Page 135 of Loyally, Luke
“I had no idea you knew how to dance.” She smiled up at him, the blue of her gown making her eyes almost glow. “But from what you’ve told me about your sisters, this sounds as if it may be a Penelope adventure of some sort.”
“Our dad couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, so I was volunteered to be her dance partner.”
“The dancing carpenter?” She blinked up at him with faux innocence. “Your friends must stand in awe.”
He narrowed his eyes in a mock glare. “Now why would you go and ruin a perfectly fine conversation with an image like that? It’s almost as bad as mentioning certain Christmas chime movies.”
Her quiet laugh inspired his smile. He loved her laugh. “How did you get here? It’s a rather exclusive invitation list.”
Exclusive list? Luke paused on the thought. “Your dad sent an invitation by way of the Frasiers, and they sort of... encouraged me to accept.”
Her dad had invited him. Could that mean he made an even more exclusive list? A list grand enough to win Ellie’s heart for good? Or was it just a “thanks for the press conference” kind of list?
He didn’t even know how to process this possible change in his plans.
He’d set his mind and his heart on having to end things with her forever.
“I’m so glad they did.” She searched his face, her smile softening. “So very glad.” She squeezed his hand. “It seems you are more adept at performing in the public eye when necessary than even you realize. The press conference was remarkable, Luke.”
“‘When necessary’ being the key phrase,” Luke said with a shudder. “But I wanted to disappear from the world for a good week after that. It was exhausting.”
“It’s not my favorite either, unless I can point the attention to someone else.”
She looked at him with such admiration, he felt pretty sure his chest expanded to Superman proportions. “And I must say, you certainly know how to enter a room like a royal, catching everyone’s attention.”
He tipped his head a little closer, gathering in a deep breath of oranges and Ellie. “I wasn’t here for anyone else but you.”
The dance blended into a second and a third before Ellie, thankfully, offered to have them take a break. The muscles used in dancing and in building weren’t the same. Both hard work in their own way, but one was much less familiar to him than the other.
Gratefully.
“Luke!”
Luke looked over, wondering who in the world would know him in a place like this, and found Lewis Gray approaching. The older man personified class from his gray tux and matching streaks in his hair to his excellent posture.
“Mr.Gray.” Luke took his outstretched hand. “A pleasure to see you here, sir.”
“Lewis, lad.” Lewis Gray shook his head. “Call me Lewis. We are on friendship terms now, I believe.”
Luke always had a hard time calling older men by their first names. Maybe it stemmed from the “respect your elders” mantra of his youth or just the fact he felt they usually knew a whole lot more than him, but he would try to comply with Lewis’s request. At least in his head.
Lewis offered a bow to Ellie. “Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
“Thank you, Mr.Gray. I’m so glad to have you here this year.”
“It is an honor to be invited.” His eyes lit. “And I am especially glad for your return as a working royal. My hope is that your courage and hard work toward a second chance will inspire many other people to incorporate such virtues within their daily lives.”
“I haven’t thought about it that way, but I like the idea of inspiring people in a positive direction instead of how I am often portrayed.”
He chuckled, sending Luke a wink. “I think we have the news duly pointed in a positive direction from what I hear about a certain press conference today. You may very well fall out of the tabloids altogether if you stay as wholesome as this.”
“From your lips to the heavens, Mr.Gray.” Ellie smiled, slowly entwining her arm around Luke’s. Nice feeling. Good fit. Right beside him.
“And, Luke, your work on my cabin has been remarkable. I hope you’ll consider coming back to Skymar for a few more jobs.” Lewis’s attention flitted to Ellie and back. “I’m sure we can provide plenty of inducements for your return.”
Ellie straightened by his side. “Will you excuse me a moment? Father is calling for me.” She gave Luke’s arm a squeeze, sending him another smile before moving across the room to meet other members of the royal family.
The gown she wore fell over her body like water, and he had to reexamine his thoughts about sweaters and leggings as her sexiest fashion. Satin and heels worked really well for her too. His throat tightened. Really well.
