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When Esme had met the child, she didn’t giggle. Now she was a happy five-year-old with a growing imagination. Esme couldn’t help but wonder if she’d set this real live princess up for false expectations?
Would Penelope be allowed to write her own love story? Or would her father choose her husband for her?
“Why aren’t you dressed?” asked Pen.
“We’re not going to the ball.”
“You’re packing. Are you going home?”
Esme had done her best on this adventure. She’d put it all out on the table, and still, she’d lost. Not everyone wins.
“We have to get back to our jobs.” Esme knew that was the perfect thing to say to the child who understood adult responsibilities at an early age. “Thank you so much for bringing me into your world, Penelope. I am so happy I got to meet you.”
“We’ll still be friends? Like you promised the other night?”
For the first time since Esme had known the little princess, her lip trembled. Esme brought Penelope into her arms. Esme might not be of royal blood, she might not win the hand of the king, but she had the heart of a princess, and that made her feel like a winner.
“You will forever be one of the dearest friends I have in my life,” Esme said to the little girl.
“May I write to you?” Penelope asked when she pulled away.
“I would like that very much. How about I send you math problems and brain teasers?”
Of course, the little girl’s eyes lit up as though Esme had promised her letters from Santa. Penelope turned to Jan. “And will you send me recipes for cookies and pies?”
“I definitely will,” Jan said, coming over to give Penelope a hug of her own.
“And one day, you’ll come back and visit again?” asked Penelope.
“One day,” promised Esme.
She had fallen in love with the land of Cordoba. She would come back. One day. When it no longer hurt. She was sure that day was far, far away in the future.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Leo straightened his tie in the mirror. He hardly recognized the person looking back at him. The man was smiling. There was a sparkle in his eye that he couldn’t remember ever seeing before, not a single day in his life.
No, wait. He had seen that sparkle before. It had been reflected back to him whenever he looked into Esmeralda Pickett’s bright gaze. He’d known the woman for less than a week, but already he couldn’t imagine spending another day of his life without her.
“Here, let me help with that, your majesty.” Giles obscured Leo’s reflection and gave his tie a tug. “Tonight’s announcement will mean great things for Cordoba.”
“Yes, it will.”
“You will secure the future of your countrymen for another generation, perhaps many more. All because you’ve made the right decision, the responsible decision.”
“I agree, Giles.”
For the first time in his life, Leo had made the right decision—for himself. He’d chosen to follow his heart but not until after he’d thought through all the ramifications with his head. He’d looked at the issue from every angle, made sure as many people would benefit as possible, and now he was ready to pull the trigger.
“Lady Teresa is a marvelous choice.” Giles gave Leo’s tie one more pat before moving away from the mirror. “She will make a great partner.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” Now that Leo could see himself again, he had to admit the tie looked better under Giles’s machinations.
“Your father would be proud of you.”
Leo took a breath, his features screwed into a doubtful frown. “I’m not so sure about that. But I’m not looking to the past anymore. As you said, Cordoba has a bright future. That doesn’t have to rest in the hands of a male. In the next parliamentary session, I’m introducing a bill to have the Primogeniture rights removed.”
Giles blinked. “I … I’m sorry, your majesty? Do you mean to say you wish to allow females the right to inherit the throne?”
