So I held her hand and pointed out the restaurants and stores on the main street, and some prominent people in the town. Then, I directed her to the water’s edge. Her gaze went to the pier, but I showed her where the ships were docked and said, “This is the wharf. Many of our townsfolk here are fishermen.”
As we stood there, a boat drew up to the nearest berth so we stepped away. She pressed her hand on my chest and said, “This is so enchanting.”
A fisherman with a weathered face called up to us. “As long as you’re on calm waters, miss, then we’re all safe here.”
I tapped her side then kept my hand on the small of her back to move us along and give the men room to come ashore. “Come.”
We took a few steps and she asked, “What did he mean?”
The clear seas were deceiving, as in a moment everything could change. We walked down the wharf and I pointed out the beach, bought her an ice cream and time flew as we held hands. I swallowed and stared out at the setting sun. “That the storms grow heavy here and the ocean swells can be fierce, and the bay can become impossible.”
She hugged my side and stared at the last moments of the sun as it dipped behind the ocean. We’d been out for a while now, but she sighed and said, “I’m sure it’s beautiful in a storm, too.”
I kissed her forehead. Our deal was life-changing for me. And, almost more important, Nicole was the exact woman I’d always dreamed I’d meet. I said, “When you’re safe, yes. But it’s our job to help the people, so if there is danger, even when we’re living in the North Castle, I’ll have to go and help the coast guard.”
She nodded and her brown eyes met mine. “Well, I can’t run a ship, but I can make sure there’s hot food for everyone.”
The best part of the deal was that she was now in my life. I laughed and held her tighter as she said, “I’m looking forward to us being totally alone.”
She squeezed my ass and her lips curved higher, but I said, “We will still have guards and servants, and I’m sure visitors.”
Her lips widened and her eyes fluttered closed. “So, not entirely alone, but enough so we have that pajama party.”
I closed my eyes to kiss her, but just as our lips were about to meet, her phone broke the moment. I let her go and said, “Yeah. Your phone is ringing.”
She bounced on her feet and reached into her purse as she said, “I’ll turn it off.”
However I saw the name on the screen as she pressed the buttons and I shook my head. “Answer. It’s your sister.”
She pivoted toward the street away from me and pushed her long brown hair behind her ear as she said, “Stephanie, what’s going on?”
She tapped one of her feet as she listened then said, “You don’t have to.”
More fast talking and Nicole’s face turned red. A moment later, she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Then she hung up the phone and met my eyes. I reached out to guide her away from the wharf as I asked, “What’s happening?”
She swallowed and the color drained from her face as she said, “My sister’s boss wanted her to ask if she can bring a reporter with her, but she refused.”
I hadn’t considered her family as a way to infiltrate my father’s walls. I tucked my hands in my pocket and asked, “What does your sister do?”
She shook her head. “She’s a financial analyst in a world bank.”
At least that wasn’t any danger to the royal family. I brushed against her as I said, “Interesting.”
She bounced in step with me as I headed away from the waters. She said, “Boring, but she finds numbers help her live out her Jane Austen dreams.”
My heart raced at the thought that we’d be alone again soon, but I asked, “What?”
She laughed and said, “She’s wanted to move to England and meet her Mr. Darcy ever since she was a girl in the bed beside mine. Her wedding was cancelled, but she’s still going to her Jane Austen Forever events.”
There was a movie out a few years back about people wanting to live historical lives. My fingers brushed hers and then cupped them with mine as I said, “That sounds so unique.”
She playfully pushed me with her hip and said, “Each of us is unique in our own adorable way. The question is, what’s your hidden talent?”
No other woman I’d met had been as naturally charming. Nicole really did take my breath away, but I soldiered on and pretended to be unaffected. “I don’t have one.”
She pressed her hand to my face. Every other woman in my life had been half afraid to touch me in public. But Nicole was effortless and made my skin buzz from her touch as she said, “We’ll have years to find out if that’s true.”
