A plan for how often she could be seen. A plan for how much time they could spend together. A plan for when Alex could eventually put an arm around her. Followed by detailed protocols and information on the history of Euronia and Leruna. It was like studying for a university degree all over again. But this wasn’t a qualification. This was a plan for a life. Her life.
And she just didn’t know if she was strong enough.
In amongst the plans were little handwritten cards from Alex. He’d sent one every day, his pleading words increasing in intensity with each card.
‘You’ll have to speak to him sooner or later,’ her mother said. ‘He phones three times a day. I’m beginning to feel like he’s part of the family already.’
The words twisted inside her. ‘I can’t speak to him, Mum, you know that. I need some time.’
Her mother sighed and sat down next to her. ‘Why do you need time away from the man and the little girl that you obviously love?’
Ruby was shocked. She’d never used those words to her mother. She hadn’t said those words out loud to anyone.
‘What? You think I didn’t know?’ Her mother waved her hand. ‘It’s been written all over your face from the second you got here. I’ve never seen you so miserable. It was a few lousy newspaper articles. You know what your dad says—today’s news, tomorrow’s chip paper.’ She gave a half-shrug. ‘You only made two lines today in the British press.’
Ruby gave a half-smile. Her father had been surprisingly good-natured.
She stared at the letter. ‘I don’t think I can read anything else from Alex.’
Her mother shook her head. ‘It’s not from Alex. It’s from Leruna. Who would be writing to you from there?’
Her skin prickled. She couldn’t have—could she?
She took the heavy envelope in her hand and opened it, sliding the paper out. There was no doubt. The royal mark was in the top corner. Queen Isabelle.
She blinked. ‘Give me a minute, Mum, will you please?’
Her mother nodded and disappeared out through the door. Ruby unfolded the letter on her desk. No typing. This letter was full of beautifully crafted handwriting.
Dear Ruby
I hope this letter finds you well. It was a pleasure to meet you at the Ball and I was delighted to see your obvious affection for Annabelle and your commitment to her.
I understand that you are upset over the recent media coverage. Please be assured that this is a cross we all have to bear. I only hope that a little time will give you the strength and courage of your convictions to fight for the love and family that you deserve.
Alex and Annabelle have blossomed in these last few months. I have no doubt who is responsible for the transformation of their relationship. The press can be cruel to us all, but I hope that you won’t allow others to impact on the life you could have.
My granddaughter misses you terribly. The sparkle that had returned to her eyes has gone again.
My beloved Sophia is gone. She was a kind-hearted girl with a much wilder spirit than she was credited for. I believe that she would have wanted both Alex and Annabelle to be loved with the passion that they deserve.
I want you to know that you will always be welcome as my guest in Leruna. You have our full support.
Good grace and wishes,
Her Majesty Isabella DeGrundall, Queen of Leruna
Ruby’s head was swimming. She could never have expected this. It wasn’t even the words that Queen Isabella had used. It was all the unwritten things in between. She was giving Ruby her blessing. She was acknowledging her presence in Alex and Annabelle’s life. The invitation was clear.
‘Ruby?’
Her mother was hovering around the door again.
‘The car that brought the letter...it’s still there. It’s waiting for you.’
‘Waiting for me?’ She glanced outside.
Her mother smiled. ‘It seems there’s a celebration for New Year’s Eve tonight in Euronia.’ There was a rustle and she held up a clothes hanger and a shimmering dress. ‘Apparently your attendance is non-negotiable.’
* * *
The flight took less than an hour. The stewardess helped Ruby into the dress and escorted her down to the waiting car.
Her eyes were squeezed shut for most of the drive as her stomach turned over and over.
So many thoughts and questions spun around in her brain. Although having some space had served her well, reading over the plans for her gradual romance had been mind-boggling.
She didn’t want to live her life to a plan. But rational thoughts were starting to creep in. She loved Alex. She loved Annabelle. They weren’t your average family. And if Ruby wanted this life she was going to have to work for it.
Was it really so unreasonable for her to learn how to handle the press? Would learning about a new country and its customs really be so different from gaining the professional degree and qualifications she already had?
She knew she had the ability to learn. She knew she had the ability to adapt to different situations—she’d been doing it for years in the health service.
She was thinking with her heart instead of her head. If she thought with her head this all seemed rational—practical. It seemed like something she could actually do.
The car turned down the driveway towards the palace and she gasped. The pink palace was outlined in dozens of white lights. It was spectacular. People from the city were within the grounds. It seemed the party had already started.
The car pulled up in front of the palace doors and a guard opened the door and held out a hand to help her out.
She glanced at her watch. Eleven o’clock on New Year’s Eve. Eleven years ago she’d been in Paris. Eleven years ago she’d met Alex for the first time. Eleven years ago they’d shared their first kiss.
Alex. He was standing at the top of the steps waiting for her.
She’d thought she’d hesitate when she saw him again—she’d thought she’d waver.
But she didn’t. She moved away from the car and took her first step towards him.
* * *
Her dress was shimmering silver, crying out to be touched, but he kept his hands firmly at his sides as she climbed the steps towards him.
The designer who’d made it had assured him it would look perfect on her. But ‘perfect’ wasn’t close enough to how it actually looked.
The silver beads sparkled in the white lights around the palace. If Annabelle were watching she’d think that Ruby was some kind of fairy. It was almost as if a movie spotlight were shining on her.
She stopped just a few steps away, her hair curled around one shoulder, brown eyes fixed on his and her red lips inviting his kiss.
He held out his hand towards her. ‘I’m so glad you came, Ruby. I was worried you would never come back to Euronia.’
‘I wasn’t sure if I wanted to.’
He could see the uncertainty on her face. She still hadn’t decided what she wanted to do. This was it. This was his final chance to convince her to stay.
‘I don’t want to be part of someone’s plan, Alex. I appreciate the work that your staff has done. But I don’t think I can live my life like that.’ She gave a sorry smile and a little shake of her head. ‘I can’t wait to love you, Alex. I can’t wait to love Annabelle. But I don’t have royal blood. I haven’t been brought up in the same circumstances as you.’ She held out her hands. ‘I think we both need to face facts. I just don’t fit in around here.’
Her dress shimmered some more, reflecting light back up onto her face. She’d never looked so beautiful. She’d never looked so radiant. And he couldn’t bear not to touch her for a second longer. His heart was filling with joy and breaking at the same time. She’d told him that she couldn’t wait to love him. She couldn’t wait to love An
nabelle. But it was too hard. There were a million obstacles in their way.
But all that mattered to Alex was the fact that Ruby loved him and his daughter just as much as they loved her.
At the end of the day, what more did he need?
He would do anything to make this work.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
‘Eleven years ago in Paris I met the woman of my dreams. Eleven years ago I met the woman I was destined to be with for ever. Fate tried to get in the way. Life tried to get in the way. But from the first time I met you—from the first time I kissed you—I knew, Ruby. I just knew. I think that you did too.’
The palms of her hands were resting against his chest. Her bottom lip was trembling.