Perhaps a second love afforded unique clarity a first love could not.
Clarity... and courage?
“Just wait until it gets dark enough for all the lights to come on,” Charlotte said, staring at a bookshop’s decorated front. “It’s absolutely magical.”
Her upturned face, the way she’d worn her hair down and loose, the warmth of her arm in his...
“I have no doubt.”
Her attention caught in his, and her cheeks darkened. “You’d better tone down the sweetness, Your Highness. I might get used to it.”
“Shouldn’t you like getting used to it?” He looked ahead, squeezing her arm closer to his side, breathing in the chilly December air.
“I don’t know.” She glanced up at him, her smile uncertain. “I haven’t had a great deal of experience with it.”
“Perhaps I can take the next few weeks to help you acclimate. You may find you like it so well, you won’t be able to do without.”
She slowed her pace to a stop. “You’re highly confident in your skills, are you?”
“More hopeful than confident, I think.”
Her smile bloomed, and she resumed the walk, shaking her head. “I don’t see how you and I—”
“Instead of rushing ahead into all the impossibilities of it, what if we just enjoy each other’s company? We can sort out all the particulars as we go.”
“Alright.” She drew in a breath. “I’ll just enjoy being on the arm of a... prince.” She laughed. “It’s surreal.”
“Well, I would prefer if you liked the man a bit more than the title.”
She paused again, turning to face him, her expression sobering.“The title is too intimidating to think about, so I’ll just stick with liking the man.”
They walked a little farther, afternoon light fading into dusk with each step. One by one, white lights blinked awake. Twisted around lampposts, lining storefront windows, strung along awnings. All leading in starlit wonder to the center of the town, where an enormous decorated but darkened tree stood.
“Do they have small-town decorations like this in Skymar?”
He scanned the setting. “Similar, yes, though this display has more charm than most I’ve seen back home.”
“You probably don’t celebrate in small towns.” Her comment held humor and curiosity.
“The country estate house near Crieff affords my family more of the small-town charm, but Christmas is usually most regally celebrated at my parents’ main residence of Carlstern Castle. It’s the location of the Annual Christmas Banquet in which our family, extended and all, dine together in grand fare. Then we walk out onto the balcony of the castle as the royal decorations in the courtyard are lit and the Christmas Banquet begins.”
“It sounds exhausting.”
“Itisexhausting.” He laughed. “But it’s also very special. Thankfully, the banquet is an intimate affair of only fifty or so people.”
“Yep. That sounds about as ‘intimate’”—she made air quotes—“an affair as our family get-togethers, except with less football and more table manners.”
“I’ll not deny it is a grand experience.” He turned her way. “And, as it happens, my father’s birthday celebration is usually that week as well. But Mother contacted Ellie and I last night with the news that Father’s celebration has been moved up to next weekend. On Father’s actual birthday my sister-in-law’s third child is being induced early, as a result of some minor complications.”
“Oh.” Charlotte’s brow creased. “Then you’ll miss the Gala.”
Breath pushed from his lungs like a blow. “Charlotte, I didn’t even realize.” He squeezed his eyes closed and groaned. “Well, then I can just celebrate with my father later in the month—”
“No! You arenotgoing to miss the king’s birthday just because of this small-town gala.” She frowned and tugged their linked arms forward.
“Charlotte.” He paused their forward motion, searching her face, which had become more endearing with each passing day. “I will not have you thinking I take you or my commitments lightly. Perhaps six months ago, but not now and not with you.” Arran shrugged. “Father has enough family to surround him that day, anyway. What is one less prince?”
“I think it would do his heart good to see how well his youngest is doing, Arran.” She smiled up at him, her large eyes reflecting such admiration despite his declaration that he leaned over and tasted those lips of hers.
