“Why am I not surprised?”
“They’re sending me a new chap. Ollie.” Gus tucked his phone away and met Daffy in the kitchen. “I should go.” He bent for a long kiss. “I don’t want to but I’ve a final meeting with the planners this afternoon.” He glanced about for his coat, spying it in a pile by the front door. He wasn’t sure how that happened. “The ball setup begins next week and we don’t want any surprises. Guests start arriving as early as Tuesday.”
“Will you miss me?”
“Every moment.” Gus stole another kiss and wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I love you.”
She pressed her head against his chest. “Me too, Gus. Me too.”
Daffy assisted him with his coat then straightened the collar. “Are you looking forward to the ball?”
“Very much.” His slow kiss was ripe with passion. “Because you’ll be there.”
“When should I go up? I’ll need to book a room—”
“You’ll stay at Hadsby. In the guest suite on the royal wing.” Gus lingered by the half-open door. “I’ll ring you tonight. As for when you come up, I’ll leave it to you, but tomorrow works for me. What’s on your diary today?”
“Sleeping. Not that I can. I feel like my life has fallen into place and I don’t want to miss a minute of it. In reality, I need to redo my résumé, unpack, return some things to Thomas. Leslie Ann and Ella want to meet for tea later. Oh, her piece on the queen runs this coming Sunday night. Are you going to watch?”
“We don’t tend to watch shows on the Family. But because she’s your friend, and only because she’s your friend, I’ll half tune in. Though I can’t imagine she’s come up with anything new. Mum’s been documented to death.”
Their goodbye kiss lingered, and he knew he’d propose sooner rather than later. But they were ready.
He had Great Granny’s engagement ring from 1933. A six-carat diamond in a gold filigree setting. Very art deco. Daffy would love it. It was so old, it was in style. But then, didn’t she deserve her own ring? One selected just for her? Now he understood why he’d never considered Coral or Robbi for Great Granny’s ring.
Maybe he’d hint around, see what she’d prefer. But would that spoil the surprise? Ella might know. Or even Leslie Ann. Ridiculous thought. She’d announce it on the telly for another “scoop of the decade.”
All good thoughts while speeding up North One toward Dalholm. Parking the motor in Hadsby’s garage, Gus tossed the keys on their hook and bounded up the stairs. He paused in his office to let Stern know he was up and about.
“Just a quick shower and I’ll be ready.”
“Very good, sir. The queen was asking for you.”
“The queen?” Gus picked up his tablet and scrolled through, looking for a break in his week to go back down to see Daffy. Maybe Thursday afternoon. “What does she want?”
He was booked on Friday with the Dalholm Home Restoration Society. He was eager to see their work restoring the hamlets’ historic homes.
Saturday, John and Holland would arrive. He should invite Daffy for the weekend, let her ease into things before the ball. And ease Mum toward the idea Daffy was his true love.
True. Love. An unbelievable realization. Yet oh so nice. The usual twang of doubt, of hesitation, barely registered. Before Daffy, he had no desire for a relationship. Five weeks later, he was calculating the best engagement ring.
“Perhaps there is a God.”
“Excuse me, sir?” Stern said.
“Nothing. Talking to myself. Well, I best get on. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Can you ask housekeeping to ready Royal Guest One?” The room should be ready for Daffy whenever she wanted.
But first, a quick visit to Mum.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.” She looked very much like herself. Composed, in command. “We’ve found the chair.”
“Where?” An immediate weight lifted. Yes, there was a God. “What happened? Did Emmanuel come round?”
“Hemstead found it in the workshop and took it to Perrigwynn. Then he resigned.”
“How did he get inside?”
