"Who is Mr. Whitfield?" the Councilman demanded. "How do we know he's worthy of our queen?"
Catherine knew the translation for that question was something closer to “how do we know he's someone we'd approve of and possibly be able to use to control the queen?"
“His father was Royal Historian for a number of years before moving to Northern Santiero for personal reasons. The queen and Jacob met while his father worked at the palace." An absolutely true statement. "Jacob recently returned to Eastern Novigradia. He and the queen ran into each other on his first day at the palace when he interviewed for an internship with Madeleine. The rest is between them."
The Councilman didn't look pleased but hadno choice but to accept the answer. After exchanging a few pleasantries that Catherine didn't feel were pleasant at all, the two men left.
At least they hadn't pressed for an answer about consummation. What happened, or didn't, in their cottage was none of anyone else's business.
"Why didn't we tell them about the discovery?" Jacob asked. "I'm not questioning the decision, just wondering about the rationale."
Her father motioned them toward the sitting area near the window. Once they'd all taken their seats, he spoke.
"Simple answer? Politics." He sighed. "There have been worse Prime Ministers, but there have also been much better ones. This Councilman has served for a long time and likely won't be here much longer. Giving them all of the information they think they're entitled to whether they are or not, would give them the impression that you'll do whatever they want without resistance. As soon as they begin to think that, they'll try to walk all over you."
Her father leaned back in his chair. "Is there a good reason not to give them this information? Not really, except the more people that know the more likely leaks are to happen, but at the same time, there's no good reason we have to give it to them either. I'm certain you'll both learn far more about playing politics than you ever wanted to know." He gave a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, it's a part of this life."
Catherine let out a sigh of her own. "I don't like that."
They'd had this conversation many times over the last few years. It always played out the same way. Now, they would add Jacob into it.
"Neither do I, KatieKins, but it's the way life is. Your mother wasn't a fan and neither was your grandfather, but we often have to deal with things we'd prefer not to."
Her father hadn't used the nickname for her in years, probably since not long after her mother’s passing. Did the fact thatshe was now a married woman, a clear sign she was growing up, have anything to do with it?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
With another sigh, her father stood. "I do have some work to do before the meeting about the the coronation this afternoon." He leaned over and gave Catherine a kiss on the cheek. "Love you, Kinsey."
"I love you, too, Papa." As he walked away, she found tears filling her eyes quite unexpectedly. Why? Because it was another sign that this part of her life, working closely with her father on a daily basis, was about to come to an end?
"Are you all right?" Jacob asked softly after the door closed behind her father.
She gave him a small smile. "I'll be fine."
He held out a hand. She slid hers into it as their fingers linked together.
"If you need anything from me, you only need to ask. I don't know you well enough yet to determine that on my own."
Catherine nodded. No matter what the first night held, and despite spending the day before doing nothing but watching movies together, they were still very new at getting to know each other.
Before falling asleep the first night, they'd promised to talk and be honest with each other, a good idea for any relationship.
She glanced at her watch and stood. "I hate to do this, but I have to get some work done before lunch. I'll see you then?" Hopefully, lunch together would become a new daily thing.
Jacob leaned toward her and, for a second, she wondered if he was going to kiss her.
Instead, he brushed a kiss against her cheek. "I'll see you in a little while."
Catherine watched him leave then went back to her desk. Now she just neededto focus on work.
Easier said than done.
Wakingup married to a queen was a bit of a surreal experience for Jacob. He’d even forgotten his etiquette and how to greet a queen the first time you see her each day.
He forgot again when he walked into her office with his father-in-law. The other man hadn’t bowed either, which made Jake thing he’d already seen his daughter.
