Page 29 of Learning to Love

“Can we turn the boat around? Go back to sea and live there.” She looks down at me. Her face is as pale as the fluffiest white clouds.

I shake my head.

“Not possible. I’m afraid we have to dock here. The car, my security, they’re all here, and to be honest, the press will just follow us if we go out to sea again.”

Elodie slowly comes back down the steps. She’s wearing a strapless yellow summer dress and has glittery open-toed sandals on her feet—she’s a vision of beauty.

“I’m scared.” She shudders.

“I know, but it’ll be fine. Hinchbootie is arranging extra security, and I’ll take you back to Serendipity with me until we can make sure you have a security detail as well.”

“Security detail! Why can’t I go home?” she asks.

“I suspect reporters will go straight to your house when they realize this isn’t me having a fling with all the women here, but just one. They’re going to want to know everything about you.”

Elodie bites her lip. “So much for it being just the two of us.”

“It will be. I'm going to protect you fiercely, Elodie.” I take her hand and place it over my heart. “You are already in here, and I know the prospect of getting off this yacht is the most terrifying thing in the world to you right now, but you can do it. I promise.”

“All right, I trust you. I should go and get my belongings. My bag…” Her hands are shaking as she speaks.

“No.” I stop her. “We don’t carry our own belongings. We have people to do that for us.”

“What? But my phone? Wallet? I need them. I have a picture of my parents in my wallet. I always have it with me.”

“The women in my family normally carry a small bag for things like that. I’ll see if there’s anyone on the ship with a small clutch you can borrow, to replace the bottomless-pit bag I always see you with.”

Elodie nods at me. “My shoulders. I need a cardigan as well—something to cover my shoulders. I shouldn’t have them showing not unless I’m in an evening gown.

I cock my head at her, “How do you know that?”

“Research,” Elodie replies with a wry smile.

I’m grateful because it means she’s beginning to understand the life I lead. The butler who’s been looking after us is standing nearby, waiting for instruction, and I turn to him.

“Can you see if there’s a small clutch bag available for Miss Nash to carry off the yacht? You don’t need to bring a cardigan for her, though. She’s perfect as she is.”

“Dalton?” Elodie questions. “I should-”

I cut her off. “No you look perfectly respectable the way you are. We’ll meet the royal demands halfway and no more. I think maybe that’s the way I need to deal with all the protocols and rules in the future.”

“All right.” She leans forward and kisses me. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you.”

The butler returns and hands Elodie her big bag and a clutch. Elodie transfers a few things to the smaller bag.

“What about you? Do you carry a phone?” she asks.

“Not normally. Hinchbootie has it.”

“We’re docking,” the captain calls from above us.

At that moment, the personal secretary reappears on the lower deck with us.

“Everything is organized. It’ll be a little bit of a free-for-all getting to the car. Do you want me to ensure Miss Nash is safe and have security surround you?” he asks, awaiting his instructions.

“No, Miss Nash will be holding my hand the entire time. If we get separated, I want her path to the car made secure. She’s not experienced this before. I have, and I can get myself to the car.”

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