“Yes, we will meet again, though I won’t surprise you here again, I promise, unless you invite me to do so.”
He leaned forward, took the glass out of her hand and set it aside, then brought her hand to his lips. When he kissed theback of it, his mustache tickled her soft skin and his lips caused tingles that traveled down her hand into her arm.
“I want you to consider all these men you’ve met, and whether you think any of them could truly be partners for you. You know as well as I do that high society is full of narcissists, who only want more power or more proximity to power. There are sincere people of course, but none that I have ever considered marrying. Until you.”
She inhaled sharply. “Are you…proposing to me?”
“No. Would you like me to?”
Her terrified expression made him laugh, then she shushed him in case her mother heard.
“Apologies,” he continued more quietly. “I’m merely asking you to consider the men you’ve met and whether you think they would truly be there for you as you need and want them to be. Would they bring you water when you’re sick?”
She glanced at the glass, then back at him. “Maybe not,” she conceded. “But I also doubt they’d break into my room and watch me sleep like a pervert.”
His face went serious again. “That’s where you’re wrong. They would come in here. The difference is that they wouldn’t be nearly as respectful as I’ve been about it. Do you understand?”
She swallowed and past memories of another man started to bubble up in her mind, but she pushed those back too.
“You should start locking that window.”
“Diana uses it.”
“I had a word with Diana while you were hiding under your covers.”
“I was nothiding.” Her protest sounded feeble, even to her. “What did you say to her?”
“I told her she needed to do a better job helping you and make your life easier, not harder, and that included not using your window to sneak in and out of the house.”
She snorted. “She wouldn’t have liked that.”
“On the contrary. She seemed to like that I was looking out for you.”
“Are you? Looking out for me, I mean?”
“Yes, I am, and I’ll prove it to you.” Another set of whistles came from outside. “But not tonight, unfortunately.”
“You said you’d like to learn more about my life, so why don’t you come to the palace? I’ll show the reality of royal life.”
She glanced at the door, then whisper-yelled. “I can’t go to the palace! If people see, they’ll think we’re…you know!”
“I didn’t say I’d be the one inviting you. I’ll ask Agnes to extend you an invitation. It wouldn’t mean anything then.”
“Are you really that naïve?”
He shook his head and sighed. “Well, I suppose some people would read into it, but Agnes often invites women over for tea or to help with various projects. We’re currently planning a state dinner for the French president’s visit, and she’s leading the charge. I’m sure she could use your help.”
“I don’t know anything about state dinners or how to organize one.”
“You’re wrong. It’s not so different from managing high society events. Accept Agnes’s invitation and you’ll see for yourself.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “In the meantime, you’ve got a fever so please get some rest. Incidentally, my sister is attending that tea party your mother mentioned. I’ll mention that to her as well. If she sees you there and you’re still unwell, she’ll ensure you get home again.”
“She’ll manipulate the situation you mean.”
He merely smiled, then his smile faded into something serious again. “I really do like you, you know.”
He kissed her hand again, then pressed it against his cheek. She felt soft skin and stubble and mustache and warmth. He kissed her palm before letting go.
“Until next time, my dear.” With that he swung back out the window.
