Page 117 of Christmas at the Castle
And he knew the reason.
Sophie.
Kat had put her friend—the bride—above all else.
Yes, he could picture Kat on her wedding day, but more so, he could imagine her as his wife. The one who would be at his side and be the mother of his children.
He had met her over fifteen years ago, but he’d been too young to see just how right she was for him. And she was.
Gill bowed and then kissed her hand. “I believe I owe you a dance, milady.”
Kat curtsied, giving a glimpse of her chest. “Yes, you do, Your Serene Highness.”
Was it wrong that he was hoping for the bodice to experience a fashion malfunction?
Sweat beaded at the back of his neck. “Your dress—”
“Belongs to Liv. She made it for a Renaissance Festival. I had nothing fancy enough to wear.”
“The gown is perfect. I’ll buy it from her for you to keep. You look amazing.”
Kat beamed. “It’s not too much?”
“Way too much.” He grinned. “That’s why it’s perfect.”
The orchestra played a different tune. Couples filled the dance floor.
“Come.” He laced his fingers with hers. “They’re playing our song.”
“We don’t have a song.”
He had no idea what this one was called, but he would find out the name from the conductor. “We do now.”
*
Sitting in theballroom, Kat had no doubt in her mind that magic was real. That was how tonight had turned out for her—magical. She lost track of the number of times she danced with Gill. But each time was better than the last.
As Gill spoke to a council member at another table, Kat sat to give her feet a rest from all the dancing.
Queen Louise approached her. “Your costume has mesmerized my son.”
Kat knew Gill liked the dress, but she also knew what she wore was only a small part of why he was so attentive.
Something had changed between them—from the way he looked at her to the possessive touch of his hand at the small of her back. She didn’t know what, nor did she mind, but even her nerve endings sensed a difference in both his mannerisms and in him. She was afraid to get her hopes up too high.
“I’m grateful to have a dress I could borrow, ma’am.”
“I expect you to dress more appropriately for the wedding breakfast.”
She’d brought a dress especially for the breakfast. “I will, ma’am.”
“Princess Rowena will be there. I’m sure Guillaume won’t be able to take his eyes off her.” Queen Louise walked away, and Gill reappeared.
He pulled Kat to her feet. “In less than an hour, it’ll be December twenty-fourth. You never told me what you wanted for Christmas.”
She wanted him. “The only thing I want, that I’ve wanted, is to be with you.”
“That makes things easy.”
