Chapter 15

"Do you think the sledding was too much for her?"

Pete's question pulled Luke's attention away from caulking the new crown molding in the kitchen's additional room. He looked down from his lofty height on the ladder, catching a raised brow from Gordon as he did so.

"I'm sure she has a lot of responsibilities that don't include Cambric Hall, Pete."

Pete's brow crinkled as he stood holding an extra caulking gun and some paper towels. "I just thought, well, it seemed the two of you were gettin' on so well—"

"Pete." Luke shook his head and went back to caulking, attempting to ignore the nauseous weight in his stomach.

"So you're gonna end up like that movie, are ya?"

Luke refused to look the man's way. "Movie?"

"Yeah, it was one of my sister's favorites. Princess and a commoner who had to make the choice to separate at the end. I think it takes place in Rome or someplace like that."

Luke grimaced, as much because he knew exactly which movie Pete referenced as because of the actual truth of his statement. Roman Holiday. One of Penelope's many favorites.

"I don't know that I'd call my relationship with Ellie a romance." Luke cleared his throat and kept his focus on his work. "A friendship, maybe, but I never expected a future with a princess, Pete."

Which was true. Not once in all his plans did he contemplate anything close to a romance with anyone remotely famous or rich, let alone a princess. He'd daydreamed a little about something with Ellie, the interior designer, but not Princess Elliana, the royal.

Luke gestured toward the kitchen. "Would you go check on Jamie and Cade's progress with puttying the nail holes in the baseboard in the kitchen? They're good kids, but probably need a little extra nudge to keep on track."

Luke finished up his work and then climbed down the ladder, meeting Gordon as he rose from the floor. The older man narrowed his eyes as he examined Luke.

"She's stayin' away because she's afraid."

"Afraid?"

"She cares for you. Anyone with two eyes and half a brain can sort that one out." Gordon raised a brow and gave a slow shake of his head. "She's trying to make it easier, I suppose, though I doubt it helps much."

Luke studied the man. "And I suppose you have a better idea?"

Gordon chuckled. "There's no way around getting your hearts broken at this point, lad. You're bound for it, one way or the other." He shrugged a shoulder. "So if I knew I was going to hurt anyway, I think I'd be tempted to make it worth the pain."

Gordon left Luke standing in the empty room staring, unseeing, at the doorway. As completely ridiculous as Gordon's advice was, it made the most sense of anything related to him and Ellie thus far.

Luke couldn't change the fact he wasn't meant for royalty.

And Ellie couldn't change the fact that she was.

So if they couldn't change the future, could they leave with enough sweet memories to make the heartache more bearable? Was that even possible?

"Come home with me for supper, yeah?" Gordon gave a curt nod to brook no refusal. "Young Pete is off on another date, and you're in need of company." His grin quirked. "I'll drive you home after. Nessa'll be glad to see ya."

"This isn't another accidental meeting between me and Ellie, is it?"

Gordon's bushy brows took an upswing. "I leave those accidents to Nessa. But if you come over, you can rest assured the conversation will be worthwhile."

***

Text from Luke to Izzy:Any idea what I should wear to a board luncheon?

Izzy:Your Hulk Underoos. That should liven up a "bored" meeting.

Luke:Did I just text Penelope by mistake? Because that was horrible.

Izzy:Sorry, I've been texting her most of the afternoon about wedding ideas, so I think she's probably rubbed off on me.

Luke:It's for the donors of Cambric Hall. The king asked if I'd come and talk to the group about what I did at the kids' home.

Izzy:Oh wow, Luke, that's amazing. I'm so glad you're stepping out in this. You've always had an amazing ability to influence people for good. Okay, some bad. Especially when pranks are involved.

Luke:I'm hoping I can convince Ellie to do the talking or read off my ideas. I hate speaking in front of people. You know that. You were in middle and high school with me. You've seen it.

Izzy:I hate that those guys made fun of you because of your accent. Just because we were a few of the only country kids at the city school gave them no right to be so mean, but that was so long ago. You're not that kid anymore. And you only fainted once.

Luke:In front of the entire student body.

Izzy:Hyperventilating will do that to any eighth grader.

Luke:I just don't see the point in having to stand up in front of a bunch of people I don't know and won't need to know when Ellie already knows them and has a lot more influence than me.

Izzy:The king wouldn't have asked you unless he thought it would matter, Luke.

Izzy:Wow, that's so weird to type IRL. I mean... wow!

Luke:Back to clothes. Ball cap or no ball cap?

Izzy:You can't see me, but I'm rolling my eyes. What if Brodie and I come up tomorrow, join you for lunch, and then help you figure out what to wear? He's wanted to come back and visit that little bookstore in Crieff anyway.

Luke:Sounds good.

Izzy:We could check out that kilt shop too. That would really make an impression on the donors.

Luke:A kilt and my ball cap. Got it.

Izzy:Ugh! See you tomorrow.

Luke:Thanks! See you then.

Luke:PS: They were Captain America Underoos. If you're going to attempt to tease me, get your story straight.

***

Mrs. Kershaw and her staff at Cambric Hall knew how to throw parties. And since Luke had introduced the idea of looking for ways to turn these moments into teachable, and possibly occupational, opportunities, Ellie had been inspired to think in the same way. She'd even encouraged Mrs. Kershaw to use a few of the teen girls, who were particularly interested in the field of hospitality, to join in the last parts of the planning.

And everything looked lovely.

People moved from the buffet to the tables. Some chose to stand and have their conversations. Each had their own place setting so that when Ellie stood to speak to them, everyone would be able to see the small platform where she would stand.

Her gaze skimmed over the tables of fresh-cut hyacinths, their lavender hues an excellent complement to the pale gold tablecloths. If the Board Luncheon proved this well executed, she could only imagine how much better the Donors' Banquet would be. Ellie preferred the Caedric word for it—Ceilirach, or beautiful gathering.

It fit the current setting so well.

Cambric and another orphanage, Mara Caladh, on the Isle of Mara, housed the highest percentage of orphans on Skymar between the two of them, and their donor presence had always been significant. Another reason to love her people.

A gathering to ensure some of the most vulnerable children of Skymar were provided for and educated well. And now, with her heart and head in the right place, she felt all the more her calling to these children, these people.

Ellie smiled.

Herpeople.

Additional attendees dotted the space. This year, the board had invited some of the media to attend in order to increase visibility.

The idea of their presence sent a tremor through Ellie's stomach, but she stilled the nerves as best she could. It was time to accept this part of her life again... and try to use it for good. Besides, she wouldn't be alone. Luke would be with her.

But where was he?

Quietly, she moved back through the hallways, nodding to several workers and newly arriving guests as she passed. She should have contacted him to remind him, but having his phone number tempted her toward another level of intimacy—texting.

And she loved good texts.

Their banter confirmed they'd have equally enjoyable texts.

She gave her head a shake to push back temptation and rounded the hallway to the kitchen. A familiar silhouette caught her attention and she skidded to a stop at the threshold of the room.

Luke stood on the far side of the kitchen, staring out the window and brushing his hair to the side with his fingers. Was he using the window as a mirror?

She slipped back a step into the shadows for subtler observation.

She liked his hair. Dark and thick with a bit of wave. Her fingers twitched from the memory of brushing through it during one of their kisses. She hadn't seen him in a few days, partly by choice and partly because of the demands of other commitments, but she hadn't expected to see him in green.

A green button-down, open at the collar, to be specific. He'd paired the quality dress shirt with black dress slacks that fit him... well—her neck heated—very well.

All the interest and emotions she'd experienced while cocooned in his arms during the sledding rushed back at full force. Absence had indeed made the heart grow fonder.

Or it only confirmed all the more why she needed to keep her distance.

Because she wanted him too badly.

His conversations, his smile, his look of admiration, his strength, and especially his kiss.

All of it.

Badly.

He cleared his throat and pulled a folded piece of paper from his slacks pocket, unfolding it and staring back at his reflection. Mumbling something to his reflection, he gave his head a hard shake and then seemed to try again... except this time, he must have caught sight of her because he turned, offering her that crooked smile.

Right, she'd forgotten how much she wanted to see that crooked smile. Every day.

"Think I look civilized enough?"

"Very nice." She stepped forward, trying very hard to keep her ogling to a respectable minimum. "Dark green is a good color on you."

He refolded the paper and placed it back in his pocket, his body tense. "Blue is a great one on you. The suit is nice, even if I prefer you in sweaters and jeans."

Her laugh burst out. "Do you?"

"Without a doubt." He tilted his head, studying her as he met her halfway across the room. "Few things are quite as sexy as a beautiful woman looking cozy and huggable."

Any response fled her brain as the magnetism his words inspired drew her body and heart another step closer. "You really shouldn't say things like that."

"Probably not." He sighed. "But I think things like that a whole lot more than I ought to."

"So do I." She nearly whimpered and then shook her head. "I mean, I don't think those things about me. I think them about you."

His grin took a steady and dangerous slide from one corner to the other. Be still her heart! "Haven't seen you in a few days."

"Miss me?"

"It's probably the worst thing to do, but I'd prefer to see you while I can." His eyes glinted. "You're much better on the eyes than most of the people I work with."

"I think Gordon might take offense to that."

"He pretends to take offense to a lot of things."

Silence followed his statement and Ellie stared back at him, taking in those eyes... but more so the way those eyes looked at her. She wanted to bask in it.

"You stay pretty busy, don't you?"

"At this time of year, I do." She nodded, pulling her gaze from his. "It seems that most of the meetings and parties and all the other royal business for the North Country get smashed into the first half of the year. By July, I get a bit of a respite until Christmas planning starts, though."

"Well, at least there's a break in the crazy." He glanced toward the hallway and sighed. "I guess we'd better get to the luncheon?"

A sudden thought flickered across her mind. "You're... you're not concerned about speaking, are you?"

He grimaced. "I'm just not that great at speaking in front of people. I'm more of a behind-the-scenes kind of guy."

"But you spoke to Father so well. Clear and focused. With passion."

"That was to you and your dad, not a roomful of people." He raised a brow. "And definitely not to any media."

"I know you're going to be excellent." She gestured toward the hallway. "But we do need to make an appearance at least. However, if you find you're becoming overwhelmed, you could just imagine you're saying it to me."

His grin partially resurfaced. "That might help a little."

They turned toward the door and Ellie's gaze caught on the far wall: the old boards of children's names framed in aged oak poised on the pale wall.

"Luke, it looks marvelous." She stepped closer, staring at the evidence of lives lived within these walls and now brought out into the light. "Mrs.Kershaw must adore it."

"She seemed pretty pleased." His shoulder brushed hers as they stared at this special piece of history for Cambric. "I think she plans to give the donors a tour of the renovations once all the speaking is over, so I wanted to have it up and ready for her."

"I know you've mentioned how your youngest sister has some magical quality of helping other people believe in themselves, but I think it must be a family trait."

"I'm not magical." He wrinkled his nose with his grimace. "I'm practical."

"Perhaps your type of magic begins with wearing overalls and carrying a hammer but ends with making other people shine or find where they belong. You may be behind the scenes, but you are no less important than those who take the stage. In fact, without you, they may not even make it to the stage."

He held her gaze for a moment, his expression uncharacteristically sober before it dissolved into a mock frown. "Now I know you've been watching too many Hallmark movies. You're starting to sound all sentimental, like them."

She laughed and took his proffered arm as they made their way to the luncheon room.

They had paused at the threshold when a sudden sight sent a chill from Ellie's neck all the way down to her feet.

On the far side of the room, near a set of tables set aside for the media, stood an unwelcome familiar pair. Drake Stephens, the reporter who'd taken the photos that led to her royal exile, and Maxim Tatem, Ellie's ex-boyfriend who'd led the paparazzi to her.

After all the media coverage, interviews, and even a book from which Maxim had benefited, his popularity landed him a daily television spot. A placement that wasn't as popular as it had once been.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked, his voice low.

Ellie knew how to remain calm externally. Her family trained her for the careful control of a person in the spotlight, but Maxim and Drake's presence brought her past and insecurities to the surface, rattling her new confidence.

"That man, in the navy suit and pale blue shirt."

"Next to the guy in the crazy orange?"

Ellie almost grinned at Luke's description of Drake. "Yes, him. The one in the orange is the man who took the photos of me on the yacht over three years ago."

She didn't need to clarify the type of photos those had been. Or what little she'd been wearing. At the time, in her wrong thinking and blind trust, she'd believed Maxim meant to protect her, to provide her privacy.

She'd been horribly wrong.

"And the man in the navy suit..."

"The scoundrel who set you up." Luke's tone rumbled low, threatening. Without a word, he placed a palm to her back, both calming and safe. "What's he doing here?"

Luke's presence, his touch, took a little of the sting out of Maxim's presence. She wasn't alone. The one time she'd seen Maxim after the photos and stories ruined her life, he'd looked at her with such arrogance and self-conceit.

She'd wilted beneath his stare, a victim of his deceit all over again.

Because not only had he betrayed her, but when she'd tried to break up with him, he'd spread horrible lies to anyone who would listen. And even continued to share private photos of them for the whole world to see.

Shame scorched her cheeks with such heat, her eyes began to water.

For months, she'd taken all the blame for his response, embracing what the media called her. Receiving her just deserts. After all, she'd chosen to be with him. She'd ignored the warnings of those closest to her, rebelled against the good and right.

She'd "earned" the soured reputation. The mishandling.

But with the love of her family and months of counseling, she'd begun to see how very wrong her thinking had become.

"His show's ratings are down, so I imagine by somehow reconnecting our stories, he hopes to gain some views." She looked over at Luke as a shiver climbed up her arms. "And likely intimidate me. He was always good at that."

"Well, he'll have to get through me to get to you." Luke gestured with his chin to a man poised nearby. "And Cameron."

Who seemed to recognize his name surfacing in the conversation, because he and Luke shared an understanding nod.

"Are the two of you friends now?"

Luke smirked. "I'm not saying we're going to take up Xbox together, but I think we have a healthy respect for each other, especially when it comes to a certain princess we know."

She readied her response when a movement to her right caught her attention. Maxim saw her... and was walking in her direction. All confidence fled her body as she kept a threadbare hold on her expression.

"Maybe you should pretend to be my date?"

Luke's brows rose so high they hit the strands of hair that fell over his forehead. "I'm sorry? Did you just say pretend to be your date?"

Maxim was stopped by someone during his approach.

Ellie attempted to control the sudden quiver in her voice. "Maxim is on his way over here and I... I can't let him think I'm alone, Luke. Not him."

"You're not alone. I'm right here with you." He waved toward the crowd. "And there are a few dozen other people."

"Luke." She hated the pleading in her voice. "He's the sort who won't let it alone."

"So... fake dating?" He pushed the trope out of his mouth like it hurt.

"Might as well stick to as many tropes as we can while we're at it, right?" She pushed up a tense smile. "And it would only be for today. With him."

He squinted down at her for a second and then grinned. "What if I want it to be real for one day?"

"We've already been over this." She huffed. "How can it be real between the two of us when it's so temporary?"

"Being temporary doesn't make it less real."

She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to ignore the pull of his gaze.

"How about it's real for me but fake for you?"

She nearly laughed. "How can that even work?"

"I'll just mean it and you won't."

She rolled her gaze heavenward, wrestling with her smile.

"If I do this"—he lowered his attention to her lips, his lashes sweeping low—"will the kisses be fake too?"

Heat exploded in her face. "Luke!"

"Ellie!" he countered with the same voiced emotion, only his was rather teasing.

She narrowed her eyes at him in powerless reprimand.

He leaned closer. "I don't like being fake." The soft curl in his low voice nearly melted her to the floor. "So, Ellie, would you go on a date with me today?" He wiggled his brows. "If you say yes, then we won't have to lie."

She couldn't actually think well enough to speak.

"And then my reward kisses won't have to be fake either."

She stared up at him, wishing there was a way to make him her future because she... she wanted every date, every feeling, every kiss to be very real. She rallied from the wonderful aura of his nearness and stepped back a little from his distracting touch. "But we can't present ourselves as a serious relationship, Luke."

"Great, I prefer humor anyway."

"Luke," she said through her laugh, "I mean it. The media won't leave you alone and they'll distort whatever they see." Her gaze pleaded with him. "I don't want you to have to manage any of that. It's horrible."

His expression turned thoughtful. "We can weather a lot of things for the people we care about." The gleam returned to his eyes along with an added wiggle to his brows. "But I'll try to play nice."

"Oh dear." She couldn't control her grin resurfacing.

"You promised the aforementioned reward, so this whole room could do about anything to me and I'll be just fine."

"I did not promise—"

"Princess Elliana?"

The voice brought unwelcome and shameful memories with it, even souring her own name to her ears. She turned to find Maxim in a suit he'd somehow managed to make look too relaxed, with Drake by his side, the latter staring with wide, ravenous eyes in search of the next story.

"Mr.Tatem." She turned to Drake. "Mr.Stephens. How good of you to come to support our children here."

"Mr.Tatem?" Maxim raised a golden brow. "Such formality. Should I bow?"

Her left hand shook from the effort to contain her emotions, so she fisted it at her side. "I don't know that you suffer from following the ‘shoulds,' Mr.Tatem, so I'll leave your response to your own discretion."

"Still nursing old wounds, are we, Elliana?"

Luke's palm warmed her lower back, reminding her of his presence. Somehow, strength passed from him to her. She stood a bit straighter. "Oh no, Mr.Tatem. I have no need nor desire to highlight or waste time on insignificant scars. I prefer to learn from my past and move forward with a much better perspective, instead of renewing grudges or dwelling on past mistakes." She turned toward Luke. "May I introduce you to my guest, Mr.Luke Edgewood."

"Guest?" Maxim's gaze roamed over Luke with unveiled humor before he turned back to Ellie. "I hope you and the Duke of Styles haven't fallen out."

Ellie stilled her expression. Oh no! She hadn't told Luke about Christopher.

Luke held out his hand in greeting. "The duke was unavailable, so she had to settle for the peasant."

She looked over at him and he shot her a wink.

And at that very moment, she knew she loved him.

Maxim scoffed and stared down at Luke's hand for a moment before taking it. "How do I know your face? I rarely converse with peasants."

"I'm only here to help with some renovations for the orphanage." Luke gestured toward Ellie. "Princess Elliana was kind enough to include me in the festivities surrounding some of the work I'm doing."

"What a boon for your confidence, to be the guest of royalty!" Drake interjected, like the approval-seeking pup he was.

Ellie stifled a cringe.

"I suppose that speaks to the type of person the princess is, doesn't it?" Luke didn't miss a beat. "Aware enough to make the changes necessary to help others, but humble enough to realize we're all the same at heart. Royal or not."

Oh, he really wanted his reward, didn't he? And deserved every bit of it.

"Which is why we're all here, isn't it?" Ellie added, matching his lighter tone. "Through service and love to these children, we encourage a better future for them and for Skymar. They are the future, aren't they?"

Maxim's smile failed to resurface, which only teased Ellie's wider.

"Or they'll only end up moving away as many others have," Maxim challenged.

"If you knew your current news, Mr.Tatem, you'd realize that trend is subsiding due to many of the programs my parents have initiated, as well as growing interest in Skymar across the globe." She gestured toward Luke. "And Mr.Edgewood has suggestions to advance those ideals further."

The light left Luke's eyes, and he merely nodded in agreement.

Maxim's doubt splayed across his features without any subtlety. "It should be interesting to hear what you bring from your experience, Mr. Edgewood." He bent his head toward Ellie. "Princess."

Ellie turned to him as soon as they were out of earshot. "Luke, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Christopher." At Luke's confused look she clarified, "The Duke of Styles. We are friends, but presently I've made it clear that I have no other feelings toward him."

"This guy on the list?"

"One of several." Her shoulders drooped a little. "I didn't mention him because I didn't want you to think—"

"I knew about the duke."

Her bottom lip dropped. "You did?"

His knowing look took a sympathetic turn. "Ellie, I googled you, remember? Your life is pretty available to see. I think the duke may have taken you out for Italian on the last date?"

"That particular instance was not a date; it was a coincidence." She winced, searching his face. "I hope you know I'm not as I was, and even now, what they publish, it isn't the real me."

"Except when it has to do with what you love." He looked around the room. "I think the real you is mixed up in things like this a whole lot."

All her worries deflated with his one sentence. Maybe he did see her still. The real her. And perhaps he saw her even better than she fully understood. Was that one of the reasons she felt so drawn to him so quickly? He saw and still wished to keep seeing?

"You are marvelous, Luke Edgewood."

"I don't know about that." He shook his hands at his sides. "Right now I'm sweating like a ten-year-old sitting outside the principal's office."

She covered her mouth to cloak her laugh. "Spoken like someone who is well acquainted with that feeling."

He grinned. "More than I plan to admit." Then he looked around the room and released a sigh so large his broad shoulders sank a little. "How on earth do you do this all the time? I can't even imagine meeting after meeting, people always watching you." He shook his head. "No wonder you just wanted to be Ellie for a while."

"I wouldn't mind it so much if there were more opportunities for respite. And, I suppose, if there were people like you to allow me the freedom to just be me." Her sigh matched his. "But one does get used to wearing a public face, I'm afraid."

"To reference our earlier conversation, I'm not great at pretending. Never been good at it, really."

"I'm glad you're so genuine." She scanned him from top to bottom. "But no one would think you're uncomfortable at all. You were the very model of charming to Maxim the Monster."

Luke's attention shot back to the monster, who had made no secret of his continued observation of Luke and Ellie. She could only imagine what scenario he conjured up in that maniacal head of his, plotting some next headline or talk-show selling point.

"Hmm...," came Luke's response, which sounded more like a growl, then he turned back to her. "I'm glad I'm faking it so well, but my heart's beating like a ping-pong ball inside my chest right now." His grin inched up. "And it only has a little to do with your presence."

"At least I'm in there somewhere."

"If we were alone, then you'd be the full reason."

And yet again she fought her grin and the rising warmth in her cheeks. "Luke, you can't keep saying such things, you know? It only makes things harder for both of us."

"But it's date talk." He raised a brow. "And as I recall, we are on a date."

He rushed on before she could interrupt. "So, since we're on a date, and you kind of owe me a favor, I was hoping you would be willing to present my ideas today." He reached for his pocket. "I wrote everything down."

"What?"

"I've never been good at speaking in front of people." He shrugged a shoulder. "And who's to say they'll even understand me with my accent, so it might be better coming from you."

What was he talking about? "Luke, you speak fine." She made to reach for his hand, but stopped. As Ellie, she found it so easy to respond naturally with him, but as Princess Elliana, with eyes possibly critiquing her every move, she hesitated. "And it will mean more coming from you because it's your story. When the board asks you questions, you can answer from your own experiences. I can't do that. You were meant for this moment, Luke, just as much as you believe I am."

He still didn't look convinced, so the woman who cared for him nudged the poised princess to the side. She leaned closer to him, lowering her voice. "And I promise to reward you privately for your wonderful work."

His lips edged up on one side as he narrowed his eyes. "I'll hold you to that, Princess."

***

"Mr.Edgewood?"

Luke looked from his conversation with a few straggling donors to find Cameron standing at the entrance of the room, his towering presence difficult to ignore.

Luke approached, giving the room a quick look before turning back to Cameron. "Are you as disappointed as I am that we didn't have to teach Maxim what's-his-face a lesson in humility?"

Cameron's stoic expression broke into a slight grin for only a second before melding back to neutral. "The fact that the princess chose a peasant over a talk-show celebrity may have been a start."

"Maybe, but I would have felt better with a little more hands-on teaching opportunity."

"Aye." The slight grin reemerged for a moment. "I would have been keen to see it too."

Only a few donors remained speaking with Mrs.Kershaw as the luncheon came to a close. From what Luke could tell, the event proved a success with more support than Ellie or the board anticipated.

Good.

Maybe installing an elevator and updating the heating system weren't too far in the future after all.

Luke shrugged off his sport jacket, searching for the princess of the hour. "It is my understanding that Mr.MacKerrow is waiting for you at the Frasiers', sir."

Luke looked back at Cameron, always a little unnerved at the man's knowledge of things. As Ellie's protection officer, Luke supposed he kept tabs on a lot of people. "He is. And likely getting his fill of good Scottish food too."

"I'm here to drive you to the Frasiers'." Cameron's gaze held Luke's as if he were trying to communicate something.

"I appreciate that, Cam, but I don't mind the walk. I'm sure you need to tend to Princess Elliana." Luke sent the room another look. "Wherever she is."

"I do, sir," Cam continued. "And I insist on driving you."

Luke tilted his head and studied the man. Cameron's expression gave nothing away, but the insistence hinted at something else... a possibility? "All right. I'll take you up on that offer."

Without another word, Cam led the way to a side entrance of the hall where his solitary SUV waited, carefully framed in by a rock wall surrounding this side of the hall and drive. Luke looked over at the man, attempting to sort out the unspoken message, but Cameron merely walked forward and, with a shift in his position, turned his body so it created a barrier between the SUV door and the castle.

With a nod and almost a smile, he opened the door. "Her Highness suggested the two of you were unable to finish your conversation from before, Mr. Edgewood."

What?

And then Luke looked into the dark interior of the vehicle, his gaze landing on a blue suit that led directly up to a pair of familiar and lovely matching eyes. "Um... thanks, Cam," Luke murmured, climbing into the seat. The door closed behind him and Cameron took his place in the driver's seat before raising a partition, blocking his access to where Luke now sat next to Ellie.

"I didn't trust us to find any privacy in the hall after such a successful and full event," Ellie rushed to say, the shadows of the moving car failing to hide the heightened pink in her cheeks.

She looked pretty kissable right now.

"Probably a smart call."

"And meeting you like this is probably idiotic, but at least better than being caught in a closet by Mrs.Kershaw." Her brow rose the tiniest bit as she turned toward him.

A closet sounded good to him, but he wouldn't complain. With her orange scent invading each breath and Ellie staring up at him with those eyes, he'd probably be content about anywhere. "I see you have Cameron in on your plans, so at least you're guarded."

"Undoubtedly." Her lips slid into a full smile. "And though he might not show it, he likes you."

"No better way to start a friendship among men than a solid hit to the face."

Her soft laugh and a scoot or two brought her closer. "I feel you're owed a substantial reward for your amazing work as a champion for children across Skymar."

His pulse took an upswing at her reference. Yep. She kept getting better and better.

"And for contemplating the very idea of fake dating." He frowned, even though the closer she came, the happier he felt.

"I was trying to stick with some of the tropes that keep popping up in our lives." Her palm settled on the collar of his shirt, giving the slightest tug. "But I agree—I only want the real dates." She edged closer. "And the very real rewards."

There were times in life when a man needed to take charge. This wasn't one of them.

Being a princess and all, Ellie seemed to have the situation well in hand... or, in this case, her lips had his. And boy, did they. Certain. Soft. Taking their ever-loving time to show him a great deal of appreciation.

How on earth was he supposed to go back to anything else after her?

Sure, he didn't belong in any sort of royal life. And he could never measure up to the expectations her family likely had, but his heart teetered on the edge of throwing every one of his own fears aside to jump headlong into a future with her.

If she would have him.

As the SUV drove away from the Frasiers' a half hour later, his lips still happily tingling, a bruise of pain ached in his chest.

She was a princess.

He wasn't on the list.

And there was a good chance those kisses weren't so much a reward as a goodbye.

***

Text from Izzy to Luke and Penelope:So... how did the luncheon go?

Luke:I think it went pretty well. The board seemed really supportive of my ideas.

Penelope:Well, the gossip columns are all aflutter about you, Luke. One even hinted that you were trying to steal Princess Elliana from her duke, or earl, as the case may be.

Penelope:But I'm not too impressed with the duke anyway. You're much more handsome and actually change your facial expression.

Luke:I don't really care what the tabloids say, Penny-girl. They're not where I go for news. Or truth. Or even reading material.

Izzy:The two of you do make a nice pair, though, Luke. And you looked great in that green! Brodie really has an eye for that sort of thing. *sigh* He's wonderful.

Penelope:Do you think it's a Skymarian thing? Matthias is great at fashion too. He even bought a hat for me last week and it was PERFECT.

Penelope:See what a little fashion can do for you, Luke? You're practically dating a princess!! Just imagine where your life could be if you shaved that beard!

Penelope:Stop sending me photos of Aragorn with and without the beard!

Izzy:Did Ellie seem pleased with how things turned out at the luncheon?

Luke:Yeah, she did. I think it was a good step for her too. The more she can show the public how much she cares and how she's grown from a few years ago, the better for her. And she's getting a little more confident, I think.

Izzy:Well, when you're not teasing us into delirium, you're really good at encouragement.

Penelope:AHH!!! I can't believe we're talking about Ellie as if she's a regular person!!!!

Luke:She is a regular person, Penn!

Penelope:A princess kind of regular person! Which is not regular at all. But you would know better than me. *blinking eyelashes and thinking twitterpated thoughts for you*

Luke:She's a pretty good encourager too.

Izzy:Did you have any trouble speaking?

Luke:At first I did, but then I took Ellie's advice and finished off just fine.

Izzy:Well, I'm so glad she showed her appreciation for your ideas and efforts.

Luke:She was very thorough in her appreciation.

Penelope:I don't know why that makes me think you mean something more than what you're saying, but I feel as though you do. However, I'm just going to bask in the secondary glow of watching you live out a movie. This is the time in the movie when someone declares their feelings and the couple kiss, but since you've already done the kissing, I suppose that's a little anticlimactic. Maybe you'll rescue her from something or other next. That could work.

Luke:When Penelope starts predicting my future, it's time to end the conversation. Good night, ladies.

Izzy:Good night, Luke.

Penelope:Good night, big bro. *chime*