“Ella said it would.” He sighed as with relief.
“You called her?” Daffy linked her arm through his, loving his nearness, and steered for the kitchen.
“I needed someone to tell me where you lived. Help me surprise you.” He sat at the island, his famous smile dispelling the gloomy atmosphere.
A smile aimed at her. For her. Because of her. How she loved how handsome he was—his high cheeks, curious eyes, and how his full lips were surrounded by a whisper of whiskers. Mostly she loved the heart he carried beneath his sculpted chest.
Setting out two bowls, Daffy filled them with ice cream. When she handed one to Gus, he grasped her wrist, his warmth radiating along her arm.
“This crazy day doesn’t change anything for me.” Huskiness deepened his voice.
“Are you certain?” Daffy joined him on the other side of the island, sitting in one of the inexpensive tall chairs she’d found online. “The queen is not my fan.”
“She will be. When she knows the truth. I told her to get over her old grudge.”
“What did she say?”
“What could she say? And she’s going to give you a good reference for a new job. Unless you want to return to the Royal Trust. Then I’ll fight for you.”
“I’m not sure what I want.” She took a small bite of ice cream. “Does she know you’re here?”
“Does it matter? I’m not sixteen. Besides, she’s more concerned about theTitusright now than the fact I’m in love with you. But tonight, she looked spent. Almost wrecked. She didn’t even watch her usual Sunday night program with Dad. Something more than the chair is bothering her. Maybe it’s the child case she’s hearing.”
“Those details should wreck us all.”
“Know what else is odd, Daff?” Gus dug into his ice cream then waved his spoon about with a look of contemplation. “The blue dress was in their apartment. I asked if she wanted me to carry it out and she said no. Not an ‘Oo, I’m not sure.’ Or the ‘I don’t know’ sort of no. More like a bullet. ‘No!’”
“Maybe she realized her sentiment for it.” Daffy skimmed a small taste of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. The cold, sweet treat brought up childhood memories. And now, helped her create new ones.
As for the dress, she had no idea if the gown was connected to the frantic phone call all those years ago, but the chain of events was suspect. She remembered the queen going on about “sixteen something or other” and how “shesomething” and “wearing it,” her voice rising and falling. She also heard the words “Trent” and “daughter.”
“What are you thinking?” Gus devoured another large spoonful of ice cream. “It must be serious. You’re not eating. And you have a wrinkle, right here.” He gently pressed his thumb to the crease in her brow, then caressed her cheek and down her neck.
“I guess the reality of this weekend is hitting me. Lows to highs to lows.” She drew his palm to her lips. “I love your hand against my face.”
“I’m disappointed though. You’re still not blushing. I’ll have to think of another way to see that pink rush over your cheeks.”
“I’m sure you will.” She rather looked forward to his attempts at making her blush. In fact, he was off to a good start. “So, what about the chair. Do you think Emmanuel stole it?”
“No. But after I dropped you at the train station, I went to the Belly of the Beast.”
Daffy savored her ice cream as Gus detailed his conversation with Ernst, hoping to rouse Emmanuel sooner rather than later.
“I was going to fight for your position then I realized this was your chance. Do the job you’ve always wanted. You made the perilous climb to the Hand of God, why not go for your dream job? You possess the courage to forge a new path.”
“I’ve been thinking the same thing. Trouble is, most of those sorts are in London.”
“I see.” Gus paused. Cleared his throat. “Well, London is not too far. Easy to travel on weekends. Even week nights.”
“And… America. New York.”
“New York? I see.” His spoon scraped the bottom of the bowl. “That’s a bit farther than London.”
“In fact, your old love has an opening for an in-house curator at CCW Cosmetics.” She made a face. “I might have looked to see what was out there. CCW opened a new position for a curator to create a museum of the company’s history from scratch. It’s a dream opportunity.”
“Foiled again by Coral Winthrop.” There was no humor in his words. “D-do you want me to speak to her?”
“Yes, but not for me. For you.” Daffy slipped from her stool and held his face in her hands. “I’m not going anywhere without you. Promise.”
