Page 19 of Learning to Love

“The company was excellent as well,” Dalton responds with a smile. He’s drinking still water.

He was right about the company. We’ve had a lovely conversation over lunch, talking about my yoga—this time without any silly jokes, and Dalton spoke a little bit more about his life at the palace. He’s met many interesting people and is very knowledgeable, but I have a feeling there hasn’t been a lot of love or fun in his life. My most incredible memories are of spending time with my family, laughing and joking with them. I feel a little sad he’s never had that.

“What do you say about a walk along the beach? I’ve still not managed to explore here.” Dalton gets to his feet and offers me his hand, and I take it with a big smile on my face.

“I’d like that very much.”

Dalton leads us along the beach to where I know there is a small cove. We kick at the sand as we walk.

“Is Janastria land-locked?” I ask, wanting to know more about the country he calls home.

“It is. There are no beaches like this with endless views across the ocean. We have a couple of lake areas in the mountains where my parents have a castle. We usually spend our winters up there. It’s traditional in the mountains to hunt with the courtiers we’re closest to. There’s also an endless stream of cousins who visit from all over Janastria. My father was one of five children, so even though I’m an only child, I have a lot of relatives.”

“It’s pretty much just me now. I have a couple of cousins, but I don’t really see them,” I reply. “It must be fun to have massive parties over Christmas with them all.”

Dalton groans. “You would think so, but everything is very regimented. We don’t purchase presents for the adults, but the children receive one gift from my father and mother. It’s normally something practical, not a PlayStation or anything like that. Lunch is always served at precisely one in the afternoon, and we have to finish by five so that the staff can have the rest of the evening off. After that, it’s a few hours of charades and other games before we sit down and watch my father’s speech at eight in the evening. Once that’s over, I’m able to escape and have my own fun.”

“With your endless bevy of women?” I raise an eyebrow at Dalton.

“No, not really. I remember last year I joined in with the staff in their quarters. I had a good evening away from the formality of my parents’ presence.”

“That sounds so very Downton Abbey.”

Dalton throws his head back and laughs. “I suppose it does a bit. My grandmother is a definite dead ringer for the Dowager Duchess.”

“You still have a grandmother?” I gasp.

“Yes. Thankfully, she likes to stay in the mountains and not come to court anymore. She’s always there at Christmas, though. Looking on disapprovingly as she drinks a whole bottle of sherry before passing out in the corner.”

“I’m glad my Christmases are much more reserved. I spend them here at Serendipity. A few of the yoga people and some of the staff get together. We serve all the guests who’ve come here to stay for the holidays, and then we enjoy the rest of our evening with a BBQ on the beach. No full roast dinner for us—it’s normally too hot.”

“That sounds blissful.” Dalton sighs. “Carefree and relaxing. I think I’m going to try to use those words more often in future. I’m also beginning to hope my banishment lasts until after Christmas so I can stay here at the resort and enjoy it.”

We reach the cove, and Dalton helps me climb over a couple of rocks until we can sit in a clearing and look out at the ocean in front of us. I look behind us and see his guards turn around and face in the opposite direction to where we are. I know they’re watching and listening to everything that is happening, though.

“Does it ever annoy you that you can’t just be on your own? That you have to have someone with you at all times?” I ask.

I feel like sticking my tongue out at the guards. I know they’re there to protect Dalton, but I feel as though I’m currently under the watchful eye of a couple of Peeping Toms. Why should I care? It hits me that it’s because the more I’ve gotten to know Dalton, the more I actually like being with him. I should want to run for the hills and be with anyone but him. I don’t, though. I want to be right where I am at the moment.

“It used to annoy me, especially when I first got out of the army and was learning to adjust back to civilian life. I wanted to be by myself and not have to give everyone a schedule of where I was going. I’ve never needed to pop out to the shop, but if I’d wanted to, then I wanted to be able to go without having to take an entourage with me.” Dalton picks up a small pebble and throws it toward the clear waters. I do the same. “Now I just ignore them. They know when to give me space and when to watch out but be discrete.”

A couple of boats appear on the horizon—the occupants probably coming back from a day out sunbathing along the coast.

“We should go out on a boat. I’ll hire one. Are you free tomorrow?” Dalton suddenly asks. “I’d love to swim in the waters around here.”

“Sharks.” I shiver. “No, thank you. Although there are some sandbanks a bit farther out to explore.”

“Damn, Florida is a dangerous place with crocodiles and sharks. Any other killer animals I need to know about?” Dalton chuckles.

“Only killer yoga teachers.” I bump into his shoulder playfully.

Heat surges through my body at the contact. My cheeks flame red.

“I don’t think you want to kill me anymore.” Dalton turns to face me.

“What do you think I want to do to you now, then?” I ask, biting the inside of my bottom lip nervously.

“I think you want to do this…” Dalton leans forward and presses his lips against mine.

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