17. Madison #2
“You do?” he replied, pretending to be shocked. She nodded, climbing down from her chair, running around the table to give him a kiss on the cheek. Alistair snuggled into her until she giggled. “Then to the limo!”
Kenna gasped, rushing for the door on the other side of the room. “Me first!”
“What do you want to bet she’s about to get maple syrup fingerprints all over the seats?” I said.
“Still better than glitter.” Alistair took my hand as I stood, threading his fingers through mine. I was a little giddy as he led me across the room. I couldn’t believe how well this trip was going.
After that first kiss in the library, I hadn’t wanted to jump to conclusions about what exactly Alistair was looking for with me. And since we hadn’t kissed again, I’d tried to ignore the what ifs, but now…now there was no doubt in my mind that this was something.
Kenna waited for us in the doorway of the dining room, and after popping back to the room for our coats and to make sure there wasn’t any syrup on Kenna, we left through the lobby together, climbing into the limo.
“Is this another ‘wait and be surprised’ situation?” I asked as the car set off, joining the early London traffic. I still marveled as a giant double-decker pulled up beside us.
Alistair shook his head. “We’re on our way to the Tower of London. Since you like jewelry so much, I thought you might enjoy an up close and personal look at the crown jewels.”
My jaw dropped in disbelief. “You can just arrange that?”
He grinned at my reaction. “I’ve got connections, remember? I’ve arranged a private entry to the tower before the public opening.”
“Daddy, can I have a princess crown?” Kenna asked.
“Not one of these crowns, I’m afraid,” he told her gently. “They belong to the royal family and are kept safe behind very special glass.”
“So I can’t put them on my head?”
“No, love.”
Kenna pursed her lips, rather displeased at the information. I couldn’t help imagining her stomping up to the King of England to tell him exactly what she thought about that. I chuckled at the mental image, hiding my grin behind my hand.
We arrived at the tower thirty minutes later and were escorted through a private entrance to the Jewel House where armed guards were stationed.
They wore their traditional bearskin hats but with long, gray wool coats instead of the traditional red tunic I was used to seeing.
Alistair told me the gray coats were a staple in the winter months.
When we reached the exhibitions where the jewels were on display, I glanced around in awe at the vault-like gallery, stepping onto a moving platform that guided us around the room.
We were surrounded by walls of solid gold.
Diamonds and emeralds and sapphires and pearls glittered from behind their bulletproof—and bomb-resistant—glass!
I couldn’t believe Alistair had arranged this just because he knew I liked jewelry. I didn’t know why, but I was suddenly fighting a bout of ridiculous tears.
“Wow!” Kenna exclaimed, rushing back and forth along the moving walkway. “I love it! Can we live here?”
I gave a watery laugh, getting a hold of myself.
“The collection includes more than twenty-three thousand gemstones,” Alistair whispered, wrapping his hand around my waist. Goosebumps erupted up both my arms as I leaned against him.
“It’s one of the most heavily guarded collections in the world.
Multiple alarm systems. Guarded by active-duty soldiers as well as retired service members. ”
“But the real question,” I teased. “Are they Kenna proof?”
He hummed. “That remains to be seen.” Hearing her name, Kenna darted back to our sides, clutching Alistair’s leg. She gave him a cheeky grin, then set off again. “Though I think she’s more intrigued by this walkway than the jewels.”
“Daddy, look at this one!” she called, pointing out a gorgeous tiara featuring a massive ruby. “I love it.”
“Who wouldn’t?” I said.
“I want to wear that,” Kenna added.
Alistair and I both broke into laughter.
“Remember what I said about all the jewels belonging to the royal family, sweetheart?” Alistair said. “Plus, I think that’s probably more than your inheritance.”
Kenna wrinkled her little nose. “But I can share?”
God, this kid was adorable. “How about we make our own tiaras this afternoon while Daddy is at his meetings?” I suggested. “We can even pick up some great big beads to use as jewels.”
She brightened at that idea. “Okay!”
“Let me guess,” Alistair said. “You want a pink one?”
“Sparkly and pink,” Kenna said.
For a beat, Alistair looked visibly distressed. He turned to me. “No glitter, please.”
I shot him a wicked grin. “I make no promises.”
He narrowed his eyes as he reached for me. I laughed as he caught me around the waist, tugging me closer than was appropriate in front of Kenna and these very stoic-looking guards. Thankfully, Kenna had become distracted by a necklace with a diamond the size of her fist.
“Keep it PG,” I whispered as Alistair pecked me on the lips.
“Am I going to be picking glitter off of you tonight?” he muttered.
“That actually doesn’t sound so horrible.” I gave him a flirty wink. “You might even enjoy it.”
“I’d prefer not to end up with sparkles on my tongue after eating you out.”
I gasped then, swatting him as my cheeks turned the same color as the ruby. “Alistair!”
His grin was positively wicked as he drifted down the walkway. I hurried after him as he scooped Kenna into his arms. “Let’s go see the jewels that belonged to the beheaded queen.”
“Beheaded!” Kenna cheered.
I shook my head, a surge of affection swelling in my chest as I watched the two of them. I’d never felt quite like this in any of my past relationships.
For the first time in a long time, I actually liked the way my life looked.
For the first time, I felt settled.
Which meant, going by my track record, that something was about to go very wrong.