"I thought it was a very nice kiss." He didn't make her start the discussion.
"It was," Catherine agreed.
"And I think we can both agree chemistry isn't something we're lacking in." His eyes were gentle as he looked at her. "Am I right about that?"
She gave another nod, but didn't reply.
His thumb rubbed lightly along her knee through the quilt. "I think I'd like to do that again."
Another nod.
"I do think we'll want to talk about what we want to happen before things go further than a kiss.”
Her eyes closed again. "I agree, but I don't think I'm ready to do that just yet. Soon, but not tonight."
"All right." He didn't protest her limitations on when the conversation would take place. "But I talked with your mum today, and we do need to talk about something else before tomorrow."
He'd talked to Mumeleine? "What's that?"
"Exactly what our story is about meeting as children. Neither of us actually remember it, but that's probably not what we want to tell the press tomorrow at the photo call."
He made a good point.
"You're right, but what do we tell them?"
"Keep it simple. My father worked for your family. I was in the palace from time to time. We met when our families had dinner but fell out of touch when my family moved to Southern Santiero."
She felt like there probably should be a little more to the story, but she didn't have wherewithal to figure out what it could be. With her eyes closed, she felt herself starting to drift.
Maybe a nap wouldn't be the worst idea after all.
10
In just a minute, Jake would be part of his first ever photo call.
He stood around the corner from the doors to the Amethyst Room where the photos would be taken, waiting for Catherine to join him . She had a phone call that ran longer than expected then had to get into a different outfit than she'd worn into the office.
With a minute to go before they were supposed to walk out, she hurried into the hall.
"Are you ready?" She was a bit out of breath.
He rested his hands gently on her upper arms. "They can wait until you catch your breath. Going out there before you did would probably be some kind offaux pas, wouldn't it?"
She took in a slow, deep breath, likely willing herself to get it under control. "Probably."
"Besides, I have something for you before we go out there. Jessica will tell them you had a business call run long." Jake let his hands drop and shoved one into the pocket of his slacks, bringing out a small velvet-covered box. "I know we're already married, but I did want to give you this."
He held out the box and opened it, revealing a ring she recognized.
Catherine gasped, negating her attempts to get her breathing under control. "It's my mum's," she whispered.
"Your father gave it to me. He said your mum wanted you to have it." Jake took it out of the box and slid it onto her outstretched finger. "I know we're not nearly as conventional as most couples, but I wanted you to have something worthy of you and the position you hold, the role you fill for so many." He brushed a tear off her cheek. "No other ring would have been the right choice."
"Thank you for thinking of it," she whispered. "It's perfect."
"All I did was mention something to Madeleine who then talked to your father. I didn't know what might be available or what you might want in an engagement ring."
She looked at the ring where it sat on her finger. "I never really thought about what ring I'd want to wear as an engagement ring. If I'd thought about it, I probably would have guessed I'd talk about it beforehand with the man I was going to marry one day. We didn't have the luxury of that sort of time."
