Colleen started with the kissing noises again. ‘Love you too, Henry,’ she mocked and started giggling.
Soon, both girls were laughing uncontrollably.
“Shh, we’re going to get in trouble,” Karia finally said.
“Oh, my, we can’t have that now, can we? Master Armstrong would love it.”
And, unfortunately, so would I, Karia thought to herself.
Colleen turned out the light, and they said goodnight, but Karia was thinking about being punished. She tried to switch her imaginings to a scene in Paris, where Henry was with her, but her mind kept going back to thinking about lying over Oliver’s lap, his large hand raining smacks down on a bare behind.
It was finally time to go home for Christmas. Karia had ordered a gift for Colleen, and the night before they were leaving school, the two friends shared a nice evening exchanging gifts over tea and cakes while they packed for their time away from school. Of course, they weren’t taking much since they would get to wear “regular” clothes while they were on holiday.
“I’m so looking forward to looking like a modern young woman again for a few weeks, aren’t you?” Colleen asked as she put the last of her things in a small bag and zipped it.
“You can say that again.”
“At least you can dress up when you go to the city to do your interviews.”
“Yes, and I love it,” Karia returned with a laugh.
They stood out front waiting for the car that would take them to the airstrip for the short flight, where the parents would meet them to take each student to their respective homes.
Karia knew that her mother would be meeting her as her dad would be at the office, getting everything finished before the holidays began. Her mother had suggested they make a day of it, have lunch and then do some last minute shopping, and Karia was only too happy to agree.
A short time later, she found herself seated in one of her favorite restaurants, enjoying fish and chips and discussing the holiday plans with her mother. Glad that she’d chosen a pair of jeans with a thick sweater and her winter coat, since the snow had begun to fall, she said, “Looks like we’re going to get that white Christmas after all.”
“Yes, but it’s not supposed to get bad. Just enough to be pretty, I hope. We’re hosting a party on Christmas night for some of your father’s colleagues.”
“Oh, that’s nice of you to do that.”
“It’s going to be catered, so I won’t have much to do. We’ll have our traditional family Christmas Eve with all the extended family and our private lunch on Christmas Day.”
“Are Grandmother and Grandfather going to make it on Christmas Eve?” she asked, referring to her mother’s parents. Her father’s mum and dad had passed away a few years ago, a month apart.
“Yes, provided the roads aren’t too bad. We could send a car for them, though, so they should be there regardless. I’m sure they are as excited to see you as you are them.”
After lunch, they wandered through the shops. Karia had done most of her shopping online and had it shipped to her parents’ home. All she needed to do was wrap everything, but she did pick up a few small items to round out her gift giving while her mother finished her own errands.
By the time they got home, good smells were coming from the kitchen. The part time cook was preparing dinner.
Her father soon joined them, and the Dalys’ holiday stay-vacation was now officially underway.
As they were enjoying the marvelous dinner, her father, Gordon, asked, “How was your time at the palace?”
“Pretty laid back, actually. When I first arrived, Henry was attending to business, so I spent some time with Princess Emma. I got to do some riding, we took a ride to the country in one of Henry’s friend’s sports cars and Henry and I went to the theatre one night. Other than that, I worked on my article while he was working and spent some time reading in the garden.”
“His parents are well?” her mother asked.
“Yes, they are doing well. It’s still hard for them, I think, losing Alexander and everything that happened last year, but on the outside, they put up a brave front.”
“I still cannot believe that Philip was behind all that. I guess you just never know,” Gordon said.
“It’s very sad for the entire family,” Karia agreed.
After dessert, the family retired to the living area and continued to catch up until Karia excused herself to wrap gifts.
“I put everything in your room. If you need anything else, just let me know,” her mother said as she stood up.
“Thank you. I won’t be long.”
About an hour later, laden with gifts, she made her way back downstairs to place her gifts under the tree with all the others. “There, that’s done,” she said. “The tree looks great,” she added, turning to her mother who was reading.
“I would have waited for you, but I really wanted to get as much finished as I could with having the party.”
“That’s okay. Where’s Dad?”
“He had some work to do. He said to tell you goodnight if you turn in before he is finished.”
“I think I will go to my room then. There will be a lot to do tomorrow before all the family arrives, and I want to try to text Henry. He should have gotten back from France late last night, and I’ve been so busy today, I didn’t get a chance.”
“Goodnight, dear. Yes, there will be plenty for you to help with tomorrow, so don’t stay up too late on the phone. Give Henry my best.”
Karia got ready for bed, then she sent a text.
K: Are you home now?
Almost immediately, she received a reply.
H: Yes, got in late and been working all day. Did you make it home all right?
K: Yes, went to lunch and shopping with Mum, came home and wrapped gifts after dinner. Just now got in bed.
H: Headed there myself. Give me a few, and I’ll call if that’s all right.
K: Absolutely!
She crawled under the covers and waited for his call. Shortly after she’d gotten comfortable, her cell rang, and she immediately answered, “Hi, you!”
“Hi, love. Man, it’s good to hear your voice.”
“Likewise. Now, how was France? Tell me all about it.”
He chuckled. “Despite the fact that I was in meetings and dinners most of the time, I did get to see a few of the sights with some of the people I was meeting with. All in all, the trip was a success, but I am so ready for a few days off.”
“I can imagine. It’s been hectic here too. Tomorrow, I’ll be helping my mum get ready for the big family party. We’ll have a private celebration at noon on Christmas, when we get back from church, and then, that night, Mum and Dad are hosting a party for some of Dad’s colleagues. After that, I get to see you!”
“Yes, you do! But it sounds like you are going to be really busy until then.”
“What are your plans?”
“Tomorrow night, we’ll all get together. Mom and Dad host a party every year. It’s tradition, handed down through the years. Christmas morning, we’ll go to church and then have a private dinner and gift exchange. I believe Emma’s boyfriend is joining us on Christmas afternoon.”
“Oh, that sounds busy too.”
“Yes, but fun busy. I wish you could be here, but I know you can’t, so I’ll have to be content with spending Boxing Day with you.”
“Will you go riding at all?”
“Most likely, on Christmas afternoon, weather permitting.”
“Well, enjoy. Think of me, here, wishing I was there.”
He chuckled again. “I should let you get some rest. Enjoy your time with your family, and I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Okay, tell your family I said Merry Christmas. See you soon.”
They ended the call, and she lay awake for a while longer trying to imagine what Christmas must be like at the palace.
The next morning, she forced herself to get up when she really wanted a lie in on her first day of
vacation. But she knew her mother was expecting her to help prepare for the festivities so she got up and took a quick shower before heading to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” she said as she gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
“Good morning, dear. Coffee or tea?”
“Coffee, I think. Colleen and I usually have coffee first thing. We drink tea the rest of the day.”
“You are your father’s daughter; that’s for sure.”
“I know you prefer tea,” Karia said as she poured a cup of coffee from the pot her father had probably made.
She sat down at the table, and her mother brought her a plate of eggs with toast. They went over the list of things they needed to get done before the party that evening and got to work as soon as breakfast was over.
“Where is Dad?” Karia asked.
“He is running last minute errands for me. He’ll be back soon.”
By seven that evening, everything was ready, and the family was starting to arrive. Karia enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins, but by the time the get together was over, she was ready to call it a night.
“Wow, I can’t believe they stayed so late,” she said as she helped her mother clean up.
“Everyone was having so much fun playing games, no one wanted to be the first to leave. I can’t believe your grandparents stayed so late,” her mother said.
“Well, this old man is turning in. I’ll see you ladies in the morning.” Gordon kissed his wife and daughter, and they weren’t too far behind him in finding their beds.
The next evening was the party for Gordon’s colleagues, and it, too, was to start at seven. The food was set out buffet style in the formal dining room, and the table had been extended to accommodate everyone.
Karia helped her parents by taking everyone’s coats and hanging them in the guest closet. When a familiar voice said, “Good evening, Miss Daly. Merry Christmas,” she nearly dropped the wraps in her arms.
She turned and looked up at the tall, darkly handsome man who was speaking. Master Armstrong, here, in her home. She hadn’t even given a thought to the fact that he might have received an invitation. He was a former student and good friend of her father’s, though, so she should have considered the possibility.
And tonight, he was looking especially dangerous with his black dress slacks and festive green sweater. She could see a white shirt and Christmas themed tie sticking out at the neck. She had never seen him dressed this way, and she had to admit that he nearly took her breath away. His dark hair was styled perfectly, and she could tell that his mustache and goatee had been recently trimmed. When he smiled and handed her his coat, she could see his white, even teeth.
“H-hello, I didn’t know you would be here. W-welcome to the party,” she managed to say.
He chuckled. “I assumed you knew. I didn’t mean to startle you. Just for tonight, forget that I am one of your professors. I am simply a friend of your father’s, here to enjoy the festivities.”
She told him the others were gathered in the living area, enjoying drinks and that as soon as everyone had arrived, they would head to the dining room for the meal.
“Thank you, Karia,” he said as he moved out of the way so the next person to arrive could hand her his coat.
She hung up all the wraps and waited for the last of the guests to arrive. She took their coats as well and directed them to join the others before heading to the dining room herself.
“Since you were busy, I took the liberty of bringing you a glass of wine. Your mother said you like the red,” a deep voice said in her ear.
She looked up to see the master standing there. “Th-thank you, Master Armstrong,” she said as she accepted the glass from him.
“Ah, ah, ah, tonight, it’s Oliver, remember?”
She took a seat to the right of her father, where he sat at one end of the table. Her mother was at the other end. She was slightly dismayed when she realized that Oliver intended to sit next to her, but she attempted a smile in his direction. When everyone else had found a seat, her father stood and welcomed his guests. He spoke briefly about the past year in journalism, made a toast, and then he invited everyone to help themselves to the food.
Karia waited until their guests were in line before she got up to get her own plate. She joined her parents at the end of the line, with Oliver just in front of her. Of course, her father struck up a conversation with him, making her all the more nervous that he was here and standing right next to her!
“What do you think, Karia?” the handsome man was asking.
“I’m sorry, about what? I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention to what the two of you were talking about,” she admitted.
“You’ve had experience with the paparazzi. Do you think they are getting any better at keeping their distance?” he replied patiently.
“I would have to say no. When the prince and I attended the theatre, they bombarded us as we went in and were waiting outside for us to come out. We had even used a side entrance and not the main one. Princess Emma told me they follow her around too.”
“I suppose it will never change. It’s been this way for decades. Most celebrities, as well as the royal family, have had to learn to put up with the tabloids printing things about them whether they are true or not,” Oliver said.
“Unfortunately, that’s true, Oliver. I only hope Karia will be able to escape most of that,” her father said worriedly.
“As long as her name is linked to the prince’s, I wouldn’t count on it, Gordon. She’s big news right now.”
Karia rolled her eyes. “Can we please change the subject? I’d like to enjoy the party.”
Her parents and Oliver all laughed, then the master leaned down and said in a low tone, “Better get used to it, sweet Karia. As long as you are dating a member of the royal family, it will only get worse.”
Damn him! Of course, she knew he was right, but did he always have to remind her? It was as if he could never pass up an opportunity to drill that fact into her head. What business was it of his anyway?
They had finally arrived at the buffet table, and she busied herself with filling her plate. When she was sitting at her place at the table again, she concentrated on her food until Oliver leaned over and whispered, “Pouting does not become you, Karia. Will I have the need to escort you to another room after dinner?”
She looked at him and murmured back so no one else could hear, “You wouldn’t dare; not here.”
“Try me,” he replied with a wicked grin.
After that, she just wished for the meal to be over, because she was sure there would be a wet spot in her chair when she got up if he didn’t stop. She needed to get as far away from this man as possible. So much for her resolution to keep her distance. It was impossible with him sitting right next to her in her own home. Why did her dad have to invite him anyway? Now, all she could think about was Oliver grabbing her by the hand and finding a secluded spot where he could bend her over, take down her panties, and thrash her soundly for pouting.
This was insane! Why did that make her tummy do somersaults? Why did he make her nether regions tingle with anticipation? Nether regions? She’d been reading too many romance novels in her spare time. She told herself that she just had to get through the next few hours. Then, he would be gone with the other guests, and she could concentrate on seeing Henry tomorrow. Henry, that’s it. Think about Henry.
But with Master Oliver Armstrong seated next to her, she found it very difficult to think about the man who was supposed to be her boyfriend. Oliver and Henry were as different as night and day. There were so many qualities she loved and admired about the prince, but why was she drawn to a dark man like the master? And why had she grown to crave his dominance over her, his punishments. Even more so, why did she need his approval? Was there something seriously wrong with her? Any girl in the country would be ecstatic to be dating Henry. She was envied by all of them, and yet she couldn’t stop thinking about
another man.
After dinner, the guests joined Gordon in the living area. Karia stayed behind to help her mother organize the cleanup and direct the crew she’d hired to get it done. Grateful for the reprieve from the master watching her every move, she stayed in the kitchen with a cup of tea until it was time to give the guests their coats as they started to leave.
And, of course, Oliver was the last to leave. He and her father were deep in conversation in the living room long after the other guests had taken their leave. What could be so interesting that they had to talk about it for so long?
“Karia, dear, will you join us for a drink?” her father asked as he saw her walk by.
Great! she thought. So much for escaping to my room.
She walked into the living room, and Oliver handed her another glass of wine. Her mother joined them after telling the cleanup crew goodnight.
“A successful evening, but I’m glad it’s over,” her mother said as she sat down and accepted a glass of wine from her husband.
“You did a magnificent job of planning, my dear,” Gordon said with a smile.
“Yes, the food was delicious, and I thought everything went well,” Oliver added. “It was nice to see old friends.”
“To my beautiful wife,” Gordon said as he raised his glass in a toast. “And to my equally lovely daughter, who did a wonderful job helping.”
“To Mrs. Daly and to Karia,” Oliver agreed.
“What are your plans for the rest of your vacation, Oliver?” her father then asked.
“Ah, I will spend a few days with friends in Scotland. Other than that, I’m not planning much of anything but rest and relaxation,” the man replied then took a sip of his drink.
“Good plan, my man, good plan,” Gordon said.
“If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go on up to bed. Henry will be here in the morning,” Karia said as she stood, prepared to take her wine with her.
“Of course, dear. Sleep well,” her mother said. “Thank you for helping me the past few days.”
Karia hugged both her parents and told Oliver goodnight.
As she turned to leave the room, Oliver said, “Walk with me, Karia. I should be getting home. I didn’t realize the time.”
Karia and the Prince (Avalon Adventures Book 2) Page 12
