He gives me a hard look, then says, “Oh, yes. I do recall seeing your name on the list. I’m going to need you to step out of the car and open the trunk, sir.”
I do as he says and find myself being patted down from my neck to my ankles, including a quick check for weapons in my new tan socks by the surly guard while his partner, who seems to have appeared out of nowhere, goes through the gift bags in the trunk. “Sven, it looks like we’re going to be getting cognac for Christmas.”
“Hennessey Limited Edition?”
“Nope. The cheap stuff.”
Cheap? That was close to two-hundred dollars!
Sven rolls his eyes and finishes patting me down while the cognac critic continues looking through my things. He unzips my duffle bag and digs around, lifting out my toothbrush. “Are you planning on staying the night?”
“Only if you think the princess will respect me in the morning,” I say.
Clearing his throat, he drops the toothbrush back in the bag and glares at me. “We’re on heightened security alert at the moment, so you’ll either give a straight answer, or we’ll happily turn you around here.”
“Honestly, it’s fine, mate. I’m Arabella’s boyfriend. I’m no threat to anyone, unless you had your eye on her, that is.” I offer him an easy smile, but he doesn’t accept it. “Okay, I’ll just shut up and let you finish your job.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
“There you are,” Arabella says, rushing down the stone steps to greet me. “I was worried you got a flat or something.”
I walk around the car and hold my arms out, suddenly feeling overdressed. She’s in a pair of grey jogging pants and a long-sleeved black T-shirt. And I’m in the most expensive outfit I’ve ever owned. “The guards were quite thorough in checking me over. You may have to tell them I’m a friendly.”
She reaches up and puts her arms around my neck, then gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “Mm, you certainly are.” When she pulls back, she looks me up and down. “I thought we said it was a casual evening.”
“What? This?” I ask. “I threw on the first thing I saw in my closet.”
“Liar. You clearly went all out at a high-end men’s wear shop.” Taking my hand, she tugs me toward the stairs. “Come on. I can’t wait for you to meet everyone.”
“One sec,” I say, letting go of her. “I come bearing gifts.”
“Really?”
I pop open the boot. “Well, I only get one chance to impress the family of the woman I love.”
“That’s so sweet of you.” She glances at the massive boxes for the kids. “Oh wow, Will, you may have gone a bit overboard.”
“Too much?” I ask, staring at the Bounce and Spin Puppy and the wagon that fill almost the entire space. “I was hoping I could at least win over your niece and nephew.”
“They’ll be asleep by now, but that is so thoughtful of you, really. They are going to love these.”
I stack the puppy box on top of the wagon box while Arabella picks up the gift bags. She peeks into the bag for her father. “Ooh, Chateau de Montifaud. Father adores this brand.”
“Now, you’re the one who’s lying.”
“He’ll appreciate the thought.”
I hand her the bag with the gin. “This one is for your gran.”
“Thisone will be a big hit.”
A footman appears out of nowhere and holds out his arms. “I can take those for you, sir.”
“No, thanks, mate, but if you could shut the boot for me, that would be terrific.”
We hurry up the steps and two young pages open the massive wooden doors to an enormous hall with marble floors. I fall a little behind Arabella because I’m too busy staring up at the murals on the ceiling to remember to walk. “Wow,” I mutter.
