Read Online Long May She Reign by Ellen Emerson White - Free Book Online

Reception Room, surrounded by several staff members and aides, who—judging from the tenor of the conversation—all seemed to be very anxious about the logistics of several upcoming holiday parties and receptions the White House was holding. And her father was going to have to host the unveiling of the official White House decorations in a couple of days, an annual chore which, she knew, did not thrill him.
    â€œJust use your best judgment,” Preston said to Ginette, the deputy press secretary. “I should be back around five-thirty, six.”
    As the staff members moved off towards the East Wing, Meg nodded a self-conscious hello in response to the various nods and “how are you today”s.
    â€œSo.” Preston slung on his coat—a long, quite smashing, grey duster. “We ready to go?”
    Meg nodded, putting on her sunglasses.
    â€œMaybe we should work up an endorsement deal for you,” he said.
    Meg flushed, and straightened them. There was presumably something extremely nonegalitarian about overpriced designer sunglasses. She had several pairs of glasses with clear lenses, which she wore sometimes when she was trying very hard not to be recognized, but it never seemed to make much difference, and she felt much safer behind sunglasses. The darker, the better.
    When they got outside, there were a few reporters—and civilians—hanging around, some of whom shouted questions, to which she responded with a smile and a vague, friendly wave before getting into the car.
    â€œAre my little friends coming?” she asked.
    Preston nodded. “Looks that way. Sorry.”
    Swell. They hadn’t even pulled out of the driveway yet, and she was already exhausted. She sat back, keeping her sunglasses on, her fist tight in her lap.
    â€œOkay?” Preston asked.
    She nodded, pretending to look out the window, but keeping her eyes closed. Then, as they drove towards the Southwest Gate, she started having trouble getting her breath.
    Oh, Christ. Oh, Christ, oh, Christ, oh, Christ. She was going to lose it, right here in the car, and when they got to the school, she wouldn’t be able to—
    Preston’s hand came onto her shoulder. “You’re all right, Meg. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
    Which gave her another reason to panic. What if they were attacked, and Preston got caught in the cross-fire? Or her brothers. Or a bunch of innocent bystanders. Or—
    â€œCount to ten,” he said. “Do it a couple of times.”
    She looked at him, hoping like hell that he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes behind the sunglasses.
    â€œIt’s okay,” he said. “We’re the only ones here.”
    She wanted to sob, and throw up, and just generally fall apart. Make the car turn around, hurry inside, and huddle in her room for the rest of the day and night. The rest of her life , if possible.
    The gates had opened, and they were on the street now, and it occurred to her that her all-too-quiet agents were witnessing this silent meltdown, too. It was bad enough to make a fool of herself in front of Preston, but she really didn’t want her agents to see how cowardly she was. So she sucked in her breath, counted to ten, counted to twenty, and then—just to be sure—counted to fifty.
    Preston gave her shoulder one last squeeze, took his hand away, and pulled a small tin out of his inside coat pocket. “Altoid?” he asked.
    Why the hell not. With an effort, she opened her fist, and then clumsily helped herself to a couple of mints. “Thanks.”
    â€œI have LifeSavers, too,” he said.
    Good to know.
    â€œThis is going to make your brother very happy,” he said.
    It damned well better.

5
    WHEN THEY GOT to the school, she saw a lot of extra Secret Service agents milling around, indicating that Neal had gotten there ahead of them. Which made sense, considering that he was only coming over from