Page 114 of Royally Redeemed
“Toyou. But to people?—”
“I have no doubt that if you had to take on that role you would with grace.”
“How?”
I neared Eloise, taking in her sweet face and hesitant expression.
I pulled her hips towards mine and held her. “That answer you gave was diplomatic. Dare say, exactly what you’d expect from a queen.”
She blushed. “Duncan you can’t possibly?—”
“If I had to settle down for anyone, I’d do it for you. Eloise, I mean that. I am serious about you—about us. Can you just let me love you already?”
Eloise wrapped her arms around my neck. “I would love that. I’m a bit frightened, but I cannot imagine going it alone. We have about six months to get our story straight, though.”
“I don’t think it will take me six months to figure out this is what I want,” I promised.
Eloise shook her head. “You’re a hopeless romantic.”
“I am,” I sighed. “But I don’t know any other way. Now, shall we get something casual and get dessert via room service?”
“Sounds great,” Eloise said. “Be good, Duncan. Always be good.”
“Always, Mistress Mills. Always,” I promised.
65
BACK TO REALITY
DUNCAN
15 March
London Daily Times
“It was a triumph,” Leo Hayes, Royal Correspondent proclaimed. “Her Majesty can rest assured the her son is capable of holding it together on a royal tour.”
The reviews are in and The Prince of Wales is riding high as he heads home from his North American tour. After about six weeks on the road, he flies home having made trade inroads in Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Most importantly, however, his public approval rating is soaring. We asked Leo Hayes what this means and if he thinks Prince Duncan can keep riding this new wave of support.
“I think it’s possible. I also think he must soon find a wife and have children. His mother needs to retire and he needs to cement his own legacy in the process.”
Maybe the Prince’s next order of business will be just that—finding a woman to settle down with? Hopefully, he hasn’t scared them all off.
“We’re ready, sir,” John said.
Ella stood by the hotel suite door.
“Ready, Ella?” I asked.
“Ready as ever, baby,” she agreed.
We shoved off. It was back home. Back to reality. But somehow it felt all new. I returned the victor. I left on shaky ground praying for a Hail Mary. I returned with soaring public appeal and a girlfriend. What had feltsobroken months before felt shiny and new now.
We departed in the motorcade to the airport.
“I realized,” Ella said. “That I literally have no idea what I’m walking into back at my place. I need to pack my room up. Because Mo found a flat.”
