and didn’t want to leave Drips for long, but I wouldn’t have missed the wedding for the world.”
“So you didn’t do any sightseeing when you were here?”
“No, but I did get to see parts of the palace that others don’t, and that was cool.”
“Well, you’ll certainly do that again, but I’d like to show you other things, as well. Some of my favorite things.”
“I love the sound of that. Are your parents here?”
“No, they’re still in Montana.”
She looks up at me in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes. It seems they’ve fallen in love with it there and wanted to look around for a while. They’ll probably be there when we get back.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful. I’d love to see them again.”
We drive past the crowds and through the gate, then around to the back of the palace where we’re out of sight from prying eyes. This is the entrance the family uses most often when coming and going.
David escorts us to my flat, and once we’re behind closed doors, Aspen wraps her arms around me for a hug.
Being held is important to her, and something I’m happy to indulge.
“David’s been away from Alice for quite a while,” she says.
“We’ll be back in less than a week. Travel is a part of his job, and they knew that when they got married.”
“I know.” She leans back and smiles up at me. “It was only an observation.”
“Before we get married, we’ll assign a personal detail to you, as well. In the meantime, you’ll stick close to me.”
“I’m certainly not planning to drift far from you, especially while we’re here.” She kisses my chin just as a knock sounds on the door. “I thought we had time to rest?”
“I need to introduce you to someone first. It won’t take long.”
I open the door and am immediately hugged, my cheek pinched.
Only Mary could get away with this.
“Callum, my sweet boy,” she says. “You’ve been gone too long.”
“Well, I’m home now, and I brought someone for you to meet.”
Mary, at sixty-something years old, retired, and grandmotherly, turns to Aspen.
“Why, miss, you’re dead on your feet.”
“Sweetheart, this is Mary. If there’s something you wish to know about protocol, being a royal, etiquette, or anything else you may need, Mary knows. She’s been with us for most of her life. Certainly, all of mine.”
“I was there when this one was born,” she confirms.
Mary’s been a second mother to my siblings and me. We adore her.
“Well, then, I’m sure I have a million questions for you,” Aspen says.
“Mary, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to my fiancée, Aspen Calhoun.”
“You’re just lovely,” Mary says and then takes Aspen’s shoulders in her hands. “I just know we’re going to be fast friends. I’m here to help, to teach you, and to assist with anything you might need. But first, I’m going to start a nice hot shower for you, and then we’ll get you nice and comfortable for a long nap. You’ve had a long journey.”
Aspen glances back at me with surprised eyes. “Where will you be?”
“I’ll be here,” I assure her. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Mary whisks her away to fuss over her, the way she fussed over the rest of us all of our lives, and I wander through my flat. The kitchen is freshly stocked with my favorite things. I have two bedrooms and three bathrooms in my six-thousand-square-foot place, along with a lap pool, a media room, and an office.
It’s too much space for me, but it’s the smallest flat in the palace.
I wander into the guest bathroom since Mary and Aspen are currently using the master, and take a hot shower of my own, changing into sweats and a T-shirt after. When I walk back into the living room, I find my gorgeous fiancée sitting on the sofa.
“Where’s Mary?” I ask.
“She said she’d be back later after we’ve had time to rest. I didn’t realize it’s barely noon.”
“Jet lag is a bugger.” I pull her to her feet, but when she simply shuffles after me, I lift her into my arms and carry her into my bedroom. “Do you know how many times I’ve daydreamed about having you in my bed?”
“No.”
I smile and kiss her pouty lips. “I lost count. When you were in this house last year for the wedding, I had to stop myself from abducting you from your room and hauling you back here, caveman-style.”
“I wouldn’t have enjoyed it nearly as much then as I would now.”
I tuck her under the covers