Page 53 of Loyally, Luke
Luke:And don’t jump to conclusions.
Luke:And don’t tell Penelope.
***
“I spoke with Sir Reginald last night and he gave a rather stellar report of your work on the North Country housing project.”
Ellie looked up from her breakfast to meet her father’s gaze, his gentle smile belying the depths of pride in his eyes. Her heart pinched. Oh, how they wanted her to succeed.
“I’m glad his report was favorable.” She relaxed back in the chair. “Sir Reginald has been an undeniable asset in the process of making the best improvements. He seems to knoweveryonein the North Country.”
“He mentioned two school visits you made last week,” her mother added, glancing over the top of her teacup. “You know that leads to visibility.”
“I know.” Ellie nodded. She’d only just begun to forge her way back into the world of social media. A strategic and thoughtful plan.And all had been going according to her life strategy until a certain woodworking American and an unexpected kiss. She’d made no plan for him. And definitely not that kiss. Her face grew warm at the memory. She couldn’t afford another similar slipup.
“If you are to formally reinstate me as a working royal, I think a gradual reintroduction to the media will be better for me than a sudden emergence. It will allow me time to adjust to their persistent presence again, so I’ve begun a thoughtful reentry.”
Her mother dipped her chin, a subtle show of approval. “The fact you’ve mostly remained out of the public eye for so long is a testament to your mindful caution, but I agree with you.” A glow lit her mother’s pale eyes. “You are ready.”
“I’ve heard good reports from Holton about your progress at the orphanage as well. Are you enjoying being on-site for the work?”
“I’ve loved it.” Ellie looked over at her father, confidence growing at their choice of conversational topics. “You know how I adore those children, and the renovations are coming along at an excellent pace to be completed before the Donors’ Banquet. Our team leader has truly made the process efficient and positive.”
“This was the man Lewis Gray recommended, was it not?” This from Mother. “The American?”
“Yes, Luke Edgewood.” Ellie smiled as she said his name, but quickly stilled her response. “I believe you met him at the Darling House last December in Mountcaster.”
“Oh yes!” Mother’s eyes lit with her grin. “He’d flown in to help his sister and the theater rescue their production. Yes.”
“He flew from America to help his sister on her project?” Father asked.
“He’s the sort you’d appreciate, Father,” Ellie answered, her smile returning. “Thoughtful, hardworking, a good craftsman, and he cares about doing his best work for the children, but also for the craft.”
“It sounds as if you’ve gotten to know him?” Mother tipped her brow.
“As one of the people overseeing the project, I have continual contact with him, plus I’ve been assisting with the work.”
A sound burst from her father. “As in, the construction?”
“Of course. I enjoy getting my hands in the middle of the projects. It’s one of the reasons I thrived in interior design. We were given ample hands-on learning experiences.”
“Excellent, Ellie.” Her father’s compliment paired with the use of her nickname warmed her heart. “That heart of service is the whole reason I have every faith in you to become a long-lasting working royal.” Her father tapped the newspaper on the table to his left. “And those photos you sent of the plans? I can see how the remodel will be beneficial to everyone at Cambric Hall.”
“Luke’s even offered to install a few wheelchair ramps and widen several doorways to make them more accessible for anyone requiring such modifications. And at my and Mrs.Kershaw’s request, he’s drawn up a plan for the placement of an elevator as well.”
“It would do well for your visibility to share a few photos of your work there, Elliana,” Mother added. “Send it through Taugen House and they can release it to the media, especially before the ball.Weknow the hard work you’ve put into recreating yourself, but the world could benefit from a few more glimpses.”
Ellie held her composure despite the erratic hammering of her heart at the thought. Engaging the media felt too much like Russian roulette on most days, especially with the way they’d taken the smallest of her mistakes and turned them into character-demolishing rumors.
“They’re going to find you no matter what,” her mother continued. “It was a hard and long lesson to learn in my entry into royal life.”
“What is our media protocol, dear girl?” Father raised a brow.
“Control what you can and ignore what you can’t.” Ellie repeated the mantra, which was much more difficult to enact than recite.
“Exactly. And with Cambric and your work in the North Country, you have excellent control.” He reopened his newspaper. “Could you send a few snaps of the progress on the renovations as well? I should like to see what this Luke Edgewood has been doing to garner your praise.”
Heat flew into Ellie’s face, but she maintained her composure. “Once I return to my room, I can send a few I have on my phone.”
