“Yes, thank you. This shouldn’t take long and you can be on your way.”
“No rush. This is the last ferry of the night. The folks can wait some.” No doubt they’d have lots to talk about, Meg mused.
“Please, give your passengers free drinks. The crown will cover the cost.” Ryan turned to Megan. “Now if you’ll leave us alone, we’ll get this conversation over with, once and for all.”
When the door closed, Megan chimed in. “I’m sorry for leaving without an explanation or saying a proper goodbye. I let my anger rule the day and it was childish of me.”
“We’re off to a splendid start. I agree with you. Why didn’t you just take a bath and save us the fiasco the local papers are sure to print tomorrow?”
“I wasn’t thinking…”
“And neither was mother when she sacked Francis on me and then went to hoard it over you. Why didn’t you tell me those two were bullying you? The King has made his choice for queen, and you are it, Megan. Without you, this crown will be like a noose around my neck. We can work out the problems if you’d only stop running and talk openly.”
“That whole party scene left me feeling like the outsider I truly am. Love isn’t enough Ryan to bridge the differences between us.”
“You’re wrong. Love is what will bring us into the New Year with a clear direction in both personal and national matters. My mother will not interfere, for I made it abundantly clear to both women that it’s you or no one. I can live a solitary existence if that’s the only choice you give me or we can reign together publicly and laugh and love our private lives into old age. I want my sisters to see that they have choices the monarchy has never afforded in the past. Edstrom Isle will rise out the darkness that binds it, if it’s the last thing I do as King.” Ryan gripped her arms that lay limp at her sides. “Can you read my heart and understand, Megan?”
“Do you understand my fear that I will embarrass your homeland in some bizarre way that will seem quite normal to me?”
“My mother is willing to train you in proper etiquette – as long as you promise never get lost in it. I want the real you to shine for I know my countrymen will fall in love with you as I have.”
“I’ve certainly no room in my life for multiple men, sir. You appear to be monopolizing my time with your social and private expectations.”
“If you wish to continue with your career, we will find a place to vent your passion. You can have whatever life you choose, as long as it’s with me.”
“You drive a hard bargain, Your Majesty. Your mother was quick to point out that islanders had their heads together and that my professional services were totally unnecessary. We both know that’s not true because grief is what drew me initially to you. Broken hearts and confused mind are universal.”.
“Agreed.” Ryan fumbled in his pocket and withdrew a small box. Dropping to one knee, he took her left hand in his and looked into her misty eyes.
“Miss Megan Fairchild. I kneel as any man would to pronounce my undying devotion and lay claim to your heart. Our relationship is young in the sands of time, but true love leaves no room to consider the counterfeit. I could never hope to find another match and beg you to reconsider becoming my wife?” He flipped open the box and stood to his feet. “Please, Megan, make me the happiest man in the world and say yes.”
Megan gazed at the center stone, surrounded by smaller diamonds, and somehow shaped in a miniature version of their country’s logo. “If you’ll help me to adjust, and not abandon me to the wolves that have the power to tear us apart, there is nowhere I’d rather be but in your arms as your wife first and your Queen-in-training as second.”
A wide grin spread across his face as he exhaled. “Thank goodness the groveling is over. How do my subjects keep self esteem when they so openly admire the royal family?”
“I believe it’s called respect and adoration, both of which I will gladly extend to you for the rest of my life,” said Megan.
Ryan pulled her into his arms. “We have so much to learn from one another. I can’t wait to begin.” His kiss started slow and curious but soon moved into an urgency that made her head spin. To think she’d nearly thrown this love aside. They parted reluctantly and he grinned. “Ready to face your public, my dear?”
“With you by my side – I got this.”
Megan awoke late the next morning and stretched in the queen-sized bed. Had she dreamed it all – the nightmare and redeeming miracle? She rolled over and pushed to the side the heavy drapes surrounding her bed. The sun immediately streamed its brilliant light into her face forcing her sleepy lids to squint and slowly open. It was well past midnight when she’d crawled between the sheets and by the looks of it, she’d missed the breakfast hour with the family. A knock sounded at the door and she pulled the blankets to her chin just as two maids barged through the door dragging a cart behind.
“Good morning,” she called out politely at the women who busied themselves preparing to serve Megan the morning meal in bed. It was too late to apologize for her tardiness so she sat up and allowed the bed tray to straddle her legs.
“Tea or coffee, Miss?”
“Coffee please, with milk.”
“I can make you a
