Nic hadn’t been in the palace more than fifteen minutes before his mother’s private secretary tracked him down in the billiards room where he and Gabriel were drinking Scotch and catching up. The room had four enormous paintings depicting pivotal scenes in Sherdana’s history, including the ratification of the 1749 constitution that was creating such chaos in Nic’s personal life.
“Good afternoon, Your Highnesses.” A petite woman in her midfifties stood just inside the door with her hands clasped at her waist.
Gwen had come to work for the queen as her personal assistant not long before the three princes had been born and more often than not, regarded the triplets as errant children rather than remarkable men.
“Hello, Gweny.”
“None of that.”
Nic crossed the room to kiss her cheek. “I missed you.”
Her gaze grew even sterner, although a hint of softness developed near the edges of her lips. “You missed tea.”
“I needed something a little stronger.” Nic held up his mostly empty crystal tumbler.
“The queen expected you to attend her as soon as you arrived in the palace. She’s in the rose garden. You’d better go immediately.” Gwen’s tone was a whip, driving him from the room.
Knowing better than to dawdle, Nic went straight outside and found his mother in her favorite part of the garden. Thanks to the queen’s unwavering devotion, the half acre flourished with a mixture of difficult-to-find antique rose varieties as well as some that had been recently engineered to produce an unusual color or enhanced fragrance.
“It’s about time you got around to saying hello,” the queen declared, peering at him from beneath the wide brim of her sun hat.
“Good afternoon, Mother.” Nic kissed the cheek his mother offered him and fell into step beside her. He didn’t bother to offer her an explanation of what he’d been doing. She had no tolerance for excuses. “The roses look beautiful.”
“I understand you brought a girl home with you. She’s the sister of your California friend.” She paused only briefly before continuing, obviously not expecting Nic to confirm what she’d said. “What is your relationship to her?”
“We’re friends.”
“Don’t treat me like an idiot. I need to know if she’s going to present a problem.”
“No.” At least not to anyone but him.
“Does she understand that you have come home to find a wife?”
“She does. It’s not an issue. She’s planning on heading home after the wedding.”
“I understand you are taking her along with Gabriel and Olivia on a trip to the vineyards?”
“Gabriel mentioned something about it, but I haven’t spoken with Brooke.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea that you get any more involved with this girl than you already are.”
“We’re not involved,” Nic assured her.
“Is she in love with you?” Nic waited too long to answer and his mother made a disgusted sound. “Do you love her?”
“It doesn’t matter how we feel about each other,” Nic said, his voice tense and impatient. “I know my duty to Sherdana and nothing will get in the way of that.” From his conversation with Gabriel, Nic knew she hadn’t gone this hard at Christian. Why was Nic alone feeling the pressure to marry? Christian was just as much a prince of Sherdana. His son could just as easily rule. “I assume you have several matrimonial candidates for me to consider.”
“I’ve sent their dossiers to your room in the visitors’ wing. Did Gabriel mention the problem in your suite earlier today? Apparently your bathtub overflowed and flooded the room.”
“Gabriel thought it might have been the twins although no one caught them at it.”
His mother shook her head. “I don’t know why we’re paying a nanny if the girl can’t keep track of them.”
“From what I understand they are a handful.”
“There are only two of them. I had three of you to contend with.” His mother took Nic’s hand in hers and squeezed hard. “It’s good to have you home.” She blinked rapidly a few times and released her grip on him. “Now, run along and look over the files I sent to your room. I expect you to share your thoughts with me after dinner tonight.”
“Of course.” He bent and kissed her cheek again. “First I’m off to see Father. I understand he has a ten-minute gap in his schedule shortly before five.”