“I decided to be spontaneous.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
“You mean you didn’t even plot this on your spreadsheet?”
He laughed and gripped her closer, still turning in the slow dance. “Well, maybe a little. But I knew you’d want something spontaneous, so—here we are.”
When the song ended, they returned to their table as the server arrived with a round of pints.
“From the princes.” She nodded toward the corner.
When Daffy looked over, Gus raised his pint to her. She willed her blush tonotcreep across her cheeks, but the heat singed her skin.
She’d have to get over this…this…thing. She could not go through life with atellthat indicated affection for a man not her husband.
For now, she would celebrate. Kayle and Tonya launched into tales of their engagements. Frank and Marlow kept interrupting to “set the record straight.”
“But tonight,” Thomas said with a puff of pride, “you’ve been outdone by a master.”
“Master? You’re mad. I promise I thought she was going to turn you down flat.”
“Where are the flowers, mate? You didn’t even bring flowers.”
“If I ever get engaged—”
And so it went. Daffy tucked herself between the conversations to assess. She was engaged. A bride-to-be. To a man she’d declared love for once, maybe twice.
“Mum wants you to call,” Ella whispered.
“Now I know why she was acting funny this afternoon,” Daffy said. “Do you know if Thomas talked to Dad?”
“While we were on holiday.” Ella’s eyes glistened. “Are you happy? I’m so thrilled for you. He’s a catch, Daff. Truly.”
“I know, and yes, I’m happy.”
Give her another hour or two and she would feel her confession and profession. After all, she’d given her word. And wasn’t a promise where love really started?
Chapter Eight
Gus
The sun and sand of Florida still flowed through his bones Friday morning as he waited in the royal lounge at Port Fressa Authority for the train to Dalholm, Northton.
He wasn’t scheduled to leave until Monday, but a mate from uni rang, inviting him to a housewarming.
“The wife and I just built the place and need to show it off. Every raise we get until we’re retired will go to paying it off, save the children’s education. But who cares? It’s only money.”
Easy to say when one had money. Gus doubted very seriously Melvin Ludwig, who was to inherit his father’s fortune, would be house poor. Nevertheless, the invitation warmed Gus, prompting him to leave Perrigwynn early so he could attend. Seeing old friends, touching base with his life before the humiliation would help erase more shadows from the last two years.
Besides, he was rather anxious to see Hadsby, the renovations, and the rolling green hills surrounding the castle where he’d lived his best summer memories.
His parents worked very hard to give Gus and John as normal a childhood as possible. The laid-back hamlet and Hadsby were their staging area.
Gus stared across the lounge. His secretary, Stern, read, while his new protection officer, Hemstead, stood outside the door, scanning the platform.
While he was glad to be home, truly, he missed being free of his security shadow. He tried to convince Mum he didn’t need a PO, but she wouldn’t hear of it.
If he had to have a man watching his back, Hemstead would do. Gus liked the brisk, formal demeanor of the former special forces officer.
Gus texted Helene last night to see how she was getting on and asked after Adler. She replied with a short video of the crew and a few of the regulars giving him a shout-out.
