Page 77 of Cross Me

“Aren’t you coming?” she asked, her gaze darting to me.

“They’re here to see the Queen.” This was about the Sovereign Games, not me. Clara deserved a place outside my shadow. “I’ll be waiting.”

I took a few steps away, joining Norris and Edward to watch.

My brother leaned toward me, lowering his voice. “Do let me know before you lose it and rip off his head.”

“I’m in complete control,” I assured him. As long as Anders behaved himself.

Clara smiled widely as she took a seat next to Henry. She crossed her legs at the ankles and waited for the room to quiet. “Thank you for coming. I know there has been speculation about the next round of the games, given that we chose to end the first round early. We’re very pleased that Anders was feeling up to joining us. I know there has been concern about his recovery over the last few weeks.”

A number of hands shot in the air and she tipped her head to one. “John?”

She was a natural at this. I’d spent my whole life resenting obligations like this and somehow I’d found a woman who made it look easy.

“Will you complete the auto racing event?” John asked.

“I believe that’s a question for Anders,” she said, looking to him, one hand coming to rest on her belly.

My shoulders tensed at the insignificant gesture. I hated that he was nearer to her than me.

“She can handle this,” Norris said in a low voice.

I knew that. The truth was that Clara held all the cards. Mostly because she held all of our hearts.

“I’m game once I’m out of this.” He gestured to the sling on his left arm, grinning. “The doctor might prefer I wait until my ribs are healed.”

“That’s not going to stop you, is it?” someone called.

“It hasn’t yet.”

“Am I that insufferably smug?” I asked Norris.

“Yes,” he said without a thought.

So much for loyalty. “Whose side are you on?”

He shifted his hands behind his back, shaking his head.

“We plan to return to the races this spring,” Henry announced. “It is our sincerest hope that Anders will be able to join us when we return to Silverstone. For now, the games will move on to the equestrian events.”

“Will that conflict with Her Majesty’s pregnancy?” John asked. It was a clever question meant to get at the more popular question about my wife’s due date.

“It will be cutting it rather close,” she said with a laugh, not giving anything away.

Clara’s eyes darted to mine, something unreadable there and I shot her a reassuring smile. I’d promised her that we would make this work. The last two weeks had brought us closer than ever before. We’d picked out baby names, visited a number of our patronages, and enjoyed private family time. There had been a fair bit of sex, too. When the issue of how to proceed with the Games had come up, I’d made it clear I was completely behind her, even if it meant she would be working with Anders.

“Actually,” she continued, “given that there is significant travel involved with the May rounds and a return to Silverstone in June, I regret that I will not be continuing as host of the games.”

A low murmur spread through the audience and I stepped forward. Norris grabbed my arm and kept me from interrupting her. I wanted to stop her. Across the room, Anders had found me, his eyes blazing, as though he was thinking exactly what I was. She was quitting for me. But what he didn’t know was I didn’t want that. There was no need to give this up. A June round would likely conflict with the baby’s birth but she could easily attend the London rounds.

“Will Alexander be taking your place?” someone asked.

That was a good question. These were the Sovereign Games. But she shook her head. “These games are King Albert’s legacy, so they will continue to be a family effort. With Henry and my brother’s help, we will honour his memory and the sacrifice he made for us.”

I froze at the mention of brother, until Edward dared a glance at me, then moved to join her. He stood behind her seat and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m delighted to help. After all, my sister is working harder than all of us at the moment.” His joke came off well, painting Clara as the blessed Madonna of the family.