Page 25 of My Highland Fling
“Of course.The forest is beautiful with lots of walking paths.We’ll pick one and enjoy the rest of the day until dinner.”
She poured the last of her ginger beer into her glass.“Most of the dinners I attend are formal, especially for fundraising.The meals are usually chicken and salad because that’s what my mother requests for me.No dessert and I drink sparkling water.”
“We can do better,” Ramsay said.“Does your cottage have a kitchen?”
“A small one.I can’t vouch for the amount of kitchen equipment.”
“Maybe we’ll eat in tomorrow night.We’ll find somewhere quiet to eat tonight.”
Gabrielle’s eyes widened.“Are…are you staying with me?”
His feline perked up, and a purr rumbled through his mind.“One night wasn’t enough.”
“I’d like that very much.”Her smile was slow and a thing of beauty.
His heart beat faster, and he captured her hand in his.“Let’s go.”
They ended up eating outdoors in the beer garden of one of the many pubs in Glenkirk.
Gabrielle picked up a fry and swiped it through a puddle of ketchup.“I can’t remember enjoying a meal so much.The cod and chips—delicious.”
“Mine was tasty,” Ramsay said.“How about dessert?I’d like to check out their tasting plate.Interested in sharing?”
“Yes,” Gabrielle said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
He reached for her hand, needing the physical contact.“It’s exciting to find someone who loves food as much as me.”
“I hate chicken salad,” Gabrielle said.“This was such a treat.Do you formulate your recipes or follow someone else’s?”
“For my restaurant job, I cook everything as the head chef specifies.Each quarter, we have a change in the menu for seasonal produce.The chef designs the dish right down to the garnishes, and we have special training to learn how to cook everything and how it should taste.”
“How is it you don’t put on weight if you sample constantly?I spy a sweet or dessert, and the weight stacks on my hips and butt.”
“I adore your lush body, but what exercise do you do?Do you play a sport or walk or cycle?Swim?”
Gabrielle wrinkled her nose.“I’d walk if I had someone to accompany me.We have a swimming pool, but my mother doesn’t like me using it.She says I look terrible in a swimsuit.”
“Your mother has a lot to say for herself.”
“Tell me about it.She’s naturally thin and lives on fish, chicken, and lettuce leaves.I take after my father’s grandmother, who also committed the crime of abundant flesh.”
“Ignore your mother.Not all men have the same tastes.It would make the world a boring place if we were identical.”
“True, but it’s hard to switch off my mother’s lectures.”
“What about your brothers?”
“They’re older and have more freedom.”She shrugged.“It’s always been this way.”
“Is there a reason your mother gives you such a hard time?”
“Recently, it was because my parents hoped I’d marry into the Swedish royal family.My parents feel Prince Gregor’s behavior is acceptable, but mine is not.The double standard drives me crazy, and the fact I got caught.I can’t believe the hotel receptionist ratted me out to the press.I hope the reporters paid her well.”
“The hotel manager contacted me a few days later and asked what had happened.From what he told me, they reprimanded the girl.”
“Did she lose her job?”
“The manager asked for my opinion.She told him a man had entered the hotel and asked for his sister.He showed her a photo of you.”
