Loyally luke, p.32
Loyally, Luke, page 32
“I’d say the feeling is mutual on that score.” His gaze trailed down her again, leaving a lovely trail of tingles in its wake. “You’re—” His breath caught. “Breathtaking.”
The power it took within her not to breach every protocol and kiss him proved she’d developed a great deal of self-control in the last few years. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
His entire expression grew tender, except for the quirk in those lovely lips. “It seemed a shame not to get the full Skymarian experience.”
And though his words teased, his eyes told her much more. He came for her. And only her.
She stepped closer to him, almost afraid to touch him for fear he might disappear. “It would be a shame to leave without a royal ball, a harrowing car ride, a snowstorm, and your name in the gossip columns.”
He studied her a moment and then looked around the room, one brow rising in unison with the crook of his lips. “Well, while I was watching my life flash before my eyes on the way here, I realized there is one Skymarian opportunity I have yet to experience.”
“What is that?” She barely voiced the question, her pulse beating in her ears.
He drew in a deep breath, as if preparing for some challenge, and then offered his hand. “Dancing with a princess.”
“Oh, you really are dangerously charming when you put your mind to it.”
“Seems I just need the proper inspiration.” Her hand slipped into his, those ridges and calluses a wonderfully familiar touch.
“I feel as though you’re showering me with your particular brand of chivalry, Luke. A press conference, showing up to a royal ball, and now you offer to dance with me?” She stepped into his arms, and the warm scent of spice and coffee filled her senses. “I could get used to this.”
“I’d do about anything, Princess Elliana, if it meant one more date with you.”
* * *
Luke almost turned around three times once he crossed the threshold into the castle. Every step on the plush carpet or glistening marble, every glimpse of the ornate chandeliers and intricate tapestries, practically screamed how out of place this country boy was.
But then he saw Ellie, looking every bit the part of a princess in her silky blue gown that fell to the floor. One of her shoulders showcased a bow of some sort and the other side revealed her beautiful bare shoulder.
He promised himself right then and there that he’d embrace this night like the fairy tale it felt like, complete with a midnight curfew.
With her in his arms on the dance floor, he didn’t care how ridiculous he looked in a tux or how much the guys back home would tease him about attending a royal ball. In fact, nothing outside the look Ellie gave him mattered.
Being with her mattered.
Maybe the royal gig wasn’t so bad.
Parts of it, anyway.
The Ellie parts.
And the service parts.
And the ability to plan for good change as well as the power to make it happen.
“I had no idea you knew how to dance.” She smiled up at him, the blue of her gown making her eyes almost glow. “But from what you’ve told me about your sisters, this sounds as if it may be a Penelope adventure of some sort.”
“Our dad couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, so I was volunteered to be her dance partner.”
“The dancing carpenter?” She blinked up at him with faux innocence. “Your friends must stand in awe.”
He narrowed his eyes in a mock glare. “Now why would you go and ruin a perfectly fine conversation with an image like that? It’s almost as bad as mentioning certain Christmas chime movies.”
Her quiet laugh inspired his smile. He loved her laugh. “How did you get here? It’s a rather exclusive invitation list.”
Exclusive list? Luke paused on the thought. “Your dad sent an invitation by way of the Frasiers, and they sort of . . . encouraged me to accept.”
Her dad had invited him. Could that mean he made an even more exclusive list? A list grand enough to win Ellie’s heart for good? Or was it just a “thanks for the press conference” kind of list?
He didn’t even know how to process this possible change in his plans.
He’d set his mind and his heart on having to end things with her forever.
“I’m so glad they did.” She searched his face, her smile softening. “So very glad.” She squeezed his hand. “It seems you are more adept at performing in the public eye when necessary than even you realize. The press conference was remarkable, Luke.”
“‘When necessary’ being the key phrase,” Luke said with a shudder. “But I wanted to disappear from the world for a good week after that. It was exhausting.”
“It’s not my favorite either, unless I can point the attention to someone else.”
She looked at him with such admiration, he felt pretty sure his chest expanded to Superman proportions. “And I must say, you certainly know how to enter a room like a royal, catching everyone’s attention.”
He tipped his head a little closer, gathering in a deep breath of oranges and Ellie. “I wasn’t here for anyone else but you.”
The dance blended into a second and a third before Ellie, thankfully, offered to have them take a break. The muscles used in dancing and in building weren’t the same. Both hard work in their own way, but one was much less familiar to him than the other.
Gratefully.
“Luke!”
Luke looked over, wondering who in the world would know him in a place like this, and found Lewis Gray approaching. The older man personified class from his gray tux and matching streaks in his hair to his excellent posture.
“Mr. Gray.” Luke took his outstretched hand. “A pleasure to see you here, sir.”
“Lewis, lad.” Lewis Gray shook his head. “Call me Lewis. We are on friendship terms now, I believe.”
Luke always had a hard time calling older men by their first names. Maybe it stemmed from the “respect your elders” mantra of his youth or just the fact he felt they usually knew a whole lot more than him, but he would try to comply with Lewis’s request. At least in his head.
Lewis offered a bow to Ellie. “Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gray. I’m so glad to have you here this year.”
“It is an honor to be invited.” His eyes lit. “And I am especially glad for your return as a working royal. My hope is that your courage and hard work toward a second chance will inspire many other people to incorporate such virtues within their daily lives.”
“I haven’t thought about it that way, but I like the idea of inspiring people in a positive direction instead of how I am often portrayed.”
He chuckled, sending Luke a wink. “I think we have the news duly pointed in a positive direction from what I hear about a certain press conference today. You may very well fall out of the tabloids altogether if you stay as wholesome as this.”
“From your lips to the heavens, Mr. Gray.” Ellie smiled, slowly entwining her arm around Luke’s. Nice feeling. Good fit. Right beside him.
“And, Luke, your work on my cabin has been remarkable. I hope you’ll consider coming back to Skymar for a few more jobs.” Lewis’s attention flitted to Ellie and back. “I’m sure we can provide plenty of inducements for your return.”
Ellie straightened by his side. “Will you excuse me a moment? Father is calling for me.” She gave Luke’s arm a squeeze, sending him another smile before moving across the room to meet other members of the royal family.
The gown she wore fell over her body like water, and he had to reexamine his thoughts about sweaters and leggings as her sexiest fashion. Satin and heels worked really well for her too. His throat tightened. Really well.
“Would you be interested in coming back to Skymar, Luke?”
Luke pulled his attention back to Lewis Gray, the amusement on the man’s face as apparent as the twinkle in his eyes. “I think I’m warming up to the idea.” Luke’s gaze moved back across the room.
Definitely.
* * *
“Your Mr. Edgewood proved himself quite capable today during the press conference, didn’t he?”
Ellie smiled up at her father, the memory of Luke’s defense of her still fresh and sweet and wonderful. “Diplomatic, even.”
“I think his quaintness may have charmed a few of the reporters in the process.” A sudden glint in her father’s eyes caused Ellie to study him more thoroughly. “An excellent skill to have for anyone special in your life.”
“Anyone special in my life?” she repeated slowly, attempting to sort out his meaning.
“Showing up tonight proved the final test, really.” Her father’s grin turned apologetic. “More of a final answer I needed to enact a plan your mother and I have been composing.”
“A plan?” Her pulse took a steady upswing and she looked nearby to find her mother watching them, as if she knew exactly what sort of conversation they were having. “Involving Luke?”
“Aye. And I’d like to meet with the both of you this week to discuss it further. Something with more of a happily-ever-after ring to it, I believe.” He tipped his head and studied her face. “Would you speak with him about the meeting? I think it may come off better from you than me.”
Happily ever after? For her and Luke? Was it even possible? What would she have to give up? What would he?
“Y-yes. Of course.” For the first time in this entire scenario, hope swirled to life in her chest. Was there a way to have both her royal life and her private one . . . with Luke? Nothing came to mind. No real solution to meet all the requirements from both sides, but a king often had a much greater vision.
And power.
“Though I’m not certain how free his time will be this week, Father.” Her smile fell a little. “He’s flying back to the States next Wednesday, and this week is filled with responsibilities related to his work for Lewis Gray and in preparation for his cousin’s wedding on Friday evening.”
Father nodded, his grin never faltering. “I think once you hear of the plan, we can sort out something. The decision will ultimately be his.”
Ellie’s gaze flew back to Luke, who now conversed with a small crowd of men, his newfound popularity and everyone’s natural curiosity leading them toward him. If he despised it all, she couldn’t tell from his welcome smile and poise, but this was only one night. A few hours of “royal life.” Luke wouldn’t want this forever, even for her.
Father’s confident grin brimmed as the music stopped. How could her parents’ proposal solve the very real problem of two people shouldering two separate responsibilities and living in two very different worlds?
Father winked. “We are in need of a liaison to the United States, you know. To build our relationship with them and encourage more tourism.”
Her eyes widened. “What . . . what do you mean?”
The guards took their position for Father’s entrance, so he merely shrugged and offered his hand to her. “Are you ready for the announcement of your return as a working royal?” He gestured with his head toward the crowd. “It’s what they are all waiting for.”
Ellie smiled up at her father, his question giving her one last chance to step back away from it all and embrace a life out of the spotlight. Even with the promise of some kind of future with Luke glimmering in the recesses of her mind, she knew her father wouldn’t have encouraged her to go through with her reinstatement if that hadn’t been considered.
She belonged here and she had to embrace it all—the good and the bad.
And maybe even . . . the impossible.
“I am.”
Father dipped his head in assent and took his place on the grand staircase. Luke came to her side, his presence the perfect pinnacle to this night and her new life.
The announcement began and her smile widened with her deep certainty of her choice. Despite her past and even her present stumblings, she still possessed the heart of a princess.
She gave Luke’s arm a quick squeeze before stepping forward to Father’s summons.
And perhaps she’d found her prince too.
Chapter 23
Text from Penelope to Luke: YOU WENT TO THE BALL????
Luke: Oh great, how did YOU find out, of all people.
Penelope: Grandpa Gray said he saw you there. And he told me ALL about it. The way Ellie walked down the stairs alone, and then you showed up and the room went quiet for a whole new reason. And then the dances and the announcement and how you and Ellie spent the whole evening together until you had to leave. AHHH!! Luke!!!
Luke: You could have just waited to talk to me today since you’re back in Skymar, instead of blowing up my phone with your book-long messages.
Penelope: Oh my goodness, Luke! It’s that scene in all the royal romance movies where the woman stands at the top of the stairs and the guy sees her and is totally amazed at her beauty. Except you’re her. You ARE the Hallmark heroine!
Luke: You’ve been waiting to type that paragraph all morning, haven’t you?
Penelope: I thought it looked really spontaneous. And now we have it in writing! See? I can be really funny.
Luke: Semantics.
Penelope: So . . . how did things end with you and Ellie? Was it really goodbye this time? Please say no! It will disprove all of my happily-ever-after movies AND break your heart.
Penelope: Okay, so the priority is not in that order. Your heartbreak is much more important than my obsession with HEAs.
Luke: Thanks for clarifying. I might have lost sleep over that.
Luke: It was a weird goodbye to be honest. She said something about trying to see me before I leave, but my week is crazy through Friday. I hope we’ll find a time, but I’m not sure what else there is to say or do. She mentioned something about another option.
Penelope: Are you open to another option? I mean, you did survive a fancy luncheon, a press conference, tabloids, and a ball! I think you’ve proven you are somewhat adaptable to change of the most mind-boggling kind.
Penelope: Mind-boggling for you. I’ve planned to live moments like that my whole life, so I feel prepared.
Luke: I don’t know, Penny-girl. I can’t imagine what option she can offer. I’m a background guy. She’s a princess.
Penelope: Which is exactly what Ellie might need most, Luke. Someone who keeps her grounded and doesn’t mind staying in the background. I know you’ve always been that person for me.
Luke: You’re trying to make up for the Hallmark heroine comment, aren’t you?
Penelope: No! I mean it. I can’t imagine having a better brother, but even more than that, you’re a great person. You don’t always know it, but you are because of how you change other people’s lives by living yours so well. You’re good at loving.
Luke: The romantic vibes of wedding week are sending you over the edge, aren’t they?
Penelope: I know you appreciated what I said because you deflected. :) I’ve thought a lot about your situation after nearly breaking down on the phone with you last week. Maybe your brand of care is exactly what a whole country needs! Sounds like something your stalwart, testosterone-loving heart could handle. You know? Saving a family, or a country, or a PLANET!
Luke: Don’t get carried away there, Penny-girl. Oh wait, that’s your MO. Never mind.
Penelope: I’m just saying, I think you’d make a great consort to a princess. Ooh, just the idea gives me lovely tingles.
Luke: Sounds like you might need to see a doctor about those.
Penelope: I’m rolling my eyes, just so you know.
Penelope: But I also wanted you to be the first to hear a secret. Matt asked me to marry him last night on the Darling House theater stage!!! It was super romantic and sweet and I just can’t wait to be his wife and Iris’s mom!!!
Luke: Congrats, Penn! I’m really happy for you. And the only thing people will be surprised about is that you kept it a secret! Why aren’t you proclaiming this from the social media mountaintop?
Penelope: Because I don’t want to distract from Izzy’s week at all. I plan to tell her in private too, because it’s so wonderful to just celebrate her and Brodie right now.
Luke: That’s sweet of you. Mature.
Penelope: Well, I’m going to be a mom! I’d better garner a little more maturity. Good moms can be silly too, though, and that can be just as wonderful.
Luke: Then you’ll be all set on that part.
Penelope: (Ignoring.) Anyway, I really am in love with a wonderful guy, and I want you to be happy too, Luke.
Luke: Penn, I will be. Just like you’ve told me so many times before, I can choose joy. That might be tough right now, but that doesn’t stop me from still trying to choose joy, because there’s so much to celebrate right now for you and Izzy, and even with Josephine and the twins.
Penelope: Well, choose joy but don’t close off possibilities. Remember: “Impossible things are happening every day.”
* * *
Weddings were hard-core.
Or maybe just this wedding since it happened in a different country than home?
And . . . it was his family.
Luke couldn’t have known ahead of time, but between getting family members settled in—especially those with twins and a bad case of jet lag—navigating the last parts of his reno job for Mr. Gray . . . er . . . Lewis, and helping repair a broken wedding arch two days before the ceremony, he needed a vacation from his vacation.
The calmest people of the bunch were the bride and groom.
In fact, Brodie and Izzy rolled with all the difficulties like they were floating through a lovestruck cartoon and nothing could dampen the anticipation.
Even the stag party for Brodie kept a low profile, with steaks and drinks and talk about life and books and hunting. After a ball—an unusually good night with his lovely princess—and a week of wedding prep, a little bit of testosterone-driven time talking about nothing related to romance fit the mental health bill.
Except, Luke kind of wanted to talk about romance.
With one person. And only one person.
