Chapter Nine
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Walking downstairs, Kat’semotions bounced from anticipation to apprehension over the outing. She wondered what Gill had planned for his thank you. His invitation appeared genuine, but he didn’t seem like the kind of man to go out of his way for anyone who wasn’t family. On more than one occasion, Queen Louise hadn’t hesitated in letting Kat know she wasn’t one of them.
Sophie stood in the foyer. “You look so nice.”
“I’m wearing jeans, snow boots, and a parka.”
“And you look good in them. Too bad that’s wasted on Gill.”
“I said goodbye to Jamie.”
“Never waste an opportunity when you look hot.” Sophie laughed. “Nervous about what my brother has in store for today?”
“A little. I understand your honeymoon-packing dilemma better.” Kat’s fingertips dug into the fabric of her hat and gloves. “It’s hard to know what to wear when you don’t know what you’ll be doing.”
Inside or outdoors? Town or countryside?
The possibilities were endless, but best not to think of this as a grand adventure. Rather, an afternoon one. This was Gill, a man who was as practical as he was proper. Keeping her expectations low was the smart thing to do.
This was his way of saying thank you. Kat hoped she would get to know Gill better without anyone else around.
Strictly for Sophie’s sake.
“I’m so happy Bertrand gave me a temperature range. Twenty-two to thirty-one degrees Celsius.”
Kat did a quick conversion. That was low seventies to high eighties in Fahrenheit. “Bikini weather.”
“No robe required.” Sophie straightened one of the garlands on the staircase banister. “I’m thrilled Gill wants to do this for you. I should have known Max would be the catalyst. I always hoped you could be friends.”
An outing was a long way from being friends, but Sophie being so pleased made Kat happy. “I just hope Gill knows he doesn’t have to do anything to thank me.”
“He knows, but you saved his dog.”
“I removed a trap, and Max wasn’t that injured.”
Gill still hadn’t figured out where the trap had been placed or why. The groundskeeper and his crew swore none had been used on the grounds. Yet, somehow, Max had found one. That bothered her as much as it did Gill.
“Not injured worse thanks to you.” Sophie glanced at the front door. “I heard what the vet said. Gill has something nice planned.”
“A tour of the dungeon complete with torture device demonstrations,” Kat joked.
“He loves his dog too much. I’m sure this will be special.”
Kat wanted to know what Gill considered special.
The front door opened. He walked in wearing a green parka and black pants. Snowflakes rested on his hat and shoulders.
Wow. She wet her lips. Tailored suits weren’t the only things hanging in his closet. The casual clothes suited him. He looked less crown prince and more everyday guy. She liked that. A lot.
He adjusted his gloves. “Ready?”
She pressed her shoulders back. “Yes.”
“Have fun.” Sophie shifted her weight from foot to foot. Her arms moved back and forth. She acted more excited than Gill and Kat combined. “And no matter what, get along.”
“We will,” they said at the same time.
