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“And had a sweet, kind mother who didn’t wear a crown,” Toby said.
“Yes. How about a mother like your Millie?”
“That would be very nice,” Toby said.
“Would you marry me then?”
“Yes. If you were Mr. Everyone I’d marry you in a second. I’d …” She paused. “If you weren’t to be king, I’d jump on you right now and hold on so tight you’d not be able to breathe.” She saw Graydon’s smile grow wider. “And I’d fight my mother for you, even if I had to use some of your Lanconian weapons. My father would be okay with it, but my mother—”
Graydon sat up. “What do you mean you’d fight your mother? What about me wouldn’t she approve of?”
“Well, I know this is a fantasy, but if you weren’t king what could you do for a living? You aren’t exactly trained in a profession, are you? I can’t see a want ad for a guy who can run a country. Maybe all the languages you speak could come in handy. You could—” She broke off because he kissed her.
“You do know how to take the royalty out of a man.” He reached into the little watch pocket of his vest. “I have something for you.”
He held out a ring that sparkled in the candlelight. It was an odd color and she knew it was a lavender diamond. She was unable to speak as he slipped it onto her finger. “I hope you don’t mind that it’s identical to the one Danna has, but then she’s going to be your sister-in-law, so—”
“Stop it!” Toby stood up. “Graydon, this isn’t funny. I was willing to play this game but this is too much.” She tried to take off the ring but it stuck.
Graydon got up, pulled her to
him, encircling her arms against his chest. He tried to kiss her but she turned her head away. “As far as I can tell,” he said, “the only thing preventing our marriage is the lack of approval from outsiders. You don’t seem to be repulsed by the idea of someday being the queen of a country. Please tell me you’ve at least thought of the idea.”
“Not at all. Never.”
“Did you know that when you lie, you blink a lot?”
Toby pushed away from him. “Okay, so I have thought about it. The idea of helping is an American curse. We’re born do-gooders. We care. Someone’s house burns down and we’re there with blankets and food.”
Graydon stepped toward her. “There’s room for lots of reform in my country. There are some places up in the mountains where the children can’t get to the public schools. I’ve thought of setting up some little one-room schools for them.”
“America used to have those. They were very successful.”
“It’s just a thought of mine, but I’m too busy to oversee it. You saw what I had to do through Rory.”
“Maybe Danna—”
“She likes animals. She wants to export our Lanconian sheep breeds. Toby, my love, the truth is that my country could use help in a lot of areas. If I can show that your presence would get approval from everyone, would you take on the job?”
She was frowning. “You know your fantasy isn’t possible. Danna’s father would withdraw and your mother—”
Graydon put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “Do you love me?”
“Yes. You know I do. Like Caleb said, I’ve loved you throughout time.”
“Will you marry me?”
“Not if—”
“Forget that. Do you want to spend the rest of your life beside me? Together? Could you bear my Lanconian ways, my Lanconian friends?”
“I’ve made it this far,” Toby said. He was looking at her, waiting for her answer. “Yes, I’d marry you and stay by your side for always.”
He lowered his head and kissed her. It was a kiss of promise, a kiss for the future. When he raised his head, there was a light in his eyes that said a decision had been made.
“But we can’t—” Toby began.
Graydon put his fingertip on her lips, then, holding her hand, he walked around and put out the candles. When he looked back at her, she was smiling, her eyes dark with the thought of the coming passion. “Come on,” he said, “I have someone I want you to meet.”
