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It was shaming. He’d merely been playing games while she’d reacted to him as if…
She cut off the thought, unwilling to go there.
‘If you say so, darling. He’s despicable but at least he knows his duty to the country.’
Annalena frowned. ‘Despicable might be a bit too strong. But he thinks his way is the only way. He’s too used to getting what he wants, particularly with women.’
‘Ah, like that, is he? A puffed-up peacock. That’s interesting. I’d heard he was actually quite sensible.’
Annalena didn’t say anything. She supposed hewassensible, when it suited him. The way he’d outlined their situation had been compelling. But that didn’t mean his conclusion was right.
‘But he’s wrong. There must be another way out of this.’
The silence lengthened and her tension grew.
When she was little her grandmother had always been there to comfort her, assuring her everything would be okay. But she wasn’t a little girl now. She and her grandmother shared a relationship based on love but also honesty. Nowadays the Grand Duchess didn’t soften the truth to make it more palatable. It was something Annalena admired, the old lady’s determination to face problems.
Her silence now was a bad sign. Annalena had been so sure she’d have another option to offer.
‘I’m afraid I agree with his analysis.’ The old lady’s tone made Annalena’s stomach drop. ‘He might be conceited but he’s acutely aware of the pitfalls. This secret is growing too big. There’s no guarantee we can keep it quiet. If it becomes public knowledge the fallout could be disastrous.’ She sighed. ‘I’ve lived through uncertain times. I don’t want to see that again.’
Deflated, Annalena leaned against the window sill. ‘But there must be an answer that doesn’t involve marriage and me becoming Queen.’
Another silence, longer this time.
Sharp claws dug into Annalena’s chest, dragging down, lower and lower. She drew in a shuddering breath.
‘I’m not cut out to be Queen. I don’t want to be.’
‘We don’t always get what we want, my darling.’
‘Youwantthis?’
She heard a drawn-out sigh. ‘I’d hoped you’d find happiness. At the same time, thisisyour destiny. Your right and your duty. It’s what your parents would have wanted, for you to rule the country.’
Annalena didn’t know what to say. It was all well and good to talk about duty but this… Marrying a stranger! Taking a role for which she hadn’t prepared.
‘You know,’ her grandmother said eventually, ‘sometimes things aren’t as they seem. Did I tell you how I met your grandfather?’
Annalena frowned at the ugly gilded clock on the other side of the room, her mind still on Benedikt and his proposition. ‘I don’t think you have.’
‘Ah. I didn’t like him you know, not at all.’
Annalena stiffened, shocked. ‘That can’t be. The way you’ve always talked about him!’ And it wasn’t just what Oma had said but her tone and the soft light in her eyes when she spoke of her dead husband. Everyone knew the pair had been devoted.
‘Oh, Icameto love him. He was a wonderful man. But at first… Pfft. I thought him a pompous waste of space.’
An unwilling smile curved Annalena’s mouth. ‘Really? I can’t imagine you giving such a man a chance to make a better impression.’
‘That’s just it. He was a visitor and I had to entertain him, though it was obvious my mother was matchmaking. It’s a wonder he survived. I was sorely tempted to push him into the lake or over a cliff.’
‘He can’t have been that bad.’
‘Well, no. As I eventually found out. But to begin with we rubbed each other the wrong way. Sparks flew whenever we were together. I found him completely infuriating. But first impressions aren’t always right, my darling.’ She paused. ‘Maybe you should take a step back. Maybe your Benedikt isn’t as bad as you think.’
He wasn’therBenedikt but Annalena saved her breath. There was no point protesting. Her grandmother’s take on the situation was completely different to hers.
Soon after, Annalena said goodnight and ended the call.