Chapter 28
THOSE THIGHS
ELOISE
Iclimbed into the bath first thing in the morning.
It was early, but I was a morning person.
I enjoyed beginning the day with a bath in the queen’s massive bathtub.
I turned on the television above the door and watched the morning news—relayed with a Welsh accent I couldn’t quite grasp yet.
It was ironic there was a tv in the bathroom because there were few TVs throughout the house.
I dried my hair and passed the door where I discovered a note. I picked it up and read, surprised immediately.
Mistress Mills,
Where in the hell did Duncan get this shit from? And how did it work? Because, yeah, it left me hot and bothered.
Before I continued, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was Jax.
She asked excitedly, “So, you are coming to London?”
“I planned on it,” I answered. “Will I see you at the office or the Palace? I have a feeling we will go straight there.”
“Oh, you’ve got this. I spoke with the director yesterday and she’s interested to get to know him. How are things? Are you hanging in there? Must be nice.”
I informed her of the Great Flood of Christmas Past via email, but didn’t receive a reply.
I lost several things and now I’d be replacing them since she never offered.
I knew I could probably ask John if they could pay, but I didn’t want to scream “I’m too poor to afford this shit” to the rest of the house.
“Well, my pipes burst and I am trying to eke out sharing space with my client,” I said.
I did not mention the walk-in wardrobe that smelled delightful or the bathroom I would gladly spend days in. I was building sympathy here.
“Yes, it must be dreadful staying in an enclosed space with a beautiful man like that.”
I looked at the note in my hand. “He’s fine. He’s doing well. Behaving.”
“Good, good. No, I won’t be there.”
“You… won’t?”
“I was invited to a tantric yoga workshop with Brad. I cannot miss it.”
I tried not to audibly gag. I had no idea who Brad was, but pictured some sixty-something creeper. Tantric yoga? I was so not on board.
“You do realize he is your client, right? I will be making decisions in abstentia for you.”
“In what?”
“Abstentia?”
“What?”
She was so dense.
“Never mind. On behalf of you.”
“That’s fine. I never wanted him as a client. Full of drama, those people!”
I rolled my eyes. It was literally our job to manage people and their drama.
“Sure. I will handle it. And keep you updated.”
“Just send me an email.”
“When can we discuss my pay rise?”
Silence.
“Let’s watch him finish this out and we will talk, alright?”
I set my jaw, angry. To avoid saying something I shouldn’t, I said. “Oh, would you look at that, I have to go! See you later, Jax! Bye!”
I hung up and dropped the note in bed. I read his salacious words, but had little time to fuss with what he wanted. As hot as punishing my older, hot princely boss was, I was too hot about my promotion to think sexy thoughts. I needed coffee.
I opened the door, still wearing my nightgown, and nearly ran into Duncan on my way to the kitchen. He was shirtless, in a swimsuit that left nothing to the imagination and tracking down the hallway. His abs were… impressive. But it was his thighs that were doing it for me in the moment. Holy hell!
“Oh, Miss Mills. How are you?”
I shook my head, unable to speak. It was both the look of him and the whole sexy-note-thing that had me reeling.
“I’m… fine.”
He looked me over. “Lovely. I’m about to hop in the shower. I’m leaving you for a bit.”
“Oh, no. You aren’t rid of me so easily,” I said. “I will be accompanying you back. I am to sit in on the meeting with you.”
He looked at me, surprised, but a massive grin broke. “Well, alright.”
“I uh… got the note so… yeah,” I said.
“And?”
“I will text you,” I whispered.
He gave a cheeky smile and nodded. “Good. I promise to be on my best behavior.”
“Excellent.”
“This… whatever this is. Do this again,” he gestured.
I pulled my robe around me tighter and glared. “This is not for you. I didn’t ask to be here down the hall, Duncan. Ignore me.”
“Impossible,” Duncan said.
He dried his hair with the comically small towel. I noted his face needed a shave, but I preferred him with stubble.
Mandy, the housekeeper came by with a pile of towels. To my surprise she playfully threw two at him.
“Duncan, you are tracking water through the house! How old are you?”
“I am forever young, Mandy!”
“That’s what we’re trying to break you of. Isn’t that right, Miss Mills?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Well, I look forward to watching you try.” Duncan flirted very openly. The look he gave sent a shiver down my spine.
I followed Mandy to the kitchen. “I was just going to grab a coffee.”
“We made some already, Miss Mills,” she pointed.
A carafe of coffee sat waiting. These people knew everything about me. It was freaky.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Much better after some rest. My grandchildren got me so sick. Unpleasant, but hardly death-defying.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re better.” I poured a mug.
“And are you settled now?”
“I guess? Still feeling a bit odd about the room.”
“Nonsense! You need to get to know Natalie and Ed better. They are beyond the shadow of a doubt the nicest couple. As were Natalie’s parents. Lovely people. And lovely to everyone around here. Duncan doesn’t know how good he has it.”
I suspected he did. Duncan loved his family. That much I could tell. However, the chip on his shoulder he carried to impress them had the opposite impact to what it needed. It was my job to balance those impulses.
“I know how much he loves them—and you—after spending some time. I’m just going to take this upstairs and finish getting ready.”
“You won’t eat anything?” Mandy looked concerned.
“I don’t know. I don’t have much time,” I explained.
“Let me make you something to eat on the plane, love,” Mandy said warmly. “It’s the most important meal of the day!”
I smiled. “You are too kind.”