For the next two days the Princess was busy with public duties, attending the opening of a homeless shelter and awarding prizes for bravery for the London Fire Brigade. Come the morning of the third day since she had met the mystery Major in the palace, she was sitting down to breakfast with her mother, the Queen, enjoying a large bowl of fruit and yoghurt.
"So, Lizzy, tell me, have you had any further thought as to what kind of role you might like to try out when your holidays are over?"
Elizabeth glanced up at her mother, knowing this question was not nearly as innocent as it appeared. The Queen was eager for her daughter to choose something soon. It was not good for the monarchy's public image for the heir to the throne to be seen as a layabout, sponging off the taxpayers of the country.
"No, Mama, nothing. Nothing I want to do is something I can do"
"Oh, Lizzy, you know that's just how it is. Being a writer is something your cousins could maybe indulge in but not you. We need to find you something soon, I'm sure you can turn your hand to anything you try"
Elizabeth sighed and put down her spoon. Looking up at her mother, she almost felt jealous of her for a moment. Despite the fact that she had become Queen at the tender age of just twenty-one, a year younger than Elizabeth was now, it had at least meant she had never had to worry about doing anything else. Once Elizabeth was Queen she knew her time would be full enough that she'd never have to worry about being bored ever again. But until then, her life seemed to be spent in an endless waiting room. And as her mother was only forty-five, she knew it could realistically be forty years or more until she took her place. Her mother noticed her downturn in mood and felt sympathy for her daughter. Nothing about their lives was easy, no matter what people might think.
"I have a suggestion for you, darling. Something for the next six months anyway. And then you can make your mind up for the long-term"
Elizabeth glanced at her mother, curious as to what had occurred to her. Her mother looked back at her with a small smile, her eyes twinkling.
"How would you like to help arrange my Silver Jubilee celebrations?"
Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. Had her mother read her thoughts? It was the kind of thing she would most definitely enjoy being a part of, of course. But what really stunned her was the fact that she had been considering volunteering to help anyway. Due to the presence of a certain American at the head of the committee overseeing the preparations.
"That sounds amazing! Are you sure? I don't have any experience and….."
"Elizabeth, I was Queen younger than you are now. You can learn on the job and I know you'll do it wonderfully"
Elizabeth could tell the matter was now closed. She picked up her spoon and continued to eat her breakfast. Inwardly she was all a flutter with nerves at the thought of seeing the Major again. Outwardly she just smiled at her mother and acted happy, if not elated. She wasn't sure why she was being so guarded with her thoughts but she suspected her mother would not approve of her having a silly crush on a man who could well be twice her age.
It turned out the next meeting of the Jubilee Committee was that very afternoon. Half an hour beforehand, Elizabeth found herself in her room trying on her fourth outfit in a row. She had no idea what kind of clothing she should be wearing. She thought casual but smart. But maybe she should be smarter than that? And dress or trouser suit? Eventually she decided on a smart dress, although not too flashy. It was warm weather and so she wanted to remain cool. Putting on just a touch of make up, she picked up her handbag and walked out the room, heading towards the far wing of the palace, where the meeting was to be held.
She was the first one there. Royal protocol meant that she should actually be the last to arrive. However, she didn't want to come across as trying to be above everyone else. Yes, she was the next in line to the throne but she wanted to interact with these people (one in particular) as close to an equal as she could. Heirs and graces bored her silly. Being treated as a normal human being was definitely the tone she wanted to set from the start with her new work colleagues.
After ten minutes, a couple of civil servants arrived. They seemed a little taken aback to see her there but quickly recovered and greeted her accordingly. She attempted to put them both at ease a little by telling a couple of safe jokes about the weather and their journey to the palace. But their fake laughter just made her feel even more isolated. As more and more people arrived, she just greeted them quickly and politely and then sat back down. Pulling out her phone, she nodded at the people at the table, silently letting them know it was okay to talk in her presence without directly talking to her. She opened up her e-reader and within a minute was deeply engrossed in her book.
The next thing she knew she was being addressed by a man standing close to her with a very familiar voice. Glancing up, she looked straight into the eyes of Major Reddington. He was saluting her, waiting for her acknowledgement. Embarrassed, she stood quickly and smiled at him.
"Major, how nice to see you again. Apologies for being lost in my latest reading material"
He smiled at her and lowered his arm.
"That's quite all right, Ma'am. You seem rather attached to that device"
She laughed. Looking around the room at the civil servants and government ministers who were there they all looked taken aback, if not shocked, that this American officer had had the temerity to tease her in front of them. She acted quickly to diffuse the situation.
"You're quite correct, Major Reddington. When I'm reading a book, I believe an earthquake could start and I'd be oblivious"
The other men and women in the room relaxed and the Major smiled at her, pulling her chair back slightly so she could sit back down. To Elizabeth's delight, she found she was actually going to be sitting next to him. As the Chair of the committee he had the seat at the head of the table and she had inadvertently chosen the one next to it.
"Ma'am, now that you have joined our team, perhaps you would like to have this seat?"
"Oh no, Major. This is your committee. I'm just here to help in any way I can. You're in charge"
The whole time they were speaking, they were looking directly into each other's eyes. It was as if the other people in the room had ceased to exist. Elizabeth couldn't remember the last time she had felt this off-kilter with a man. In fact, she wasn't sure she ever had. Nodding to the Major for him to start the meeting, she turned to the rest of the table and smiled, hoping to break the moment. She saw looks of interest from most of the men and some knowing glances from the women present.
As Major Reddington started to speak, Elizabeth made herself busy by reading through the agenda in front of her. Although she wasn't sure many words were sinking in. She could feel her cheeks ablaze with embarrassment and maybe a little something more. This was ridiculous. She took a sip of her water and forced herself to calm down, truly trying to listen to what was being said, rather than thinking about her physical reaction to this man. After a few minutes, it had worked and she was even able to add a couple of points to the discussion.
Two hours later and they were done. She and the Major were the last to leave. The next meeting wasn't scheduled for another three days and completely on a whim, Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak to him, finding herself a little desperate to ensure she saw him again before that.
"Major Reddington, I wonder if I might request your company again tomorrow?"
He turned to her, a slightly surprised look on his face. But smiled and nodded.
"Of course, Ma'am. How can I assist?"
She really wished she had thought this through a little more carefully but she improvised like a pro.
"There are a few details from today's meeting I'd like to go over again. I don't think there's any point convening everyone but as the Chair, I'd like to talk with you about them? Shall we say noon tomorrow? We could have lunch."
Elizabeth had never sounded quite as regal as she did in that moment. She was hiding her nerves behind a blatant show of royal power. The way she spoke to him made her cringe inwardly. She hated to be so bossy and assuming. But if she had tried to do this casually, she knew it would have been far worse.
"That sounds delightful. I'll be here at the palace in plenty of time"
"Thank you, Major. Good day."
She smiled at him as he saluted her one last time and walked out the door. The instant she was in the corridor she turned and hastily walked away, replaying what had just happened in excruciating detail. She then hurried back to her room in order to think of what she was going to talk to the Major about tomorrow. She needed to make this look convincing as she was fairly certain that he had already seen straight through her.