Page 105 of Loyally, Luke
“Thank you, sir.”
“Now,” the king said as he stood and Luke followed. “I would like to get your thoughts on a few of these properties Gordon and I have discussed, so let’s move to the desk.”
The king called in his secretary, who took notes while Luke offered suggestions on a few of the sites the king presented, all the while fighting an inward battle over whether he’d made the right decision about the job offer... and whether he evencouldchoose differently.
And all at once he realized his dilemma matched Ellie’s exactly, except on a smaller scale. Family expectations versus the heart.
And for better or worse, they both chose the former.
For all the right reasons.
And broken hearts healed.
Eventually.
Chapter18
Ellie paused before her father’s office door. He’d called her a few days ago to ask her to join him at Carlstern, but she needed to finish a few meetings in Mara as well as the final updates to her own study at the cottage, so several days had passed.
Perhaps she’d wanted the distance too.
Her last conversation with her parents had been a study in their trying to contain their disappointment, along with a clear message that her reputation couldn’t weather any hint of scandal at present.
Give her another year, and she’d have shown her new track record.
But before she’d even been officially reinstated as a working royal? Not the right time.
Father clearly respected Luke, which softened him to her situation, but Mother held to her pensiveness and long-held expectations that the royal family should come first. Of course it should. It was a choice Ellie made, even as her heart pulled toward picking up her mobile and texting Luke again. Her parents had made it clear that her future should focus on finding a man who understood their culture and history, who could bring a love for the country into their marriage. A Skymarian.
And Mother pushed against finding a spouse among the commoners, in contrast to her own past. All the expectations, failures, and embarrassments she’d had to overcome to finally find her place among the royals had stiffened her resolve not only to keep as far above reproach as possible but also to try to protect her children from the long years of adjusting to a life so different from her childhood.
Perhaps over time, as Ellie proved herself, Mother would soften to a broader array of romantic choices instead of a narrow wish listof candidates from the aristocracy. If not, Ellie might have to choose never to marry at all. An ache branched through her chest.
But, oh, how she wanted a family.
After spending so much time at Cambric Hall with those children, the desire to build her own home and family settled deeper. Images of Luke flipped through her mind like a movie montage of his good-natured teasing of the workers, his focus on his craft, his easy laugh and patience in teaching the boys, the way he focused on her when she spoke and found ways to show he cared. Her eyes drifted closed. The feel of his arms, his kiss. The rough patches of his hands as they caressed her cheeks.
Warmth pooled beneath her lashes, threatening to turn into another session of silent crying, but she had to stop.
Move forward.
She’d made her choice, and so had he.
She drew in a breath and dashed the tears away, righting herself before giving the door a quick knock.
At her father’s summons, she entered. He sat behind his desk, poring over some papers, a familiar silhouette. His smile brightened his eyes as she entered, and he stood, gesturing her forward. With a brief kiss to each cheek, he moved with her to one of his couches, settling himself down beside her.
“How was all your business up north?”
She rested against his shoulder, welcoming his affection, especially after her weak moment just outside the office door. “Very good. It seems none of the current publicity has hurt any of my connections in the North Country or Mara, and I adored getting to watch the new football team of Kae defeat Hartington.”
“Now, now, be nice, my dear. Your uncle is quite proud of his footballing days at Hartington.”
Ellie chuckled, releasing a long sigh at the comfort of being with her da.
“I saw your numbers from the Board Luncheon. Dozens of new donors,” Father said. “You’ve doubled the giving from last year.”
“Lots of hard work and good people,” she said. “I’ve loved getting to know them and show them what we can all do together for our communities. It feels right and good.”
