Page 102 of Loyally, Luke
Penelope:Never underestimate the heartbreak of fictional romances.
Izzy:She does have a point, Luke. Fictional characters can be very powerful. But we just want you to know (even if you don’t want to know) that we think you’re pretty amazing.
Penelope:Totally worthy of any princess. EEEE!!! That sounds so magical.
Luke:Okay, I’m getting off here before you start singing some movie song performed by animated creatures. Besides, I’m getting ready to rewatch The Expendables, grill some hamburgers, and try to clear my head of all your emotional talk.
Penelope:Love you BIG, bro!
Text from Izzy to Luke:Just so you know, if you need me, I can be there in an hour.
Luke:I’m okay, Iz. I wish things could be different, but they can’t.
Text from Maeve to Ellie:I still think you ought to ask Luscious Luke to the Hyacinth, Ellie. Timorous Timothy of Tallon is nice-looking and all, but really can’t compare. In looks or conversation.
Ellie:Timothy is very sweet and only sees me as a friend. It’s a good pairing for the Hyacinth. I can have a date and he can appease his own mother by attending a social engagement now and again. Besides, after the Hyacinth, I plan to turn my attention to my duties.
Maeve:Because your heart needs time to heal.
Ellie:I haven’t known him so long as that, Maeve.
Maeve:It doesn’t have to take a long time to care for someone, El. And when it’s the right person, it doesn’t have to take long at all.
***
Driving a car in Crieff proved a lot different than driving one to a castle.
A real castle.
To meet a king.
And possibly end up in a dungeon for dating his daughter?
In all honesty, it was only one real date.
Heat crept up his neck.
And about a half dozen unofficial ones. Or more. Sort of.
Gordon and Nessa had assured Luke his fears were unfounded. That the king was a reasonable and kind man, which was what Luke believed after having dinner with him. But that was before Luke went around... what was the Scottish word?Snogginghis daughter?
He gave his head a shake. Nope. He still preferred the wordkissing.Snoggingsounded like something you’d spit up rather than the fantastic activity kissing really was. Or at least, how it was with Ellie.
After doing a little research online, he’d worn his best jeans, a white button-down, and his sport jacket for the occasion, hopefully balancing casual with a “fit for a king” meeting. If Prince William could make the look work, surely Luke could get by with it.
Even with a beard.
And, maybe, a scared rabbit expression.
He parked in the allotted spot indicated by a detailed email on protocol and then proceeded to pass through a series of security checkpoints, including one set of guards who opened the gift he’d brought for Ellie that he planned to leave with her dad. Thankfully, he’dpurchased a box with an easy slip-off lid and separate bow. He didn’t even realize they made boxes like that. Game changer.
The castle itself looked like something off some show Penelope loved to watch about royals. Like the Biltmore Estate back home... only on steroids. Gold-trimmed mirrors, crimson and dark green wall colors. Woodwork with the most intricate designs carved to frame doors or accent crown molding. Massive stone, marble, and ceramic fireplaces. The furniture didn’t look like you were supposed to sit on it, and if you were supposed to, it wouldn’t be comfortable.
Even the ceilings glistened like works of art, from their designs to their colors. One even had a painting covering the entire ceiling, very much like the Biltmore’s library.
Though everything glowed with more grandeur than the estate back home, something about having a frame of reference eased a little of his discomfort in walking through the space. The craftsmanship shone through, only highlighting things he’d already come to appreciate from Skymar. They valued woodwork and stonemasonry.
And quality.
