Page 47 of Scandal Queen

“As do you, sweetie.” She glowed with pride and I glanced at Oliver. “We are really doing it?”

His hand sought mine and squeezed tight. “Relax, you’re going to be a natural.”

I gasped when I saw just how many press and reporters there were outside the venue. A red carpet stretched from where the limo parked right up the front steps of the theatre to the glass doorway.

I couldn’t go out there.

How would my legs work?

“Are there normally this many?” I whispered. I clutched Daisy’s hand tighter, but my palm slicked with sweat and her little fingers almost shot free of my grasp.

“Uh. No.” Oliver frowned, which did nothing to settle the raging sea of nerves swishing about inside my tummy. When he turned, he switched on his most brilliant of smiles. “There is only one thing for it.”

I searched his green eyes for any shadow of nerves but couldn’t find any. “What’s that?”

“We are going to have to go out there.”

Our driver got out and the shouts of Oliver’s name blasted in through the open door.

“It’s easy, get out and give a wave and then we walk inside.”

I pulled a face but then ducked my head when I realised people outside might be able to see. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It helps not to have two left feet I guess.”

“Bloody funny, Oliver.”

“Mummy, don’t swear!”

I grumbled under my breath for a moment and then heard a wild cheer from the crowd gathered. Lifting my head, I watched the Queen and John get out of the car. He held his arm for her, and she smiled graciously at the crowd, giving a small wave as she waited for Isabella who partnered with her father. They made it look so easy, but then the whole world wasn’t waiting for a first view of them.

“This is too quick. We’ve rushed this.” I all but welded myself to the seat.

“Mummy, the press aren’t going to go away.”

I narrowed my gaze at Daisy. “Who have you been talking to?”

“Henry. He was telling me about it in the stables the other day.”

Oh was he indeed. That’s interesting considering he still hadn’t managed more than a nod in my direction.

“Don’t read too much into it.” Oliver’s tone held a placating note, like he was honestly expecting me to bolt at any moment. Where exactly did he think I was going to go?

“Screw it. Come on.”

Daisy knew not to question my language choice.

The driver opened the door at Oliver’s nod of his head. His fingers caught mine and he turned. For a moment he looked like he’d kiss me, but then I remembered the no public displays of affection rule. We watched one another for a moment until he stood out of the car, unfolding himself to his full height. Then he reached for me and automatically I fit my hand into his. My legs shook, actually all of me shook, but I’d be damned if I’d let it show.

Once I was out of the car and my skirt had been pulled free, I reached down for Daisy. Her little hand tremored in mine, but I leant down and gave her a kiss. They could bite my arse if they thought I wouldn’t show affection to my daughter in public.

What we were doing was unheard of.

No future king in the history of kings had ever taken on another man’s child as his own; not in this way. But it didn’t matter, none of that mattered. All that I gave a shit about in that very moment was Daisy’s eyes lifting to Oliver’s and the broad smile he gave her for the world to see.

That was it.

Everything I needed wrapped itself into that one fleeting moment.