“How is it your job to spy on a private citizen?”
Her laugh was the mocking he loathed about the media. As if their right to a story trumped everyone else’s rights. Especially members of the House of Blue.
“You may be on a humble, private beach in Florida, but you are an international citizen and senior member of one of the world’s oldest royal families. By the way, where is your protection officer? Was it the skinny chap with the baggy apron? Doesn’t seem like he could put up much of a fight but—”
“Daffodil Caron, please, may I speak with you?”
Daffy’s door jerked open and Gus changed his stance. To battle stations. She appeared in shorts and a T-shirt, her hair in a neat ponytail, her clear blue gaze darting from Gus to Leslie Ann.
“What’s going on?” She sighed. “Oh, Les, what did you do?”
“Youknowwhat she did. You told her. What happened to keeping secrets?”
“I said nothing. I promise.”
He waved his phone. “Then why am I on theMorning Showand splashed all over social media?”
“What?” Daffy watched the live feed of Leslie Ann reporting on Gus as he swabbed the decks. “Oh my gosh, Leslie Ann. Why? How did you find out?”
Gus took back his phone. “Clearly you told her.”
“I never.” Daffy braced herself against the kitchen island. “Leslie Ann, explain this.”
“I’ve been here over a year in complete anonymity, which is somewhat of a miracle, then the lot of you show up and bam! I’m back in the news. Couldn’t you leave well enough alone? Is that why you’re here? Did you find out my location? Did you come seeking me out?”
“We didn’t know. I found this place online while Christmas shopping. How would we know you were here?”
“That’s why my story is the scoop of the year,” Leslie Ann said, standing behind the kitchen island, waiting for the kettle to boil. “You heard Stone say it. You’re my witnesses if he ever denies it.” The kettle blew, and Leslie Ann methodically, with a smirk on her face, filled her cup. “Unless I discover an evenbiggerstory.”
“Leslie Ann, tell him.” Daffy’s cheeks flamed red. “How you found out. You know it wasn’t me.”
“Actually, itwasyou, Daff.” Leslie Ann carried her tea to a club chair and curled up. “You have atellwhenever you’re around the prince.”
“What’s this?” Gus glanced from Leslie Ann to Daffy.
“No, I don’t.” Daffy sank into one of kitchen chairs with a weak laugh and pressed her hands to her cheeks. “It’s a story, a fable Mum made up.”
But her reply lacked conviction.
“Daffy, it’s my fault. I told her.” Ella’s confession came from the corner by the sliding glass doors. “I thought it was funny, if not a bit odd, since you rarely blush. I never imagined Prince Gus would actually be in Florida.”
“Would someone fill me in on this ‘tell’?” His anger faded somewhat. Yet, couldn’t he be a normal chap, run his own life, not have someone else deciding things for him? Like where he’d been living for the past year? Or if he married the woman he loved or not?
Coral decided they weren’t marrying without a word to him. Not even a chance to plead his case or make it right. Now Leslie Ann reported his whereabouts for her professional gain, not caring about how it affected him.
“Apparently, whenever Daffy is around you, she blushes.” Leslie Ann grinned. “Not a subtle, pinkish hue, but a steamy, blotchy red. I could see it from our chairs on the beach yesterday morning when you two spoke.”
“How did you know it was— Never mind.” Gus turned to Daffy. “Is this true?”
“No.” Daffy cradled her head in her hands. “It’s a joke, truly.”
“Admit it, Daffy, you blush when he’s around.” Leslie Ann sipped her tea. “Yesterday you blushed more in a day than the last twelve years of our friendship. So, being the good journalist that I am, I investigated. First getting Ella to tell me why you blush. Then following up on the chap at the pub. I saw you talking to him. Recognized him from the beach.”
“Why are there photos on her Instagram?” Gus sat in the nearest chair, his legs weak from the drop of adrenaline.
“I posted them. She left her phone on the kitchen island.”
“You posted on my Insta?” Daffy retrieved her phone, the swim of tears in her eyes unmistakable.
