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“Precisely. One of the tasks assigned to me was to cook for a hundred or more guardsmen at a time. It became a challenge to prove that I could do it, so I learned quickly—and I found that I rather enjoyed cooking. When I got home I wandered down to the kitchens and started asking questions. I’m quite good at stuffing game birds.”
She took a bite of one of his griddle cakes. It was delicious and also unusual, as if a liqueur had been added. “You almost make me sorry I’m leaving—for more reasons than one.” At her flirty tone, he gave her a cool, polite smile. She didn’t have to be told that there would never be anything between the two of them. He’d never look at her as he had at Toby in the tent the night before. There was a knock on the front door. “That’s the car for me.”
“Is your luggage upstairs?”
“Yes,” she said. “Would you mind asking the driver to wait for a moment? I want to tell Toby goodbye.” When she stood up, he did too. He went toward the front door and Lexie ran up the stairs.
She paused for a moment to stare at the mountain of luggage against the wall. It looked like the prince planned to stay for months, not just a week.
It was dark in Toby’s bedroom and she was buried deep under the covers. “Hey!” Lexie said as she sat down on the side of the bed, and Toby rolled over and opened her eyes. “I’m about to leave and I wanted to say goodbye.”
Toby put a pillow behind her and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Already? I haven’t adjusted to the idea of your being away.”
“I know,” Lexie said, “and I’m eaten up with guilt over it. Maybe I should stay and—”
“Miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime so you can help me cut flowers? Sure. That makes a lot of sense, and Nelson will be ecstatic.”
Lexie laughed. “I’m going to miss you so much!”
They hugged for a moment, then Lexie pulled back. “What are you going to do with this prince?”
“I have no idea,” Toby said. “It’s like being asked to babysit a two-hundred-pound infant.”
“Infant he is not and I don’t think he’s helpless at all.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Toby, this guy is very smooth, and he’s sexy beyond belief. Roger is pretty, but he doesn’t smolder.”
“What are you talking about? Smolder? Graydon? What in the world have you been reading? He’s a nice man who dedicates his life to his country. The truth is that I feel a bit sorry for him.”
“I don’t think he needs anyone’s sympathy. I know you made a vow to wait until you’re married before you get into bed with a man, but things happen.”
“I still feel the same way,” Toby said. “It’s just a personal choice.”
“True, but men have a way of changing a woman’s mind. Broken glass and towels that barely close—and ‘barely’ is the key word here—can make a woman rethink any and all vows.”
“What happened between you two to make you say these things?”
“Nothing. Not really. It’s just that when it comes to men you’re an innocent.”
“I’m not as young or as innocent as you think.”
“Toby, I’m saying that you should have a good time with him. A great time even. In my opinion, it’s okay to forget your self-imposed vow and spend every minute in bed with him. I have a feeling that he would give you a very good time. But don’t—whatever you do—do not fall in love with him.”
“Of course I won’t. There’s no future for us. And I don’t plan to get into bed with anyone.”
“I wish I could stay and talk about this but I have to go.” Lexie stood up. “Email me every day?”
“Yes,” Toby said and got out of bed to hug her friend again. “Now go! I need to get dressed and feed the prince. What do you think he eats? Hummingbird tongues?”
Lexie didn’t smile. “I think you’re going to be surprised by him. By now he’s probably cleaned up the basement and the attic.”
“You have to write me about what happened between you two.”
“I will,” Lexie said, then left the room. She wasn’t surprised to see that her four suitcases were gone. She had no doubt that the prince had carried them downstairs. “Tell me everything that happens!” Lexie said loudly.
“I will,” Toby called through the doorway. “Every word.”
