Mills and Boon Christmas Joy Collection. Liz Fielding

for another eleven months after she was born.’ She let go of the skirts in her hand and pressed her other hand over her heart. ‘She remembers her mother in here.’

      Her voice was becoming huskier. She wasn’t trying to upset the Queen, but she felt it was important to be honest with her.

      ‘Alex has put a picture of Sophia next to Annabelle’s bed. He has made a picture album with photos of the two of them—as children they almost look like twins. It has pictures of Sophia alone, and pictures of her with Annabelle.’ She squeezed the Queen’s hand again. ‘He talks about her every night with Annabelle.’

      If the Queen disapproved of Ruby using the familiar form of Alex’s name she didn’t show it. A slow tear trickled down her cheek. ‘He does?’

      Ruby nodded. ‘It’s not sad. It’s not morbid. He just tells her a little story—something about her mother—and they move on to something else. They play a game. Watch some TV together.’

      The older woman’s lips were trembling. ‘And who has helped him to do that?’

      Isabelle’s pale grey eyes were fixed on hers. Ruby took a deep breath. ‘I have. Everything about their relationship has changed. I think Alex had a lot of grief locked up inside. Talking and spending time with his daughter has helped them both.’

      The Queen’s gaze was fixed on Ruby. ‘You did this? You did this for them?’

      A flash of recognition crossed her eyes, along with a whole host of fleeting emotions.

      Ruby could step back at this point. She could fall into professional mode. It would keep her safe. It would keep her guarded. But the Queen had already seen Alex’s arms around her. Maybe she had seen more. It was time for honesty.

      ‘I care about them. I care about them both very much.’

      The Queen licked her lips. ‘Do you think my granddaughter will ever talk?’

      ‘I can’t say for sure—but I do think so. I think she spoke the other day at nursery. I think she might have said something to one of the other children. But I didn’t want to make a scene. I didn’t want to draw her attention to the fact. We all have to be patient.’

      ‘And are you patient, Ruby Wetherspoon?’

      The question shocked her. It might sound simple, but the Queen clearly wasn’t talking about Annabelle’s speech any more. She meant something else entirely.

      Was she brave enough to be honest?

      I’ve waited ten years were the words on her lips.

      ‘I am.’

      There were another few moments’ silence. It was almost as if the Queen were taking time to digest all she’d told her. She shifted a little closer to the edge of the chair—a little closer to Ruby.

      ‘Alexander was Sophia’s safe place.’

      Her voice was shaky, but controlled. Her silver-grey eyes were fixed on Ruby’s.

      ‘He was the one person she trusted to give her the ultimate gift.’

      Ruby’s stomach squeezed. It would always hurt. It would always reach little parts of her that she couldn’t share.

      Her voice was shaking too. ‘Annabelle is a beautiful gift. Of that there is no doubt.’

      Their eyes met again and she felt the common understanding between them. This woman had lost her precious daughter. Her life would never be the same again.

      If she wanted to she could hate Ruby. She could make life difficult for Alex. She could make their relationship impossible.

      But it seemed she had no wish to do that.

      ‘I’m glad my granddaughter has someone who has her best interests at heart. I’m glad that Alexander is looking to build a life for himself and his daughter again.’

      She pushed herself up from the chair and gave a little nod to Ruby with the hint of a smile.

      ‘And I would very much like to hear my granddaughter speak.’

      Ruby straightened up and her knees gave an unexpected crack. She let out a nervous laugh—it certainly displaced any anxiety in the room.

      Queen Isabelle gave her a serene smile. ‘I’m tired. But if I retired for the evening now people would talk. We should return to the ballroom together. I’ll be able to leave after a while.’

      Ruby nodded. Of course. People had seen them leave the ballroom together and their tongues would wag if they didn’t return together.

      Then the Queen did something she didn’t expect. She held out her elbow towards Ruby. An invitation to take it. Before it had been polite and because they were in company. In the confines of this room, when it was just the two of them, it was something she didn’t have to do.

      Ruby didn’t hesitate. She slid her arm next to the Queen’s and joined her in walking towards the door.

      Isabelle’s smile had stayed on her face. ‘Beautiful earrings, Ms Wetherspoon. They seem familiar. Queen Marguerite had exquisite taste, didn’t she?’

      Ruby’s heart squeezed inside her chest. She knew. She knew Alex had given them to her to wear this evening.

      They walked through the door arm in arm.

      The glass doors from the ballroom leading out to the gardens were open, letting the cool fresh air sweep in. Ten years ago New Year’s Eve in Paris had been cold, but winter in Euronia was much warmer. People drifted in and out of the ballroom and the gardens as the music played.

      People were curious about her now. Alex appeared by her side every ten minutes or so, introducing her to diplomats and other royals. They shook her hand and gave her guarded smiles. The celebrity guests were much more up-front. Apart from her earlier encounter with Maria Cochette, everyone else seemed to want to be her new best friend. It was odd. Perhaps it was the fact that Alex had kissed her in front of everyone. His message had been clear.

      The scene that everyone had expected in front of Sophia’s parents hadn’t materialised. When she’d re-entered the ballroom on the arm of Queen Isabelle some mouths had dropped open. Even Alex had looked a bit shocked, but he’d covered it well.

      His hands had appeared at her waist a little later and his mouth at her ear. ‘What did you do?’ he whispered.

      ‘I told the truth,’ she said simply, and he’d twirled her around in the next dance.

      The evening passed by in a flash. She didn’t even notice when the King and Queen of Leruna slipped away—she was too busy focusing on Alex.

      He was more attentive than ever, leaving her in no doubt of his attentions. Every tiny brush of his fingertips on her skin ignited the fire within her. Every time he caught her eye, or gave her a smile from across the room, she felt as if she were the only person there.

      When finally the last person left her feet were throbbing and her jaw was aching from smiling so much.

      Alex appeared at her side and took the champagne glass from her hand. ‘Are you tired?’

      She shook her head. ‘No. I don’t want this night to end.’

      He took her hand in his and led her up the huge curved staircase and along the corridor towards his rooms. Their footsteps quickened as they walked, their anticipation building.

      He swung the door of his apartment wide. She’d never been in here before. Alex had always been around her and Annabelle in their rooms, or in the main parts of the palace. She’d had no reason to visit his rooms.

      The room was stark. Different from the other very ornate rooms in the palace.

      No antique furniture. No sumptuous furnishings. It was white and black—like a modern apartment in the middle of New York—certainly not what she expected to find in a pink palace.