Page 79 of Loyally, Luke
Text from Josephine to Luke:I love the reports I’m getting from Penelope and Izzy about you. It seems that your work in Skymar is going so well! Penelope even showed me a photo of the orphanage where you are working. How lovely, Luke! What an amazing experience for you.
Luke:Thanks, Josephine. But I feel as though there’s a question in the wings.
Josephine:Well, actually, would you mind sending any advice about traveling there? Izzy and Penelope have told me that the temperatures may be a bit cooler than here, but not much. Would you please confirm whether this istrue or not? I know Penelope and Izzy both tend toward exaggeration, especially about this island.
Luke:Weather? Josephine, why are you really texting me?
Josephine:Why does there have to be an alternate reason?
Luke:Because you live life by the weather app, so... I’m pretty sure you’ve already mapped out outfits for you and the kids each day of the two weeks you’ll be here in June.
Josephine:You’re the only male child of this family, Luke. Our parents depend on you being close by.
Luke:Yeah, I know.
Josephine:I just wanted to make sure you knew that.
Luke:I’m here through Izzy’s wedding and then it’s back to the Blue Ridge. That’s home for me, Josephine. I don’t have any delusions of moving across the world.
Josephine:Good, because though your cousin Charlie is doing a fabulous job with your business, I can tell she would prefer you were here. I can see it in her eyes. I know these things.
Josephine:And Charlie isn’t an up-front person. She’s quiet and gentle. Some people need a more forceful delivery, or at least the appearance of intimidation.
Josephine:And Amber Lawson has moved back to Mt. Airy and has been attending church quite regularly the past three weeks. Did you two date in high school?
Luke:Charlie is doing a fine job. We keep in regular contact and I don’t think she’s missed a beat since I left.
Luke:I refuse to comment about any matchmaking, Josephine. You already know how I feel about that. If you feel the urge to start it up again, spend more time with your husband and the twins... or get a dog.
Chapter14
The Daily Edge: Social Tattle from One Edge of Skymar to the Other
Our rebel princess has finally crawled out of her hiding place and returned to the cyberworld. Not only has she been seen out on another date with Stoic Styles, but she’s been posting on social media. Nothing to give us any real idea of her romantic future, but it looks like Princess Elliana is on her way to proving she’s ready to be reinstated as a working royal. Her recent posts have been related to some of the North Country organizations and groups of which she is patron, as well as her work at the orphanage at Cambric Hall. Has our favorite bad girl truly turned the corner? We’re only slightly disappointed, but would love your help in securing the truth. We need your assistance in locating the tattle. Do you have any incognito snaps you’ve taken of Skymar’s defiant darling as she’s returning to the spotlight? Share them in our comments below.
Text from Maeve to Ellie:How come I had to read on The Daily Edge that you had another date with Styles?
Ellie:I thought you’d stopped reading The Edge.
Maeve:It’s the best rubbish in town. I’m embarrassingly addicted. So... Styles?
Ellie:It was not a date. We were both invited to the same dinner party, so not technically a date. Mum gentlyencouraged me to think about Christopher as my date for the Wild Hyacinth Ball since his reputation is so stellar, but I don’t know if I want to spend a whole evening with him. I’d prefer Mum’s other choice, the Earl of Tallon. At least I can feel more comfortable with him than Styles.
Maeve:You could just go alone.
Ellie:There is no way I’m stepping out in front of all the media and aristocratic world as the only person without a date to the Wild Hyacinth. Especially on a night when there’s so much at stake for me. If I can make it through the Board Luncheon next week, then the Donors’ Banquet after that, and then the ball, I’ll feel as if I’m on the right track forward. But showing up alone? No, I can’t do that.
Maeve:Hmm... I love your mother, but sometimes she can be rather fixated on appearances. And you’re much braver than you think you are.
Ellie:It’s from her upbringing, I think. As a veritable nobody, she had a lot to overcome in the public eye when Father started his romance with her. I think it really impacted her view of her children and public perception.
Maeve:Which is entirely lost on your dear brother, Arran the Unruly. (Nice refusal to respond to the latter part of my text. Very brave of you.)
Ellie:Is that what The Edge is calling Arran now? (Purposefully ignoring.)
Maeve:It has a better ring than Errant Arran. And it’s easier to say (feartie).
Ellie:Mother has been so focused on helping me reinvent my public appearance, I think she’s left Arran to his own devices a bit too liberally. (Are you name calling like a child?)
