Chapter 24
Max’s stomach was tied in a dozen knots as he paced the length of the Gold Drawing Room.
In the past forty-eight hours since leaving Emberly’s cottage, he’d thought through every angle of his situation, and he had come to the same conclusion that he had at the ranch—he needed to abdicate his right to the throne.
Of course, he had hoped to tell his father as well as parliament yesterday.
His overnight flight had landed in the early-morning hours in Zurich, the closest international airport to Vollenstadt.
He had been exhausted and had not paid attention to where they were going until too late.
Instead of going to the palace in Vollenstadt, their driver had taken him to the family estate on the Bodensee.
Rather than driving several more hours to reach the capital city, Braun had insisted they take the day to rest, refresh, and prepare for the meetings with his father and parliament. Although Max had not wanted to delay, Braun had complained of a headache and the need to sleep.
Reluctantly, Max had agreed to put off the encounters. Once he had, he’d realized the benefit of taking his time and not rushing the matter. His abdication of the throne was too important to do when he was hungry, disheveled, and sleep-deprived.
Today Max was feeling much more energetic. He’d also had time to rehearse what he intended to say, first to his father and then later to parliament. Unfortunately, parliament had a winter break and would not be convening until the following week.
In the meantime, however, he could speak to his father about the matter, arrange a meeting with Alex, and begin the process of handing over his succession to the throne.
Max paused beneath the center chandelier.
Glittering with crystals that reflected the light, the ancient fixture was at least two meters across and hung low from the high ceiling, which was decorated with multiple roundels, each radiating gold lines.
A frieze with rectangular panels ran around the tops of the walls, with delicate moldings of flowers, trees, and birds in each one.
One wall was filled with long windows decorated with golden curtains.
The gold damask on a pair of settees shone with brilliance under the bright glow of the gold candelabras set on pedestal tables on either side of the enormous marble fireplace.
An ornate piano that was painted gold graced the opposite side of the room and was surrounded by chairs upholstered in more gold damask.
Although the style and the lavishness of the gold were not to his liking, every item in the room—every vase, every rug, every mirror—had historical value and had been a part of the palace for decades, in some cases even centuries.
Every item contained his heritage, and he was just as dedicated as Alex to preserving the ancient relics and buildings.
What would Alex say when he learned of the abdication?
His younger brother would dutifully step into the role without complaining. However, he would not relish it the same way he did his role as the curator and preserver of their family’s many homes and treasures.
Max checked his watch again. It was well past eleven o’clock, the time Braun had arranged for him to meet with his father in the drawing room. His father was usually so punctual. What could be causing the delay?
Drawing in a breath to steady his nerves, Max started pacing again, lengthening his stride. As he reached a large, mirrored cabinet on one wall, the chamber door behind him opened, and Max stopped.
He pivoted to find a woman entering the drawing room on his father’s arm.
She was attired in heels, a classy slender skirt, and a blazer over a lacy top.
At the sight of the red hair styled in an elegant chignon revealing beautiful facial features, so delicate and yet so strong, Max’s heartbeat slammed against his chest.
Emberly?
She was speaking animatedly to Father in a friendly way. His father, who was an older version of Max with his tall bearing and blond hair, was smiling at Emberly and laughed lightly at something she said.
At the sight of him in front of the cabinet, the two came to a halt.
Emberly’s warm brown eyes fixed on him and seemed to take him in as hungrily as he was taking her in.
The knots in his stomach began to loosen. Was she happy to see him?
As if hearing his unspoken question, her lips curved into a smile—one that contained tenderness. Her eyes lit up too, and he was suddenly breathless with the need to be with her and talk to her and find out how she was doing.
It had nearly killed him to walk away from her cottage two days ago and leave her to despair.
But he had taken T.W.’s advice to heart and had come home to put his plan into action—one that would speak louder than words about how much he loved her.
He wanted her to know she was more important than anyone or anything else in his life.
He would give up everything and go to the ends of the earth, if necessary, to be with her.
“Maximillian.” His father’s greeting was accompanied by a smile that did not contain even a hint of displeasure. “You did not inform me that your wife would be joining us for our meeting.”
“He didn’t know,” Emberly said easily, confidently, not appearing in the least intimidated by the king. “He came home to talk to you about our marriage, but I didn’t want him to have to do it alone, so I had his assistant attempt to delay him as long as possible.”
So that’s why they’d detoured to the estate on the Bodensee, because Braun had been attempting to buy Emberly time to get to Karltenberg.
Max couldn’t find his voice to enter into the conversation. It had gotten lost somewhere inside him, and all he could do was stare at Emberly as his love for her expanded within his chest, filled his heart, and thrummed through his blood.
Good heavens. This woman. How had he made it through the past two days without her? Now that she was here, standing so near, he felt life flowing into him again.
His father shifted to look at Emberly, the admiration for her beauty shining in his eyes. “I had the pleasure of sitting down with Emberly for the past hour and hearing all about her and how much she loves you.”
Max nodded, which was about all he could manage.
He had no doubt his father had investigated everything there was to know about the McQuaids the moment he’d heard the news about his marriage to Emberly, which had been splashed all over the internet and news not long after the press conference he’d had outside the ranch gates.
His dad had every right to investigate Emberly and the McQuaids the same way T.W.
had investigated Max. Max hadn’t heard anything negative from his dad yet, no texts asking what he’d done or demanding that he annul the marriage.
Was it possible his dad had softened over the years and was more concerned about Max marrying someone he loved rather than someone with a title?
Or perhaps the few days Max had been stranded in the wilderness during the storm had put Max’s situation into perspective for his father. Whatever the case, Max had felt a shift in attitude from his father since then. Perhaps almost losing a son made other issues appear more trivial in comparison.
Emberly was watching his face. “I think I’ve surprised my husband so much that I’ve made him speechless.”
His father offered him another congenial smile. “That is truly a feat, for I rarely see Maximillian speechless.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to be the one to do all the speaking at our meeting.”
“Perhaps so.”
Emberly squeezed Father’s arm, then released him and began to cross to Max. “I believe Max will make an excellent king. He’s strong, decisive, and determined.” Something sharp in her eyes told him she knew about his plan to abdicate and that was why she had come—to stop him.
Max had instructed her family not to say anything to her about his intention until after the deed was done and he came back to tell her in person. Perhaps they had informed her regardless of his wishes. Or perhaps she had discovered his plans for herself.
Whatever the case, he could not let her interfere. “Father, what Emberly means to say is that I would have made an excellent king—”
“Will.” Emberly spoke emphatically. “You will make an excellent king, and I’ll be right there by your side helping you, encouraging you, and doing my part every step of the way.”
What was she saying? Did she believe him that his motivation for marrying her was sincere? That he had not done so to gain the throne?
She nodded, as though sensing his question. “Not only are you strong, decisive, and determined, but you are also humble, sacrificial, and noble. Those qualities are important not only in a king but in a husband. And I know you will make an excellent husband too.”
Before he could find his voice to respond, she reached him, stopped, and lifted onto her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. His senses were overwhelmed by her warmth, her softness, and her sunshine-citrus scent. He wanted to pull her into an embrace, lower his lips to hers, and taste her.
But she broke away and positioned herself at his side, as though that was where she intended to stay and she would not let anyone dissuade her.
“Your Majesty,” she said in a clear voice that rang with confidence.
“I fell in love with Max deeply and passionately. Yes, my love may have happened fast and furious, but it is forever. I will never leave him, not now and not ever.”
Max trembled inside. What was she saying? That she’d experienced the McQuaid legacy of love with him? She hadn’t thought she’d inherited the legacy because she was a woman. But one way or another, she had taken ownership of it just as he had.
Father opened his mouth to speak but then closed it. Had Emberly rendered him speechless as well?
Emberly’s smile widened as if she knew she had lassoed them both and was now in complete control of the situation. “I might not know much about royalty and being a queen, but I will make it my life’s mission to know everything about Max and to love him to the best of my ability.”
Father’s eyes welled with emotion. He cleared his throat, then met Max’s gaze. “I can do nothing less than wish you and your wife a lifetime of happiness.”
No doubt his father had gotten reports from both Braun and Winzig, who had informed him of the joy Max had found with Emberly.
Or perhaps Father was just relieved Max had gotten married and had decided not to be so particular.
Regardless, Father had given his blessing, and Max could not ask for more.
Well, he could ask for one more small request. “Father, might I have a moment alone with my wife?”
“Of course.” His father tried to remain somber, but his lips twitched with a grin. “I do think you will need more than a moment, however.”
This time Max couldn’t hold back a grin of his own. “You know me too well.”
“That I do.” His father’s eyes remained warm. “I think you will need at least a month. Or perhaps two months for a honeymoon. Will that suffice?”
“I am not sure,” Max teased.
Emberly released a soft laugh. “I won’t complain.”
“Good.” His father laughed in return. “You both will spend the day here with us, meet with the queen and the other princes, then you will be off on your honeymoon wherever you wish.”
Max gave his father a slight bow, hoping it conveyed his gratitude. As soon as his father left the room, Max turned to Emberly. He could not keep from gathering her in his arms at the same time that she launched herself against him.
Her lips found his eagerly and decisively, as if she were once again laying claim to him. He delved into the kiss with abandon, letting her wrap him up and tie him tight. Because the truth was, he had already been hers and would be forever.