That was a new one for me.
I’ve always been told I was good-looking, and sixty-seven romance novel covers have proven it. Plus, any record covers from the band always had my face front and centre, despite Magnus being the frontman.
It wasn’t until I came to work for Magnus as his advisor that I came to be seen as more than a pretty face.
I think that’s why I have a problem with Ashton Carrington. Other than the fact that there’s a high potential of his breaking Sophie’s heart, that is. Ashton reminds me of myself, and how I used to skate by on my looks.
Ashton has his father’s money to fall back on as well, which I neverhad.
But I have spent enough time dwelling on Ashton, and the time he is spending with my daughter. Sophie is a grown woman, responsible and independent. She’s smart, she’s capable, she can handle a man like Ashton Carrington.
A quick peek over my shoulder tells me they are still kissing.
She looks like her mother, and I wish she didn’t.
I groan. “Please dance with me and save me from watchingthat.”
“Do you really think it’s a good idea, Duncan?”
Lorelei’s response gets my full attention. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
Lorelei and I have been skirting around each other for years now. Or at leastshehas. I’ve known what I’ve wanted, but convincing her it was a good idea has taken time.
And this—I understand her hesitation.
Standing together is one thing. Because the king and royal family are in attendance, Lorelei and I standing together is as if we’re chaperones at a dance.
But if we danced…
It would be like a young person changing their relationship status on social media. It would be making a red-carpet debut.
It would be telling the town that we were together. At least, that we want to be.
“Your wife is here,” Lorelei says in a low voice, the words sounding crisp and curt with her accent.
“Ex-wife,” I correct. “Please don’t ever refer to her as my wife.”
“She organized the event. Do you think it’s fair—?”
“You shouldn’t concern yourself with what is fair and what’s not when you speak of myex-wife.”
I don’t mean to sound so sharp, but if Lorelei is refusing to be seen with me because of some respect for Signe… I take a deep breath. And then another.
I drop my hand. “Lorelei. I would like to dance with you, and I don’t really care about who might be watching, or what they might say. If you are so concerned with that, then maybe this—us—isn’t as important to you as I thought it was.”
Lorelei’s lips pinch together. “Don’t say that.”
“But it has to be said.”
She doesn’t respond. “I’ve waited for you for years. I’ve waited and watched, and bided my time, trying to give you the time and space you needed. And finally, when I was about to give up, you tell me you feel the same way. But saying and doing are two different things.” I lean forward so we can’t be overheard. “This needs to be said—it’s time to put your money where your mouth is, Lorelei.”
She inhales sharply.
“I’m going to interrupt Magnus and dance with Tema. You know where I am if you would like to join me this evening. And if you don’t, I’ll know where I stand with you.”
“You’re giving me an ultimatum?”
“I think I might be. Your daughter knows about us. My daughter knows about us. Most of the castle knows about it. I don’t understand your reluctance to show the town we have feelings for each other. And please don’t tell me it’s because of some respect you have for my ex-wife because we’ve been divorced for years. Maybe she would even be happy for me.”
