Page 40 of Learning to Love

“They are rather high, but I know you’ve introduced the new strategy for re-training. It should make a difference in a few months,” Dalton offers in reply. I watch the conversation passing between them. “Has there been any talk of when I can come back yet?”

“You know parliament will have you back any time, especially with the news of your relationship with Miss Nash, but alas, I’m not able to sanction your return yet, because of your father.”

“Parents can be so frustrating.” Dalton sighs. I know he feels stressed with his, even if he hasn’t told me the full story about them.

“My father is on at me for grandchildren,” the prime minister moans.

“We’d be better off without our parents. You’re lucky not to have any, Elodie.” Dalton laughs as I try to comprehend what he’s just said.

The prime minister and his wife fall silent. My stomach plummets, and I feel the tears prick at the corner of my eyes. I quickly tap three times on Dalton’s knuckles before turning and fleeing from the room.

How could he say that?”

I have to get out of the building. I need fresh air. My heart aches.

I’ll never be grateful for not having my parents.

A security guard is at my side in an instant.

“I need air,” I tell him, and he escorts me out of the building to where the car is waiting down a back alleyway.

Mr. Hinchbottom appears beside me. “Miss Nash?”

“I want to go home,” I inform him.

“I’ll get someone to take you back to the hotel.”

I shake my head feverishly.

“No, my home. My little house. I want to go there.”

The sudden, overwhelming need to sit in my reading nook and look at my parents' photos is constricting. I’m finding it hard to breathe, despite trying to use my yoga breathing.

“Elodie.” Dalton appears and tries to wrap his arms around me, but I push him away, hard. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

I can’t look at him. I can’t speak to him.

I repeat my instruction to Mr. Hinchbottom. “I want to go home, please.”

The personal secretary turns to Dalton. “Miss Nash would like to return to her home near Serendipity, sir.”

“All right, give us a minute, please.”

At his request, the prince’s entourage disappear from around us.

“Elodie, tell me what’s wrong?” Dalton tries to touch me again, but I shy away once more.

Taking a deep breath, I dare to look up at him. The tears, now streaming down my face, must be smudging the makeup I’ve managed to keep perfect all night.

“How could you have said that, Dalton? I will never think I’m lucky that I have no parents. I miss them so much.”

Realization dawns on his face. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think, I mean…oh, Elodie, I’m so sorry. Clement and I both have so much trouble with our fathers. If I could take back what I said, I would. I’m truly sorry.”

“It hurt me,” I whimper with deep sorrow.

“I know. I understand.” Dalton dares to step toward me again, and this time, I let him wrap his arms around me. “I will never say anything like that again. You have my word.”

“I know,” I reassure him, but there’s a part of me that recognizes it’ll be hard for Dalton to keep his promise. He hasn’t experienced too much love from his family. I realize there’s only one way I’ll be able to show him how much my family means to me. I pull back from him.

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