Page 21 of Cross Me

Norris coughed politely, and I shook myself from my thoughts. Now definitely wasn’t the time to be thinking about Clara in that way. One look at my grandmother erased the thought from my mind entirely.

I left my desk and joined them in the sitting area. “I’ve ordered some tea.”

“It’s a bit early for that,” Mary sniffed as though somehow the thought of tea before noon was offensive.

“Thank you,” Henry added hastily, shooting a barbed look at her. She huffed but didn’t say another word.

In some ways the dynamic of their relationship reminded me of what she’d been like when my father was alive. My grandmother had always been prone to insulting everyone around her. The only person she’d respected had been my father, probably because he was also cruel. Now, it seemed that Henry had taken his place in her eyes without being the cold, domineering man my father had been. It was strange to think that a woman as opinionated and outspoken as her needed a man to oversee her affairs, but that was clearly the case. She’d left to live with him before my coronation. I’d nearly sent my apologies to my uncle ahead of time. Judging by the interactions we’d had so far, my concern had been unwarranted. The two of them seemed to work. My uncle actually held her in check, something she desperately needed if she was going to have any relationship with me or my family going forward. It seemed Henry understood their place in the family. Perhaps that meant he would see reason today.

“You’re probably wondering why you’re here,” I began.

“Of course, we aren’t. Your wife made it quite clear that you two were taking over the games.” There was another sniffle of resentment from her at these words. Despite her earlier objections, she’d taken a cup of tea. Hypocrite.

I hadn’t expected her to interpret last night that way. Surely, she had seen my reaction. How could she think I wanted anything to do with the bloody games? Then again, after Clara had made her announcement at dinner, I’d waited until we were in private quarters before I’d disagreed with it. Allowing my grandmother to see even a hint of division between us wasn’t an option. She would take advantage of that, which would only make matters worse. This now left me on dangerous ground. If I admitted to her this was Clara’s idea and appealed to her for the cancellation of the games, she would know that division existed. On the one hand, she would have no reason to stay in London once the games were canceled. On the other, I wouldn’t put it past her to make breaking up my marriage her new hobby. I needed to tread carefully. I couldn’t admit to her that I wanted the games discontinued any more than I could do nothing. I had to spin this.

Next to me, Norris spoke before I’d landed on an answer. “This morning, I had the unpleasant duty to inform his Majesty that early security assessments for the games have revealed a number of concerns.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she hissed, abandoning her teacup to its saucer and glaring at us.

“We’re still conducting an investigation into last week’s attack,” he explained.

“We are aware of that,” Henry said in a clipped tone that chipped away my confidence that he would see our side. “Our own advisers informed us there’s no reason to think the attack had anything to do with the Royal Family.”

It took every ounce of restraint I had to stay silent. I’d heard this before—from my own team. Even Clara had thrown it in my face. I didn’t believe it and I refused to write it off as paranoia.

“Yes,” Norris confirmed, and I shot a scathing look in his direction. He was supposed to be on my side. He continued without acknowledging me. “Our teams seem to be reaching the same conclusion. We will, of course, continue to look into the matter. It’s important to consider, though, that the general state of security in the country—and indeed, the world—is unstable. We’re seeing more and more attacks of this nature at public events, targeting ordinary citizens and charity organizations, as well as the usual targets. In a way, these attacks are aimed at our very way of life.”

“I don’t see what this has to do with the games,” Mary said, but her attention had turned to the floor. My grandmother had always had a knack for ignoring what she didn’t want to hear.

“What Norris is saying,” I interjected, “is that hosting a large, public charity event will be a risk to everyone involved, even ordinary citizens. This isn’t a matter of our personal security. This is a matter of protecting our people.”

I had to hand it to Norris. It was brilliant. More than that, it was the truth. I’d been so focused on Clara and my family’s personal safety that I’d failed in my other responsibilities as King. Hosting the games would put more than the people closest to me at risk. It endangered the lives of attendees.

“I understand where you’re coming from,” Henry began slowly, taking the measure of the room as he spoke, “but to cancel the games would be a clear show of cowardice.”

“I’m not interested in what people think of me,” I said roughly.

“Well, that’s obvious.” Mary shook her head as if she was recalling every moment in which I’d disappointed her. If she was going to try to get through them all, she would probably be on the couch next week.

“It isn’t about perception, Alexander. It’s about how you choose to reign over this country. I hadn’t expected you to allow fear to control you. It wouldn’t have influenced your father, at least.” Henry leaned against the arm of the sofa. He’d never bothered to take a cup of tea, and I realized that of everyone here, he’d been most aware of the path this meeting would take. He’d foreseen it. I’d never had a shot at making him my ally. He’d come here to call me out.

I’d always thought of my uncle as a friendly type that showed up on occasion with a birthday present or in his funeral suit. He seemed so unlike my father, but maybe that had changed with Albert’s death. He’d stepped into the role of dutiful son, but I hadn’t expected him to take up the mantle of disappointed father as well. That was what he was doing now, trying to get me to do something by accusing me of being afraid. But this wasn’t a matter of refusing to eat my vegetables. Lives were at stake.

“I don’t expect you to understand.” I met his eyes as I spoke and he didn’t look away. I’d drawn a line in the sand. Would he cross it?

“Could Clara not join us?” he asked.

There was my answer. He’d taken a look at my boundary and stepped right over it.

“She’s quite tired these days.” I gave him a tight smile. This battle would be fought with civility—handshakes and apologies and outsmarting one another.

“Given her interest in being the one to host the games—and given your obvious responsibilities in addressing current security measures—perhaps we should continue our plans with her,” he suggested.

“Henry,” Mary said sharply.

“Mother, we discussed this,” he said to her in a low voice. “Clara is Alexander’s wife now. We should respect her contributions to the family.”

He had me by the balls, and he knew it. I couldn’t help but see him in a whole new light. Perhaps Henry was more like my father than I had ever realized. He wouldn’t be my ally, but he would be Clara’s. How hadn’t I seen this outcome? Siding with her got everyone what they wanted. The games would go on, my wife would be happy, and Mary and her son would be in a new position of power. Everyone got their way, but me.