“He broke the lock. That’s why the door was open when we arrived. He observed you heading in that direction several times and decided to investigate.
“He didn’t need to break any locks.”
“He might have pretended that lock was your head,” Mum said with a laugh.
“Perhaps. I was rather used to my freedom in Florida.”
“Which kept me awake at night.” Mum poured a cup of tea and offered it to Gus. “When Hemstead found the chair, he felt it his duty to protect it. I’m grateful.”
“Why didn’t he ring, tell me he’d found it? He had to know it was there because of me.”
“After the way you treated him, I’m sure he felt he’d not get a square answer. Anyway, theKing Titusis at Perrigwynn, where Glasgow Towns will finish the restoration. He said it was in very good condition and the work done so far was excellent.”
“You’re welcome.” Gus set his tea aside. “However, since I caused the damage, I should pay for the repair.”
“The Trust will pay, but you might make a large donation. Ease your guilt.” Mum refilled her teacup, smiling as Dad entered, dressed for a day of hiking.
“We looked for you at breakfast,” Dad said to Gus, declining Mum’s silent offer of tea. “Chef Charles made his famous eggs Benedict. Darling, are you sure we can’t get him down to Perrigwynn?”
“I was in Port Fressa. With Daffy.” Gus glanced at his watch. He needed to shower. “I must run. Meeting with the planners.”
“You drove to Port Fressa last night?” The cordiality evaporated from Mum’s voice.
“I couldn’t leave things unsettled. She was sacked on my account.” He made his way to the door. “You may have thought I was having you on last night, but Iamin love with her. She with me. We’ll be attending the ball together.”
Mum’s cup rattled against her saucer. “You’ve only known her a few weeks.”
“I’ve known her my whole life.”
“As children. Gus, this is rash and foolish. Have you not learned your lesson?”
“Dad, a little help here. Back me up.”
“Gus, are you sure? This isn’t another rebound, is it?”
“A two-year rebound from Coral and one from Robbi. No, it’s not a rebound. I wasn’t planning on this at all. In fact I was dead set against it. But, Mum, Daffy is real and honest. She tells me like it is and I can tell her anything. Mum, you were the one who told me not to give up on love. Well, here I am, giving it another chance.”
“Then, congratulations.” Dad popped him on the back and leaned in for a shoulder hug. “I look forward to meeting her again. As my son’s future bride, perhaps.”
Gus’s phone chimed with a fifteen-minute reminder. “That’s it, I have to go.” But he hesitated. “Mum, I know about Daffy trying on that blue dress. How angry you were at her. How you changed security protocols afterward.”
“What?” Dad said. “Surely not. That’s the reason you changed them when the boys were young?”
“She was a nosy ten-year-old. Had no business running around the palace. I stand by those changes. What else did she say?”
“Why don’t I remember this?” Dad decided on a cup of tea and moved to the trolley. “This will warm me up before my hike.”
“That was it, Mum” Gus said. “What else should she say? I guess this was the big secret she hinted at in Florida but really, what was the big deal? She snuck into your room and tried on a gown.”
“Do you expect an answer?”
“I expect if you have anything to say about her, say it now. Otherwise accept her like you did Coral, Robbi, and Holland. I’m inviting her for this weekend, by the way, and she’ll stay in Royal Guest One.”
* * *
Daffy
The week flew by. Daffy uploaded her résumé to various museums and galleries. To her delight, she found two Port Fressa companies looking for a corporate curator. One for art, the other to “curate” a training database, but she thought she’d give it a go.
