Isabelle (House of Jensen Series book 5)

Chapter 24

I can't reconcile his actions with the man I knew because the man I knew was a liar and an abuser. "What else did Susan say?" Ask Freddie.

"She was surprised I called and was very apologetic. She hasn't spoken to James since the incident. She said she's aware her other son will do royal duties with Johan or Samantha. And didn't want to jeopardise his future."

"You must miss her a great deal don't you?" You could see the queen  was surprised by my question.

"How can I not she was a very dear friend."

"Then be her friend again it was her son that hurt me not her."

Taken back Queen Faith looks at her husband who was as equally surprised by my words. "All I ask is you do it in private for now because it would look bad to the public later. When I marry your son."

"You're amazing you know that."

"No your majesty I'm not."

Freddie kiss my hand, "Yes you really are."

"So are you going to tell people you're both married now?" Ask Leah.

"No, I want my fairytale wedding and I want dad to give me away. I want to drive in a open air carriage and let the people of Denmark see me thriving."

"I wasn't sure if I could tell my friends the truth now. You know the press is going to go crazy with speculations about you getting together with Freddie because of James's marriage."

"I don't care let them we all know the truth what do I care what strangers. I'll never have a conversation with think of me."

"That's a wonderful attitude to have my dear."

"Thank you Faith I almost forget to give you this. I give her the gift I bought for her. We all watch in anticipation as she opens it. She doubles over with laughter. "I love it I'll put it next to the one your mother gave me as a wedding gift."

"I don't get it what's so fun about a pan?" Ask Freddie.

His mother wipes a tear away then looks at her husband knowingly. "I lost a bet."

"What was the bet?" Ask Freddie.

"Debora expects me to make her pancakes because she was right about you too getting together."

"Wait mum thought Freddie and I would end up together?"

"She took one look at you and Freddie  playing together at your thirteen birthday party and said. I'll eat my hat if those two don't end up together. And I stupidly boost I'll cook you pancakes if they do."

"Mum you can't cook to save your life."

"I know son that's the joke.

"I don't get it."

"Darling  don't forget we are seeing Eliza today," It was the next day and I was scratching my wrist. I couldn't wait to get the cast off.

Federico's POV

In the past.

"Have you found out anything yet?"

"I'm not sure but that James guy you wanted me to watch is behaving oddly. For a guy who's girlfriend is missing he's making up for her absence by sleeping with a lot of women. Then there is the meetings that he keeps having at that Cafe you saw him come out of. He doesn't go into the office often either and right now you care more about finding his girlfriend than him. I checked he hasn't hired anyone to find her. His parents have but not him if you ask me he never loved her."

Federico knew Dan was right but says nothing. He couldn't say they broke up three months ago. "You said in your  phone call that James went to a hospital and stayed there for three days?"

"Yes that's right the nurse who I paid for information reported seeing him there looking worried about an operation. They remember him being there because he didn't check in or had a operation."

"Maybe someone he knew was having an operation and he was there visiting them."

Dan sits back in his chair and put a hand over his mouth, "The thought occurred to me too. She said no one as far as she could tell had a operation in the room he stayed in."

"Even if it was one of James's famous friends getting work done there would be a paper trail. Hospitals need paperwork to look after people especially after an operation," explains Federico.

"She worked the day shift and never saw anyone in that room but James."

Federico rest his elbows on the table and look Dan in the eyes. "Whatever happened there happens at night and clearly bigger forces are at play here."

"You're right I'll keep digging your highness."

Freddie raises an eyebrow, "I see you've done your homework."

"It would appear now we are even. I'm curious why haven't you told the Danish royals I'm in the country?"

"They have enough to deal with and Keith and Elliot knows you're here."

A look of disgust passes across Dan's face, "I see they've made themselves known to you." Dan ignores Federico and drinks his coffee.

The present day

"Your royal highnesses it's so wonderful to see you both."

"Thank you Eliza it's been so long since we lost saw you."

She looks at Isabelle sadly, "Too long."

We walk into her family's villa in Tuscany and I turn to Isabelle to see her reaction. She seems happy, "How's your parents?" I ask.

"Away visiting relatives I've been in the kitchen since five this morning cooking for you guys."

"Eliza you didn't have to do that."

Eliza smiles at Isabelle, "I did I made your favourite pizza napoleon with eggs. I made the dough from scratch and Freddie I made you burgers."  Eliza was a gourmet chef who trained in some of the best schools in the world. She cooked only for her family and friends now. "Thank you for the effort you've made. It's been a almost a year since I've seen you in the flesh."

"I know I wanted to give you space to deal with everything you've been through."

"I appreciate that I really needed it."

Izzy and I take a seat in the morning room. She always loved sitting in here over looking the acres of fields.

A housekeeper comes in the room with a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses. We help ourselves to a drink and I feel Eliza's eyes on me she was clearly unsure what to say.

"Eliza, Freddie and I would like you to be a bridesmaid at our wedding."

"OMG you remembered you used to date him before you were kidnapped. I would be delighted to be a bridesmaid Kimi is going to go nuts."

"What!"

We  both turn and look at Isabelle who was looking between the two of us in confusion.