“Off with you now. Return in an hour. We should have left for a walk in the garden.” He picked up Megan’s bouquet. “And Louise, will you put these in water and have them delivered to Miss Fairchild’s room?”
“Yes sir,” she said. The two nodded and scuffled off. Megan heard their chatter erupt as the door closed behind them.
“You are taking delight in surprising your staff today. Either they will hate the effect I am having on you, or love me. Which will it be?”
“Confusion; but the change will be appreciated in due time. Breaking free of one’s comfort zone takes time.”
“I can attest to that.” Megan watched him pick up his wine glass and look to her to do likewise. “Ryan, I thought you didn’t drink alcohol? I don’t drink wine – ever. Never could acquire the taste for it and the misconduct it promotes in a sane person goes against my faith.”
He winked. “It non-alcoholic – some cranberry cocktail mixture that is quite delightful”
“Thank you,” She raised her glass and they clinked together. “To our first in-house date.”
He grinned but did not pursue the dating subject. “So, you are a religious woman?”
“Christian – there’s a difference.”
“I would love to debate the topic with you. My family are traditional church members, baptized into the faith, but I would not classify them as evangelistic Christ-like followers. Perhaps you’d like to pray before our meal?”
Megan bowed her head. “Lord, we thank you for your abundant blessings and this meal that has been prepared for us. Bless the staff that has labored on our behalf and make the food nourishing to our bodies. Amen.” Before she lifted her head, Megan added, “P.S. And thank you for bringing Ryan across my path. May our relationship, whatever it is to become, bring honor and glory to your name. Amen.”
Ryan reached for Megan’s hand as they silently walked through the gardens. “We have much to talk about, yet I relish the quietness with you. It’s like you are already my best friend, comfortable on all levels of communication. I believe I’ve heard it called, love at first sight?”
“I have many good friends – don’t confuse that type of love with what transpires between a man and a woman. It needs to be a blend of both.”
“I’ve never loved a woman. Sad thing for a man of my age to admit. Lady Francis Winslow comes closest to meeting love’s requirements in my world, but now I see we are merely good support for one another, with like-minded interests and goals. But no chemistry – not like I feel with you.”
“The lady at the ruins, right? Is she still at the castle?”
“Ran like a shot when she heard I’d invited you. Probably needs to go home and re-think her plan of attack.”
“This man-hunt sounds serious,” said Megan.
“I never promised her anything but friendship. Our parents have manipulated our futures but I shall be king soon and will follow my heart.”
Megan could not deny the relief she felt in his words. The man who’d freely opened his royal soul to her, was fast satisfying every detail her heart craved. A separation at this point seemed unthinkable, for she could not imagine life without him.
“Ryan, I’m scared, and feel like a naughty child playing outside the boundaries of my reality.”
“Other kingdoms have traversed the blood lines of their monarchy. Edstrom can do likewise.”
“We talk around love and commitment like it’s a commodity we can switch up at a moment’s notice. Edstrom is steeped in tradition and one reckless week with an American does not a marriage make, Ryan. How did our dreams reach so far into the future?”
“I will wait for you as long as it takes, Megan, for I’ve known from the beginning that you were meant to be my Queen.”
Megan laughed nervously. “Queen! I was thinking wife. Your country is not ready for me.”
“But I am, and love is one area I will not surrender to the set of rules written ages ago.” That playful look returned to his face. “No one has ever taken a poll from my countrymen. Perhaps commoners could care less about true blood. The only thing I know today is that my mind is freed to reveal a life I’d have never felt brave enough to chase. It’s as if a thickly veiled curtain has ripped open wide and I feel the urgency to race through before it draws closed again.”
“Enough doom and gloom. “’Tis the season to be jolly and time will tell our story. I’ve not even met your mother yet, but Princess Jasmine is adorable.”
“Would you care to trim a tree? Our Christmas Spruce is being delivered and set in place as we speak. One in the family room and the other in the Ballroom where the upcoming festivities will take place.”
“Does Prince Ryannaus usually help the staff to decorate?”
“Not at all. He’s usually too busy working,” he chuckled. “But perhaps we should stick to the family room. Put some new touches on the old tree. Jasmine and Eramosa can join us. They’ll consider it great fun.”
Megan had almost given up on the idea of trimming a tree – in fact this vacation had been a secret escape from such a task, but somewhere in the past week that had changed. “There’s nothing I’d rather do. Let’s tackle the tree.” When they stepped back through the patio doors, Megan gasped. “That’s the largest and most perfect spruce I’ve ever seen.”
“We have our own Royal Forest.” Ryan addressed the maids who toted in boxes. “Miss Fairchild and I would like to assist. Please, Syri, would you fetch my sisters so they can join in the fun?” The maid hurried off to do his bidding while the mountain of containers grew
