Chapter 13
Leo’s heart lifted as he glanced into the formal dining area of their suite that they hadn’t used, but now Anna sat there with a stylist and a makeup consultant for her first official outing as a royal. The island was isolated so it was a good place to practice and in a few hours, they’d be done.
The noon sun was already high in the sky which meant their afternoon began once she finished with the makeup. As a future queen, anytime she ever stepped out of the palace, even on her worst day, the staff would ensure she was put together.
His mother had complained about her stylists right after giving birth to his sisters, upset that she needed to look fabulous when she’d just birthed a child and why there had been no back door to sneak her out of.
He knocked on the open door to announce his presence and said, “Anna, you look beautiful.”
She stood, ignoring the stylist with the curling iron in her hand, and came toward him. “If we’re going into town, I need to actually spend time with the makeup artists and hair dresser. I won’t disappoint you.”
She hugged him, and he saw her face had already been air-sprayed. He winked. “You couldn’t, even if you tried.”
She kissed his cheek. “That’s lovely to hear. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Anna returned to her new team, quietly asserting her control over them. Her year as his secretary had taught her how the royal palace operated on subtleties rather than hard lines.
Leo headed into the sitting room he’d been using as his office away from the palace and picked up his phone.
Another missed call from Pierre. This made seven since this morning. Now that Anna was settled, he plopped on the couch and called his new secretary back. On the first ring, he asked, “Pierre, what’s going on?”
Pierre spoke without taking a breath. “A lot, Sire. Francesca is planning a press conference at the hospital in under an hour. Your parents are now involved, and the medical reports confirm that the DNA is a positive match.”
His chest caved.
It didn’t matter how it had happened, but he was going to be a father.
He could no longer put off telling Anna.
He closed his eyes and wished he’d never put himself in this situation as he massaged his temple. Perhaps he’d heard wrong so he asked, “What does that mean?”
“She’s having your baby,” Pierre announced.
There it was, plainly said. He had to keep his head up and figure out what happened next. He let out a long sigh, nodded and then Pierre’s words about his parents ran through his mind. He stared out the window. “I see. What are my parents doing?”
Pierre’s voice held a hint of controlled excitement at the drama. “The king and queen said they will silence Francesca, and for you not to worry about her. The way the queen’s staff talks, it sounds almost medieval.”
Leo shook off any doubts. His mother wouldn’t hurt another, especially a child. “Francesca will be fine. My bigger question is what she intends to do about the baby?”
Pierre offered no words of wisdom. “Depends on Francesca’s decision.”
Hmm. Francesca would want money. But how much could a baby cost the royal family? Most important in all of this was Anna. He crossed his arms while he stared out at the bright sun that had made an appearance after the storm ended. He tried to imagine how tobegintelling Anna but couldn’t. “I will make the final approval for whatever is negotiated. How did my parents get involved?”
“Francesca tried to speak to the queen directly,” Pierre said.
Ah. His plan to disprove that he was the father had backfired and given Francesca proof to go over his head. “I understand. I have to go.”
Pierre then asked, “Sire, what would you direct me to do?”
Good question. First he needed to know what was negotiated—no, he had to speak to Anna. His heart constricted as he said, “Let me know the moment a decision is made about my child.”
His skin buzzed with electricity as he hung up the phone and went to get Anna. He knocked on the door. “Can I speak to my wife alone?”
Her eyes were wide with trust, but he took her hand and led her back to the sitting room, away from the staff. Once he closed the door, he took a step closer and lowered his head. “Anna.”
“You’re making me nervous, Leo.” She backed up a step though she didn’t leave. “What’s going on?”
Every bone in his body was rigid as he swallowed. He wished he didn’t have to tell her, but he met her gaze and said, “Francesca’s having my baby. The DNA test confirmed it.”
