Page 85 of Cross Me

Georgia didn’t rush me. She stood to the side, an odd expression on her face as I took a moment to consider the needs of my unborn child. When I finally started toward the house, she startled, as if waking from a dream, and joined me.

“Do I knock?” I asked her when we reached the door.

“Alexander wouldn’t,” Georgia said dryly. Before I could open it, she stepped in front of me. “Let me.”

She tried the knob and it turned. “Great security.”

I peeked around her as she stepped inside. The house was dated—a time capsule. Some of it was traditionally Royal, with tapestries and paintings and overly ornate furniture. Nothing looked like it had changed for at least twenty years. But the space was clean. There wasn’t a speck of dust to be found.

We looked to one another.

“What the—” But Georgia was cut short by a robust woman bustling into the entry. She had on an old-fashioned nurse’s uniform and a shocked expression.

“We weren’t told there would be visitors,” she said curtly, but the moment the words left her mouth, she froze.

One day I would get used to being recognized like this, but it wasn’t going to be today.

“Sometimes my husband forgets to share things.” I searched for an excuse for our presence other than that I’d come to snoop around. “We’re sorry for the intrusion. I came to—”

“Visit,” Georgia broke in, shooting me a meaningful look.

“Of course. I do wish His Majesty had warned us about the visit. Not that there’s much to prepare,” she chattered as she led us through the labyrinthine halls. Georgia and I fell back a few steps.

“Visit?” I hissed under my breath.

“Look, I don’t think Alexander got into medical kink,” she whispered. “If there’s a nurse, she’s caring for someone.”

I held my stomach tightly as we followed her, my mind spinning in every direction but finding no answers. Finally, we reached a long, paneled hallway. Forgotten family portraits smiled in welcome from the walls, as if pleased to finally be seen.

“This way,” the nurse chirped. She didn’t stop to wait for me as she ambled toward a door at the far end.

I started after her and Georgia grabbed my arm, stopping me.

“I’ll be out here,” she said softly.

“Come with me,” I said, tugging her on, but she shook her head.

“Alexander kept this from everyone, even you. Part of being discreet is knowing when to turn around. He wouldn’t want me in there, and I’m beginning to like my job,” she added.

“Your job is safe,” I promised her. She released my arm and gave me a small smile. That was the most encouragement I could expect from her.

I turned back to the door, considering what she’d said. Alexander had kept this from me. What was I risking by walking through that door? But it was what I stood to lose by not opening it that spurred me on.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Alexander

I woke up alone. My hand swept over Clara’s side of the bed as if it hoped to find her hiding in the sheets, but her spot was cold. Stumbling to my feet, I rubbed sleep from my eyes as I checked the clock on the nightstand. It wasn’t even seven, which meant she must be with Elizabeth. Heading into the bathroom, I splashed water on my face and washed up, determined to relieve her from parental duties. I’d kept her up late. It was my turn to play daddy.

When I opened the door to the nursery, Penny sat quickly up in the chair. Her eyes dropped when she saw me standing in nothing but my pants. I hadn’t thought to get dressed.

“Sorry, Sir,” she called in a low, embarrassed voice. “I dozed off.”

“Not to worry.” I glanced around the room, but Elizabeth was the only other soul present. “Is my wife…”

Penny tiptoed across the room, her eyes still glued on the floor. “She called me in.”

“Did she say why?” I asked in a strained voice. It wasn’t unusual for Penny to come in if we had other engagements, but it was Sunday, the day we reserved for family.