Page 44 of Learning to Love

“I need to get some clothes sent over for when we stay here,” he informs me.

“We can stay here?” I exclaim with delight.

“Yes, I need more time to study the photos and find all the embarrassing ones of you.”

“Jerk,” I retort.

We make our way to the front door, and I’m shocked to see Mr. Hinchbottom there when I open it.

“Mr. Hinchbottom?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you both. It’s important, I’m afraid. Your father has requested your presence back in Janastria, Your Highness.”

“Really!” Dalton moans. “Couldn’t it have waited until the morning?

Mr. Hinchbottom shuffles nervously. “I’m afraid the royal plane is to leave within the hour. Your father’s command.”

“An hour.” My heart starts to beat fast. Dalton is leaving.

“What about Elodie?” Dalton asks, taking my hand.

“The mandate from your father is that you are both required to be in his presence by tomorrow at midday,” Mr. Hinchbottom reluctantly informs us.

Dalton looks at me.

“What do you say?”

“Yes.”

Oh my God, I’m going to Janastria.

Epilogue

Dalton

“So I don’t talk to him unless he addresses me, and I don’t ask questions, just answer his. I’m to stay by the door until you call me forward. Curtsy low to all three of you. No, not you, because I should have curtsied to you when I saw you first thing this morning, but to your father and then your mother. What about anyone else in the room?”

Elodie stands fidgeting in the two-piece, purple suit Hinchbootie had brought onto the plane for her to wear. The necklace I gave her sparkles through the white blouse she’s wearing, and she has a neat pair of low heeled pumps on her feet. She looks every inch the member of Janastria’s elite and not the carefree girl who loves her yoga outfits in Florida.

It was a long flight back, and even though we managed to get a few hours of sleep, we’re both exhausted and want nothing more than to have a warm bath, a quick fuck, and fall asleep for the next twenty-four hours. Our arrival in Janastria was accompanied with news of the black-tie event we attended last night in Miami, which is being heralded as a great success.

“Relax.” I try to get Elodie to calm down, but I’m aware I’m not very convincing, dressed in my formal pants, shirt, tie, and sweater. At least Hinchbootie didn’t make me wear a suit.

“It’s easy for you to say. I’m running on little sleep, little food, a lot of nerves, and absolutely no yoga in what feels like an eternity. I should be giving a class today. Instead, I’m standing in an absolutely amazing palace surrounded by acres upon acres of land. There’s gold ornaments, royal portraits, and priceless vases everywhere. I’m scared to touch anything. I’m petrified even to move. I just want to stand in the corner and do the tree pose.”

I raise an eyebrow at Elodie, who’s nearly hyperventilating now.

“For a yoga teacher, you are highly strung, at times.” I shake my head at her.

Her eyes narrow at me, and I know a famous Miss Nash explosion is imminent. I ignore it, though, and make my way to one of the fabric lined walls of the waiting room and lean against it. I bring my hands up into namaste and raise my leg to my knee. I assume the tree pose Elodie is longing to do.

Her laughter echoes around the cavernous ceiling of the room.

“Quiet, I’m trying to concentrate.”

“I wish I had my camera.” Elodie chuckles.

I open my eyes and wink at her.

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