After the loud cacophony that I’d surprised even myself with during our very heated reunion, it was bizarre for the house to fall silent again. Our contented inhalations, slow and now steady, were the only ambient noise that could be heard, except for the relentless tick-tock of the old clocks dotted around the manor.

I traced lazy circles on Will’s back as he lay upon my breasts. He’d set me loose soon afterwards and we’d crawled into each other’s arms. I didn’t know what time it was actually, other than I was happier than I’d ever been, though I was also very aware of the fact that I was going to be extremely sore in the morning. Climbing out of the bed and attempting the short journey to the bathroom might prove taxing, I thought.

But the pain, the heartache, then the resulting love-making had been all worth it. I thought I could never love another person as much as I loved him right now. And even if I was still a little apprehensive of our future together, the drastic turn of events and his declarations had changed my entire outlook on life.

“What are you thinking about?”

“What?” I murmured, jolted back to the room and out of my head. He pressed a trail of kisses on the tops of my breasts and up to my collarbone before flipping over onto his pillow, pulling me with him.

“You were sighing a lot,” he said as I curled around his warm body. “I hope they were good sighs.”

“The best,” I grinned. “Did you really have this in mind when you decided to come here?”

He chuckled and held me close but tilted his head back to look at me. “Truthfully?”

“Of course. We have to tell each other everything.”

“Well, I did have a plan. Wanna hear it?”

I nodded and he continued.

“‘Tell Sophie I love her.’ That was it… that was the extent of my grand plan.”

“That’s a little pathetic,” I said, unable to control my laughter.

“Well you’re the one that fell for it!” he shot back, kissing me.

“I suppose you did jump out of plane for me…”

“Yeah, good thing the chute worked. Jeremy said it was good, that he’d checked it.”

“Oh my God! You went up there without knowing if your parachute would work?”

He scrunched his face up and drew out the word, “Maybe.”

“You absolute nutter!”

“Ah, but you love me and my nuttiness; you can’t take it back now,” he said and proceeded to pinch and tickle me all over. I got my own back, of course—he was just as ticklish—and we ended up in another exhausted heap a few minutes later, breathless, our limbs twisted, and arms draped over one another.

“Hey, what did you mean earlier when you thought I was dead?” he asked as we stared into each other’s eyes.

“Oh, that. I was just being silly…”

“No, tell me. You were obviously worried, and I forgot to ask you about it in all the madness.”

I sighed and quickly told him about the radio broadcast, my cheeks filling with embarrassment the longer I went on. “Brittany told me you’d left London with Jeremy heading this way on a plane, and I put two and two together and came up with five.”

“I’m so sorry I worried you. We heard about that over the airwaves. Jeremy thought it was a top secret RAF drone what with it being so close to the airbase and the amount of military personnel they sent out to shut down the roads.”

“Mhm, what do you think it was?”

He smiled. “I’m not sure you have the right security clearance to know that.”

“Oh really?” I said and started another tickle onslaught.

“Ok, ok, I give up… but truthfully I don’t know, no idea what it was about. I’m just glad I made it safely into your arms.”

“You soppy sod,” I replied but pulled him into a kiss anyway.

“I suppose I did have an addition to the plan, but it didn’t come to me until I was here with you, and that was to tell you the story about the Duke,” he said when we came back up for air.

“You totally winged it,” I said with a smile. I pressed a kiss against his chest, tasting his salty skin on my lips. “But I’m happy you did. Anything else, some extravagant grandiose gesture would’ve soured the milk, I think.”

“You don’t think a parachute jump was grandiose?”

“Nah, par for the course, really, when it comes to you,” I said with a chuckle.

“I’ll have to remember that…” He shifted until we were face to face, his eyes tender as he pushed the hair out of my eyes. “You know, it was my father’s idea to come after you, Sophie. I hope you know what that means.”

I knew what it meant. It meant we had his blessing. If I had thought otherwise, we wouldn’t be in bed together at this moment. Two down, three to go, I thought.

“I know what it means.”

“Are you okay with it?” he asked softly. “Mum is still on the fence, but I know she adores you no matter what she says. It might take a little getting used to for her.”

“It’s fine,” I said, drawing in a breath. “I mean, what’s the worse case scenario? That she convinces King Henry to change his mind, exile you, and you know… chop my head off for treason. Jeez, just think, you’d have to get a real job…”

He choked on his laughter. “Now that would be interesting. Not the head chopping bit, of course. What do you think I could do? Open up my own cliff diving school? Teach defensive driving? Actually, come to think of it, I should really learn to fly… think of all the charity jumps I could organise.”

I groaned. “I’ll throw you out of this bed if you’re not careful!” Just the thought of him throwing himself off another cliff or out another plane had my nerves all in a tizzy. “Maybe if I keep my head, I’ll get a job. You can be the house-hubby.”

He pressed a kiss on my nose. “Hubby is it now? That was quick…”

I blushed and hid from sight. I hadn’t meant to say that… or at least for it not to come out like we were already engaged. How bloody presumptuous of me, I thought, scolding myself.

He pried my hands away from my face. “As long as you are there with me, I don’t think we have to worry about it, Sophie. Everything is going to be just fine. Besides, I quite like that title; Prince of Wales, House Hubby Extraordinaire.”

We giggled and I bit my lip, hoping that he was right. Going before the King and Queen together, united in our love, was still going to be difficult. It would take a lot to get used to if it all went in our favour.

“Are you happy without your position?” he suddenly asked, his eyes wide with concern.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “You know, without your job. I know how much you liked it. You lived for it.”

I laughed, touched at his sincerity. How could he believe that I would be upset about losing my position now? I’d won the greatest prize of all: him. And if nothing else, I knew an elevated and important position would be in my future, pending the queen’s approval. But he looked worried about it so I pressed a hand to his cheek.

“William, it was just a job. I’ve come to realise that now. There’s more to life than a job. Yes, I loved it to bits and I will miss it but this is love and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Besides, I’m sure there will be plenty of notable work that I could do down the line, by your side.”

“I was so fucking scared you would resent me since I’d pretty much cost you your career,” he said, his brow furrowing.

I smoothed out the frown with my finger. “Don’t worry about that. It was my decision. I’m a big girl. Worst case scenario is that I go back to a demanding boss who is stubborn, has the urge to bend me over his desk, and hates it when I fill up his calendar.”

That drew out a laugh. “Speaking of which, I couldn’t tell you this beforehand, but I fucking hate your gruelling calendar and your colour-coding.”

I socked him in the shoulder lightly. “It kept you on point didn’t it?”

“True.”

“Speaking of which, don’t forget it’s Robert’s birthday in a couple of days. You should give him a call.”

“Seriously, what would I do without you? I’d completely forgot. I think he’s been reassigned, a new tour, but I’ll find a way to get in touch.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. Maybe speak to Charlotte too while you’re at it.”

He nodded and gathered me close. “You know, thinking on it, I would have suffered through pretty much all your crazy scheduling ways until you fell for me, Sophie. You could have sent me to the very depths of hell and back again and I would have gone to keep you happy.”

I laughed against his chest. “No, you wouldn’t! Have you forgotten that day you played hooky and dragged me off with you?”

William chuckled. “That doesn’t count. I was trying to show off.”

“You don’t need to show off for me,” I said and kissed him.

“Really, are you sure? Cause I was about to show you something really special,” he said as he moved his hips closer, his cock hardening against me.

I leaned in and brushed my lips over his. “Well, I suppose one more time won’t do us any harm… I do like this bed.” I found the discarded silk tie from earlier and handed it to him.

With that he flipped me over onto my front and positioned himself behind me after making sure I was fully restrained. He gave my ass a hard slap and I let loose an excited yelp.

“Let’s break it in just a little more and see how loud I can really make you scream.”

I straightened my skirt and gave William a brave smile as we stood in an anteroom, waiting for an audience with the king and queen. I attempted to hide my nervousness the best I could, wringing my hands, but it wasn’t long before William noticed the tremors and clasped my hand to his. He gave me a heart-warming, reassuring smile full of encouragement and not to mention lust. Though behind his brave gaze I could sense a slight nervousness too, the same look he’d had the day he’d turned up at the manor in Inverness.

As much as I hated to leave Morvyn Manor—it had grown on me what with Will being there filling the empty rooms with laughter and noise—I knew we had to come back to face the music.

And face it we had. I felt like I’d been running a gauntlet ever since.

Even when we’d arrived at my apartment in the dead of night so we could prepare for the next day and our official meeting, with barely anyone knowing our plans, a score of paparazzi were camped out in the darkness. All eager to get the first shot that would be splashed all over the newspapers come morning. How word had got out about our relationship was a complete mystery. But it just proved you can’t keep a secret in the palace, or in the family… at least not for too long.

I sighed, remembering our dash out to the car that morning, camera flashes bombarding us like a never-ending blitz. It was going to be something I would have to get used to, dating a royal. My life as I knew it and what had gone before would be a distant memory. But that was ok. I had a future to look forward to with Will.

The huge double door inlaid with intricate carvings opened as if on command, the royal guards knowing instinctively when it was time. Beresford, the king’s private secretary, appeared, his impassive face giving nothing away. Though I detected a slight hint of disapproval as his gaze landed on me.

“Their Royal Highnesses are ready for you now.”

William squeezed my hand and we entered the lion’s den. There was no turning back now.

We came before the couple seated on a thinly-stuffed, worn but regal sofa that look wholly uncomfortable. Exquisitely beautiful, but rigid and backbreaking. Both royals sat on the edge, spines straight. It was Her Majesty that I noticed first, with her ankles crossed, hands in her lap with an unwavering stare directed right at me. I felt a shiver trickle down my spine.

William gave a slight bow and I quickly followed suit with a clumsy curtsey, completely forgetting my place. What on earth must she think of me now, I thought? A gold-digger of the highest order, perhaps? That’s what everyone else would be thinking… and God help me when I faced my own mother.

“Your Royal Highnesses,” William said formally but then stepped forward, releasing my hand to kiss his mother on the cheek. “Mum, Father, thank you for seeing us.”

“Of course, son. But you needn’t be so formal,” King Henry said, and slipped me a kind smile that alleviated some of my nerves.

The queen however tutted, and I lowered my gaze, taking a great interest in the swirling red pattern of the carpet at my feet.

“I see you took my words to heart, Sophie,” the queen said with an even tone. It seemed like ages since our last conversation when she had told me to do anything to make William successful.

I nodded, acknowledging her double meaning, but braved a reply too. “I can’t take credit for William’s success or new outlook on life,” I said softly, stealing a glance at him. “He has done very well without my help and truly grown into his new position.”

The queen murmured her agreement, neither impressed nor satisfied. I thought I’d really blown it right then, talking back to her, speaking my opinions, but Will winked at me and I remembered all over again why we were here. Why we were taking this risk. Immediately I felt the flush all over my body, my heart overflowing with love for him. He now appeared so confident, tall and determined, and surprisingly a little less arrogant. It made me love him all the more.

“I disagree,” he said, “Sophie has shown me they way… without her you’d still be dealing with a rebellious prince. She’s my missing piece, my tether, and deserves all the credit in the world,” he said softly, his eyes now on me.

“I see,” the queen said, drawing the attention back to her.

“Darling,” the king interrupted, gently taking his wife’s hand, but she immediately waved him away and stood. She was going to have her say and I braced myself readying for the fairy-tale to end.

“You both were well aware of my wishes and yet you both chose to defy them. I can’t pretend that I’m not disappointed; this wasn’t what I wanted for you, William—”

“But—”

“Don’t you dare interrupt me again. Either of you,” she said, glaring at her husband and son. The queen took a moment, walking to a window, then paced back again at her own leisure while we all dared not to move or breathe.

“As I was saying… the Princess of Monaco was my choice, good breeding, perfect poise, a true lady. But, I believe that you might be right, William; you’ve met your match.”

I drew in a breath as she looked at me, her blue eyes assessing me and perhaps even willing me to make a mistake so that she could be proved right, that I wasn’t worthy of him.

“Miss Mortimer, will you make my son happy?”

That question I could answer. “Yes, Ma’am. I will do that and more.”

Queen Beatrice looked over at her king, who was now looking at William with a broad and relieved smile. “Then so be it. I say we cannot rule this as anything but love, and who are we to get in the way of that?” she said with an approving nod, though her words were still on the cool side.

William blew out a breath and grabbed my hand, bringing it up to his lips. “And I do… I love her more than anything.”

His words brought tears to my eyes. How had I gotten so lucky?

I heard a sniffle and tore my eyes away from my prince to see the king desperately trying to contain his emotions. The queen merely rolled her eyes at him and waved us away with her hand. “You are dismissed. We’ll talk more later.”

William tugged on my hand and we walked out of the room hand in hand.

“So,” I said when the heavy doors closed with a sense of finality. “Does that mean we are free to do whatever we want now?”

William chuckled and pulled me into his arms. “It means that they are happy for us.”

His mum didn’t seem all too pleased but I remained quiet; he knew her best.

“Trust me, she adores you. She’s just very traditional, is all.”

“I know. I still can’t believe it… we did it,” I said with a sigh of contentment.

“We did. We’re official now. Sophie,” he said, taking my face in his hands, “know that I never needed anyone’s approval or rubber stamp to know that I love you. But having my family’s blessing is the cherry on top.”

And it meant the world to me too that they’d approved of us, and that William wasn’t going to have to decide between me or his family. Family to me was very important. I looked up at him and saw the happiness in his eyes.

“Do you think that Frederick had something to do with bringing us together? Two heart-broken souls… finding each other.”

William smiled tenderly. “Perhaps that was his plan all along. And if he did, I owe him big time.”

“Me too,” I said softly as he leaned down to kiss me. “Me too.”