Royal Holiday - Jasmine Guillory Page 0,15
Hudson.” The butler reached for his coat. “You’re expected.”
He handed over his coat.
“Thank you, James.”
James showed him into the sitting room, where Vivian sat in front of a fire, drinking a cup of tea, and with a plate piled full of scones in front of her, and small bowls full of cream and jam.
“Julia found out you were coming by to pick me up, and before I could blink, a mountain of scones appeared. Do you have time for tea and a scone before we leave?”
He sat down next to her.
“I always have time for Julia’s scones.”
She poured him a cup of tea.
“No milk or sugar in my tea, thank you.” He looked over the tea tray. “I’m surprised Julia didn’t make you any more of those sandwiches you love.”
A smile danced around her lips.
“She did, but between me and the Duke, we ate them all.”
He laughed out loud.
“Knowing the Duke as I do, that does not surprise me.” He looked around. “Are he and the Duchess home? Is your daughter here?”
He had been wondering if her daughter would be here when he came to take her over to the stables. He was curious about Maddie; he knew about her job and her background, obviously—it was part of his job to know that—but not what she was like as a person. All he knew was that she’d insisted on bringing her mother with her to England for Christmas, and at this juncture, he was very grateful to her for that.
She shook her head.
“No, she and the Duchess went into town to go shopping right after lunch. I think the Duke is off with others in the family.”
She’d finished her scone, so he took the last bite of his.
“Well, if they’re all having outings today, I’m pleased you are, too.” He stood up and offered her his hand. “Shall we?”
She took his hand and stood up.
“We shall.”
Had she wanted to go shopping instead of going to the stables?
When they got outside, he turned to her.
“I’m sorry if I kept you from a shopping trip in town with your daughter and the Duchess,” he said.
Vivian shook her head.
“No need—they had a very specific mission, and I would have been in the way. Plus, I wouldn’t turn down the chance to visit the Sandringham stables this afternoon for the world.”
He turned to her, his eyebrows raised.
“For the world?” he quoted back to her. That had a good sound to it.
She looked down, but then looked up straight into his eyes, the smile still hovering around her lips.
“When am I ever going to have the chance to do this again?” she asked. “I’ve never been to any stables before in my life, and to get invited to see the stables at Sandringham? I’m thrilled.” She glanced at him and grimaced. “And also slightly terrified.”
He’d assumed that last part, from the look of half wonder, half horror on her face when she’d seen the stables from a distance.
“There’s nothing to be terrified about,” he said. “The horses will be lovely to you, I promise, and so will the staff.”
Would she be open to getting on a horse? Would the stable master give her the chance? For some reason, he was very much hoping she’d be able to have this opportunity.
She raised an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, you can speak for horses now?”
He nodded seriously.
“The Queen’s horses are monarchists; they would never dare to mistreat a guest of the royal family.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
Chapter Four
Vivian was strangely nervous about this trip to the stables, despite what she’d said to Malcolm. She hadn’t lied to him—she knew there was no way she’d forgive herself if she’d had the option to see the horses of the actual Queen of England and had gone back to America without doing so. But horses had always intimidated her. They were so big and powerful . . . and expensive. Even though it should have been all of the servants and the huge amounts of land and people throwing around royal titles like it was normal, it was when Malcolm had casually pointed out the stables to her that had made her realize what a different kind of life she’d stepped into.
She turned to Malcolm as they walked down the path.
“Is it odd for you, this whole monarchy thing?” When he raised his eyebrows, she shook her head. “Sorry, I know that seems like it came out of nowhere. It’s just that it’s all so foreign to me. The whole