“The one you love.”
“I kind of like the one who buys me tiaras too,” I answer shyly. “And the one who loves to be the big spoon to my little spoon. I also like the one who feeds me chocolate for breakfast. But the Oliver I love best is the one I have right here.”
His hand snakes around my back, and he kisses me like he doesn’t want to let go, but all I can think isDon’t drop my damn tiara!Kiss broken, I make my way to the mirror, and Oliver helps me attach this loveliness to my head.
“I had the jeweler put the velvet band on to match the color of your hair—no easy feat, given its brilliance.”
“If you ever get tired of property, you could always consider a career in hairdressing,” I say to our reflections as he fits the final pin. “Or a lady’s maid.”
He pauses, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror. “Doesn’t that mean I’d get to help you from your clothes every night?”
“Like you don’t already.”
“Tonight, I’ll leave the tiara.” From behind, he presses his lips to my neck. My breath quickens as my thoughts blur, everything inside me turning molten at the touch. “There, the lily is gilded.”
I inhale shakily as his hand slips down my shoulder. I look like a princess.Cinders in her borrowed dress.“It’s beautiful.”
“Not quite as beautiful as you.” His voice is rough as his hands slide around my waist. “I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for helping me get to this point.”
“Northaby?”
“With everything. I wasn’t joking when I said you were the best thing to fall into my lap this year. I just didn’t realize at the time how lucky that made me.” My heart fills, but he’s not done. “I know we had a less than promising start, but I can’t wait to see what life brings us.”
“Me too.” I cover my arm with his, and his smile spreads sweet and slow like spilled honey.
“We should probably leave.” Yet his arms tighten. “I’m sure your second-most-ardent admirer is pining for the sight of you.”
“Bo?”
“That dog loves no one but himself.” He’s out for a walk right now with one of the porters. They’re going to keep him company tonight when we’re out charityballin’. “You know I mean Mandy.”
“Too funny,” I say as he takes my hand.
“Who’s laughing?”
I turn to the back window, still marveling as Ted maneuvers the Bentley through Northaby’s entrance. “I love how it’s like a mini Arc de Triomphe.” I turn back as the road opens up to the miles-long driveway, flanked by rolling green lawns and majestic trees. And not a lion in sight. “I’ll get to see the animals tonight, right?”
“Was it not enough that the monkeys almost destroyed Mandy’s Land Rover last time?”
“They were rhesus macaques, and Mandy’s Land Rover is built like a tank.” That’s not to say the other cars there that day fared so well. The macaques chewed on aerials, pulled off windshield wipers, and chewed anything they could snatch.
“I’m afraid alcohol and beasts tend not to be a good mix. Add in a safari park full of wild animals, and it’d be a health and safety nightmare.”
“Har.Har.”
“But I have seen the keepers walking the grounds with some of the less fearsome animals at events before.”
With Lucy, I’ll bet.The thought curdles my mood like sour milk.
“What kind of animals?” I ask, trying for an upbeat tone.
“I think I saw koalas last time. Snakes. And I’m sure there was a baby alligator. Yes, someone made a comment about it being the ideal handbag. Mandy wasn’t very pleased. In fact, I’d never seen him so fierce.”
This warms my soul. “Mandy is on my list of favorite people.”
“Long list?”
“Just four people. Don’t worry, I am considering adding you to it.”
