Page 83 of A Whiskey River Princess

“No, I’ve become a better person because of you.” She placed her hand on his cheek.

He looked into her eyes and pulled her into his arms as his lips descended upon hers once again. Gabriella didn’t care who saw or what they thought. The only person she thought of was Dirk, knowing this kiss would have to sustain her for the rest of her life.

“Well,” Manfred interrupted, clearing his throat. “Princess Gabriella, we really must go.”

Gabriella pulled back and placed her hand on his cheek one last time, committing this moment, this man to memory. “I love you, Dirk, and I always will.”

Dirk nodded as tears streamed down his cheeks. “I love you, too.” He reached out a hand and helped her into the carriage. “Take care of yourself.”

Gabriella sat down and propped her arms on the open window, extending her hand to him. “I will, and you take care of yourself, too.”

One corner of his lips curled into a smile. “And no more wild adventures.”

She smiled through her tears as she shook her head. “No.” She bit her lip and released it. “The only adventure I want… is with you.”

Dirk kissed her hand and Manfred Carlo and his men climbed into the carriage behind her.

Dirk held her hand, running beside the carriage as it pulled away, holding onto it for as long as he could. Then, she let go… committing Dirk and her time with him in Whiskey River to memory.

Epilogue

Gabriella

January 1871

The Prince’s Palace, Monaco

Gabriella said little on the journey back home. She had slept for most of the three days on the train back to New York, and had stayed in her cabin for most of the time on the ocean liner, headed back to the Port of Monaco.

At first, Manfred had posted guards outside her door on the train. But on the ship when she made no move to venture off unattended, he had seemed to relax a bit.

When she was feeling better, she and Manfred had taken long walks together on the deck, but he did most of the talking. She said very little.

Her Uncle Charles, Prince Charles of Monaco, had greeted her at the palace himself when she arrived, along with her cousin, Prince Albert I. She thought that her uncle might be angry with her at first. But to her amazement, he just wrapped his arms around her and hugged her for a long while, telling her that he was glad she was home and safe.

For the next few weeks, she said little. Even though she never complained, the spark had gone out of her. Gabriella had resigned herself to do her duty and had committed her days in Whiskey River and her time with Dirk to memory.

Gabriella walked alone through a corridor of the palace with high vaulted ceilings and arches, letting her thoughts travel back to Dirk and Whiskey River. Even though she was surrounded with gold, exquisite architecture, and fine antiques, she would trade it all for one more moment with Dirk. But she pushed the thought aside, knowing she would never see him again.

She sighed as she came to a stop in front of an arched window and looked out over the ocean, an ocean that would lead her to Dirk, if she followed it. But she had resigned herself to do her duty. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself as she watched the ocean waves lap against the shore, allowing herself this one moment to reminisce.

“Excuse me, Gabriella.”

She jumped when she realized who it was and then quickly bobbed a curtsy. “Excuse me, uncle. I didn’t hear you approach.” A small smile lit her lips.

A crease formed between his eyes. “Will you walk with me?”

Gabriella nodded. “Yes, of course.” He extended his arm, and she took it. When she noticed his concerned expression, her eyebrows pulled together. “What is it, uncle? Is something troubling you?”

He walked slowly with her by his side, obviously contemplating the question. “Yes, there is.”

Gabriella stopped. “What is it?” She bit her lower lip, and then continued. “If it’s because I ran away, I’m sorry to have caused you pain.”

He let out a deep breath and pulled her to a stop, taking both of her hands into his. “Do you regret it?”

She thought for a moment. “I regret causing you pain by running away, but I don’t regret the people I met.”

He nodded thoughtfully, tucked her hand into his arm, and resumed walking. “I spoke with Mr. Carlo and he told me of the people you met in Whiskey River and how they cared for you.”

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