“I overheard someone say that tonight, the legend of love is alive in all of Lauchtenland.The atmosphere has changed.Call me crazy, but I think it’s because the queen settled a debt with MP Fickle.”
“Tell me the legend,” she said, resting her head on his chest, never wanting to leave.
“It’s said in the north country of Lauchtenland”—he began the story with his lips against her ear—“that the sea has a song and love blooms from the earth the same as flora and fauna.It perfumes the air and touches lives in ways no one quite understands.So beware then, if you travel north to County Northton, where the wind sings through the Highcrest Mountains.Expect a bit of fairy dust on your heart.Expect to fall in love.Yes, even you, Lady Royal, Scottie O’Shay.”
“Even you, Michael Cross.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Michael
With Scottie’s head against his chest, his heart beating in time with hers, Michael Cross felt whole.He could stay here forever with the winds and song of the sea.
With Lady Royal, time stood still.Until crackling, rude voices shouted through his earpiece.“Eyes on LR?”
“Anyone have eyes on LR?HM making announcement.”
Michael moaned as the real world broke the magic of the moment.“On the old portico.I’ve got eyes on her.”
He looked down at her with a wink, to which she made a funny face.He roped his arm about her again and kissed her.What was it Kevin Costner said in the American filmOpen Range?“I’m going to need a thousand of these.”
“We need to go in,” he said.“Her Majesty is about to make the announcement.”
“It’s midnight, then.”Scottie brushed her fingers over his medals.“I don’t want to go in, because then tomorrow will become today and the spell of the ball will be broken and I go back to Scottie O’Shay, menswear designer.”
“You can stay, Scottie.”
“If this were a fairy tale, yes.But this is real life, Michael.”As she turned for the edge of the portico, stooping to pick up her shoes, she tripped, and arms flailing, tumbled forward.
“Scottie—” Michael bounded off the concrete and scooped her into his arms.“You’re dead set on giving me a heart attack, lass, aren’t you?”
“My foot caught.”She stretched to get down, but he held onto her.“You can put me down, Mick.”
“Not a chance.”He cradled her close and started for the lights of the ballroom.“I can’t have you or your pretty dress mussed, not while you’re in my charge.”
She seemed to weigh nothing in his arms.A sweet burden he’d gladly carry to the end of his days.But just before the ballroom doors, he set her down.Did he offer again to go with her to Tennessee?
“How do I look?”she said, lifting her face to his.
“Like a woman kissed.”He tried to tuck a lock of hair freed from her hairdo into place, but it swung loose around her neck.She was so pretty with her disheveled updo, her lipstick faded, her shoes dangling from her fingers.“I’ll be watching the announcement from the corner of the mezzanine.Lennox will be on your three o’clock.Schueler on your six.”
“Whatever you say, Officer Cross.”She clung to his arm as she put on her shoes, then worked her way to the ballroom’s side stairs up to the balcony.Michael cut through the crowded floor for another set of stairs, scanning the guests, the edges of the room, and the hidden corners.Gunner communicated in his ear that every corner of the ballroom was secure.
He was about to jog up to the balcony when Mum appeared.“I’ve been looking for you all night.”She kissed his cheek.“You look splendid in a tux with your chest medals.”
“Good to see you, Mum, but I must dash.I’m due at my post.”
“I only wanted to say hello.”She pointed across the floor.“Your father sends his love as well.”Dad gave a curt chin bob.
“What?Are you here with Dad?”
“He’s my plus one now and then as I am his.It’s easier than dredging up a proper date.”She brushed something from his shoulder.Probably the scent of Scottie, which, if it was all right with Mum, he’d like it to remain.“Can we have lunch again soon?I really—”
“Yes, but I must be off.”From the corner of his eye, he saw the queen moving into position at the mezzanine balcony.
“Esteemed and most welcome guests.”Queen Catherine’s refined House of Blue cadence carried gracefully across the room.“Once again you grace us with your presence, and Lauchtenland is the grander for it.You are our friends and allies, our neighbors and kin.The North Sea may churn with its famous storms, yet we remain bound by centuries of commerce, devotion, and goodwill.
“We have fought warswithone another—andagainst—yet through the long decades and the longer centuries, we have remained friends, and indeed, family.”She let her gaze sweep the ballroom, pausing to acknowledge several guests by name with a nod of genuine regard.
