The doctor explained my recovery and restrictions in a such simple way, as if it were so easy and nothing much was wrong. Then, he left with a polite smile. I turned back to Duncan and worried he was about to meltdown over the change of plans.
“You can make it, Eloise. Promise. I know it sucks. Trust me, I don’t like it at all,” Duncan said.
“I will make it work. But… can we talk about something?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“Did you say you loved me?” I asked, almost pained.
“Did I? Well, yes. Possibly? I don’t recall saying it. I did tell Monique I loved you which was… awkward.”
“What!?” I laughed so hard it hurt.
“Not my finest moment, Ella.”
“Okay, fair, but that’s adorable, Duncan. Oh, that’s so sweet.”
He blushed. “It was… off the cuff.”
“So very you, Duncan.”
“It was genuine—not calculated, Ella. You make me mad. I hope you can trust that?—”
“I do,” I said. “You owe me a lot more good behavior.”
“I will be on the best behavior, Miss Mills.” He kissed my hand. “Because you mean the world to me. You believe in me when no one else does. I love you for all you are—but that means so much, my love.”
Tears welled not due to pain but from believing him. “I don’t know if I love you. Iwantto. I want to trust you and fall so much harder and deeper. I also don’t know what love is, but I think this might be it,” I said. “And when I’m ready, I will be sure to tell Monique so she can tell you and we can play a game of telephone.”
“God, poor Monique!”
“Indeed,” I said. “You really love me?”
“Yes. And I don’t understand it any more than you do. We’re a very unlikely pair, but I need you and only you,” Duncan said. “And if I had a doubt, it was probably cleared up watching you crumple on the sidelines while I worried about losing you forever.”
“Is that how your mom knew?”
“She saw the video of me hopping off the damn stage, yes. And she didn’t buy my bullshit at all.”
I snickered. “I cannot wait to watch the memes!”
58
WITHOUT HER
DUNCAN
25 February
London Daily Times
The Prince of Wales wrapped up his visits with charities in New York today. Now, he moves on to D.C. and a meeting with the American President. The tour has so far been hailed a wonderful triumph for the wayward prince. Even with the loss of a staff member, he’s persevered.
In all honesty, we’d never encourage anyone to take the job of Social Secretary to Prince Duncan. It’s a doomed position. And while we are assured Miss Mills will return at some point, conspiracies swirl. Leo Hayes, our Royal Correspondent summarizes the general tenor of these theories.
“The world ‘ships’ a relationship between Prince Duncan and the young woman. It’s inexplicable. If a relationship doesn’t exist, people might will it into fruition.”
Ilooked out my window as our motorcade approached the White House from the British Embassy. Back in Newfoundland, Ella settled into the rental Monique had booked—an old fisherman’s cottage. Poor Ella was still in pain, recovering from her surgery, but remained brave.
