Page 9 of Royal Darling
I sit there for a long time, staring at the horizon and then watching the coastline of France coming into view. It’s not that far to Nantes, France. The yacht can make it in an hour. I’m not sure how fast this boat can go. I need to head off an abrupt departure. As in, Jackson makes me depart. He’s not convinced yet that I could be a good travel companion. I could strip naked, but I’m unsure if he’d go for it or toss me into the sea. I fear I was more enthusiastic about a fling than he was. Then I remember how aggrieved he sounded about me spilling his Cocoa Puffs. He must really enjoy them. I’ll make him some before we arrive at the port.
I go to the kitchen and dig around in the cabinet for a bowl before pouring a generous helping of Cocoa Puffs. The box feels really light. Only a few crumbs left at the bottom. Hardly worth even another bowl’s worth. I pour them on top. Now for milk. The small refrigerator is pretty sparse. There’s some take-out boxes, mustard, a bag of apples, Nutella, and eggs. Ah, there it is in the door.
I pour the milk on top, nearly overflowing the bowl. Now for a spoon.
Only a few minutes later, I’ve got everything I need and head up to where Jackson is at the controls. “I made you a snack.”
He glances over and does a double take. “Did you dump the whole box in?”
I close the distance and hand it to him. “There wasn’t much left. I’ll buy you more.”
He stares at it. “The milk.”
“I thought that’s how everyone took their cereal.”
He closes his eyes and mutters, “The milk was sour.”
“Why was it still in the refrigerator, then?”
His eyes lock on mine as he speaks through his teeth. “Because I hadn’t taken out the rubbish yet. I wasn’t expecting a visitor, yeah? Wasn’t expecting a trespasser to annihilate my only supply of Cocoa Puffs.”
A laugh escapes. He’s so indignant over a children’s cereal.
“You think that’s funny?” he demands.
I back up a step. “No. I just saw something that was a little funny.” I peek over his shoulder, pretending to be looking at something in the water. “It was a playful dolphin.”
His eyes are slits of murderous intent.
My hand involuntarily goes to my throat.
“Your handbag is in the cabinet under the telly,” he growls at me. “Ring home.”
“I will. Is that how you knew who I was? You poked around in my bag? I would feel so much better if that was the case. Not that I want you to poke—”
“Now,” he commands in a voice so full of authority I straighten my spine.
With as much dignity as possible, I turn and head back inside the cabin. I shouldn’t have laughed. I’m really making a mess of things here. I don’t think he’s going to let me stick around for the servant thing or the lover thing. It’s too bad because he fascinates me. He’s wild and free, says what he wants, does what he wants. My good intentions toward him haven’t quite panned out. Now that escape plans A and B are dead ends, I need a plan C. I love the idea of reinventing myself, of living a little and getting a taste of a different kind of life. It both gives me a reprieve from the mess back home and makes me hopeful for a chance at happiness. Of course, I will have to face the music eventually and beg forgiveness from everyone, especially Abdul. I cannot commit to a life with him. I know that now.
First, I need to call home. I retrieve my phone, settle in on the sofa, and pause. Who can I trust not to immediately drag me home and make me answer for my crimes? I’ll call Anna. She’s the one who supplied me with the getaway car, which means she’s on my side. I connect with my maid, Lina, first and ask her to quietly find Anna and get her to the phone. Long minutes later, Anna says, “Just tell me if you’re safe.”
“I’m safe.”
She lets out an audible breath. “Where are you? When are you coming back? What do you want me to tell Abdul?” That was a lot more than just tell me if you’re safe.
“I’m with a friend on his houseboat.”
“You’re with a guy?” Her voice lowers. “Is this your secret lover?”
“No!”
“Well, I don’t know. You surprised me running away like that. I thought you’d go for a brief car ride way before then, come to your senses, and quietly call the whole thing off.”
I swallow hard. “In hindsight—”
She laughs. “Always twenty-twenty in hindsight. Welp, it wasn’t the best way to go about it, but at least you stood up for what you needed. By the way, the servants found your gown in the laundry and the broken cake topper. Seems pretty ominous that your head snapped clean off.”
“I thought so too,” I murmur.
