Page 17 of His Royal Request

I smiled. “It’s just a few blocks up.” I pointed with my free hand as we walked across the street.

We joined the crowd meandering around the shopping district. I held her hand tight and did my best to weave us through without drawing too much attention. The last thing I needed was for someone to recognize me. The best part of coming to popular places like this is that most people assume I’d never show up here so they’re quick to convince themselves it wasn’t really me.

When I caught a young woman watching me a little too closely, I turned my head and smiled down at Charlie, cutting off the stranger’s view of my face. Once we passed, I chanced a glance back but she was moving on.

I let out a sigh and turned the final corner toward the restaurant.

“Tuco’s?” Charlie sounded confused.

“You mentioned your favorite food is anything Mexican.” I gestured to the door. “Would you like to see how Ireland measures up?”

She laughed and shook her head. “This was the very last thing I was expecting.”

I winked and opened the door. “I’ve got to keep you on your toes.”

She smiled at me as she walked in and joined the line of customers. Once we ordered and found an empty table tucked into a corner in the upstairs dining area, I felt my nerves going taut.

This was it. Today had been too perfect, too easy, to not ask for more. She had to have felt it too, right? I’d caught her stares when she thought I wasn’t looking. Every time she laughed my heartbeat quickened. It couldn’t just be me.

Our food was delivered and she immediately picked up her taco and took a bite.

She moaned with pleasure and smiled. “This is really good.”

“In general, or for being European?”

She wiped her mouth. “No this is just good.”

I felt a twinge of pride even though I’d done nothing more than bring her here. For some reason I wanted her to like it here, not just Tuco’s, but Ireland. And hopefully, Lochland.

We ate while I worked over how to broach the subject that had taken root in my mind. This morning it had been something that passed through my thoughts, but the second I latched on and truly considered the possibility, the more I obsessed over making it happen. I just needed her to agree, without thinking I’m insane.

“Charlie?”

She blinked up at me, her mouth full.

I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. She was so refreshing. So raw. No worries about being refined or proper. No guilt over simply being herself.

“I have a proposition for you.”

She cocked her head and swallowed. “What kind of proposition?”

I sucked in a breath. “I don’t mean to offend, but am I correct in my belief that you are short on money?”

She pursed her lips and seemed to be thinking deeply. Finally, she nodded. “You’re right. I thought once I got here things would be cheaper. Like the biggest hurdle would be the flight here, but…” She shook her head and sighed. “I don’t think I’ll make it past London. I can’t afford the trip I planned.”

I nodded, treading carefully. “I want to help you with that.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. “How?”

I hurried before she could start thinking the worst. “I have an event coming up at the end of the week. I would like you to be my date. In exchange, I’ll fund the rest of your trip.”

Her eyebrows shot up and she sat back. “So it is that kind of proposition.”

I shook my head. “No, Charlie.”

“You want to pay me to be your escort or date.”

“Yes, but not like that. I don’t want or expect anything other than your time.”