Page 136 of Loyally, Luke
“Would you be interested in coming back to Skymar, Luke?”
Luke pulled his attention back to Lewis Gray, the amusement on the man’s face as apparent as the twinkle in his eyes. “I think I’m warming up to the idea.” Luke’s gaze moved back across the room.
Definitely.
***
“Your Mr.Edgewood proved himself quite capable today during the press conference, didn’t he?”
Ellie smiled up at her father, the memory of Luke’s defense of her still fresh and sweet and wonderful. “Diplomatic, even.”
“I think his quaintness may have charmed a few of the reporters in the process.” A sudden glint in her father’s eyes caused Ellie to study him more thoroughly. “An excellent skill to have for anyone special in your life.”
“Anyone special in my life?” she repeated slowly, attempting to sort out his meaning.
“Showing up tonight proved the final test, really.” Her father’s grin turned apologetic. “More of a final answer I needed to enact a plan your mother and I have been composing.”
“A plan?” Her pulse took a steady upswing and she looked nearby to find her mother watching them, as if she knew exactly what sort of conversation they were having. “Involving Luke?”
“Aye. And I’d like to meet with the both of you this week to discuss it further. Something with more of a happily-ever-after ring to it, I believe.” He tipped his head and studied her face. “Would you speak with him about the meeting? I think it may come off better from you than me.”
Happily ever after? For her and Luke? Was it even possible? What would she have to give up? What would he?
“Y-yes. Of course.” For the first time in this entire scenario, hope swirled to life in her chest. Was there a way to have both her royal life and her private one... with Luke? Nothing came to mind. No real solution to meet all the requirements from both sides, but a king often had a much greater vision.
And power.
“Though I’m not certain how free his time will be this week, Father.” Her smile fell a little. “He’s flying back to the States next Wednesday, and this week is filled with responsibilities related to hiswork for Lewis Gray and in preparation for his cousin’s wedding on Friday evening.”
Father nodded, his grin never faltering. “I think once you hear of the plan, we can sort out something. The decision will ultimately be his.”
Ellie’s gaze flew back to Luke, who now conversed with a small crowd of men, his newfound popularity and everyone’s natural curiosity leading them toward him. If he despised it all, she couldn’t tell from his welcome smile and poise, but this was only one night. A few hours of “royal life.” Luke wouldn’t want this forever, even for her.
Father’s confident grin brimmed as the music stopped. How could her parents’ proposal solve the very real problem of two people shouldering two separate responsibilities and living in two very different worlds?
Father winked. “We are in need of a liaison to the United States, you know. To build our relationship with them and encourage more tourism.”
Her eyes widened. “What... what do you mean?”
The guards took their position for Father’s entrance, so he merely shrugged and offered his hand to her. “Are you ready for the announcement of your return as a working royal?” He gestured with his head toward the crowd. “It’s what they are all waiting for.”
Ellie smiled up at her father, his question giving her one last chance to step back away from it all and embrace a life out of the spotlight. Even with the promise of some kind of future with Luke glimmering in the recesses of her mind, she knew her father wouldn’t have encouraged her to go through with her reinstatement if that hadn’t been considered.
She belonged here and she had to embrace it all—the good and the bad.
And maybe even... the impossible.
“I am.”
Father dipped his head in assent and took his place on the grand staircase. Luke came to her side, his presence the perfect pinnacle to this night and her new life.
The announcement began and her smile widened with her deep certainty of her choice. Despite her past and even her present stumblings, she still possessed the heart of a princess.
She gave Luke’s arm a quick squeeze before stepping forward to Father’s summons.
And perhaps she’d found her prince too.
Chapter23
