“Never too busy to phone, if she truly wished to speak to me.” He gave his head a shake. “I’ve got to find a way to convince her that we can fit in the world together, wherever that world may be.”
“That sounds terribly romantic, Arran.” Ellie’s lips pinched in a smile. “It must be love.”
He blatantly ignored her teasing. “As soon as I find another break in the evening, I’ll attempt to phone her again. She needs to be assured of my intentions.” He searched his sister’s face. “And I wouldn’t mind a little assurance of hers.”
Ellie’s attention flitted over his shoulder and her full smile released. “Oh yes, that. I think you need not doubt her sincere feelings, brother-dear.”
“What do you mean?”
Ellie’s raised brow and widened smile was her only response. Arran followed her gaze and turned toward a doorway that led from the private rooms of the palace. Two servants held the double doors open to reveal an entering couple. Luke stepped forward, and on his arm walked...
All the air left Arran’s lungs in one burst.
Charlotte?
His gaze trailed down her, and he sucked in all the breath he’d just released.
She’d purchased the red gown.
His grin stretched in response.
It looked remarkable on her.
And she’d worn her hair down, just as he liked it best. Long and wavy.
She stared back at him, her expression serious, her gaze searching his as if she wasn’t certain what to do next.
“You may want to actually move toward her, Arran.” Ellie’s voice broke into his shock, and she prodded him forward with a slight push. “That would be more romantic than standing here with your mouth hanging open like a codfish.”
He snapped his lips together and blinked, forcing his feet into motion.
She was here?
She’d flown to Skymar.
For him.
He didn’t trust his voice as he approached her, so without breaking his stride or uttering a word, he nodded to Luke, slipped Charlotte’s arm through his, and walked right back out the doors from which she’d just come.
“Arran?”
Her voice proved her all the more real, her delicious apple scent another welcome confirmation. Without a word, he continued down the hallway until he pulled her into a private alcove out of sight of the others.
She looked up at him, brow creased. “Arran, I—”
His mouth caught her words, drinking in the taste of those familiar lips. Her body stilled at their contact, but then something like a gasp escaped from her lips. She wrapped her arms around him, burrowing deeper against him.
He drew back and studied her face, those liquid silver eyes, her flushed pink cheeks, those rosy lips. “You’re here?”
She laughed and then shrugged her beautifully bare shoulders. “Merry Christmas?”
“Merrydoesn’t seem a big enough word. Extraordinary?” His palm traced her cheek. “Remarkable?” He took both her hands in his as his gaze roamed over her face again and again, certain if he looked away, she may disappear. “How... What changed your mind?”
Her smile faltered a little. “While I was giving my speech at the Gala, I realized... I realized that...”
“I love you?”
“Yes.” She squeezed his hands. “Or rather, I accepted the truth that you loved me.” She rocked on tiptoe and kissed him again. “I’d always hoped that my prince would come and find me. But when he did, I thought I wasn’t brave enough to...beenough.” She raised a timid palm to his cheek. “But love has a crazy way of bringing a whole lot of courage with it.” She offered a helpless look. “So I thought it was my turn to come find my prince and let him know how much I... love him too.”
