Page 41 of Scandal Queen

Norma and Mrs Hurst both turned for the door. Isabella went to get up too, but the Queen motioned for her to stay. “No, you stay.”

We waited in silence for the room to empty. Once the door had shut, the Queen lifted her glass and held it to clink with mine. I watched her take a delicate sip and then tried to replicate the motion. Dainty sips weren’t natural. I barely wet my lips.

“A lot of the protocols were put in place by the King’s Mother, God rest her soul.” She sighed a little.

To my surprise Isabella snorted. I shot her a side-eye and then returned my attention back to Oliver’s mother.

“Of course, there are many things I agree with. The royal family should be seen to be well put together, well turned out. No jeans in public, no public displays of affection. No diamonds on show before six pm.”

“That won’t be a problem.” I gulped my wine—it was automatic.

Her eyes settled on the bracelet Oliver gave me after our first night together.

“You can just about get away with an old family heirloom.”

I spluttered my wine everywhere as it shot up my nose and dribbled out onto the tablecloth. “A what?”

“That was Henry’s grandmother’s if I recall correctly. A heart and a crown. Story is that the King’s consort gave it to her as a promise of his heart.”

My mouth went dry and I carefully placed my glass down on the table. I held out my wrist. “Help me take it off. I shouldn’t be wearing it.”

“Nonsense. My son gave it to you, and I know he wouldn’t have done it lightly.”

My mind reeled. We’d only been together one night, that wonderful day in Guildford followed by the evening where I’d stolen away to his warehouse unable to stay away from him any longer.

My heart ached so heavy in my chest, I had to force myself to sit up straight.

The queen cleared her throat. “So, Leia, do you have any idea what you would like to do with your time?”

I only had one answer and it shot out of me automatically. “I want to help people. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.”

Isabella eyed me curiously. “Is it true you lived at a homeless shelter?”

“Bella!” The Queen’s cheeks coloured but I offered them both a wry smile.

“I’m guessing your background checks have already dug up all the dirt I have.”

Margaret Beaufort had the grace to drop her gaze. “It’s a necessity and not one we take lightly.”

I nodded. Somehow having the palace invade my privacy wasn’t on the same level as having the press digging. I picked up my glass and tried that dainty sip thing again.

“The night my mother died, I didn’t know where to go. I’d sat in the police station for hours. No one in the flats wanted anything to do with me. My mother had hardly been popular and those she had been popular with weren’t people I wanted to go to.”

“It must have been awful.”

I shrugged. “It sounds terrible, but she’d never been a mother to me. Not really. I’d survived purely by luck. The week before I’d discovered I was pregnant, and it had, well.” I trailed off. I couldn’t articulate the sheer fear that had filled me. The knowledge that I was going to be just like her, that there was a good chance I’d fail someone just like she’d failed me.

“And your father?”

I chuckled, almost hysterical. “I’m guessing you haven’t found out who he is either.”

“No.” The Queen looked at me boldly.

“You won’t. I don’t think she ever knew. He was probably some guy who helped feed her habit.”

Silence hung around the table.

“I’d say you know the people you want to help.” The Queen’s eyes glittered with water.