Winning the Queen's Heart: Contemporary Christian Romance (The Brides of Belles Montagnes Book 2) by Carol Moncado Read Free Book Online Page B

proposed.
    “How long have you known?” How long had he been keeping it from her?
    “Since yesterday morning. I didn’t want to stress you out. You had enough on your plate without worrying about tonight.”
    “I already worried about tonight,” she admitted, shocking even herself.
    He turned to look at her. “Given our circumstances, my thoughts were that we should wait until we were both comfortable to take that next step. The prime minister said the law allows him to choose the kind of confirmation. He told me he will take our silence on the matter as confirmation that attempts to conceive an heir began as soon as reasonably possible. His words, not mine. The statement is so ambiguous as to mean just about anything.”
    Of course. Prime Minister Caruso was one of the few people who knew the sordid details of the last few weeks. He was doing his best to give them a way out while still upholding the letter of the law.
    “He’s been researching it. For centuries, the newly married king or Crown Prince and his bride would enter the bridal chamber while the party continued. The king or prince would emerge some time later to great cheering as the royal line had now been guaranteed for another generation. Or so they believed.”
    “This is before the law?”
    “Yes. And part of the reason why the law was written. When it became known this daughter and her duke would enter the bridal chamber, and the new prince consort would emerge sometime later without consummation taking place, they felt the need to make it official.”
    “I see.” The sound of her thudding heart filled Christiana’s ears. “What do you propose we do then, Alexander?”
    She watched him take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. “I will leave it up to you. There is no reason for anyone to ask us about it. The prime minister believes he’s the only one even aware of the law. Everyone will assume they know what happens here tonight.”
    “It would be dishonest to let Prime Minister Caruso believe something that is not true, correct?”
    A quick nod. “It absolutely could be interpreted that way. However, ‘as soon as reasonably possible’ could be anytime between now and the time either one of us dies. I believe he fully expects us to wait until we’re ready.”
    “But he did not actually say that?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    Thoughts and emotions swirled into a vortex inside. “Very well.” She stood, her wedding dress feeling more constricting than before.
    Alexander stood with her. “Whatever you choose, Queen Christiana...” His voice trailed off.
    “Thank you, Alexander.”
    Now she stared in the mirror, still uncertain as to what her decision would be. It felt dishonest to allow the prime minister to believe something that was not true, no matter how he worded it to Alexander.
    But to be intimate with him? Was she ready for that? Was he? Would the champagne from the toasts cloud her judgment? It could not be wrong in the same sense it would be if they were not married, but would she make the same decision if she were not a bit tipsy?
    Christiana looked herself over. Comfortable pajamas. Flannel pants. Long sleeved t-shirt. Not exactly romantic or sexy, but she knew the cabin contained only one bed. She would not ask Alexander to sleep on the couch. Except for their time on the yacht, they would be expected to share a bed until they returned to the palace in nine weeks’ time. She had packed accordingly.
    When she decided she had stalled long enough, Christiana emerged from the bathroom to find Alexander sitting on the back deck, overlooking the Mediterranean. Long tan legs emerged from his cargo shorts as he stretched out on one of the Adirondack chairs. If he was disappointed by her attire, it did not show.
    Christiana sat in the chair next to him. “It is a lovely evening.”
    “It is.”
    “Could we just talk for a while and see what happens?”
    “Of course.” He turned and gave her what had to be his best smile. “Let’s