Page 125 of Christmas at the Castle
“That’s what babies do.”
“I know. I had three of them.” Her gaze lingered on the puppies and Mama, and then she turned. “Rowena is leaving today.”
“She should have left the day she turned off my cell phone.”
“We’ll find you another princess.”
“No, we won’t.” He stood. “I want Kat.”
“She’s a strong woman.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said about her.” He looked at Mama taking care of her little ones. “Did you know one of the reasons Kat’s so strong? Her mom and dad weren’t a part of her life. They dumped her with her grandparents to pursue their research and died in Africa. They’re buried there. That’s why I gave her that plane ticket and tour. Not so she could take a vacation, but so she could see where they’d lived and visit their gravesite. Maybe that will give her some closure with her parents.”
His mother covered her mouth with her fingers. “So that’s why…”
“What?”
“She mentioned something to me about not wanting to come between us.”
“She meant it. Her grandparents raised her and taught her the value of family. But she said she never really understood it until now. Family means everything to her… including a family that isn’t her own.”
The agony in Kat’s voice the day she’d left had matched the sadness in her gaze. He’d fought to hold onto her, until he’d realized she’d made her decision, and, although she’d been physically present to say goodbye, emotionally she’d already left.
“I love her. I want to marry her. Only her.”
“You told her this?”
“Not in so many words, but I think she knew what I was offering.”
“A princess like Rowena is perfect for you.”
“She’s your definition of perfect, not mine.”
His mother arched a brow. “You’re telling me Kat’s perfect?”
“Far from it, but we’re better together than we are apart.” He’d said this much; he might as well say it all. “I love her. I believe she loves me, too. But she left anyway.”
“Because of me.”
Gill wasn’t going to deny his feeling. “I’m trying to devise a plan, but I keep running into a stumbling block.”
“What’s the block?”
“You.” The word tasted gritty in his mouth. “Kat won’t come between you and me, because if I had to choose, I’d pick her.”
His mother’s eyes widened.
He’d never known her to be speechless, but she seemed to be now.
She opened her mouth and then closed it. “Your sister would make a fine queen. She’s a remarkable woman, but Alistonia will thrive with you wearing the crown. You’re the perfect combination of your grandfather, your father, and myself. Our country needs you, Guillaume. What do you need from me?”
“I want your blessing.” That was his only hope. “Without that, I don’t stand a chance with Kat. But it must be sincere, and you must agree to willingly accept Kat as my wife and the future queen of our country.”
*
New Year’s Eveat the animal hospital wasn’t as busy as Kat thought it would be. Midnight was approaching, and she was crying again. In her office, she dabbed her eyes with a tissue.
This was crazy.
