Page 33 of Royal Darling
I look over at Jackson, feeling mushy inside. He gave me this thoughtful gift, he’s been so patient with me through all my fumbling lessons, and he hasn’t once been judgmental of my choice to run on my wedding day. He gets me. The new version of me, a woman who makes her own decisions and tries new things.
“Do you want to help me in the kitchen?” I ask Jackson.
He shakes his head. “I’m going to my room. Enjoy your family.”
My pulse kicks harder. What if he bails because of my intrusive family? Or my family might force me back home after dinner. My stomach drops at the thought.
I can hear pots and pans banging in the kitchen. Anna is already at work.
I go to Jackson’s side. “They just wanted to make sure I wasn’t falling apart. Sorry for all the family intrusion. I’m sure they’ll be heading back to Villroy soon.”And I still want you here with me.
“They love you,” he says gruffly. “You’re lucky.”
“I suppose I am.” My voice chokes, and I look away, embarrassed.
He strides upstairs.
I love my family, but I can’t let them keep me from him. It’s one week. It’s not much, but I want this time. Everything will be different when I return home. It will be like this time with Jackson never happened.
I go to the living room, staring out the window, taking a few minutes to compose myself before heading for the kitchen. I shouldn’t hope for too much.
9
Emma
Anna has dinner cooking already and it smells delicious. “What’re you making?” I skip the curtsy and it feels odd. She did tell me not to be so formal in private, and I’m trying very hard to loosen up my old rigid ways.
She uses some tongs to flip over chicken sizzling in a pan. “Chicken marsala here, angel hair pasta and asparagus to come. This place is fully stocked.” It seems she didn’t even notice my lack of formality. Perhaps my efforts appear natural.
I take a seat at the island. “I didn’t know you could cook.”
“Did you imagine everyone in America has a full staff to wait on them?”
“No, I just…it’s a skill I didn’t know you had.”
“It’s not hard. You can help. Wash the asparagus and chop off the thick stems.”
Now that sounds manageable. I’m already handy with a knife. I make quick work of it while Anna adds mushrooms to the pan, stirring with a spatula.
She adjusts the flame and sets a timer on the microwave. “Now I’ll just wait a few minutes before getting the water boiling for the other stuff.” She takes a seat next to me at the island. “So you and Jackson, huh? I mean, I get the attraction, the man is sex personified, but, Emma, what’re you thinking? I warned you about him. You’re in all the gossip rags and the press after appearing together in Nantes. It’s only added fuel to the fire. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to hold Gabriel back this long. He wants you away from Jackson and back home immediately to deal with Abdul and his family and to make some kind of statement to the press.”
I’m momentarily speechless, my mind careening from gratitude to Anna for giving me what little time I’ve had away, to indignation on Jackson’s behalf. He’s not a horrible person.
“Emma, please tell me what is going on in that head of yours.”
I choose my words carefully. “Thank you, Anna, for working so hard on my behalf.”
“Of course. Us Rourke women need to stick together.”
My eyes sting with hot tears because Anna may be the only Rourke woman who feels that way. I no longer feel close to the other Rourke women in the family, my mother or sister, and I wish it was otherwise. “Yes, I quite like that sentiment,” I manage. “I just want you to know Jackson is more than his reputation. He really is, and he’s been good to me. Not once has he tried to take advantage in any way and, believe me, he wants to stay out of the spotlight right now as much as I do. I trust him.”
She studies me for a moment, searching my features. Finally, she says, “As long as it’s just for the week. I’m a huge fan of his music, his personal character not so much.”
“There’s good in him.” I can’t help my smile. “He brought me a gift today, sheet music that I wanted for my guitar lessons.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re not falling for him, are you? You’re in a vulnerable place right now; please don’t get sucked in. You’ll only get hurt. He’s not going to stick around.”
I lift my chin, ignoring the Jackson part to inform her, “Actually, I don’t feel vulnerable. I feel better and stronger every day.”
