Taunting Callum (Big Sky Royal 3)

“That’s why they made the trip. I originally asked them to send a royal courier with a ring for you, but Mum and Father decided to come themselves. I told him I wanted an emerald because they remind me of your eyes, and he chose this from the family vault.”

“Callum.”

“If you don’t like it, I’m sure we can choose something else. Or have something made.”

“Of course, I like it. My God, look at it. This stone must be ten karats.”

“Twenty-one, actually.”

My first instinct is to take it off and give it back. Not the proposal, but the ring.

“The girl from the wrong side of the tracks is wearing Queen Victoria’s ring.”

“Don’t ever refer to yourself that way again, Aspen. You’re not less than because of where you come from.”

“You’re right. But this is insane.”

“There’s a matching tiara that will be on loan to you from the Crown whenever we appear in an official capacity. After we’re married, of course.”

“Of course.” I shake my head. “I’m already overwhelmed.”

“I know.” He kisses my temple. “I’d like to go to London when we leave here tomorrow so you can see Frederick and his wife. You’ll also meet Mary, who was the lady in waiting for my sister most of her life. She also helped Nina extensively when she became engaged to Sebastian.”

“That’ll help. Can we think about all of that tomorrow? For today, I just want to enjoy our last day of vacation like a normal couple who just got engaged.”

“I think that’s a marvelous idea.” He shifts over me and kisses me down the middle of my chest. “I do believe a normal couple would make love again. Don’t you?”

“Probably. At least once more. Maybe twice.”

“Your wish is my command, sweetheart.”Chapter 14~Callum~We’ve been on the plane for twenty bloody hours. Aspen and I are both knackered when we arrive in London and endure a short drive to the palace where my flat is.

I’m excited to have her here for a few days to show her where I live and what I love about London. She’s been to the palace before, when Ellie and Liam wed last year, but this is a whole new experience for both of us.

“That was the longest flight of my life,” she says as she leans her head on my shoulder.

“We’ll get home and take a nap.” I kiss her hair, breathing in her scent.

“I’m exhausted,” she says, yawning. “But I want to see everything.”

“You’ve been here before.”

“I was in and out for the wedding. I arrived the afternoon before and had to leave the morning after. I had just hired Gretchen and didn’t want to leave Drips for long, but I wouldn’t have missed the wedding for the world.”

“So you didn’t do any sightseeing when you were here?”

“No, but I did get to see parts of the palace that others don’t, and that was cool.”

“Well, you’ll certainly do that again, but I’d like to show you other things, as well. Some of my favorite things.”

“I love the sound of that. Are your parents here?”

“No, they’re still in Montana.”

She looks up at me in surprise. “Really?”

“Yes. It seems they’ve fallen in love with it there and wanted to look around for a while. They’ll probably be there when we get back.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful. I’d love to see them again.”

We drive past the crowds and through the gate, then around to the back of the palace where we’re out of sight from prying eyes. This is the entrance the family uses most often when coming and going.

David escorts us to my flat, and once we’re behind closed doors, Aspen wraps her arms around me for a hug.

Being held is important to her, and something I’m happy to indulge.

“David’s been away from Alice for quite a while,” she says.

“We’ll be back in less than a week. Travel is a part of his job, and they knew that when they got married.”

“I know.” She leans back and smiles up at me. “It was only an observation.”

“Before we get married, we’ll assign a personal detail to you, as well. In the meantime, you’ll stick close to me.”

“I’m certainly not planning to drift far from you, especially while we’re here.” She kisses my chin just as a knock sounds on the door. “I thought we had time to rest?”

“I need to introduce you to someone first. It won’t take long.”

I open the door and am immediately hugged, my cheek pinched.

Only Mary could get away with this.

“Callum, my sweet boy,” she says. “You’ve been gone too long.”

“Well, I’m home now, and I brought someone for you to meet.”

Mary, at sixty-something years old, retired, and grandmotherly, turns to Aspen.

“Why, miss, you’re dead on your feet.”

“Sweetheart, this is Mary. If there’s something you wish to know about protocol, being a royal, etiquette, or anything else you may need, Mary knows. She’s been with us for most of her life. Certainly, all of mine.”