive in the things I can accomplish.” She turned to the queen in particular. The woman frightened her, but she also was the best one to guide her in this particular area.
She nodded. “I think it is time. Tell your assistant to add time with me every day to your schedule. Have our assistants coordinate the best two hour block of time. Your training will begin.”
“Thank you.” The words felt weak, even to her. It was more than she expected, or even desired, if she were being honest, but she forced a smile because she knew she needed this woman to love her, and she needed to know how to be a queen.
The family moved onward with their discussions about the day.
Nico’s lips on her neck brought shivers. “Are you ok?” His breath warmed her ear.
She turned to him, their eyes an inch apart. “I’m a little shaken. But I’m ok.” She swallowed. “I don’t want to mess up.”
“You won’t. We’re all right here. Just be yourself. Everyone will love you as much as I do.” His warm eyes spoke of his sincerity. And she felt grateful for his confidence. She had never felt more out of her element than when her future father-in-law projected pictures of her in a bathing suit, kissing his son against the far wall.
The queen interrupted. “Are we ready for tonight’s gala?”
The brothers groaned.
She frowned at them, though good naturedly. “I appreciate your support in this. It is one of the crown’s oldest and most treasured efforts to aid our citizens.”
The literacy gala. Jo felt so proud to be involved. Right away the queen had given her a small task of ensuring two local families from the nearby town were invited and had transportation to the event. She had spoken with them and loved the interaction. She felt like she would love the citizens of Torren more than anything else about the land.
The queen turned to Jo. “We have invited all of the neighboring royals to come.” The brothers chuckled.
Jo looked from one to the other.
The queen continued. “I give you fair warning they are an eccentric bunch. Many are harmless, and all are irresponsible a large part of the time.” She frowned at Nico, which Jo thought was entirely unfair given all that he had taken on these last few months.
“And some are to be avoided.” Her tone was stern. “I will email you the paperwork we have on each one. You should read it in its entirety before this evening. Memorize names. We have also included all the business owners and landowners in our country as well as influential members of our global initiative throughout the world. Their details will also be in your docket.”
Jo sat straighter in her seat. She had helped plan galas during her time at Vanderbilt. She knew about these kinds of crowds and looked forward to making some kind of difference, or at least, showing the family she would not embarrass them.
The door of the Torren limo opened to blinding flashes. Shouts from blurred faces behind cameras were not loud enough to distinguish their actual meaning. A red carpet stretched between her and the opened door where the gala would be held.
Nico kissed her hand just as she stepped out a glittery shoe. “You’ll do great.”
She reached for the hand of their driver, and she rose out of the car. She felt fabulous. Her dress hung in gorgeous drapes around her, its sequins sparkling from the camera flashes. She smiled as Nico joined her. Through his teeth he said, “Let’s give them a show.”
She bit back a laugh but followed his lead. He placed a hand behind her back and they turned and faced one side, then the other, posing for pictures, laughing, and smiling. She felt comfortable, allowing her love for him to show. Then he stepped back and held her hand out. His eyebrow rose in challenge.
“Now?” She kept her eyes on his, blocking out all others. She loved him, oh she loved him. So she spun into him. He dipped her low, staring into her eyes. “I love you, Jo. I want everyone to know it.”
She grinned back up at him. “I love you too.”
Then he placed his lips to hers, gently, lingered for just a moment, and then rose with her in his arms.
The crowd cheered, cameras snapping furiously. Everyone wanted a taste of them, it seemed.
Then Nico picked up the pace, and with Jo’s hand ensconced in his large palm they hurried into the hotel.
“You were fantastic, a natural at this.” He brought her close. “Thank you, Jo. Everything in my life is better because you are here.”
The warmth of his praise bubbled inside.
Trane and Daniel came up behind them. “Show offs.” Trane’s grin showed his approval. “You’re a keeper, sister.”
She laughed, grateful. “So you keep telling me.”
Two steps further into the lobby, and they were both approached by a group of people, needing them for different reasons. He squeezed her hand twice before they separated to take care of their responsibilities.
Jo was excited to meet her guests, the two families of Torren citizens.
Hours into the event, after mingling, dinner and speeches, they were gathered for more cocktails before the auction and dancing began. Men surrounded her. They parted as the queen approached. She murmured in Jo’s ear, “Use your spotlight to direct attention.” She indicated the families sitting alone at their tables.
Jo’s eyes widened. “Excellent.” She said to the group. “Come, let me introduce you.”
They followed and the eyes of many in the room did as well. Cameras started flashing again. The queen was very wise. As Jo introduced the children, each told the group of men about what books they were reading and which stories were the best. At one point the youngest child, who seemed to be getting tired, pulled on Jo’s finger. When Jo looked down, the child held her hands up.
Thrilled at such a gesture from a child, she reached to scoop her up in her arms. “Are you sleepy my little friend?”
She nodded and then rested her head on Jo’s shoulder. Jo’s heart melted. From across the room, her eyes met Nico’s and she immediately felt close. He nodded, a warm smile on his lips. Then they were both distracted by someone near.
At last able to sit for a moment, Jo looked to see where Nico had gone. Zani, a new friend at her side, whispered, “Monique.”
Jo followed her eyes and sure enough, Monique had her arm looped around Nico’s, clinging to him. Jo smirked. Nico’s whole posture screamed escape, but Monique wasn’t catching on. Jo sighed. “Is she still determined to gain his attention?”
Zani’s deep dark color shone magnificently against Jo’s pale skin as she rested a hand on her forearm. “Don’t underestimate Monique.” Jo searched Zani’s worried, caring eyes, and she felt a pang of unease inside.
“Ok.” She turned to her. “Thanks.”
The music started and two men approached them. The Baldeez brothers. Each as handsome as the next. Jo had determined it was part of the criteria to be a royal. She wanted to dance with Nico, but as she searched him out, Monique was already in his arms on the opposite side of the room.
So Samson Baldeez led her out on the floor. “Water-skier, are you?”
She felt her face heat. “You heard?”
“Nothing to be embarrassed about. My first splash across the tabloids involved too much partying and a stream of green vomit off the side of a yacht.”
Her stomach turned.
“I apologize for the visual.”
They danced, twirling around the room, and it was fun enough, but she missed Nico. Dancing was their thing. As the song came to an end, Samson surprised her and dipped her low, almost as Nico had.
“What are you doing?” She smiled, but felt uncomfortable.
“Just having some fun.” He brought her upright, just as Nico approached to say, “I’ll take it from here.” His voice sounded tight.
Jo turned, “Nico!” Her relief and happiness that he would come find her, fluttered in her stomach.
He took her into his arms. And she fel
t their strength. She felt renewed. She cherished the time.
“Thank you.”
His eyes twinkled at her, the happiness he saved for her. And they moved about the floor as one.
“The gala is lovely.” She rose an eyebrow.
He smirked, “But?”
“But, it’s got nothing on the Tiki Rumble.” Her marina back home in South Carolina.
He leaned back and laughed. “I agree with you there. And there are too many people here.”
“Monique.” She watched him.
His eyes snapped to hers. “You’ve got nothing to worry about in her.”
“I know. I’m not worried. She just glares at me, like this.” She made a mock glare and Nico laughed. “You do look like an angry Monique, I’ll give you that.” They spun again. He continued. “Listen. Some people just don’t know how to lose. You gained something she wanted. She’ll get over it”
Jo snorted.
“And if she doesn’t, we’ll take her off our invite list. Simple as that.”
He ran a hand up the skin on her back, trailing goosebumps in its wake.
She sighed. “Your hands are magic.”
His eyes darkened and he held her closer, swaying as one to the song.
4
Breakfast brought another round of pictures of Jo on the far wall. This time, no one was pleased. Least of all Jo, but the queen seemed almost furious. “We hold an event for the most important charity our family supports, and all they can talk about is Jo.”
Jo looked nervously at Nico, but his teeth were clenched. The far wall held side by side images of Jo’s two dips of the evening. First with Nico and then with Samson Baldeez.
Even Trane looked concerned. Picture after picture showed Jo smiling and laughing with a different gentleman. Each angled so as to present the most intimate posturing. She didn’t even remember meeting some of them. They were peppered with shots of Nico looking irritated, bothered, frustrated, and even awkward.
The Crown Page 2
