Seizing the moment, I took his hands in mine. I made my promise and sealed the pledge with a perfect kiss. Standing under the stone archway, the gesture felt monumental, like making a sacred vow.
As I basked in Duncan’s adoration, everything felt right for the first time since coming to Doon. His guileless smile warmed places in my heart that had never known summer. In the face of such beautiful sincerity, I wanted more. Surprising both of us, I said, “I’ve changed my mind. Shall we dance?”
CHAPTER 30
Veronica
Sinking my teeth into my third chocolate éclair, I tried to disregard the silence that swept through the room like a wave. The new king of Doon had arrived at the ball. But I refused to give him the satisfaction of staring and twittering behind my hands, like every other female in the room. Instead, I’d drown my sorrows with as much fancy French junk food as a girl of my small stature could consume without puking.
Raising a flute of champagne to the light, I watched tiny bits of strawberries bob in the iridescent bubbles. It tasted so delicious that I drained the entire glass, strawberries and all, in very short order. Blissfully, I popped the remainder of the éclair into my mouth, set the empty flute on a nearby table, and turned in search of more bubbly. Overflowing dessert plate in hand, I came face-to-face with the newly crowned king and his exquisite future queen.
“Oh, hi,” I said through a mouthful of pastry, so it sounded more like, “Ow, hho.”
Sofia gave me a sweet, sympathetic smile as if to say, “Poor, ill-mannered girl. I feel embarrassed for you.”
Jamie smirked, shaking his head. “I dinna think ye would take it so literally when I said this would be my first edict.” He waved his hand toward my overstuffed mouth.
With one gulp, I swallowed the lump of sugary goo that now tasted bitter on my tongue. Under different circumstances, his comment would’ve made me laugh—but not tonight. Since I was out of here at midnight anyway and had nothing to lose, I replied, “Appalling manners seem to be one of your special talents, your majesty. I was only trying to make you feel more comfortable.”
Sofia made a choking sound and covered her mouth with a delicate hand.
“I see,” Jamie remarked with an imperiously arched brow. “And what would some o’ my other special talents be, Miss Welling?”
Uncontrollable heat rushed up my neck at the implication in his words. No way was I letting him get away with embarrassing me, especially in front of the too-perfect Sofia. I tapped my index finger on my chin, pretending to think.
“Hmm … let’s see. Bossiness comes to mind.” I held up one finger and began counting off his faults. “Arrogance, extreme stubbornness, an ugly temper … Shall I go on?”
“Nay.” His eyes narrowed. “Sofia, would you please excuse us for a moment? I wouldna want to expose you to anymore o’ Miss Welling’s drunken accusations.”
“I. Am. Not. Drunk. You … conceited pig!” I didn’t think this was the kind of “fighting” Kenna had been talking about, but I’d never intended to follow her advice anyway.
“Och, lass, I could have ye thrown in the stockades for callin’ me that.”
I stepped toward him and glared up into his insolent face. “I’d like to see you try, your highness!”
Jamie stiffened his spine, taking full advantage of his height. “And I saw ye down a whole glass of champagne with my own eyes.”
We glared at each other for several seconds. Disconcerted by his unwavering stare, I broke eye contact. But then I was staring at his delectable mouth. Vivid memories of those scorching lips on mine sparked a flutter low in my stomach. Desperate to diffuse the tension building between us, I started babbling, “I wasn’t trying to get drunk, the champagne tasted good and … and I like strawberries,” I finished lamely, glancing away from him. “Now look what you’ve done. Sofia’s gone.”