“Mother! I didn’t come onto her. I mean, possibly, but that’s not what it’s about. I didn’t take advantage of her, if that is what you are implying. She’s my girlfriend and we tried to hide it forhersake.”
“God, why?” Mum said, beyond help. “This is a Lucy problem all over again. Why can’t the men of this family keep it in theirpants? Why must theychase those tasked with keeping our inner most secrets? It’s so annoying to have to manage.”
“I have never shagged anyone on staff and never would!” Dad declared.
“Dad, please,” I groaned. “Mum, it’s not like that. I… I cannot help myself. Yes. She’s young and pretty, but she gets me. We bonded over strange things and I adore her. I do not want to subject her to public scrutiny right now. And I didn’t want you to worry because we kept it under wraps. I figured she could move elsewhere in the palace if that?—”
“We will discuss that when I get over wanting to smack you upside the head.”
“Fine, fine.”
“Take care of her,” Dad said. “And ring us when you have an update.”
He tried to calm Mum down for my sake. They ended the call.
Her mobile on the hospital room table buzzed. It read “Mo”.
I answered.
“What is going on? Are you alive?” Monique asked in hurried French.
That was a strange bit of insight into Ella’s relationship. They spokeFrenchto one another. Clever.
“Sorry, this isn’t Eloise. This is Duncan. Eloise is in surgery still. She’s doing fine so far,” I answered.
“Oh,” Monique came down. “I was so scared. Is she… otherwise okay?”
“Yes. She was on very good pain medicine. Her appendix burst. She was trying to say it was cramps, but it wasn’t.”
“She’s got a high pain tolerance. You must watch her.”
“Agreed. I know better now.”
“Are we finally admitting that there is something going on here or?—”
“Yes,” I said. “To the inner circle. To you and you alone, Miss Vincent.”
“Are you going to be good to her and take care of her over there?”
“I don’t know how long I can stay,” I admitted. “I want to be here forever, but that will look dodgy. We aren’t confirming anything and she was insistent before they rushed her off that I should continue the tour. I will stay until tomorrow when she is out of surgery and well.”
“Good. That gives me time.”
“What?”
“She doesn’t have family there, Duncan. She needs someone. If you cannot stay, I will. No sweat. I have time to kill before I switch jobs. And France is lawless with leave.”
I snickered.
“She likes you. A lot. Has she told you? She’s hard to crack.”
I hoped that was the truth. I was so worried right now that I couldn’t even discuss my misstep. I could only hope for temporary amnesia or Ella’s forgiveness. I wanted her so badly.
“She is,” I agreed. “But I know. She’s a generous and kind person, Mo. The best type of person. She’s lovely.”
“And you will take care of her?”
“I will,” I agreed. “I love her. I will take care of her.”
