Affairs of State(53)
She jumped out of her skin when the phone rang. A quick glance at the number revealed that it was Francesca. Normally she shared everything with her. She’d even taken her mother’s very private letter to show Francesca when it had first arrived and she needed to share it with someone. But her friend was now madly in love with the head of the most powerful television in network in the country, and this was quite possibly the scoop of the century. What if Francesca tried to convince her to announce it on air? After meeting her father for the first time in front of the entire country, it seemed anything was possible and her own privacy, even her feelings, were of little importance.
She let the call go to voicemail, as guilt trickled through her. More secrets and subterfuge. She wouldn’t tell Simon until he got here. It wasn’t the kind of news you should break over the phone and she’d see him in a few days. She’d have to tell Scarlet right away, especially since the nausea came and went in waves and she wasn’t sure how useful she’d be on the floor at events if she might have to rush to the ladies’ every few minutes.
And then there were the reporters. The TV special had reignited interest and she’d had a harrowing couple of days trying to smile and answer journalists’ questions every time she left the house. The creepy bearded guy who practically camped on her block had been joined by a few other camera-laden competitors, all vying for a money shot of her doing something newsworthy, like having a bad hair day. Maybe she could sneak away and run off to Ireland? It had worked for her mom, though of course she’d had her baby before she left.
The similarity in their circumstances smacked Ariella across the face. On instinct she picked up the phone and dialed the number of her mother’s D.C. hotel room. Ted Morrow had persuaded Ellie to stay in D.C. at least until the end of the month, so they could all have a chance to get to know each other again. Ellie’s now-familiar soft voice answered.
“It’s Ariella.” A strange wave of relief rushed through her, which was crazy as she’d barely met Ellie, but already she knew in her gut she had someone to confide in. “Something really strange has happened. Can I talk to you in person?”
“Of course, dear. Would you like me to come to your house?” Ellie had grown increasingly confident at navigating her way around D.C. despite an entourage of reporters.
“I’ll come to your hotel if that’s okay. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
Ellie glowed with warmth as she opened the door, and Ariella felt oddly relaxed in her presence despite her dramatic news. This one person would know exactly how she felt.
Ellie ushered Ariella into the large suite that ANS had reserved for her, and they sat on the sofa. “What’s going on? You look white as a sheet.”
“I’m pregnant.”
Ellie drew in a breath. “Oh, no.”
Ariella’s throat closed. This was not exactly the comforting response she’d been hoping for. Though she had to admit it was her own initial reaction. “It’s okay. I’m perfectly healthy and I’m in a pretty okay financial situation to have a baby.” Now she was trying to soothe her mother, not the other way around. The irony of the situation made her want to laugh.
“Do you love him?” Ellie’s question shocked her.
“I don’t know. We’ve only been seeing each other a few weeks. It’s Simon, who you met in London.”
“Oh, dear.” Ellie’s face crumpled.
Ariella put a hand on her arm. “What’s the matter?”
“I feel like history’s repeating itself. Why couldn’t you be pregnant by a nice ordinary man who could marry you and live a comfortable ordinary life?”
“Simon’s surprisingly ordinary for a prince.” She tried to smile. “Okay, maybe not ordinary but he’s very warm and down to earth.”
“But his family. Those royals are absolutely bound by tradition. That’s why Prince Charles couldn’t marry Camilla in the first place like he should have.”
“He’s married to her now, isn’t he?”
“Yes, but.” She sighed. “So much sadness happened in the meantime. I’m still not sure they’re ready to welcome an American into the family.”
“Me, either, to be quite honest.” She lifted her brows. “I socialized with them at a polo match last weekend and I felt like any of them would have happily driven me to the airport right then and there.”