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Chapter Twelve
The door clicked behind us, leaving us blissfully alone and without anyone looking on. Not even any servants. Or the Queen and her...I wasn't sure what.
"What did we just leave behind?" I wasn't able to stop myself from asking.
"Four happy people," Leo responded firmly. "I'll admit it took some getting used to, but they're all happy with it."
I tried to process what he meant but it just wouldn't compute in my head. It didn't really matter though. I wasn't here for the Queen or anyone surrounding her.
"I'm sorry for running out on you," I blurted, unsure how else to start the conversation we had to have.
"That was an easier apology than I expected," Leo replied. "It was hard to track you down, you did a good job at hiding."
"I wasn't hiding," I protested. "Just not making myself known."
"How exactly does a Marquis not make herself known?"
"I'm not a Marquis yet," I pointed out. "I don't have a place in the House of Lords yet, nor do I have any other responsibilities." And all of that would likely be delegated when I did come into those positions. I didn't want to be gentry. I just wanted to be me.
To my surprise, he didn't ask me any more about it, just nodded. Which made me wonder what he himself was hiding. That was the look of a man who knew what I was saying and understood how I felt completely. Which raised questions I didn't want to ask.
"What made you come tonight?" He looked straight at me, the look in his eyes haunting and desperate. If I'd had any doubts he wanted me, they'd have fled in that moment.
"I was playing my cello and I remembered the look on your face while I was sat at the piano. I avoided you afterwards because I couldn't face abandoning my own dreams for anyone and especially not a man. It took that memory for me to realise you wouldn't do that."
"You barely know me. How does a look convince you of that?" I could hear the hint of hope in his voice. This man didn't want me to say I'd never trust a stranger. He wanted me to tell him it didn't matter.
And he was right. It didn't.
"Sometimes when you're faced with something, you just know that it's right. Even if it's something you didn't want or need."
His eyes met mine and so much emotion swum there. He stepped closer to me and I leaned inwards, anticipation urging me on. He wanted me as much as I wanted him. And without even truly knowing him, I knew he understood me in a way no one else ever had. Not even Enrique.
His lips brushed against mine, sending little jolts of electricity across my skin. I may not want to live in a fairy tale, but this kiss was what I'd expect from one. It felt like a true connection of the souls. As corny as that sounded.
I pressed my body closer and Leo pulled me closer with an arm around my waist. I moaned into the kiss, hoping we could take this further.
A knock at the door interrupted us and we both pulled back. The urge to run still rested inside me but I knew I could ignore it now. Being caught wouldn't be an issue, even with my stepmother. As much of an annoyance as she was, I didn't believe she could cause any problems over too adults consensual kissing. Especially when Leo and I seemed to have the backing of a Queen. My stepmother was many things, brave wasn't one of them.
"Let me just get this," Leo said, trailing a finger over my lips.
I smiled, happy so long as he didn't go too far away. I might not have been ready for this but now I had it, I didn't want to let it go. Not if I didn't have to.
He pulled open the door as I marvelled at how large and ornate everything was here. I could tell it had been built for Kings and Queens.
"Her Majesty would like to know if the Lady Sadie is staying the night?"
Leo looked back at me, the question etched on his face. I considered for a moment. I hadn't come here with much of a plan. The idea of leaving him now didn't sit well within me though. I nodded.
"Thank you, My Lady, Your Highness." The servant bowed to each of us and was gone before the words could register.
"Your Highness?" I arched my eyebrow. That hadn't been what I expected.
"It's the traditional way to address royalty here, is it not?" he answered. I could hear the shake in his voice. He hadn't planned on me finding out quite like this.
"Yes. Which means you are..."
"I'm Prince Albert's brother."
"Oh." The pieces slotted together in my head as I considered everything that had happened. The sash. The insistence we'd be fine if we were caught. The way he was having dinner with his brother and sister-in-law. It all made so much sense. But then, how had I not known? Surely, I should have been able to work that one out.
Even Rita had pointed out that Albert's brother had been at the wedding. And that he was...
"No." I shook my head, not wanting to believe it. "You can't be."
Conflicting emotions warred over his face, like he wasn't sure whether he wanted to ask me why I didn't believe him or apologise for not telling me. The thing was, I got it. I hadn't told him everything about me after all. And if I were a Crown Prince I definitely wouldn't be telling my one-night stands who I was. That was the fastest way to a false paternity claim.
