“I’m an idiot, but also a sap. And I do appreciate you, Cressida. So much so that I wouldhatefor you to have to edit this out. And maybe the guilt will work on Eloise and she will decide to stay with me.”
“Duncan!” Eloise groaned.
I snickered. “If I cannot be sometimes embarrassing among friends, what is the point?”
Cressida turned, “Thoughts, Eloise.”
“No comment,” Eloise said.
“She loves me, too,” I said. “She’s just superior at keeping her mouth shut. She is the better public figure.”
“That’s an asset for a man who will soon be king, yes?”
Eloise ducked behind John.
“Yes,” I agreed. “The UK could only be so lucky, but none of them as lucky as me.”
“I suppose we will see soon enough when I put together the final cut,” Cressida said. “I think people will love seeing this side of you, though. Do you mind if I ask where this started?”
“In Wales,” I answered. “But I knew the minute I saw her I would fall like a sack of bricks. I blame my own inability to behave once more, but in this case, I think it’s the best choice I could have made. I am not sure I could say the same for Eloise.”
Cressida turned and the cameras settled on Eloise.
“He’s a menace,” Eloise said. “But he didn’t put me up to this. We’re consenting adults and care for one another very much.”
It was the most diplomatic answer she could have given. And it satisfied Cressida.
“I hope I’m breaking the news—and maybe I get to add on an addendum with an engagement announcement, but… I won’t get ahead of myself,” Cressida said.
I didn’t dispute that. In fact, the idea of asking Eloise to stay with me forever no longer frightened me. I loved this woman. I was curious about something.
“Can I ask you a question, Cress?”
“Sure,” Cressida said, confused.
“When didyouknow?”
“Day one,” Cressida answered too quickly. “You two spend too much time on inside jokes. She’s the only one who makes you smile the minute she comes into the room. I could make an hour of cuts of just your face changing when you saw her. It’s, quite frankly, obvious and quite adorable.”
I smiled, joy rising. That confirmed just how good Eloise made me feel.
“Yes. Well, it is hard to ignore her. As I said, the minute I saw her, I was intrigued. She really is the best person and she and John are the only reason I survived this trip. I owe them the world.”
John blushed now and Eloise remained hidden, sitting on a chair’s arm.
“Well, that was my list,” Cressida said. “I don’t have anything else. It was a pleasure to work with you, sir. I wish you—and Miss Mills—the absolute best.”
I stood and she followed.
I shook her hand, “I am grateful I did this. I hope people will enjoy watching me humiliate myself and see I really am just a buffoon.”
“People will fall in love with you. I promised,” Cressida said.
And with that, we parted ways. I returned to Eloise who slowly met me just on the edge of our make-do set. This time, I couldn’t help but kiss her. I wrapped her in my arms and soaked up every bit of her kiss, grateful to be here with her.
“You are so lovely,” I said. “And I am so, so fortunate to be yours, Eloise Mills.”
She blushed. “You shouldn’t do that here.”
