Chapter 56
DAMAGE CONTROL
DUNCAN
London Daily Times
It was an eventful morning for The Prince of Wales and his staff. His Social Secretary fell unconscious in the middle of an engagement. A statement from the Prince’s camp explained the following:
“Miss Mills experienced a serious complication from acute appendicitis, requiring emergency surgery. All speculation regarding any other cause for her illness is unacceptable and inaccurate. The delegation will skip an engagement this evening to ensure Miss Mills is well and has the support she needs.”
This was after several news outlets—upon seeing the Prince’s reaction to his young secretary’s incapacitation—claimed Miss Mills was pregnant with a love child. The palace has unequivocally denied this, and it seems she’s had a life-threatening medical emergency instead.
“They’re demanding a statement,” John said.
“Who?” I asked.
“The film crew.”
“While Ella is in surgery?”
“Can you please just give them five minutes? I know it isn’t ideal but the more you hide back here, the worse it is.”
I rolled my eyes and strode to a visitor’s lounge to give the crew a statement. They fumbled to pick up their cameras and mics in time to capture my statement. The delight on Cressida’s face was in stark contrast to the worry I felt thinking about them rolling Eloise into surgery.
“Miss Mills needed an emergency appendectomy,” I explained. “But her privacy comes first, so I won’t say more.”
“And you’re… allowed back there?”
“Yes. Eloise doesn’t have any family nearby. John and I have been keeping her company. We’re waiting for updates.”
A dubious look crossed her face. She didn’t buy it and I lacked time to address it.
Not now. Perhaps, not ever if Eloise remained rightfully outraged.
Still, as sad as I was with the possibility that I cocked it all up again, I was more worried about Eloise—my girlfriend.
Until she told me otherwise, that’s what I called her.
Thankfully, I was saved by my mother.
“That would be Her Majesty. Excuse me,” I turned.
“Duncan, what on Earth has happened?” My mother asked.
“Miss Mills is having a procedure to remove a burst appendix. She’s otherwise fine, Mum,” I answered like an actor in a medical drama.
“Why was she working with a bad appendix?” Dad asked, protectively.
“If you are insinuating that I forced her to work, I never would have. She said she was fine.”
I left the part about period cramps out. She blamed it on that all morning. And given that I knew those weren’t fun, I thought that was all it was. It seemed a likely explanation. Now, I felt like world’s worst boss and worst boyfriend.
“What is this thing about a love child?” Mum asked. “Lucy says there is a rumor.”
“I referred to her as Ella while were attempting to bring her to. The media ran with it and now they are sure I have impregnated her and this is all a cover up. We released a statement. It’s not that.”
“Well, I should hope not!” Dad was exasperated and indignant.
“You flew off the stage fast enough, Duncan,” Mum wasn’t buying it.
“Look, I care. That’s all.”
“Yes, I am sure that’s all.”
“If John had fallen, I would have run off the stage, too. I care about the people who work for me. So, sue me!”
“Duncan, if you are going to lie to me, be more convincing. Don’t lie to me. I won’t—”
“Fine,” I sighed, knowing lying only made this worse. “We’ve been… seeing one another.”
“Seeing one another or you came onto her and—”
“Mother! I didn’t come onto her. I mean, possibly, but that’s not what it’s about. I didn’t take advantage of her, if that is what you are implying. She’s my girlfriend and we tried to hide it for her sake.”
“God, why?” Mum said, beyond help. “This is a Lucy problem all over again. Why can’t the men of this family keep it in their pants? Why must they chase those tasked with keeping our inner most secrets? It’s so annoying to have to manage.”
“I have never shagged anyone on staff and never would!” Dad declared.
“Dad, please,” I groaned. “Mum, it’s not like that.
I… I cannot help myself. Yes. She’s young and pretty, but she gets me.
We bonded over strange things and I adore her.
I do not want to subject her to public scrutiny right now.
And I didn’t want you to worry because we kept it under wraps.
I figured she could move elsewhere in the palace if that—”
“We will discuss that when I get over wanting to smack you upside the head.”
“Fine, fine.”
“Take care of her,” Dad said. “And ring us when you have an update.”
He tried to calm Mum down for my sake. They ended the call.
Her mobile on the hospital room table buzzed. It read “Mo”.
I answered.
“What is going on? Are you alive?” Monique asked in hurried French.
That was a strange bit of insight into Ella’s relationship. They spoke French to one another. Clever.
“Sorry, this isn’t Eloise. This is Duncan. Eloise is in surgery still. She’s doing fine so far,” I answered.
“Oh,” Monique came down. “I was so scared. Is she… otherwise okay?”
“Yes. She was on very good pain medicine. Her appendix burst. She was trying to say it was cramps, but it wasn’t.”
“She’s got a high pain tolerance. You must watch her.”
“Agreed. I know better now.”
“Are we finally admitting that there is something going on here or—”
“Yes,” I said. “To the inner circle. To you and you alone, Miss Vincent.”
“Are you going to be good to her and take care of her over there?”
“I don’t know how long I can stay,” I admitted. “I want to be here forever, but that will look dodgy. We aren’t confirming anything and she was insistent before they rushed her off that I should continue the tour. I will stay until tomorrow when she is out of surgery and well.”
“Good. That gives me time.”
“What?”
“She doesn’t have family there, Duncan. She needs someone. If you cannot stay, I will. No sweat. I have time to kill before I switch jobs. And France is lawless with leave.”
I snickered.
“She likes you. A lot. Has she told you? She’s hard to crack.”
I hoped that was the truth. I was so worried right now that I couldn’t even discuss my misstep. I could only hope for temporary amnesia or Ella’s forgiveness. I wanted her so badly.
“She is,” I agreed. “But I know. She’s a generous and kind person, Mo. The best type of person. She’s lovely.”
“And you will take care of her?”
“I will,” I agreed. “I love her. I will take care of her.”
“You love her?”
I stopped cold. How had I just admitted that to Monique—a near stranger.
“I will keep that under wraps, as I gather you’ve never said that before?”
“Not to her, no. And not in a very long time, for certain.”
“She’s easy to love,” Monique said warmly. “Tell her when she gets out and comes to. She might surprise you.”