Page 70 of Reign

Their horses had slowed, as if sensing the magnitude of this conversation. Beatrice swallowed. “For most of my life I’ve tried to go it alone. I wanted America to think I was strong, just as strong as any king, so I assumed that I couldn’t show weakness or ask for help. I never leaned on anyone. But going into battle alone doesn’t make you strong; it makes you vulnerable. Asking for help when you need it is the true strength.”

Something flickered behind the duchess’s impassive facade as Beatrice spoke. “So here I am: asking you to join forceswith me and offering, in exchange, to be your partner in as much as I can. Let’s find a way to collaborate on the issues you’ve brought up. We could start a new focus group, draft new legislation? I don’t know exactly what the solution is,” Beatrice admitted, “but I feel confident that we can find it if we work together.”

A bird called somewhere in the distance, underscoring her words. Beatrice sat ramrod straight in her saddle, waiting.

“All right, Your Majesty. I’ll support you against Madison, and will try to rally others to vote against him as well.”

“You will?”

“You expected more of a negotiation?”

Frankly, yes. Beatrice had assumed Anna would come at her with a list of demands.

“I’ve been in this role too long to enjoy negotiating anymore. What’s that saying—the sign of a good compromise is that neither party is happy with the outcome?” Anna shook her head. “You asked if we couldcollaborate.A word I hear far less often than I should.”

Her eyes seemed to twinkle as she added, “I like that you weren’t afraid to come to me, hat in hand, to ask for my help. You’ve proven that you’re humble and unafraid of criticism. You’ll need those qualities to face the challenges ahead.”

“Thank you,” Beatrice said softly.

“I faced the same kind of opposition in my day, you know. I was one of the only acting duchesses of my generation. I know what it’s like to face down men who tell you that you aren’t good enough.” The duchess seemed suddenly galvanized, as if the prospect of taking on Madison had infused new purpose into her. “I look forward to working together, Your Majesty.”

“As do I.”

Beatrice stood in her stirrups, leaned across the distance between their two horses, and shook the duchess’s hand rightthere on the dusty trail. Exactly how she expected things to be done in Texas.

When they returned to the barn, the duchess informed Beatrice that dinner would be in a few hours. “Very casual, we’re having barbecue outside. You haven’t seen a sunset until you’ve seen one in the Texas hill country.”

Then she headed back into the main house, leaving Beatrice and Connor together. Alone.

“Hey, Bee,” Connor said softly. It was only two syllables, but hearing them made it seem like no time had passed at all.

Beatrice swallowed against a sudden tightness in her throat. “How are things in Texas?”

“I’m happy here.” At the bleak expression on her face, Connor hesitated. “What is it?”

“I don’t know. I’ve actually…I’ve wanted to talk to you since the accident.”

He looked at the grooms still untacking their horses and lowered his voice. “Why don’t we take a walk.”

They started along a grassy field, past paddocks of glossy-looking horses and a single donkey that, from the way it kept nudging the horses out of the way, thought it was one of them. Beatrice caught a glimpse of the river through a veil of cypress trees.

She drew in a breath, then explained about her retrograde amnesia, how she’d forgotten most of the events of the past year.

Connor shook his head in surprise. “You could have fooled me. You seem as calm and collected as ever.”

“If I seem that way, it’s all an act.”

It was strange, being so near him and feeling distant. Once upon a time Connor’s body had been as familiar to Beatriceas her own, yet now she didn’t reach for his hand. Because she didn’t feel like she was allowed—or because she no longer felt a compulsion to?

“Bee. You didn’t come here for me, did you?” His eyes burned with intensity. “Because—well, I—”

He broke off abruptly, leaving Beatrice staring at him in confusion.

“I came here to meet with the duchess, though seeing you was an important bonus. I was hoping you could give me some answers.”

“I’ll do my best,” he said hesitantly.

“What happened to us?”