My cheeks hurt from how hard I grin. I definitely look like a lunatic but I don’t care. I glance at my hand and the ring takes my breath away again.
“Who do we tell first?” I wonder aloud.
He scrunches up his face. “My parents already know that I was planning to propose. They encouraged it, actually.”
A hand flies up to cover my heart. “They did?”
He nods. “Ja. And Erik told me to quit being so stubborn and call you.” He squints. “Everyone in my circle is very pro-Margot, it seems.”
I smile at that, but I suck in a breath. “Everyone but your grandmother.”
Stellan shrugs. “When she finds out that I have proposed to you and you said yes, she will change her mind. She wants the best for me. And you are what’s best for me,skatter.”
I grin. “Yeah?”
He pulls me against his hard body, smirking. “Ja.”
I put my arms around his neck and press my lips to his again, inhaling that clean masculine scent that is purely him. When he finally pulls away, he takes me by the hand.
“Are you ready to be my princess now? Because the second we leave this spot, the press will be all over us. The Gardens kept them outside just because I asked but you know they’ll be waiting just past the gates. They’ll have a million questions and generally be pretty invasive.”
I smile up at him. “As long as you’re by my side, I can face them. I can face anything.”
He twines his fingers with mine, kissing my hand. “Okay. I promise not to leave your side. You have my word on that,skatter.”
I blush. “I love you, Stellan.”
He gives me a wicked grin. “I love you too. Just wait until we get back to the palace, where I can show you just how much…”
My heartbeat thrums. “I can’t wait.”
Stellan winks at me, leading me out of the gazebo and down the tree lined path toward our future.
Chapter Forty-One
Margot
My feet ache in these staggeringly tall high heels. But that’s what you get when you give your own fabulous designer free reign. I’m wearing what has to be the biggest, goofiest strapless ball gown ever created, dressed in head to toe pink crinoline. I looked in the mirror and gasped about how I look like Barbie threw up everywhere…
But when Stellan saw me in this dress, the way his eyes lit up told me I was wrong.
I lift my head, trying to look poised. A thousand faces stare back at me from the ballroom floor, making me want to squirm. I shift my weight onto one foot, prompting Stellan to look down at me.
“What are you doing?” he whispers. “You’re thinking of running away, are you? This whole engagement party was your idea.”
I wrinkle my nose at him. “You’re stuck with me now. Sorry.”
Even though we are on a dais, with probably athousand people looking right at us, Stellan kisses me on the lips. Several cameras flash and I blush.
There is really no way of getting used to being watched every second that we are in public. At least I have Stellan here to keep me from lunging at reporters who ask me obnoxious questions.
Prime Minister Finley, who is front and center at the podium, clears his throat. “So I am quite proud to be here at the announcement of the engagement of our own Prince Stellan and his bride-to-be, Margot Keane. After the Prince’s coronation next week, Miss Keane will officially set to marry the king…”
It’s the hardest thing ever not to look down and hide my face from the cameras that go absolutely mad just now, flashing brightly for a full minute. I put my hand into Stellan’s and he gives it a squeeze. Prime Minister Finley drones on for another minute but I don’t hear much of what he has to say.
I’m being tested. And by god, I will pass muster.
“And lastly, I would like to make an announcement that comes straight from Prince Stellan and the future Duchess herself. This gala is open to the public. Everyone is welcome, of every race, sexuality, ability, and economic status. The couple hopes…”
