you.’
‘Three days, Mama,’ Andreas said. ‘Hardly an extended honeymoon.’
‘No, but at such a time, with Alex still away… Sebastian has barely been able to contain himself.’ Tia shook her head, her formal smile of welcome fading as she turned to Holly. ‘Welcome home, my dear. I’ll have someone show you to your apartments. Andreas, Sebastian is expecting you in your father’s study. Now.’
‘I should show Holly—’
‘I’ll organize Holly,’ Tia said in a tone that reminded Holly forcibly of her son. Aristocratic. Determined. And sure that the Red Sea would part for her. ‘You go. You’re needed. Holly will understand, I’m sure.’
And that was that. Andreas disappeared. Holly was left with a dozen servants and the queen.
Holly will understand? No, she didn’t. She should have felt lonely. Deserted and intimidated. Instead she was trying to control a fury that was threatening to overwhelm her.
‘So I’ll see my husband again… at dinner?’ she asked and the queen flashed her an uncertain glance.
‘I’m not sure. I believe Sebastian wishes him to travel to Greece.’
‘Greece,’ she said blankly. ‘Um… with me?’
‘You need to make yourself at home here.’
‘Do I?’
‘My dear…’
‘Oh, you needn’t worry,’ Holly said, seeing dismay wash over the aristocratic features. ‘I’m not about to make a scene. I’ve been told my role here is beige and that’s what you’ll get. So I’ll stay here while my husband goes to Greece. When can I have an audience with Sebastian?’
‘Pardon?
‘It’s Sebastian who pulls the strings round here, right? Then it’s Sebastian who’ll tell me when it’s convenient for my marriage to end.’
‘You mean His Majesty, Prince Sebastian,’ Tia said severely. ‘And I believe my son thinks it might be a good thing if it doesn’t end.’
Holly’s eyebrows did a hike skyward. ‘Really?’
‘It was a lovely performance in church.’
A performance. A performance!
‘That’s nice,’ she said between clenched teeth. She bent down and picked up Deefer. She’d set him down to greet the servants but she had need of his small, plump presence. Her comfort dog.
‘Give the dog to one of the men,’ Tia said, looking uncertain. ‘Is he yours?’
‘Yes,’ she said and her hold instinctively tightened.
‘He can be looked after in the stables.’
‘He’ll stay with me.’
‘My husband’s rule is that we don’t have animals in the palace.’
Her husband? Wasn’t Aegeus dead?
Did the rules made by dead kings last for ever? And did the rules made by dead kings apply to her?
‘That might create a problem,’ Holly said cautiously. ‘You’re saying I have to sleep in the stables?’
Tia glanced nervously at the servants. They were out of hearing. Just. Her tone softened, becoming sympathetic. ‘As a young bride I learned fast that I needed to obey the rules.’
Holly frowned. After how many years of marriage was Tia still obeying rules? ‘But you’re the queen now,’ she said. ‘The family matriarch. Surely you can make your own rules.’
‘It’s Sebastian who makes the rules now.’
‘But he’s your son.’
‘This is hardly appropriate—’
‘It’s not, is it?’ Holly said tightly. ‘I’ll discuss this with Andreas. Hopefully before he goes to Greece. Meanwhile have someone show me to my bedroom. With my dog. Or have someone show me to the stables. With my dog. Take your pick. Your call, Your Majesty.’
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