Long live the Reigning Prince, and long live Mount Evor!
Forever yours,
Carlo
As I shove the letter in the pocket of my pants, one thing is clear. I’m a fool. I’ve learned nothing from the glaring void that losing Darrel has left in me. He was the only person I called friend. Carlo was Uncle Richard’s friend, not mine. But his suicide gives me the nudge I need to face the truth of my feelings for Elise and what she’s come to mean to me over our brief but intense time together.
I turn to Roberto. “Tell Abdel to get the helicopter ready. We’re flying out in an hour.”
“Where to, Your Highness?”
“Monaco.”
He smothers a tiny smile and nods. Something tells me he’d figured out the destination before I named it.
* * *
It’sa short hike from the helipad to Elise’s house. Roberto and I pass the gate, walk through the blossoming garden, and stop at the door. I ring the bell but no one’s home.
“She must’ve gone out for a walk,” Roberto says. “Would you like me to make some calls and locate her?”
I shake my head.
We lean against the wall by the door and wait as light drains from the sky and shadows thicken.
Thirty minutes later, Elise comes in through the gate. She’s wearing hiking shoes, and her auburn hair is gathered into a ponytail. It was too short for a ponytail a month ago.
Peering in our direction, she squints.
I can’t see the look in her eyes from this distance.
She halts in front of me. “Hello, gentlemen.”
“Can we talk?” I ask.
“All right.” She opens the door. “Come in.”
We follow her inside.
She removes her hiking shoes and steps into a pair of fluffy mules.
I hadn’t pegged her as a fluffy mules kind of girl.
“What?” She puts her hands on her hips. “There’s a domestic side to me, too.”
“I can’t wait to discover it.”
She heads into the kitchen where she drinks some water. Roberto sweeps the house.
A couple minutes later, he’s back. “I’ll be in the entryway.”
“Tea? Coffee? Beer?” Elise offers to both of us.
Roberto asks for a glass of water, downs it, and strides into the hallway, pulling the kitchen door shut behind him.
Clever man.
Elise stares at me for a while. “So, Theodor Delaroche, what brings you to these parts?” There’s bitterness in her voice.
