Okay. Together. That worked.
But for now, she’d live in this glorious moment. Daffy closed her eyes and retreated.He loved her. She’d never imagined this outcome twenty-four hours ago.
Going home for the weekend was, in fact, a marvelous decision.
However…back to the queen. In truth, Daffy wasn’t a hundred percent sure what she’d overheard that day. And memories were tricky, changing with time. Words and images faded, got intertwined, moved from one year to the next, even one person to another. Hearing something outside the queen’s bedroom door while she cried was not a reliable tale.
If she told Gus her story, she’d raise questions she couldn’t answer. And she’d implicate the queen in something that was more than likely not true.
Besides, it wasn’t her secret to tell. Nevertheless, in this moment, sitting in the Hand of God, the world at their feet and the very real possibility of a future together ahead of them, keeping the secret felt like betrayal.
Okay, self, shut up. If the relationship moved forward to marriage, she’d talk to Mum. Get her advice.
“We should go. You’re shivering.” Gus shrugged out of his coat and held it open for her. “I was wondering if you’d be free for this fancy wedding ball I’m hosting?”
“I might be. Do you have a date for me in mind?”
He scooped her in his arms and kissed her, turning in a slow sway as the wind played a zither melody through the rocks and trees. The distant, booming thunder crashed in time with her heart and she would never be the same. She’d encountered true love in God’s hand.
Gus breathed in and stepped back. “I’ll make a fool of myself kissing you.” He planted another one on her lips, laughing, and already, his touch was a familiar taste. “Daffodil Caron, will you go to the royal ball with me?”
“My, my, Prince Gus.” She batted her eyes and fanned her face. “This is so out of the blue, but of course I’ll go with you.”
He swung her around with a shout. “It feels so good to be free.”
Setting her down, he bent for another bold kiss. He wasn’t kidding about making a fool of himself. But who was she to stop him?
“Gus, seriously, do you want to go public? Are you ready? We just now figured out how we feel.”
“I’m ready. But if you’re not, we can—”
“If you help me, I’ll be ready.”
“Always.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll never let you go. But, darling, did you see the number of phones aimed at us down below? Trust me, we are already public.” Another kiss. This one more graceful and full lipped, depositing more than he took.
“You’re a good kisser,” she whispered.
“So are you. Looking forward to a lifetime of these.” They stood on the edge of the path, ready to go down. “We should go slow though. Get to know each other as a couple.”
“I agree. But know this, Gus Blue. I’m not going anywhere.” It was her turn to draw him close. Seal her pledge with a kiss.
The storm echoed over the channel and released the first drops of rain. With a yelp, they hurried to the path. Climbing down, Daffy kept her gaze on Gus. Her foot never slipped. As they crossed the footbridge, the storm unleashed its fury.
“Let’s head to Hadsby,” Gus called over his shoulder.
Running through the deluge, hand in hand toward Centre Street, they passed the Belly of the Beast and headed up the incline to the castle. But as they approached, Gus slowed his pace. A motor sat inside the gates and the royal standard flew above Hadsby’s turret.
“The queen,” she said. “The chair.”
As the words left her mouth, the queen’s protection officer stepped through the gates. Gus dropped Daffy’s hand. “Your Royal Highness, we were just about to search for you.”
“We’d gone for a walk.” Rainwater dripped from the edge of his hair and beard. Reaching back, he took Daffy’s hand again. “We need to get inside.”
The sturdy man nodded, first at the prince then Daffy. She tried to smile as she wiped rainwater from her eyes.
“Her Majesty would like to speak to you,” he said. “Now.”
“Wedding ball is two weeks away. Royal reporter Leslie Ann Parker shares her thoughts on which designer Lady Holland chose for the big night. Stay tuned.”
