Chapter 9

The Daily Edge: Social Tattle from One Edge of Skymar to the Other

Our tattlers have been busy drumming up your royal news for this week. Never one to stay out of the limelight too long, Prince Arran made his appearance at the debut premiere of Verona Rising with his newest conquest on his arm, actress Maria Lansing. We can depend on Arran to keep all our tattlers on their feet with news from his latest exploits, to his cars, to his many adventures and ladies. As the third royal son, he's truly taken his freedom and popularity liberally. However, his sister, Princess Elliana, returned to the cyberstage with her first post from her previously defunct social media page, sharing a photo of the North Country mountains. Word has it that she's been held away in Perth Hall these past three years while working behind the scenes to improve various parts of Mara and the North Country. Could this be a sign that she's also ready to return to the stage of the online world?

Luke was already plotting how he could get another kiss from Ellie St.Clare. First of all, it was one of the best moments of recent memory, and second, they'd had no time to talk about the "after kiss" situation.

A guy didn't recover too quickly from something like that with a woman like her. And as little as he liked emotional talk, some situations required a healthy dose of it. Preferably with a kiss at the end.

Maybe in the middle too.

Well, shucks, they should probably just start off with one for good measure.

He thought about her all Saturday morning while working on the cabin, with Pete sharing the news of an upcoming date. He thought about Ellie through lunch, wondering if she'd be interested in a date. (Since they'd already engaged in a very datelike kiss, an actual date seemed a natural progression.)

In fact, the date and kissing idea took up so much space in his head, he visited Cambric Hall Saturday afternoon. When he discovered Ellie wasn't there, Luke spent some time with a few of the kids who were outside playing some kind of game that looked like a weird combination of baseball and bowling. If he recalled, it was named after a bug.

Text from Izzy to Luke:How are things going?

He took a seat on a bench in the park and paused. How was he doing? Better focus on the job or she'll know something is up.

Luke:Good. I haven't killed anybody yet, and the team follows direction just like I like it.

Izzy:Ah, stroking the ego, are they? How are things with the cabin?

Luke:Making good progress on that too. I sent some photos to Grandpa Gray and he likes what we've done so far.

Izzy:And... Grace Kelly? Are things getting a little better with her?

His grin twitched.

Luke:I think so. She's not as high-and-mighty as she used to be.

Izzy:I suppose she just couldn't resist your southern charm. Wait. Do you have southern charm?

Luke:I save it for special occasions.

Izzy:You must have pulled out your best.

Luke:I tried.

Izzy:Well, I'm glad she's come around. It would be horrible to have to work so closely with someone who added tension to the work environment.

Luke:Unless it was the good kind of tension.

Um... how do you delete a text?

Izzy:Sure?

Luke:I think we just got off on the wrong foot. She seems to be one of those cautious folks who take a little extra care to get to know, but once you do, they're worth it.

Izzy:You like her, don't you?

Izzy:Luke! When you get quiet, I know I've hit on something true. Oh my goodness! Penelope was right!

Luke:Don't ever say that, even in a message.

Izzy:What happened?

Luke:Are you and Brodie headed this way anytime soon?

Izzy:Deflection. A definite yes!

Luke:Not deflection, just that if I'm going to talk about anything important, I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way. In person.

Izzy:Actually, I was texting to see if we could go to dinner with you somewhere in Crieff on Wednesday. Now there's no way I'm missing it.

Luke:It's nothing to get all excited about. And likely won't amount to anything because I'm not crazy like some people who pick up their roots and move across the world.

Izzy:Love is a pretty powerful thing. What was the quote you told me? "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

Luke:There is NO talk of love on this end of the phone. We just moved from being annoyed by each other to tolerating.

Izzy:Well, that's half the battle right there. See you Wednesday!

Luke:Don't expect much. Seriously. Very little.

Luke:And don't jump to conclusions.

Luke:And don't tell Penelope.

***

"I spoke with Sir Reginald last night and he gave a rather stellar report of your work on the North Country housing project."

Ellie looked up from her breakfast to meet her father's gaze, his gentle smile belying the depths of pride in his eyes. Her heart pinched. Oh, how they wanted her to succeed.

"I'm glad his report was favorable." She relaxed back in the chair. "Sir Reginald has been an undeniable asset in the process of making the best improvements. He seems to know everyone in the North Country."

"He mentioned two school visits you made last week," her mother added, glancing over the top of her teacup. "You know that leads to visibility."

"I know." Ellie nodded. She'd only just begun to forge her way back into the world of social media. A strategic and thoughtful plan. And all had been going according to her life strategy until a certain woodworking American and an unexpected kiss. She'd made no plan for him. And definitely not that kiss. Her face grew warm at the memory. She couldn't afford another similar slipup.

"If you are to formally reinstate me as a working royal, I think a gradual reintroduction to the media will be better for me than a sudden emergence. It will allow me time to adjust to their persistent presence again, so I've begun a thoughtful reentry."

Her mother dipped her chin, a subtle show of approval. "The fact you've mostly remained out of the public eye for so long is a testament to your mindful caution, but I agree with you." A glow lit her mother's pale eyes. "You are ready."

"I've heard good reports from Holton about your progress at the orphanage as well. Are you enjoying being on-site for the work?"

"I've loved it." Ellie looked over at her father, confidence growing at their choice of conversational topics. "You know how I adore those children, and the renovations are coming along at an excellent pace to be completed before the Donors' Banquet. Our team leader has truly made the process efficient and positive."

"This was the man Lewis Gray recommended, was it not?" This from Mother. "The American?"

"Yes, Luke Edgewood." Ellie smiled as she said his name, but quickly stilled her response. "I believe you met him at the Darling House last December in Mountcaster."

"Oh yes!" Mother's eyes lit with her grin. "He'd flown in to help his sister and the theater rescue their production. Yes."

"He flew from America to help his sister on her project?" Father asked.

"He's the sort you'd appreciate, Father," Ellie answered, her smile returning. "Thoughtful, hardworking, a good craftsman, and he cares about doing his best work for the children, but also for the craft."

"It sounds as if you've gotten to know him?" Mother tipped her brow.

"As one of the people overseeing the project, I have continual contact with him, plus I've been assisting with the work."

A sound burst from her father. "As in, the construction?"

"Of course. I enjoy getting my hands in the middle of the projects. It's one of the reasons I thrived in interior design. We were given ample hands-on learning experiences."

"Excellent, Ellie." Her father's compliment paired with the use of her nickname warmed her heart. "That heart of service is the whole reason I have every faith in you to become a long-lasting working royal." Her father tapped the newspaper on the table to his left. "And those photos you sent of the plans? I can see how the remodel will be beneficial to everyone at Cambric Hall."

"Luke's even offered to install a few wheelchair ramps and widen several doorways to make them more accessible for anyone requiring such modifications. And at my and Mrs.Kershaw's request, he's drawn up a plan for the placement of an elevator as well."

"It would do well for your visibility to share a few photos of your work there, Elliana," Mother added. "Send it through Taugen House and they can release it to the media, especially before the ball. We know the hard work you've put into recreating yourself, but the world could benefit from a few more glimpses."

Ellie held her composure despite the erratic hammering of her heart at the thought. Engaging the media felt too much like Russian roulette on most days, especially with the way they'd taken the smallest of her mistakes and turned them into character-demolishing rumors.

"They're going to find you no matter what," her mother continued. "It was a hard and long lesson to learn in my entry into royal life."

"What is our media protocol, dear girl?" Father raised a brow.

"Control what you can and ignore what you can't." Ellie repeated the mantra, which was much more difficult to enact than recite.

"Exactly. And with Cambric and your work in the North Country, you have excellent control." He reopened his newspaper. "Could you send a few snaps of the progress on the renovations as well? I should like to see what this Luke Edgewood has been doing to garner your praise."

Heat flew into Ellie's face, but she maintained her composure. "Once I return to my room, I can send a few I have on my phone."

"Excellent."

"I hear you have a third dinner with Christopher Montgomery this evening." Mother's attempt at disinterest failed miserably. "He's always seemed like such a nice man."

"He is. Nice." And without much of a personality. Ellie held her smile.

"Well, if he doesn't turn out to be the one for you"—her mother raised her serviette to her lips—"there are three others I would recommend without hesitation. All from long-standing Skymarian families with good reputations."

"But there's no hurry, of course." Had Father caught her look of desperation? "And you could stumble upon some excellent North Countryman none of us have ever heard of who will embrace the royal life as beautifully as your mother has." His attention fell upon his wife with the open tenderness he often kept reserved from the public eye.

Mother paused, her gaze lingering in Father's, before she turned to Ellie. "Of course there is no hurry." Her golden brow rose. "But so long as he's a good Skymarian man, I'll be happy to support your choice. And I'm quite fond of good, honest North Countrymen." She rattled off a statement in Scottish Gaelic without a hitch. "We can live too long in the royal life that we forget the everyday Skymarian, and I hope I brought such a perspective into the family."

"Without a doubt." Father raised his teacup to Mother, his smile disappearing within his well-trimmed beard. "And I still consider her brother someone who keeps me grounded."

Ellie laughed. "Because the two of you stay in a cabin on Kernvick for three weeks out of the year?"

"It's refreshing to disappear for a little while and just live in the quiet."

"A truth I've appreciated more than I can say over the past three years." Ellie pinched off a piece of her scone and tossed it in her mouth. "But I am also ready to formally return to my duties."

"A fact we look forward to celebrating at the Wild Hyacinth Ball." Mother sighed, a smile playing across her lips. "All you need to do is sort out who your special escort will be. There is a lovely history of partners who come to the ball together and end up married very soon after. Your eldest brother is a prime example."

"I don't know that my perfect match will happen this year, Mother." Ellie tossed another bite of scone into her mouth. "But I am more than content with the announcement of officially returning as a working royal during this ball."

"Don't underestimate the power of the ball, Elliana." Her father chuckled. "Or your mother's excellent skills at matching. She made such a good choice with Stellan, she's rather determined to do the same with the rest of you."

"Aleksander!" Mother tossed her serviette down. "I plan no such thing. It's merely that I knew our children well enough to see a good option when one presented itself. But there was no matchmaking. Only suggestions. As with the Duke of Styles."

"Of course, darling." Father's eyes lit as he took a sip of his tea. "Merely suggestions." He shot Ellie a wink and then sobered. "As a small country and one that is losing its population, we have to attempt to bring out the best of Skymar, not only to make us stronger but to bring people back. The Foreign Spouse Initiative has helped some, but we've seen the most growth in promoting our tourism. There are not significant numbers yet, but the preliminary view suggests that tourists are coming... and then choosing to stay."

"Sander, you're bringing work talk to the breakfast table." Mother's teasing reprimand held Father's grin intact.

Ellie almost smiled. Her parents' affection for each other came in subtle hints but was true and beautiful in its way. Even amid the trials and expectations, their united front paired with a healthy relationship with the Houses of Parliament had brought Skymar from the brink of bankruptcy.

And keeping a united front and sending a positive message of the privileges of their heritage were a part of that continued growth.

The people here needed to see the stability and hope provided by the Skymarian leadership.

A choice Ellie would make, no matter the consequences to her heart.

***

Christopher Montgomery sat across the table from her in an open-collared white shirt and gray sport coat, his well-made mouth hanging open.

"What did you say?"

"At the next snow, would you like to go sledding with me up in the North Country? There are excellent hills and I've overseen some of the building programs for holiday houses. It would provide privacy." Perhaps he would relax some in a less populated setting? If deepening the relationship was their plan, then why should it be a surprise to try something more real-life than simply dinner at a high-end restaurant? "And perhaps a more relaxed environment to become better acquainted."

He closed his mouth and took a deep breath, extending the silence by patting his lips with his serviette. "Elliana, as much as I'd like our relationship to go to the next level, I feel spending the night together wouldn't be the best choice for your reputation."

It was her turn to sit agape. Her reputation? "I wasn't expecting us to spend the night together. Only spend time together in less formal situations."

"What else can you learn in a different setting that you cannot learn over dinner?"

She blinked a few times. "Conversations can happen over dinner, of course, but other settings provide new information."

"Like what sort of information?"

She racked her brain for an answer. "Well, for example, if we were going to see a movie, what sort would you choose?"

"Whatever you like," came his quick response.

"But what do you like?"

He appeared genuinely confused. "I have no opinion on the matter." His perfect smile spread. "It's the reason why we're well suited. I can follow your lead."

"But a relationship is built on two people making decisions, not just one."

"Yes, but this isn't a typical relationship, you must admit." One of his blond brows rose. "You're a princess and I'm a duke. There are expectations well beyond typical."

"Behind closed doors it will be typical." She studied him. Would he be like this behind closed doors as well? Complying with her wishes? Agreeing without opinion?

Her sister, Rosalyn, would say, "Isn't that every woman's dream?"

"If you would like for me to come to the North Country and see your work, I'll be happy to take a day trip and explore with you." His smile returned. "Perhaps that will allay some of your concerns about our compatibility ‘behind closed doors,' so to speak."

But something told her Christopher Montgomery wouldn't prove any more interesting behind closed doors than across the table.

She swallowed her doubt. "Let's make plans for that to happen within the next month. What do you say?"

"Your wish is my command."

***

Text from Ellie to Maeve:I'm in a tree!

Maeve:You're in a tree? (I feel like this is significant for some reason. Either that or I should be concerned.)

Ellie:I climbed it! I've climbed my first tree! It's one of the things on my list.

Maeve:Wait. THE list?

Ellie:Yes! My secret "simple things" wish list.

Maeve:So you just woke up this morning and said to yourself, "Today is the day I climb a tree"?

Ellie:No. Luke arranged it all for me.

Maeve:Luke knows about the list?

Ellie:Yes. We had a rather intense heart-to-heart on the night we kissed and I mentioned the list and a few things about it.

Maeve:And he helped you climb a tree?

Ellie:Actually, about midmorning, two of the girls in the orphanage came up to me, gave me a pair of gloves, and asked me to come with them. They took my hands and led me to this tree. It is secluded and can't be seen from the hall. I know he had to have chosen it to ensure I'd have privacy and not feel embarrassed. And he put a little box at the bottom to use as a step so I could reach the first limb.

Maeve:Um... I think you should stick with Stoic Styles.

Ellie:What?

Maeve:Then I can have Legendary Luke.

Maeve:Are you getting a photo of this moment?

Ellie:I hope so. I've sent the girls back to ask Luke to bring my camera from my purse.

Maeve:Smart. Don't want any easy access to the photos on your phone like that one time before.

Ellie:Exactly. And it's nearly lunch break so I think Luke will have a moment, if he doesn't mind.

Maeve:If he doesn't mind? He put a little box on the ground, gave you gloves, and helped you fulfill one of the things from your simple list? Plus he kissed you. I think he'll MAKE time.

Ellie:Maeve, why am I crying right now? I'm not sad. I'm actually... happy? It feels like more than happy. I don't know.

Ellie's phone rang in her palm and she brought it to her ear as she nestled deeper into the crook of the tree, staring out at a horizon of wavy mountains.

"I am going to forgo my usual devil-may-care attitude and answer your question." Maeve's voice came through the phone. "Understand that you are not allowed to make fun of me after said sentimental moment, nor are you to expect a return to this type of talk, except in dire circumstances. Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Ellie said, chuckling through her response. "This conversation only happened in my mind."

"Exactly." Maeve drew in an audible breath as if bracing herself for the next sentence. "From the beginning, there's been something different about this guy and the way you responded to him. He got under your skin in all the right ways, even the aggravating ones. This latest move only brings that point home all the more. Luke heard your heart and responded to it in a simple and beautiful way that shows he sees you... for you. No strings, as far as I can tell. From what you've said through messages and phone calls, he seems a pretty honest kind of guy."

"He does." Ellie smiled at the memory of walking into work that morning and finding him mentoring not only one teenage boy but two. Jamie had brought a friend.

"So maybe you've convinced yourself that it was impossible that someone like him existed. That someone like him wouldn't want someone like you for two reasons: either he was too good to overlook your past and still care about you, or the crown defined how people showed their care about you. Here's a pretty clear example that the impossible can happen."

"It's still impossible, Maeve." She leaned her head back against the tree. "I need to tell him who I really am before anything serious begins. He needs to know it's impossible."

"I know this is premature, but if Luke does turn out to be the man for you, what would have to happen for it to be a possibility?"

She'd tiptoed around the question in her mind, no answer resulting in a happily ever after. "I'd have to renounce my title as a working royal."

"Which is not something you should have to do, especially after working so hard to get where you are now."

Ellie sighed. "Find a way for my parents to accept him as my option."

"Which they've done before. Your mother is a prime example."

"Mother was a very special case of close friends to the royal family." She looked up at the blue sky. "And if my past had been less tainted at this point, perhaps it would be a more viable option, but when they helped me through all this, my parents strongly encouraged me to find a husband with a widely known good reputation and strong Skymarian ties. I agreed to that."

"You can change your mind, El."

"Maeve, after all the ways they've supported me, this is all they ask. And it's a good request for my future as a princess. The people need to see that sort of support for our country. Besides, I already know he wouldn't choose a royal life, even if we could be together. It's not him."

"Sometimes the best people to come into our lives are the ones we least expect. The ones who we can't see fitting, but they change everything. Even the things they don't plan to change."

A noise from the distance drew Ellie away from the conversation to see Luke coming across the field, hair tousling in the breeze, gaze focused on the horizon. Her heart squeezed. He was certainly unexpected. Wonderfully unexpected.

"I've got to go, Maeve." Ellie kept her attention on Luke.

"Is he walking toward you through a field or something?"

Ellie sighed. "Kind of." And with his flannel shirt casually open, blue T-shirt beneath, and his hands in his pockets, he reminded her of a few of the characters she'd seen in her recent binge-watching of various Hallmark movies.

He was the quintessential small-town hero.

The one she was supposed to end up with if her life really were a movie.

Maeve seemed to read her thoughts.

"It sounds like you need to have an important conversation with Likable Luke."

But this wasn't a movie. Ellie's smile fell and she pinched her eyes closed. "Yes, I do."