“Plus, once the baby comes there won’t be as much time for international trips.” She gave me an uncharacteristic wink.
I gasped. “How did you...?”
“Don’t forget, I’m a mother and I notice these things. I’m very happy for both of you, and I can’t wait to have a grandchild.” She rubbed her hands together.
“Please don’t say anything. I haven’t told Edward yet.”
“I wouldn’t think of it. Your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret?” Edward asked as he made his way towards us.
“Secret?” I glanced at Queen Anne with a grin. “Did we say anything about a secret?”
She winked. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.” She turned to her son. “Make sure you send me a postcard when you’re settled. And Edward?”
“Yeah?”
“Have fun.” She leaned in closer to me and whispered, “Get lots of rest and take care of that budding flower inside of you.”
And then she left, and it was just Edward and me, alone in the foyer.
“What was that about a flower?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Aren’t you nosy today?”
I put my arms around his neck and pulled him in closer, lifting my lips to his. It was the perfect distraction, not that I needed an excuse to kiss Edward. On the contrary, I kissed him as often as I could now that we were back on track.
A few aspects of my personality had changed after the incident at Dover Lookout. I was more affectionate, and I cared less what people thought, not that I was a completely different person from who I was before, but I viewed life through a different lens now. The party girl was still there, but she valued time with close friends and family more than anything else. Maybe that change could be attributed to the work God had done in my life. Perhaps He used my amnesia as a way to weed out the things that didn’t matter. Most importantly, He’d given me a gift, a new take on life, and I would never stop being thankful for it.
Edward smiled down at me, resting his hands at my waist. “You ready for tomorrow?”
“Can’t wait.”
“Good.” He kissed me lightly on the forehead and then pulled away. “I have a few tasks I need to take care of before we go.”
“Okay, I’m going to check on Lydia’s progress with my clothes—see if she needs help with the packing—but, first, I need to call Aunt Sophie.”
After my aunt had recovered, I was able to catch up with her and tell her everything that had happened to me. She was appalled that Leo had continued to pursue me and that he’d gotten away with it because I didn’t remember him. The accident had given her a new lease on life, and she was currently in New Zealand with her husband, enjoying a lifelong dream to visit that country. I was happy for her and thankful she had made a full recovery.
The rest of the day went by quickly, and by the next morning, when the plane had landed at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, Edward and I gave each other knowing smiles. This would be the first stop on our European tour, and I planned on treasuring every moment. I couldn’t wait to lay out on the beach and just relax. That seemed to appeal to Edward as well, so after we’d settled into his family home, we walked out on the warm sand and found a private spot, not far from the house.
We placed towels down and then laid back, enjoying the sun on our faces. After about twenty minutes, Edward sat up.
“Hey, I have a gift I’d like to give you. I planned on waiting until dinner, but I’m so excited, I don’t want to put it off.”
“Really?” I sat up, eager to find out what he had in mind.
He pulled something from a pocket and held it in the palm of his hand. His fingers curled over it so I couldn’t see it. “Do you remember the day I took you into Westbridge, and we stopped at the fountain?”
“You mean after I lost my memory?”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Of course.”
“Well, there was a woman who took a picture of us kissing.” He chuckled and glanced down. “We were in our own little world, so we didn’t think much about it at the time, but Roberto spoke with her, and he came to the conclusion that she didn’t mean any harm. She only wanted it as a keepsake, not to turn in to the media. Anyway, she texted the picture to Roberto, and I made a copy.” He put a gold locket in my hand and curled my fingers over it. “This is for you, a token of my love so you’ll always remember that day.”
I brought it closer so I could study the intricate design etched on the surface. “Is this an antique?”
“Yes. According to Mother, it’s been in our family since the 1700s, and she was happy to let you have it. Open it up.”
When I did, a huge smile broke out on my face. Inside the locket was the picture of Edward kissing me in front of the Amanti che si abbracciano fountain, and the way he held me, and the way I leaned into him... We looked so much in love, it took my breath away. My vision blurred as happy tears filled my eyes. “You couldn’t have given me a better gift. Thank you. I love it.” I smiled and hugged him tightly.
We stayed like that for a while, and then I figured it was time to share my news. “I have a gift for you too.”
His eyebrows flew up, and a surprised smile pulled at his lips. “What is it?”
“Not what but who.”
He stared at me as if he didn’t understand. “Who?”
“Yeah, who.” I giggled, loving the sense of power I had to make him happy. I took his hand and held on to it for a long moment while I tried to think of the right words. “When I lost my memory, the question I kept asking myself over and over was, ‘Who am I?’”
He nodded, his gaze never leaving my face.
“And after it was all over—after my identity crisis was no longer an issue—I finally realized I am the woman God created me to be. My personality may shift and change over time as life brings new challenges, but there is one thing that will never change. I am first and foremost His child. That is who I am. That is who I will always be. And now...” I laughed from the sheer joy of what I was about to tell him. “Now, He’s given me a new role to add to my identity.”
His brows furrowed in confusion. “What kind of new role?”
I laughed some more, loving every second of this moment we had together, a moment we would look back on for years to come. “You’ll have a new role too.”
He grinned, clearly not comprehending what I was telling him but enjoying the playfulness all the same. “All right, I’ll bite. What is this new role?”
“You’re going to be a daddy.”
His eyes widened so large I wondered how they didn’t pop out of his head. “Are you serious?”
“I am very serious.”
“That’s wonderful! Amazing!” He stood to his feet, pulling me up with him. He kissed me long and hard, and when he pulled back, his eyes were shining and a smile stretched across his face until it couldn’t go any further. I’d never seen him this happy, and it made my heart pound a little harder.
“I take it this is good news?”
“Are you kidding me? This is the best news you could have given me. I am over the moon,” he threw his hands on top of his head like he couldn’t believe it, “and thrilled and beyond excited.”
He dropped down to one knee and put both hands on my stomach in a reverent, gentle manner that brought more tears to my eyes. “Our baby...my heir to the throne. Is it possible that I already love you?”
“I think it is possible because I feel it too.”
And then he took my hand, and we walked along the beach and talked and laughed, and, at times, cried as we recounted all that God had done in our lives. It was the perfect way to end the afternoon, and the best beginning we could ever ask for.
***
Thank you so much for taking the time to read, The Prince’s Bewildered Bride. Evangeline appreciates your support more than you know. If you enjoyed this book, she would like to ask you a favor. Would you be kind enough to leave an honest review? It would be greatly ap
preciated! Feel free to get in touch with her if you have questions or comments at [email protected]
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Looking for another book to start by Evangeline Kelly? Try the Blind Date Disasters Series.
Check out the first book in the Blind Date Disaster Series! Blind Date with a Blue-Collar Billionaire
Description of Blind Date with a Blue-Collar Billionaire
Can her blue-collar man prove he’s different from all the rest?
Lindsey Clarke was doomed. Every serious boyfriend she had fell for her more beautiful cousin, Destiny. When it happened yet again on the eve of her thirtieth birthday, she was devastated and wondered if she would always be delegated to second best.
A friend suggested a blind date, and Lindsey went along with it in order to get her mind off her wounded heart. Once she met Grayson Hall, she was star struck. Not only was he good-looking, but he was kind and sweet as well.
Grayson Hall owned the largest general construction company in Los Angeles. He had everything he could possibly want except love from a good woman. After being burned by a girlfriend who was only with him because of his money, he was determined to keep his financial status a secret from Lindsey. Following a disastrous first date, Grayson determined to make it up to Lindsey. Soon, he was falling hard and could easily see a future with her.
But when a terrible lie threatened their relationship, Grayson had to prove he was the kind of man she could count on.
And Lindsey had to make a decision. Was Grayson the man he said he was? Or was he no different than the men who dumped her for her cousin?
This is an inspirational Christian romance about the power of forgiveness and how one woman learns to trust God during difficult times.
Take me to Blind Date with a Blue-Collar Billionaire!
Other Books by Evangeline Kelly
Blind Date Disasters Series
Blind Date with a Blue-Collar Billionaire
Blind Date with a Billionaire Professor
Blind Date with a Billionaire Biker
California Elite Series
Collision of Wills
The Ruthless Billionaire
The Lawkeepers
Lawfully Blessed
Lawfully Protected
Stand-alone Books
The Unwanted Assistant
Love’s Sacrifice
Road Trip
Santa Clarita Love Stories
Matchmaker
Shaken
The Prince's Bewildered Bride (The Blushing Brides Book 5) Page 19
