Page 29 of Falling for the Queen Mother

After another of those looks, Paul nodded. "We would appreciate that, however, we'd like to keep the fact that there's an ongoing investigation quiet for now."

"Agreed. I have some sources in mind that I'll contact later today. In the meantime, I presume you still want to do the interview?"

"Yes. We'll have a copy of the official statement to you shortly and you will be able to begin, though a bit behind schedule." Paul picked up his phone to read something then set it back down.

After another moment or two of conversation, they went back to the sitting room to have the microphones reattached before taking their seats again.

Janice sat across from them but they hadn't started yet, not officially. "Just relax."

Nate knew the comment was directed more toward him. Alaina had surely done this many times.

"I'll do some introductory type comments later. They'll be edited in. For now, we'll just have a conversation. If there's something we'd rather not get into right now, just let me know." She made a note on her tablet and tipped her head to the side as though she was trying to send a message.

Right. None of her team knew anything about what was going on.

That also explained why Paul stood off to the side and behind the cameras and lights.

A member of her production team did a countdown, then Janice started. "Welcome back. We're here with Queen Alaina, mother to the current monarch King Frederick, and Nathaniel Dougherty, freshly minted as the king's stepfather. Thank you for sitting down with me.

"It's our pleasure." Alaina answered for both of them.

"I'm sure our viewers will be just as shocked as I was by the news that the two of you are legally married." Janice gave them a comforting smile. "In fact, from what I've been told and what the press release is telling us, both of you were just as surprised to find that out."

From there, the interview settled into a rhythm. Nate wasn't as uncomfortable as he expected, but he supposed that was one reason why Janice was one of the top reporters in the area.

By the time they finished, Nate felt almost like he'd made a new friend. He wondered if everyone felt that way when they came out of an interview with her.

It seemed likely that many did, and that he shouldn't actually consider her a friend. She'd probably use anything he said in a story if it came down to it.

So no secrets.

They returned their microphone packs, shook hands with Janice and the others, then left the sitting room.

Alaina's shoulders relaxed as soon as the door closed behind them. "Janice is one of the better options, if not the best, but I still don't love that kind of thing."

"I don't blame you." He went where she led, but didn't know where that was.

"We're leaving for the island home in a few minutes," she explained. "Staff members packed our things this morning."

"My things?" The idea of someone in his quarters without his knowledge made Nate a bit uncomfortable, though he figured it would be something he'd have to get used to - at least for the time being. He’d known they were going, but hadn’t thought to pack before the interview.

"Yes. Don't worry. They wouldn't let just anyone do it. Only a senior, trusted member of the staff."

"That's good to know." There wasn't anything in his things that he would be overly upset about losing, but that didn't mean he wanted any of it to go missing. "How do we get there?"

"We'll take the yacht." She led him down a narrow hallway he hadn't seen before then down a flight of stairs that wasn't much wider. "There's a dock accessible from a passage that most of the public isn't aware of."

Of course. A secret passage.

Why not?

It wasn't a true secret passage, but Alaina knew the idea that it was even related to a secret passageway excited visitors.

The other end let out in a secured building near the dock. They were greeted by the captain of the yacht who bowed toward both of them. Technically, Nathaniel didn't qualify as a member of the royal family, but most likely people would think it was better to be safe than sorry.

After introducing Nathaniel to the captain, they followed him to a vehicle that was driven by a member of security. It only took a few moments to arrive at the Royal Yacht.

The captain held out a hand to assist Alaina as she stepped from the vehicle to the gangway.