All Her Men (The Queen's Men Book 1) Read Online Free

didn’t have time to pack your belongings.”
    Guards? “Those guys were the guards?”
    Edith ignored her interruption and continued, “We have procured a few things in the meantime; however, I have had your secretary schedule shopping time for tomorrow morning. It will allow you to get to know your people and it will show them that despite being an American you are willing to support your Scottish roots.”
    She giggled at the absurdity of having a secretary. “I do not know what to do. I don’t know much about Scotland. I mean I know it’s history, but I don’t know much about modern events. I can’t be a good leader if I don’t know what they need.” She couldn’t be a leader at all. Much less a leader of Scotland. Its history was full of bloodshed, love, and loss. The people had fought for everything they had and had never been given anything. Had much changed? Or were they going to continue down that path…?
    “Ma’am?” The maid holding the pantsuit stepped forward. “Beg yer pardon, ma’am… Tis what we need. Yer one of us now. We need ye. Please stay.”
    “What is your name?”
    “Fiona, ma’am.”
    “Fiona, I may not be able to save Scotland, but I will try. At least until they get fed up with me and decide to send me home. You should know though, I’m not the kind of person to keep my mouth shut… I’ll more than likely cause at least one international incident in the first twelve hours…” She took a deep breath and put her head up. She would make sure they got fed up with her too. There was more than one way to skin a cat. If she had survived being chased by drug runners because of Gen’s guy, then she could survive until they came for her. Just have to be a pain in the ass, make it uncomfortable for her guards. She grinned, that she could do. “I like the pantsuit.”
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Amelia stood in the throne room. The sunlight filtered through the windows and danced upon the wooden floors. The deep mahogany burned brighter, more auburn, with the kiss of light.
    Sounds filtered in from outside. Sounds of people parading in the streets. Laughter and shouts of joy embraced her heart. Were they this happy because of her? Were they this happy because they were free of England, or were they simply basking in the nationalistic feelings that the vote was sure to have caused?
    A quiet cough brought her attention back to the matter at hand. Her coronation.
    “Your Majesty, are you feeling well?”
    “Yes, Edith. I’m fine. Just listening to the people outside. They are so excited…”
    Edith’s bright smile soothed her. “Don’t worry. They love you.”
    “They don’t even know me.” It was true. They didn’t. They were unaware of the things she had done in her life, of the damage her temper had caused. Unaware of how quietly she lived, in penance, with the hope that one day she would be more than just a small office worker at a big company. A company that probably didn’t even know she was there. That probably didn’t know she was more than just an employee number with a set salary. Someone that never took time off. Never enjoyed life… Her penance…
    “You were chosen. You are their queen. Good or bad, you are theirs and they love you for it. Scotland will keep you. Its people will protect you and love you. Even if you fail.”
    Fail? Was Edith a mind reader? Did she know what Amelia had planned? “So how will this work?”
    “The leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party, SNP for short, will come in. He’s a seedy little man, so prepare yourself. He will be flanked by your guards. This is a different ceremony than normal because you have been so ill. Normally press would be  here, rulers of other countries present, etcetera . In this case though, no press is allowed; however, there will be one Royal Photographer permitted. He will document the event for the press outside.”
    “I bet I look awful.” She could not help it. Self-conscious person that she was,