“Why? Why do I deserve that?” She pushed away from him. This…this…thingbetween them was getting out of hand.
“Because—” His palm brushed her cheek as he swept back her hair. “You’re… I don’t know…” He looked off toward the hills, a red tint shading his cheeks. “Lovely. In every sense of the word.”
Lovely.Prince Gus declared her lovely. Okay, she’d deal with thethingbetween them later. For now, she’d to cling to his compliment.
Gus finally stood and offered his hand. “Feel like a walk along the shore? It’s a bit of a climb down this way. You game?”
“You’re blushing,” she said, reaching for his hand. “Did you catch my disease?”
“I’m not blushing. It’s the chill in the wind. The question is why you’renotblushing. Are you so used to me already?” He laughed but the short burst never reached his eyes. “Because that would make me sad.”
“You’re either teasing me or flirting with me.” Her voice remained a whisper, the words tossed away by a breeze.
“I am. I’m sorry.” He released her hand and stepped away. She never felt so cold. “Come on,” he said. “To the shore.”
As they maneuvered the path down to the beach, Daffy Caron knew one thing for sure. Right here, right now, was exactly where she wanted to be.
“Should we start a contest to see who will go with Prince Gus to the wedding ball?”
–Madeline and Hyacinth Live!
“We expect to see the prince at the ball but not with anyone on his arm. He’s still workinghis way back to romance.”
–Leslie Ann Parker on theMorning Show
Chapter Eighteen
Gus
By Monday morning, he’d settled the wedding ball menu, all thanks to Daffy, who’d offered her suggestions Sunday evening via email.
She was just down the corridor, across the Grand Gallery, and down another passageway, but he couldn’t see her. They exchanged emails as if miles apart. Seemed odd after being so honest during their lake outing.
But that was the nature of relationships. One needed to let them be. Breathe. And to always stay within the proper boundaries—especially if one was a royal. Daffy may have confessed her doubts about Thomas, but she still wore his ring. Secondhand ring, but there you have it.
The final menu was stellar. In place of squid or tater tots, the ball guests would dine on London broil, saddle of lamb, roasted goose, and wild salmon, along with an herb salad, creamed spinach, wild mushrooms and rice, and roasted baby vegetables.
For dessert, the Port Fressa parfait, a sherry trifle, and chocolate cake for John, since it was his favorite. There would be a fruit buffet with nuts, cheese, and sauces. To drink, wine and champagne from Lauchtenland’s The Haskells many wineries, and a fountain flowing with a lemon-lime punch.
All the busywork had kept him from sorting through the excursion to Pontus Lake and the deep heart confessions between him and Daffy.
He’d never told anyone he still loved Coral. He wasn’t certain he’d realized the truth until he said it out loud to Daffy. Or how difficult it was to untangle his feelings from their commitment.
He’d spent two years trying and failing. Yet once he confessed, he seemed less burdened. Then Daffy’s advice, so on point, so unusual, helped him see everything in a new light.
“We can love whomever we want.”
Gus could love Coral. Not like a husband, of course, but as someone he cared about. Past tense. Though it felt a bit like self-betrayal to care about someone who hurt him so deeply, he was actually free to love without expecting something in return.
Knock him over with a feather, but the idea was glorious.
“Did you sort out the menus?” Stern stood when Gus entered the office. “I was just going over your diary… Are you all right, Your Highness? You’re…” He pulled a face. “Glowing.”
“Glowing? That’s something you say to a bride-to-be, Stern, like Lady Holland.” Gus picked up his tablet and reviewed his calendar. “I had a good afternoon at the lake. Got some fresh air and sun. Where are we off to this morning? The Youth League? I’m eager to see the lads and lasses in a game of football or field hockey.”
“The press will be there.” Stern straightened his shoulders, his expression bland. “Reporters for theNews Leader, theDalholm Daily,London Times,New York Times, as well as several photographers, and social media outlets. The usual brood.”
“Only questions about sports, Lauchtenland’s children and what the Family hopes for the future. Nothing personal.”
