Trane slammed the newspaper down on his desk. How could she do this? A simple email and he could have explained Torren’s policies on each one of these issues, their plans to reform some of their practices, and a commitment to discuss others. Instead, she went straight to the press. And the resultant pundits and opinion blogs and news talk shows had exploded. The pristine Valdez reputation as dirty as the Mediterranean? Trane just doing lip service? Real change needed now. That last one, Trane appreciated. It was a piece Phina wrote as a follow-up and he agreed with all of it. She expressed so aptly his thoughts on environment and change. What a bitter pill to have further evidence he and Phina were so well suited, when he knew they could not be together. He felt betrayed in every way.

The family would meet for breakfast in five minutes and he had to decide how to respond to the news. And what should be the family’s official response.

As he entered, Thad, their brother press liaison was pointing out several images projected on the far wall. “We need to discredit her where we can.” He winced when Trane entered. “Sorry brother.”

“It’s something we need to talk about. You make a valid point. I never thought the woman I hoped to marry and an enemy in the press were ever going to be the same person.”

His mother smiled. “Do you hope to marry her?”

They turned to look at her, all the brothers. And Trane said, “It doesn’t signify mother. She’s attacking us. International news has picked it up. I would say this is a strong example of not putting the Torren crown first.”

She waved a hand. “That’s more important for Nico and Jo to worry about. You have a little leniency where that is concerned.”

He shook his head. He didn’t think this fit in the window definition of leniency.

They all took their seats and Nico said, “Bon Appétit.” Breakfast was delicious as usual. But he had only taken three bites before Nico began. “I apologize for rushing your meal. But I have a full docket of other things to deal with today. This will have to hurry.” He clicked through pictures and news articles, projecting them on the far wall. “She’s created quite a stir.” His eyes showed sympathy when his gaze met Trane’s. “So far we have made no comment but our normal political response about the environment. “Torren leads the world in preservation and environmentally friendly practices. It is our strong desire to protect the Mediterranean and its oceanic wildlife for many generations to come.” He turned to Trane. “I have to know. Is she right? Are we negligent in the areas she suggests?”

Trane cleared his throat. “The answer won’t sound satisfying. She’s right, but we are better than most.”

“Surely we can do better.” Jo’s tone held a “We’d better do better” undertone.

“We are doing well, Jo. But one of her accusations, the yachts. The technology to make yachts more green is just now becoming available. We will utilize those methods when it is practical to do so.”

“And the garbage, and the ocean dumping.”

He looked down. “Guilty as charged.”

“Well, now wait a minute.” Nico touched Jo’s shoulder. “We bring bags and bags of our garbage to shore when we go.”

Trane nodded. “We do. But the tourist towns where we dump it? They turn around and throw it into the sea.”

“And the fishing?” Jo’s expression was so hopeful, Trane wished he could answer differently.

“I’m afraid our fishing practices are governed by demand more than anything.”

Nico clicked to the whale.

Trane offered. “And yes, we use bottled water in our yachts.” He twirled his pencil. “You know I have been swamped in planning the summit. There are so many other issues at stake here for our sea. And the countries are coming to an agreement on all of them.” He shook his head. “But naturally Seraphina picked out the three main things we have not been able to address, and honestly they are relatively minor compared to the ones we are addressing.”

Thad clicked to another article, “What’s the Duke of Torren hiding?” “It doesn’t matter, Trane, if these issues are small, because she will make them huge. She has already. Our phones are ringing off the hooks. From environmentalists to fishing companies alike.”

Trane drank from his cup. “So you want to go after her? Offensively discredit?”

Thad cleared his throat. “That is one strategy, yes.”

“The other would be to humbly admit wrong and work toward change.” Jo raised both eyebrows looking from person to person. Then she shared a long look with the queen. “And, to use the publicity, whether negative or positive, to our advantage. While eyes are on us, we make some important statements with our actions.”

The queen nodded her approval.

Trane grunted. “But we are not in the wrong. We have spent more money, worked harder than any country I know to preserve the Mediterranean, despite the awful habits of our neighbors.” He leaned forward. “To think they would target us, the instigators of the most important summit for environmental reform, when we are making huge strides. The world will be a much better place when we are through and yet she would target us? Not any of the other countries who are doing no good and are far worse offenders? She couldn’t target one of them?” He stopped. His mother looked sympathetic and the others not as much.

Jo said, “I know Trane, but she does have a point. You are doing good, but you could be doing more and perhaps the timing of the piece is to encourage world leaders to finish the job.”

Nico nodded. “I agree with Jo. I say we take the humble approach and immediately implement our own changes regarding these specific allegations.”

Trane gritted his teeth. “In what time? What additional week have you gifted me with, your highness, to begin to implement all these things?”

“Jo can help. She has been itching to join you in this battle long before now.”

Trane eyed her and relaxed by small degrees. Jo would be remarkable. He could trust her with the task and continue working on the preparations for the summit. “Ok. Jo, I look forward to reading your report.”

Thad nodded. “And now for the press conference. I will need you both present. This afternoon.” He detailed their platform, their purpose and direction. Trane only half listened since he wrote the crown’s policy on the environment and hardly needed a refresher.

As hurt as Trane was, he appreciated the humble reaction from his family to Seraphina’s allegations much more. And he was thrilled at the additional progress his country would make. But griped and hurt at the manner in which Seraphina handled it all.

His phone rang. “Seraphina.”

“Trane. I’m calling to see if you have any response to my articles?”

“You are calling now? After the fact? I would have expected that courtesy before they went to print.”

“Well, I tried and your press office shut me down. They said what they are saying to everyone right now. ‘All comments about the environment will have to wait until after the summit.’”

“Hmm. And you couldn’t have used this number?”

“We were having a rough day.”

He breathed out in exasperation. “What do you want Phina? A statement? Come to the press conference.” Why should he give her an exclusive?

There was a pause. Thad cleared his throat. He held out his hand, “Mind if I…?”

Without responding, Trane handed him the phone. The others went silent, and everyone ate a few more bites of breakfast. Thad coordinated the press conference times and offered to email her a statement. Better than Trane had done. He couldn’t possibly look at this situation objectively.

The press conference went off without a hitch. They were gifted with so much attention, every major newspaper and channel was present, as well as many international big names. A part of him wanted to thank Phina for the press attention until he remembered how low handed she’d been about the whole thing.

The next day, not all responses were favorable. “More lip service? The Torren Duke has done little but make promises.” Trane learned of plans to stage a march and demonstrations at all the summit events. Lucan amped up security. And the worst article of all, one of the smaller presses had picked up on his and Phina’s history. “Lover’s Quarrel. How long will the Mediterranean be a bargaining chip in the Valdez family quarrels?” Ridiculous. Around twenty times a day he wished he did not have to escort Phina to the Summit activities, but Lucan kept insisting. And when he was being totally honest, he looked forward to standing at her side for a few days with that sweet torture of loving her yet knowing they were not to be together.