Chapter 21

After I'd returned all the calls and forwarded the Nomo's office line to my mobile, I hurried home to feed my triumphant little Shadow. ‘It would really be handy if you could talk,' I said to him as I drove. ‘I'm really grateful for how you stood up to the beast. The only thing I can't figure, though, is if you're related and that's why he didn't wipe you out.'

Predictably, Shadow didn't reply. When I got in, Fluffy was exuberant to see us both. I could hear Mum's shower running, so I hopped into mine hoping I'd be done before Connor arrived. Naturally, I didn't make it out of the shower in time so he had to run the gauntlet alone.

I hurriedly braided my wet hair so I could go down to save him but I could hear the timbre of Mum's voice and knew that I was too late. Whoops. ‘Oh, welcome, your royal highness,' she was saying. I could almost hear her curtsey. I groaned. How embarrassing!

There was a pause, then Connor's deep voice rumbled, ‘Please call me Connor.'

I ran into my bedroom to get dressed, leaving the door open so I could eavesdrop as I dragged on a T-shirt.

‘Please have a seat, sir.' Another pause. ‘How long have you lived in Portlock?'

Poor Connor. ‘I've been here about forty years.'

‘Oh, how delightful.' The false tone of Mum's voice was audible and I practically ran to the living room. Fluffy met me halfway and I gave him a head rub. ‘Who's the best boy?'

He wagged. He was, and he knew it. He gave me a quiet bark and leaned against my legs as I looked into the room to figure out the situation.

Connor was sitting on the sofa and Mum was on a hard kitchen chair that she must have dragged over. I was sure she wouldn't want to impose on the vampire prince by sitting next to him but it was making him very uncomfortable. He was stiff and straight backed as he held Shadow and gave him a belly rub. The cat was purring and looked ecstatic. I didn't blame him; I'd do the same in his place.

‘Can I get you anything, Your Highness?'

Connor winced. ‘Please, Mrs Barrington, I'm Connor.'

Mum looked horrified. ‘I could never call a prince by his name…' Her hand reached up to her throat.

He raised one perfect eyebrow. ‘Well, should I call you High Priestix then?'

‘Gosh, no, of course not. Victoria, please.' She looked at him pleadingly.

I walked in. ‘Elizabeth, darling,' Mum said wringing her hands. ‘I'm glad to see you. I confess that I misplaced your cat for a time, but it's turned up again.'

Shadow had misplaced himself into my rucksack. I smiled. ‘No worries. Connor, do you want some tea? I was just about to switch on the kettle.'

‘Sure, let me help.' He set Shadow carefully on the couch and leapt up. The kitten curled into a ball and went straight back to sleep.

‘Oh, no that won't do,' Mum said in panic as she also jumped up. ‘I can't let royalty serve me.' It was like watching a tennis match in the stands at Wimbledon.

Connor gave his most charming smile and guided her back to the sofa with his hand on her elbow. That was a practised move; I gave him my impressed look and earned one of his blinding smiles.

‘You sit there, Mrs Barrington – Victoria. Let Bunny and me take care of you.' He winked and she blushed. Ugh.

Apparently being princely came with some serious court manners because Connor had won her over. I wasn't sure how he did it, but somehow five minutes later he'd deposited a perfect cup of tea in her hands. Even Mum looked shocked to see it there. I grinned at him as I sipped from my own cup.

‘Do you already have supper prepared, Elizabeth? If not, I'd love to take Connor out for some food.' Mum fluttered her eyelashes and looked coyly at him.

‘No, I haven't prepared anything actually,' I said.

‘Well, we don't have a lot of restaurant choices but the food is good and I can tell the company will be delightful,' Connor added smoothly.

Yeuch. I rolled my eyes at him when Mum wasn't looking.

She beamed. ‘I would love that, Your Highness.'

‘Fantastic. One small caveat – I can only take you if you call me Connor. I keep a low profile in Portlock.' He winked again, like she was in on a secret.

She was delighted. ‘Of course, C-Connor.' She stumbled a bit but she was eating up the attention.

He threw me a glance and it was my turn to be on the receiving end of one of his winks. ‘Something in your eye?' I murmured quietly. ‘I assume you're trying to blink it out with all that winking?' He gave me a flat look and I stifled a laugh. I shouldn't have worried about leaving him alone with her; he was very good at this.

‘Well, you two kids have fun,' I said. ‘I'm heading back to work.' I picked up Shadow, who squeaked at having his nap interrupted, and plonked him in his pram then grabbed Fluffy's lead and left them to it.

‘Please excuse me one moment,' Connor said to Mum and followed me out to the porch. He lifted Shadow's pram down the two steps for me then swept me up in a passionate kiss.

‘You charmer, you,' I said once he put me down. ‘I came here to save you, but you have hidden depths.'

‘I can't let you know all my secrets. We need some left for fifty years down the line.'

A thrill ran through me that he could envisage our future together but I kept my smile calm and cool. ‘Indeed.' I kissed him again. ‘I'll let you save one or two secrets for later.'

I headed back to work. Now to solve the mystery of who had laid the curse, check on Sigrid and Stan, find out what curse my dog had and fix it. And save Jeff, too. I kept forgetting about him. I could do all that, no problem. I just needed one lead.

Determination poured through me. I'd find it in no time.