Page 22 of Romancing Rayne

“Ghost! You can’t call the prince a sorry ass,” I chided.

The men in the room chuckled, and Meghan smiled.

“I believe Ghost can call him whatever he wants. Besides it’s good for His Royal Highness; it keeps him down to earth with the rest of us common folk.”

“Is that so, cheeky woman? Are you saying I have an inflated ego?” the prince asked, grabbing a squealing Meghan around the waist, pulling her close.

“I would never.” She giggled.

“I think you would.” After a smoldering kiss, which was surely against royal standards, he let her go. “So, what do you think of Big Ben here?”

“I think it’s amazing.”

“It’s too bad the unsightly scaffolding is up. The view from up here is normally spectacular.”

“I’m sure it is. When will the bell ring again?”

“Not for a bit, I’m afraid. There’s much to repair.”

“Well, it’s wonderful to see all the same. I really can’t thank you enough for allowing me to see the famous Big Ben. This is something I’ll never forget.”

“Did you look around the Prison Room on your way up?” Meghan asked.

“I did. I can’t believe I never knew the tower was used as a prison.”

“Crazy how much history is all around you,” Meghan commented.

I wanted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. There I was, standing in the belfry, next to the most famous bell in the world having a normal conversation with a prince and the . . . I wasn’t sure what her official title was . . . duchess? Princess? Her Royal Highness? The five of us chatting like it was no big deal. And, Ghost, I had a million questions for him about saving the prince. I knew I wasn’t allowed to ask, but I was dying to know more about the rescue.

“Are you ready for lunch?” Prince Harry asked.

“Lunch?”

“You haven’t told her of our plans?” He turned to Ghost.

“No. I thought it would be more exciting to let the day play out. Seeing the wonder light her face as each new surprise is revealed has been the highlight of my day.”

“Isn’t that romantic?” Meghan said, elbowing the prince’s side.

“Romantic? I took us to Botswana to camp under the stars. All he did was show her an old clock bell,” he joked.

“No, not an old clock. He’s given me the fairytale. Shown me things I could only dream of seeing.” I turned to Ghost and rolled up on my toes, kissing his cheek. “Thank you for this.”

“I’m glad you like it, Princess.” The reddish tinge on Ghost’s cheeks told me he wasn’t unaffected by my words, and when he leaned down to whisper in my ear, he confirmed my suspicion. “If we were alone up here, I’d find a place to lay you down and show you just how much I love you.”

Without meaning to, I looked around the belfry trying to scout out a location we could’ve used. There was nothing in the big room but a high bell in the center and concrete floors.

“I don’t think that would’ve worked,” I noted.

“I can make anything work.” He chuckled.

“Are we ready, lovebirds? Tea begins in an hour,” Harry said, reminding us we were getting ready to leave.

“One more thing.” Ghost pulled out a ballpoint pen from his pocket and held it up for Prince Harry to see.

“Right. Yes, of course. We’ll wait here.”

Ghost took my hand and walked us round the bell where there was an intricate, hand carved door. He opened it, revealing a small utility closest.