Read Online Crowned: The Palace Nanny by Marion Lennox - Free Book Online Page A

would I, Elsa thought, but once again she held her tongue.
    â€˜I need you both to come,’ Stefanos said. He was watching the two of them, focusing as much on Elsa as he was on Zoe. The pressure on her hand remained. Was he trying to warn her? she wondered. It didn’t feel like that. It simply felt as if he was feeding her…strength. It was a crazy concept but it seemed the only one that would fit.
    â€˜That’s why I’ve brought two suitcases,’ he told them. Finally he released her hand. He’d set the suitcases on the floor and he flipped one open.
    From the top he lifted a shiny new laptop computer. She’d seen these advertised. They were worth…a tenth of Zoe’s next operation?
    â€˜This is for you,’ he told her, setting it on the table. ‘Whether you decide to come or not. You work from home. Why can’t that home be on Khryseis?’
    Because…
    There was no because. She couldn’t think of one, apart from the fact that the thought left her terrified.
    She glanced at the mantel. Mathew’s face smiled at her. Steadied her.
    There must be a because.
    Because my husband is buried here? Because this is where my grief is?
    That wasn’t a good because.
    Because this guy in front of me makes my body react as I don’t believe it’s ever reacted?
    Well, that was something she needed to dismiss. How weak a because was that?
    Because I’d have no control over Zoe’s life? Because people would stare at her scars? Because, as a royal, she’d be on display, and it could well destroy her?
    Here at last were valid reasons, but before she could voice them Stefanos had lifted parcels onto the table.
    â€˜These are for you,’ he said softly to Zoe. ‘Because you’re one of the bravest young women I’ve met. Because I know how much your body’s hurt over the last four years, and I know how beautiful you are, inside and out. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you when your parents died but I am now. These are to make you even more beautiful than you already are.’
    Zoe looked uncertainly at Elsa—and then tentatively unwrapped the top parcel.
    It was a pink blouse. It had tiny buttons shaped like butterflies. It had soft puffed sleeves designed to reach Zoe’s elbows. A tiny white mandarin collar was designed so the top buttons could stay open, but the collar itself would stay high. Just high enough to hide the scars.
    And there was more.
    Elsa had searched for clothes like these, as far as her budget could afford it. She’d even tried making them. That was a joke, trying to learn dressmaking from an instruction manual. To say her attempts had failed was an understatement.
    But after one night Stefanos had found these. There were three pairs of trousers, capri style, like long shorts, one red and white, one a lovely soft blue and one a deeper shade of pink. There were four more blouses, each with the same soft high collar. There were hair ribbons to match, and pretty sandalsand a couple of dainty bracelets. There was an exquisite lilac party dress with white lace and a vast bow at the back. It came with a lilac choker with stars embroidered in white.
    Within minutes Zoe was surrounded by a sea of clothes. She looked up at Elsa and her eyes were shining.
    â€˜They’re beautiful,’ she breathed. ‘Can I keep them?’
    What sort of question was that? There was no way she could refuse this gift. She just wished, so badly it hurt, that she’d been in a position to give these to her herself.
    â€˜They might not fit,’ Stefanos warned, casting Elsa a thoughtful glance and then directing his attention back to Zoe. ‘I had to guess sizes, but I’ve organised a dressmaker to visit you this evening and let them out or take them in as you need. We can change anything too—she has my authority.’
    â€˜And my authority?’ Elsa whispered.
    â€˜I hope you’ll