Unexpectedly Royal

by Jennifer Domenico

  “Good morning,” I say after opening the door.

  Sylvia smiles. “Morning, Lathan. We’re ready to finish up.”

  “Wonderful. What will you do in here?”

  “New furniture will be delivered shortly. I’ll be putting up some wallpaper in your dining room and changing out the light fixtures. In this room, it’s mostly accessories. I’ll finish in the kitchen with just setting up some nice vignettes.”

  “Vignettes of what?”

  “Cookbooks, platters, olive oil. Things like that.”

  “Okay then. Sounds nice. I’m going out for a few hours.”

  “We’ll take of everything.”

  “I’ll look forward to it. The bedroom is perfection.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy.”

  Grabbing my coat and wallet, I walk outside and head down the street. I want to pick up a few things to entertain Delaney in the event she accepts an invitation after dinner. Stopping inside a wine shop, I pick out several bottles, wishing I could get my hands on some from Havendon. We really should look into exporting some of our goods. I can’t imagine Americans wouldn’t appreciate it as much as they like French and Italian wine.

  After paying and telling the clerk I’ll stop by later to pick up my purchase, I walk back outside then head into my favorite Italian deli. I spend some time choosing a nice selection of olives, sliced meats, cheeses, and bread. This is good. We’ll have wine, a bit to eat, and then if I’m lucky, I’ll dine on Delaney’s kiss.

  As I head back to the wine shop, I think about the beautiful woman in my life. She’s everything I think I could want in a woman—at least as far as I know at this point. She excites me, even when I just think about her. I can’t wait to kiss her again, to look into her eyes, to hear her voice. I just wish she lived in Havendon and not here. There’s no way this relationship has a happy ending.

  As my mind lingers on that depressing thought, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out anxiously hoping it’s Delaney. Instead, it’s Ophelia.

  “Morning, sweet cousin,” I answer.

  “Evening, cousin,” she replies with her girl like voice. “How are you today?”

  “Good. Do you have news?”

  “No. I was just missing you. The baby is asleep, and I’m taking a stroll in the garden.”

  “Ah, the garden. Is the weather fine?”

  “Oh, yes, most fine. The sun was in full glory earlier. You?”

  “No, it’s freezing.” I look up at the cloudy sky. “I’d say it’s even threatening to snow.”

  “Ooh, I don’t know if I could handle that.”

  “You’d adjust over time.”

  “I’ll take your word. Anything exciting happening in your world?”

  “I have a date tonight.”

  “A date? Who is the lucky lady?”

  “Her name is Delaney.”

  “Is she lovely?”

  “Beyond. The loveliest I’ve ever seen.”

  “Really?” She giggles. “What does she look like?”

  “She has long blonde hair that’s wavy and the color of sunshine, and big brown eyes that make her look like an innocent girl. Her face is like a doll, really, but she’s so vibrant and smart and sassy and tough.”

  “She sounds beautiful. Is she tall or petite?”

  “Petite. She’s of average build, not fat not thin, just some combination of perfect.”

  “Aw, Lathan, I do believe you’re smitten with her.”

  “Very much so, cousin. She’s…” I sigh. “I can’t describe it, but I like her very much.”

  “Will we meet her?”

  I chuckle. “How would that happen?”

  “You’ll bring her here of course.”

  “Oh, right, I’ll drag the poor woman to Havendon so she can be eaten alive.”

  “Dramatic, again. We aren’t cannibals.”

  “Not in the literal sense.”

  “Cousin, come on now. If you love her, then we’ll love her.”

  “I don’t love her.” Yet.

  “But if you did, we would come around.”

  “That’s what my mother said, but I’m not so sure. It’s never been done before.”

  “That doesn’t mean it can’t be done. There are no rules about it. Besides, you always do what you like. When have rules and expectations ever halted you?”

  “True, but obviously it isn’t working out for me.”

  “Perhaps it will. You’ll forge a new path. Eventually someone will have to marry someone outside of Havendon or we’ll all be related to each other.”

  I laugh. “True story.”

  “True story?” she questions. “Why do you say it like that?”

  I chuckle. “Ah, an American expression of agreement.”

  “True story,” she says again. “I like it. I will use it.”

  “Okay, use it now.”

  “Give me another example.”

  “Hmm, I miss the chocolate of home so much. I could eat a pound of it over an ounce of anything else.”

  “True story,” she says stiffly then bursts into giggles. “How was that?”

  “Just lovely, cousin. You did fine.”

  “I will use it as much as possible. Teach me more American.”

  I pause on the sidewalk, stepping out of the flow of pedestrians. “In Boston, they use the word wicked in a very different sense.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Wicked means evil, right?”

  “Right,” she answers.

  “Here, it means very. So I might say the chocolate of Havendon is wicked good.”

  “Wicked good? Hmm, I like it. Give me another example.”

  “It’s wicked cold today.”

  “Wicked cold. The weather’s very nice here, so I would say it’s wicked pleasant?”

  I laugh softly. “No one would say wicked pleasant here. They’d say it’s wicked nice.”

  “It’s wicked nice. I like that. I will say wicked and true story from now on.”

  “You’re adorable, Ophelia.”

  She laughs. “I think Americans are very fascinating. Are they in person?”

  “Oh, yes, so different than us. I feel like it’s still the sixteenth century at home compared to living here. Women live alone, date whomever they choose, have jobs. Men can choose any profession they wish to. Couples even live together without the benefit of marriage.”

  “So it’s true what I’ve heard?”

  “Yes, it’s true. It’s not just the rebellious ones. It’s quite common and normal. I even know two men that are married.”

  “Married? Legally?”

  “Legally. Everyone here is so free, Ophelia. They can do as they like. It’s quite amazing.”

  “I can’t even imagine such freedoms.”

  “Nor can I and I live here.”

  “Is that why it’s difficult to come home?”

  “Yes, that’s one reason.” I lean against the building behind me. “I can do anything I want here. I can romance whomever I desire without judgment or speculation. I can just be me.”

  “How will you adjust when you come back?”

  “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t want to think about that right now. I like Delaney so much. I can’t imagine telling her goodbye.”

  “Then you shouldn’t. I imagine you haven’t told her about your life here?”

  “No, not a soul in America for over a year.”

  “You should tell her and see how she reacts to the news.”

  I shake my head. “No. Maybe if things continue.”

  “At some point, you’ll have to tell her.”

  “I’ve only known her a few weeks and tonight is our first real date. I hope we have many milestones ahead of us before I tell her. I’ve dated many women here that I never got close enough to.”

  “I understand.”

  “So, if it comes to that, I suppose I’ll figure it out.”

  “You will. You’re very smart.”

&nbs
p; “Thank you. You are very kind and sweet.”

  “True story.” She laughs and I do too. “Yes? I used it right?”

  “Perfectly.”

  “Wicked good. Well, I must go. It was so nice to talk to you, cousin. Be well.”

  “I will. You as well.”

  Hanging up, I walk back inside the wine shop, gather my purchases, and head back home. I want tonight to be amazing. If we keep seeing each other, which I pray we do, I want Delaney to want me as just a man, before she knows the rest. I smile, wondering if we’ll get to a point where I tell her the full story of my life. Ophelia’s optimism encourages my own. Am I brave enough to bring her to Havendon? Is she brave enough to come? Only time will tell.

  “How do I look?” I ask Fallyn as I step out of the bathroom.

  She whistles. “Wicked hot, girl! Look at you. He’s gonna get an instant hard on when he sees you.”

  I laugh. “Fallyn!”

  “What? That’s not what you want?”

  “Yes, okay, it’s what I want.”

  “Exactly. Don’t act all innocent.”

  “You’re right.” I run my hands down my tummy. “It’s flattering?”

  “Absolutely. You’re really beautiful, Del.”

  “Thank you.” I exhale slowly. “I’m excited.”

  “You should be. Lathan sounds cool.”

  “He is.”

  “When will I meet him?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe after we date for a few more weeks.” I sit on the edge of my bed. “I hope we keep dating.”

  “I think you will. I have a super good feeling about him.”

  “Based on what?”

  “You.”

  I tilt my head. “Explain.”

  “Okay, here’s a quick history of Delaney.” I laugh shaking my head. “Delaney meets a guy. Instead of waiting to get to know him, Delaney instantly finds a million reasons why he’s not right for her, all of which become self-fulfilling prophecies by the second date. Then, when her preconceived ideas are proved, she dumps said guy who never even saw it coming. Then Delaney calls Fallyn and complains that she can’t find a good guy. Fallyn comes over, makes caramel apple martinis, and the two women sit on the couch lamenting over their romantic failures.”

  “Uh. Wow.”

  “Let me finish. One day, Delaney met a man that excited her. He piqued her interest, stimulated her mind, aroused her body. She tried to find a million reasons why it wouldn’t work, yet she continued to hope. She accepted his walks home, his impromptu dinner invite, his proper date request. She was excited and for the first time in as long as Fallyn can remember, Delaney was open to possibilities. Fallyn knew without even meeting the man, that he was different. Special somehow. She knew she was witnessing something incredible. Something that would change Delaney’s life.” Fallyn smiles, taking my hand. “And Fallyn was very happy and excited for Delaney.”

  I smile. “You’re right. I do want to find something wrong with him. Some fatal flaw that I can’t overlook, but so far, I can’t.”

  “You have to admit, it’s kind of bad ass.”

  I snicker. “Maybe he sucks in bed.”

  “Maybe he doesn’t.”

  “I don’t know. He’s kind of proper.”

  “Sometimes those are the ones that blow your mind.”

  “I suppose so.”

  “I can’t wait to hear about it in the morning.” She looks at her watch. “He should be here in about thirty.”

  I take a deep breath. “Wish me luck.”

  “You don’t need luck. Be open. Stay that way. When your brain starts looking for the out, stop and listen to your heart, your gut. Go with that instead.”

  “Good advice.” I hug her. “Thanks.”

  “Of course.” Fallyn stands, running her fingers through her now blue hair. “What if he asks you one day to go to his country with him? Would you go?”

  “For a visit? Sure.”

  “No, for good. You said he has to move back someday, right?”

  “Right.”

  “What if he wanted you to go with him?”

  “I can’t answer that yet. I barely know him. I wouldn’t move to Cambridge with him right now.”

  Fallyn laughs. “Good point. I’m getting caught up in it.”

  “Easy to do.”

  Leaning forward, she kisses my cheek. “Knock him dead tonight. Call me in the morning.”

  “I will. See ya later.”

  She leaves and I check my reflection one more time. The dark blue dress I chose fits nicely, hugging my figure and showing my cleavage off. I look mature and sophisticated, but hopefully a little sexy. I want him to want me. I want him to kiss me again. I definitely want him to touch me.

  The doorbell buzzes causing me to swing around and gasp softly. He’s here. I walk over to the door and open it, feeling a flutter of excitement when I see his face. He’s wearing a dark gray suit with a crisp white shirt. A black wool coat and blue scarf makes him look like he just stepped out of a high end catalog. His hair is perfect, his face divine. He smiles softly, flashing his seductive eyes at me.

  “Delaney. You look stunning.”

  I swallow. “Thank you. So do you, Lathan.”

  He bows his head slightly. “Why thank you. Are you ready?”

  “I am. Let me get my coat. You can come in if you like.” Lathan steps inside, looking around as I hurry to get my coat.

  “Nice place,” he says.

  “Oh, thanks. It’s tiny obviously, but location was everything for me.” I gesture around the room. “Living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen.” I laugh. “The bathroom is over there.”

  “I like it. It’s very comfortable. It feels like you. I can imagine curling up with a good book on a cold day.”

  I nod, smiling. “Ready?”

  “I am.” He offers his arm so I take it. We step into the lobby, and I pause to shut and lock the door.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I thought I’d show you how we date where I come from.”

  “Okay.”

  “In Havendon, the men always lead. Always make the decisions. Our goal is to impress the woman we’ve selected. We’re a very marriage oriented society, so courtship is important to us.”

  I glance up at him as we ride the elevator to the bottom floor. “Why is it important to get married where you come from?”

  “It’s just the way we are. I know now from living here that we’re very old fashioned. In Havendon, men and women don’t live away from their parents until they’re married.”

  “Oh. Do you have chaperones when you date?”

  He smiles. “Not that old fashioned fortunately.” We step outside. “But a man is expected to be honorable.”

  “Is a woman?”

  “Yes.”

  “So virgins are common?”

  “Surprisingly, no. We all found ways around the rules.”

  I laugh. “I see.”

  “That said, if sex happens, there is an understanding that marriage is pending at some point.”

  “Wow. So no casual hookups?”

  “Not often.”

  “Makes sense. There are people like that here. A lot of people want to wait for marriage before sex. Typically, they’re religious, but not always.”

  “I’ve not met one virgin here.”

  “You still haven’t.”

  He stops me pulling me into his arms. “I’m not interested in virginity. One thing I’ve learned is that there are benefits to having more than one partner in life. You learn things, yes?”

  “Yes. Experience is good as long as you’re smart.”

  “Smart?” he asks, releasing me as we continue our walk.

  “Yeah, you have to choose wisely. Be safe, use protection. All that.”

  Lathan chuckles. “Oh yes, protection. I learned the hard way about that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It was the first woman I met here. We went out and things were
happening. I thought we were good, but she asked where my condom was, and I was confused. I didn’t have one. She got up and left. Just left. No condom, no pussy, she said.”

  My eyes open wide at his language. “Wow.”

  “I know.”

  “No, I mean, you just said... I can’t believe…” I can’t finish my sentence through my laughter.

  “What did I say?”

  “Pussy.”

  “And?”

  I laugh even harder. “You’re just so proper I didn’t expect it.”

  He grins. “You think I’m proper?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  Grabbing my wrist, he swings me around until I’m pressed against his chest. He gazes into my eyes with a seductive smile on his lips.

  “You think I’m too proper to say things like that?”

  “It was a surprise.”

  “Hmm, you should see the things I do. I wonder if you’d think me proper then.”

  “It’s not an insult.”

  “You think maybe I don’t know how to let loose? Maybe I’m uptight. Maybe I only like missionary style sex. Is that what you think, Delaney?”

  I shake my head. “I haven’t thought about it,” I reply, completely lying.

  “I’m tempted to tell you how I make love to a woman.” He grins, moving closer to my face. “But I’d much rather show you.” His lips come down on mine in a sensual kiss. It’s brief, but effective as fuck. “Shall we continue on our way?”

  Nodding, I whisper, “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  As he releases me, I’m left reeling. There’s obviously more to Lathan than I even anticipated.

  Once recovered, I speak. “How many partners have you had?”

  “A number I don’t wish to share.”

  “I won’t judge you. I’ll tell you my number if you want.”

  “I don’t want to know that at all. I’d like to believe, however naively and false, that I will be your first lover. I don’t want to know where you learned how to kiss so expertly, so sensually. I don’t want to know the first time you learned you could drive a man crazy by running your fingers in his hair. I don’t want to know how you learned the things you’ll show me. I don’t want to imagine even for one brief moment that you’ve ever shared your body with another man. I want to believe that all your skills are simply inspired by desire for me. In spite of my earlier admission, you can believe the same of me.”