Page 106 of Loyally, Luke
Father nodded. “You’re stepping into what you’re meant to do, my girl.”
“The more I spend time there, the more I want to know about these places for which I am patron. And I think it would be good to become more acquainted with their histories. Knowing where someone or something has come from can make a difference in planning for its future.”
“Very well said.” He nodded, bestowing on her one of his proud looks.
“It would explain why I feel such a connection to that part of Skymar, I think.” She smiled. “That and this journal I found at Cambric.”
“A journal?”
She pulled it from her bag, glad to have the opportunity to show it to her father. “It was written by a scullery maid who had been an orphan and later took up employment there.”
Father took the book and opened to the first page where the owner’s name was scrawled across the front.
“Blair MacKee.” His gaze rose to hers. “Dear girl, I believe this may be linked to the MacKees who own one of the largest textile businesses on the island and provide some of the greatest charitable donations to many places across Skymar, including Cambric.”
Ellie relaxed back against the couch, shaking her head. “Uncle Roth married into that family?”
“Aye.” Father grinned, offering her back the book. “’Tis not wise to disregard the power and influence of small beginnings to make the greatest changes, is it?”
She raised the book. “It’s a simple, beautiful story about a sweet yet powerful romance that shows how the right person makes us stronger and braver and more hopeful. No matter their origin. In fact, sometimes what we need most comes in the most unexpected ways, and I think that includes royalty too.”
“Aye.” He studied her. “I can’t imagine life without your mother. And I know she’s been harder on you throughout all of this, but it’s because she’s trying to ease the hurt she experienced coming into this way of life. Pairing yourself with someone who understands our world makes it easier on the both of you.”
“But sometimes the easiest way isn’t the best.”
Her father chuckled. “Well said again. Most of the time, it’s not.” She basked in another of his tender looks and then he nodded. “You are doing so well, Ellie, despite the recent situation. You are on your feet and I have every faith in you.”
“I appreciate your confidence in me, but I need to know that you and Mother will continue to trust me, even when unfortunate headlines appear. I was not capable of making good choices three years ago, but because of your love for me and the support of this family, I am not who I was.”
His eyes narrowed. “And I suppose part of this stems from the desire to make your own choices in partners without our interference?”
“I want your opinions because I know you have my best interest at heart, but it is alsomyfuture. I’m not under the same microscope or expectations as Stellan or even Rosalyn as the Crown Prince and Princess Royal. My path can remain more to the shadows, as I would wish it. And over the past months, I’ve come to realize Iamcapable of making my own choices, both publicly and privately.”
Father winced in a good-natured way and then dipped his chin. “You are right. It is your life, and your mother and I have seen you step into a confidence you’ve never had.”
“Thank you.” A sudden weight lifted from her shoulders.
He raised a brow and then sighed. “Speaking of lists and a certain American carpenter...”
She’d not said anything about Luke!
Her father stood from the couch and stepped over to his desk, gesturing for Ellie to follow. “Luke left a gift for you when he met with me Saturday.”
“You met with him?” Ellie moved to her father’s side as he reached for a rectangular gift box on the shelf behind his desk. “Was it about the photograph?”
“No, no.” He waved her words away. “He’s the good sort—both Cameron and Gordon Frasier say so, as well as the staff at Cambric. No, I wanted to discuss some other building sites with him.” Her father turned toward her, offering the gift. “But he brought this and asked me to deliver it to you when next I saw you.”
She searched her father’s face for a clue to the contents, but he merely shook his head with a shrug. With careful hands, she placed the box down on the desk, the pale blue bow atop lined with gold to complement the color of the box. It was an unusual shape. A little longer than a boot box. Narrower as well.
With a grip to the sides of the lid, she slowly lifted the top. Inside waited a...
What was it? It took a few seconds to scan the words and make out the gift.
A fishing rod?
A laugh escaped her and she slid her fingers over the box, her shoulders shaking as she looked up at her father. “He bought me a fishing rod.”
“Not the usual romantic gift and, you are well aware, we have great stores of fishing rods handed down from my father, so I feel there is a special story behind this one.” Her father’s brows rose expectantly.
