After a moment, she asked, “How’d you manage tonight?”
“Ro had some Skipper duties, and Caleb’s parents are here. Won’t always be this easy.”
He felt her head move in a nod.
“Tomorrow is light. Then, we have the afternoon off to be with family or whatever. Cal already asked me to hang with his parents, but I can get away for dinner.”
“I can’t tomorrow night. Juliana and I have a state dinner at the consulate.”
“Okay,” he said, but he was discontented. Following their off day, it would be regular preparation and practice. There would be no time for extracurricular activities. He was shocked at how disappointed he was.
“Is any of your family coming?”
His disappointment faded. “Just one of my sisters.”
Ele scooted up. Taking the sheet with her, she held it to her chest and sat up. “Six sisters, you said. How did they choose who gets to come?”
“We plan to be here for the duration. Everyone should get a chance.” He gave her a jaunty grin. “But really, Sheena is my best mate.”
“Like me and Jamie.”
“Aye. But we can go places together,” he teased.
“Show-off.”
He liked her quick wit and easy nature. She surprised him as she handled his teasing with natural aplomb, except of course if it was about her sexual history. But fair enough.
“So, if you are busy tomorrow and I am occupied the two days after, then we play the following day. We are thinking we’ll see each other three days from now.”
“I hadn’t actually counted, but that seems right.” She snuggled into his side again, draping her limbs across him. “Seems an awfully long time when you lay it out like that. Bloody football matches.”
“Bloody football matches? Really? Bloody football matches?” He flipped her on her back, pinning her arms with his hands at her wrists. “Blasphemy, Your Highness.”
His mouth landed on her collarbone, lightly rubbing his stubbled jaw against it. She squirmed, laughter spilling from her lips.
“Someone’s ticklish,” he said with a wicked chuckle.
Ele laughed louder, practically thrashing in an attempt to move away from him. “Tristan,” she managed to gasp between giggles.
Relentless, he continued to stroke the indentation along her shoulder, causing her to squeal with hilarity and delight. Distantly, Tristan heard a thump and then footsteps before the bedroom door flung open. He released Ele, flipped, and yanked the comforter over her, hiding her from view. He looked across the room at a frantic, red-faced Robert.
“Your Highness,” Robert said, his tone clipped, “is everything okay?”
Ele giggled once more before clearing her throat. With a blush staining her cheeks, her hair wild around her face, and a somewhat sheepish grin, she peered up at Robert. “I apologize. Everything is fine.”
Maybe it was for Ele, but Tristan was pissed. He glared at Robert, who didn’t appear to be the least bit alarmed by the obvious anger radiating from him.
“You should probably leave,” Tristan snapped.
Robert met Tristan’s glare with one of his own and planted his feet, appearing to grow even larger.
“Robert,” Princess Eleanor interrupted, “close the door on your way out.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Robert said. Bowing to his charge, he turned to leave but not before shooting a withering look at Tristan.
When they were alone, Ele sat up, pulling the sheet with her. She placed a hand on Tristan’s rigid back, his muscles coiled tight. The tension faded, and he dragged his gaze from the door and met hers.
“Robert is always going to protect me.”