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“Until tomorrow,” he whispered, pressing another quick kiss to her forehead before reluctantly turning away. Each step back to the palace was a measured beat in the prelude to a symphony yet to unfold—their symphony, composed in the heart’s own language and orchestrated by the hands of fate.
Chapter Fifteen
Nicole stood at the front door of the gallery, watching for Theodore. It was almost seven, and she’d never known the prince to be late for anything.
A black sedan pulled up in front of the gallery, and she hurried to the back door, knowing there would be a driver and a guard going with them. Everything had to be safe for the king’s son.
“Nicole,” came the deep, resonant voice as Theodore got out of the car and opened the door for her.
“Prince Theodore,” she responded with a playful tilt of her head, sliding into the back seat.
“I’m sorry we have to have guards,” he said softly. “Hopefully we’ll be able to relax precautions soon.”
“It takes an hour you said?” Theodore asked, settling into the backseat with her.
“Right around there,” Nicole mused, buckling herself in as the engine hummed to life. “Are you nervous about meeting my parents? Or excited?”
“Both, I suppose,” he admitted. “Meeting your parents seems to open up possibilities for us.”
“Yes, it really does,” Nicole echoed. “They know I’m bringing a gentleman, but they have no idea who. This is going to be fun!”
Theodore chuckled. “I sure hope they support the monarchy. It would be awful if I walked in and they told me they were the brains behind Marquis Christopher, who has now had his title stripped, by the way.”
“That would be interesting, wouldn’t it? But no, my parents have always been adamant about supporting our monarchy,” she replied. She couldn’t think about his life and how he must always be longing to paint while he was out participating in his royal engagements.
“Are you still waiting to see how the day turns out before you tell me if I have a true chance with you?” Theodore asked.
“I am,” Nicole replied, her heart beating a touch faster at the notion. She said a silent prayer that her parents liked him as much as she did.
“Then I pray today is wonderful and your parents think of me as a long lost son.”
“I don’t think it’s my parents you need to worry about,” she told him. “Have I not mentioned my three older brothers?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You don’t think you should have brought up three brothers before now?”
She shrugged, a sneaky smile on her face.
“Okay tell me about these three older brothers of yours.”
Nicole chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “Well,” she began. “Let me start with my eldest brother, Ethan. He helps father with the farm. He’s tall with broad shoulders, and he’s wonderful with animals. When we were in school, he told a boy who was taking me to a dance he would skin him alive if he touched me.”
Nicole paused for a moment, grinning as she thought about her oldest brother. “I’ve never seen anyone as good with animals as my oldest brother.”
Prince Theodore’s eyes widened in admiration. “Perhaps he can teach me something. I do enjoy riding when there’s time.”
Nicole leaned back against the seat, grinning at the look on Theodore’s face. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she continued talking about her brothers.
“Second is my brother, Gabriel,” Nicole said, her voice filled with mischief. “He possesses the ability to tame even the wildest stallions. A horse whisperer, they say. His bond with these majestic creatures is something out of a legend. I know he’s sold some of his geldings to the castle. He hit a boy for asking me to date him. Said he wanted to get it over with.”
Prince Theodore leaned closer. “They aren’t going to like me, are they?” he asked, not bothering to wait for an answer. Of course, they wouldn’t like him. “And your third brother?”
Nicole leaned back against the leather seat, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Alexander. He’s more of a bookworm than the others. He does the books for the family farm, and he’s tripled the family income in the five years since he took over.” She smiled. “If he doesn’t like you, he won’t threaten you. He’s more devious than that.”
Prince Theodore’s interest was piqued, his gaze fixed intently upon Nicole as she continued.
“But don’t worry. I’m sure as soon as they see you’re a prince of the land they hold dear, they will be as sweet as can be.”
