“John told me about what you and Michael did for MP Fickle, Scottie.He was convicted by your actions.He could’ve done the same thing—gone to see Fickle—but never bothered.”
“Except I stepped out of line, Gemma.I’m darn lucky it worked out.But after being caught up in that RECO mob, I sort of felt like I had nothing to lose.”
“You showed MP Fickle the Family cares about understanding the ideologies that differ from theirs.They want to hear the voice of the people.John’s talking with his team about a citizen council to open critical dialogue between the palace and political opponents.”
“What’s going on here?”John approached, champagne flutes in hand.“Call the Kongelig Herrer.I smell a conspiracy.”He leaned to kiss his wife.
“A conspiracy to keep the Rose Ball going forever and ever,” Scottie said with a glance at Gemma.
“It is rather magical, isn’t it?”John handed Gemma and Scottie the flutes of bubbly.“Speaking of magic.”He nodded toward a dark-headed gentleman in uniform, medals decorating his chest, and moving head and shoulders through the dancers.“I think he’s looking for you.Gemma, darling, is that love in his eyes?”
“Why, John, you’re so clever.I believe it is.”
“Hush, you two.Mr.Cross is my equerry and protection officer.He’s on duty tonight.”
“Notice, Gemma darling, she did not deny the magic?”John took his wife’s hand.“Come on, we’ve a night together without our little crown prince.I want to hold you in my arms and dance all night.”
Below the mezzanine, couples swayed together, hands clasped over their heads in the folk dance Sølvkring, the Silver Circle.It was slow and romantic, like Ildys, but with a sense of purpose.The men turned the women away from them, hands still clasped, and stomped.The women moved back to their sides then out again and stomped.Then they box stepped to the next position, where the movements began again.
Kate and Edric joined the floor.The queen was strong tonight, the lost hope gone from her eyes.Day by day, her pain lessened.At the moment, she was openly kissing her husband as he roped her to him, encompassing her with both arms.
Scottie shifted her gaze away, feeling as if she were spying on a private moment.But there was Gus and Daffy, also kissing, and Princess Corina and her husband, Prince Stephen.
“Lady Royal,” Michael said with a nod and sly grin.
“Officer Cross.On duty, I see?”
“Yes, I have a very special charge.”He lifted one of the tendrils of hair around her neck with the crook of his finger.“I can’t take my eyes off of her.”
His touched grazed her skin, causing her to shiver.“I’m sure she considers you handsome and sexy with your dark hair and deep-set eyes and row of medals on your chest.”
He stepped closer, his gaze dropping to her lips, then to her eyes.Leaning against the rail, he motioned to the floor.“Doesn’t it feel like some sort of romantic mating dance?”
Scottie rested in the husky tone of Michael’s voice.“Everywhere I look, couples are kissing.”
“Each stomp of the dance is as if the man, then the woman, are demanding their individual rights, yet their hands never let go.”He propped one arm on the rail and lightly laced his fingers with hers.“They come back together, moving in rhythm to the next station.Just like life.”He peered at her.“I want to be down there with you, holding you in my arms.”
She accepted everything she saw in his eyes, heard in his tone, felt in his feathery touch.If this was love… “Maybe toward the end of the night?”
“Maybe,” he said.“I am on duty.”
“For me.And I say we will dance.”She cupped his clean-shaven jaw.“I’m falling fast, Michael.What are we going to do?”
He covered her hand with his, then kissed her palm.“I’m sinking deeper and deeper as well, love,” he whispered.“We’ll figure it out.We will.”
He hooked his arm around her waist, glanced about, then tugged her backward into a dark, cozy alcove.Propped against a hidden door, he held her flush against him and brushed a kiss against her cheek, then found her lips.
Scottie relaxed into his chest and let the kiss drift from one river of love to another as the orchestra began a waltz, the violins drawing rich bass notes from the strings.
She didn’t want to let go when he exhaled and raised his head.Propping his forehead against hers, he laughed gently, lifting her up to spin her around.
“You’re changing my world, Lady Royal.”He set her down and peered into her face.
“Michael,” she said, rising to kiss him, sensing he was hers in a way Cap never was.“Before we lose ourselves in blood-boiling passion, can we do this?Are we being realistic?Remember I promised Dad I’d return the girl who left.”
“Is that realistic?We can’t stay stuck in one place, Scottie.In a plan we made before we knew all the world had for us.I don’t know how we shall maneuver our situation, but we’re here now, love.We’ve made it this far.Tonight, let’s simply be swept away in the magic and mystery of a royal ball.Who knows, perhaps the Eye of God is watching.”
His arm tightened about her, inviting her to curl into him.Closing her eyes, Scottie rested her head against his arm as they emerged from the cover of the alcove.
