Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
He laughed, a magical sound. When Kash laughed, his body shook with it. It reminded her of how passionate he’d been about everything. Kash had an enthusiasm for life that brightened a room when he walked in, that made her look at the world around her differently. He’d been the one to bring her out of her shell.
Had she gone back into it for years because he’d gone away?
He smiled down at her, his hands coming up to frame her face. “I did miss you, Dayita. Those first years, I missed you like crazy.” He sobered a bit. “But I’ve changed. You’re right. I’m not the man I was back then.”
Her heart twisted in disappointment. She’d almost been sure he would kiss her, but he moved back. She tried not to show how much that hurt. A few hours back in his life and she was the one with longing in her heart. It was dangerous, but luckily she was a disciplined woman. She wasn’t a girl anymore. She knew better. And deep down, she’d always known that they’d had their chance and it wouldn’t come again. “I’m not the same either. I’m older, more restrained. I’m comfortable with myself now so I can go into this arrangement with my eyes wide open.”
“Can we not make any more major decisions tonight?” Kash asked.
He looked so tired and she wondered if he had slept at all. She was worried that if she left him alone, he might confront his mother, and they all needed cooler heads to prevail. The past was the past and they had to deal with the future. If she was going to be his wife, she needed to be his friend again, and friends took care of each other. “Come to my room and I’ll get you a drink.”
He cocked a single brow.
Yes, she still remembered how to speak Kashmir. “No, I’m not inviting you into my bed. Have a drink with me and I’ll tell you all about our friends, if you want to know. I’m still close with Roger and Matty.”
He frowned. “And Neville?”
Such a jealous man. “Neville got a bit handsy, and once I broke his fingers he seemed to lose interest in me.”
“Ah, that’s what I like to hear.” Kash reached a hand out. “Are we really going to do this, Day?”
“Only if you want to, Your Majesty.” It had to be his choice in the end, even if most of his options had been taken from him.
He seemed to come to some decision and he pulled her hand to his lips. “All right then, my bride-to-be. I hope Mother stocked your room with whiskey. I could use some. Don’t mind the bodyguards. They follow me. I think they think I’m going to run.”
She’d seen his new American guards. She’d been assigned a couple herself. Michael Malone was a lovely man, and the oddly named Boomer was like a beautiful, massive golden retriever.
She nodded to Mr. Murdoch as they walked back into the palace. He’d been hovering close all night and seemed like a perfectly kind man.
Kash began talking about the old days.
It was time to figure out what kind of man her future husband was. And if he could handle what she needed.
CHAPTER 3
Kash came awake and sat up in bed. Something was wrong. Different. Definitely different. He was also dressed. He was wearing a pair of pajama pants because he’d sat up for the longest time with Day, talking about old times. They’d started out drinking Scotch, but when she’d switched to tea, he’d gone along with her. They’d called down to the kitchens and had tea and sandwiches and tiny cakes sent up.
He’d been sad to leave her.
“I feel odd.”
“That’s what it feels like when you don’t wake up with a hangover, Your Majesty,” Simon Weston said as he strode into the bedchamber. “I know it’s terribly odd to realize you remember the evening before, but that’s how it goes. I need to talk to you about security for tonight’s official engagement announcement and celebration. I’m afraid things are going to move quickly over the course of the next two weeks.”
Yes, he did remember. He was getting married to Day. His mother had set it all up, but then it had been his mother who had kept Day from him in the first place. “I need to talk to my mother.”
“She’ll be here in a few moments.” Weston nodded toward the door and the flood of servants began. “She’s coming in with the lord chamberlain. I’ve had breakfast brought in.”
Yes, Kash could see that. His normal breakfast was usually coffee and a protein bar, but this was a full breakfast. Full English. He hadn’t had a full English since his college days. Mostly because it was absolutely terrible for him. He smiled, the memories wafting over him as he smelled the sausages and fried eggs, baked beans and bacon. There was toast and hash browns and tomatoes. “Did you order this? I don’t think my mother’s ever had a fry-up.”