“Love you too, Dad.”
Ringing off, Daffy rolled her suitcase to the bedroom, retrieved the chargers for her watch and phone, then hung her coat in the dressing room that was almost as large as her flat’s bedroom.
Kicking off her shoes, she flopped on the bed and sank into the mattress. She might just stay like this all night.
Eyes closed, she drifted through various stored memories. The purple hue of Highcrest Mountains. The sunrise over the channel. The honk of the ferry horns as they crossed the channel, and the low lap of Pontus Lake against the shore. Then she saw roses, two dozen beautiful roses. Thomas’s roses.
She sat up. She forgot to tell someone to water them. Reaching for her phone she texted Ella.
Please go by my place. Water the roses. Xo
Thomas suggested a ski weekend next week when she’d popped in to say goodbye and show off her ring to his colleagues. He’d get it organized, he said. So the lot of them might descend on the lodge. Daffy hoped she and Lucy had progressed far enough with the gowns to take time off.
Not that she could ski anyway, not after breaking her ankle two years ago falling down an icy slope. But she could sit around the fire and drink hot cocoa with the rest of them.
Opening her suitcase, she retrieved her toiletries as a small door chime sounded from the front room. Daffy listened at the bedroom door. The chime sounded again, followed by a muffled, “Daffy, are you awake?”
“Prince Gus?” When she opened the door, he stood on the other side, and the unwanted invasive warmth spread across her cheeks. Daffy stepped back, inviting him in. “What are you doing here?”
“Is it too late? I’ve been waiting for you. I am sorry about this morning, truly I am. I didn’t see you coming until it was too late.”
“The fault was entirely mine—and the ridiculous traffic in Port Fressa. Even if you knew I was coming, you couldn’t have stopped the train.”
“You looked so forlorn standing on the platform as we pulled away.” He tilted his head, his dark hair falling over his forehead.
“Did I? More like mad. But Lucy arrived to receive the dresses, so all is well.”
Silence fell between them for a moment. Then he pointed to her left hand. “Quite a proposal from your chap. You looked surprised.”
“I—I was very surprised. Thomas and I never talked about marriage. Not really. Just casual things like ‘When I marry I want…’”
“He seemed rather sure of himself.”
“That’s Thomas.”
The prince walked farther into the room. “Cranston let you in? Is everything shipshape?”
Cranston was Hadsby’s butler and house manager.
“He did. As for shipshape, I’ll know more in the morning.” She joined Prince Gus in the larger room.
“I think there’s a dining schedule around here somewhere,” he said.
“I’ll find it,” Daffy said. “So, what about you? Did you find everything in shipshape?”
“I think so. The renovations exceed my expectations. I’ve dinner tomorrow night with a mate. A busy diary next week plus the Aegean task of choosing the wine, food, puddings, music, flowers, lighting, guest gifts, and on and on for John’s ball.” He rubbed his hand against his bearded jaw. “I’d fooled myself into believing I’d just stand at the door and greet everyone. If I had my way, we’d order pizza and pints, put bowls of crisps and dip on standing tables. Hire a DJ to play oldies.”
She laughed. “Sounds perfect. But then, John threw you a very elegant bash.”
“Did he?” Gus stopped by a portrait of his great-grandmother wearing her bridal gown. “I can’t remember. At least, I try not to. But yes, he hosted a rather lavish affair.”
“I’m rather busy with the parade of wedding gowns, but if you need help with the ball, just ask.”
“Do you mean it?” He swerved from the painting to face her. “After the way I came after you in Florida, I’m not sure I’m worthy of your friendship.”
“Your Royal Highness—”
“Gus. Please call me Gus. Not Prince Gus either. Just Gus. Even Pete if you dare.” His famous smile beamed right through her as he came near, moving with the ease and grace she’d witnessed on the beach.
