Recklessly Royal(67)

“Mom probably did.” He chuckled. “But it was still different. She wasn’t worried someone would kidnap me or hold me for ransom.”

“She probably worried about you drowning or being eaten by a bear.”

“No bears there.” He smiled. “There are alligators though.”

“You know what I mean.” I rolled my eyes. “There are all types of bears—or alligators—everywhere.”

He sighed, but I could still see the muscles twitching along his jaw. “You’re right. But those have four legs not two.”

“True.” I squeezed his hand.

“Catherine?” Jameson’s voice sounded through the trees.

I sighed. “I’m here by the lake.”

“Think they’ll notice you’re covered in sand?” David winked at me.

“Oh yeah, but they won’t say anything.” I shrugged.

“Catherine? Are you hurt?” Jameson broke through the foliage with Mark right behind him. “You’ve been gone for a while.”

“I’m fine. Just decided to fish with David for a little while.” I stood up and brushed my shorts off.

“I didn’t realize I was on D’Lynsal property. Stanley, the steward at Rousseau, said I could fish anywhere around the lake.”

“I saw him and decided to stop,” I said again, and grimaced. I sounded guilty. “I’m sorry to worry you.” There, maybe that would cover my guilt.

“Of course, that’s fine.” Jameson flashed me a genuine smile. “You’ve had a long couple of weeks. Fishing sounds like a nice way to relax.”

Mark’s face stayed visibly still, as if he was fighting his actual reaction.

“Yes, it’s been a nice break.” I turned to look at David and smiled. “I’ve got to get back.”

“Call me when you have some free time.” He stood up and came close to me. “I’m working at Victory Hall all week, so have most of my nights and afternoons free.”

“I don’t suppose—” I stopped, wondering if it would be too weird for him.

“What?” He grabbed my hand again.

“I have a charity auction to go to later this week. Would you like to go with me?” I held my breath while I waited for him to answer.

“Is this the kind of thing where I need to wear a suit?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Black tie.” I bit my lip.

“So, a tuxedo.” He narrowed his eyes. “Would I be your date or just going the same place you were?”

“My date.” I smiled and was rewarded with one of his own.

“Then for you I will wear a tux.”

Standing on my tiptoes I pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I’ll see you then.”

Letting go of his hand, I walked over to where Mark and Jameson stood waiting. “Thanks for letting me fish with you.”

“Any time.” David’s grin was fast.

“Later.” I took a few steps backward.

“Later.” His eyes stayed on me while I moved, but I had to turn around and walk the right way or I risked tripping on a tree root.

I started jogging as soon as I turned around. It wasn’t that I thought Jameson or Mark would give me a hard time, it was just that I didn’t want to share my afternoon with anyone else. I wanted to relish in what I’d done with David; to stay in that moment for as long as possible.





EIGHTEEN


I LOOKED THROUGH THE jewelry room and frowned. I wanted something that was elegant, but not over the top. Of course, anything I picked would be over the top according to Sam. She was such a tomboy when it came to clothes and accessories. If Chadwick didn’t keep her in line she would probably wear jeans and boots to all of her meetings.

Thinking of boots made me wonder what David would look like tonight. He hadn’t worn a tuxedo at the wedding, but he was tonight for me. I had a feeling that was a much bigger deal than he had let on while we stood at the lake.

I settled on a pair of diamond drop earrings and a bracelet that Alex had given me for my eighteenth birthday. I’d skip the necklace so it wouldn’t compete with the neckline of the dress. The dress itself was a soft, petal pink that flowed behind me as I walked. The tiny cap sleeves barely sat on my shoulders and were covered in crystals. I hadn’t worn this dress yet, because of the amount of cleavage it displayed, but tonight was a date, and I was going to wear something date worthy. It wasn’t an outrageous amount of breast, but enough that I questioned it while appearing somewhere as Princess Catherine. But, damn it, if David was going to wear a tux, I could take the risk of wearing something that showed a little more skin.

I put on the bracelet and checked my hair in the mirror to make sure nothing had fallen or come loose before I left my room. I could hear Selene talking to someone in her room so I knocked instead of just walking in.