Affairs of State(60)

“Well, I’ll give you a piece of advice that might be worth exactly what it’ll cost you.” He inhaled. “Don’t wait around for the ‘right time’ when everything falls into place and feels perfect.” He fixed his eyes on hers. “In my experience, which is considerable at this point, that time never comes.”

She nodded slowly.

He leaned forward and took her hand again. His hands were big and warm and soft. “If you love this young man—and from what I see in your eyes, I think you do—don’t blow the love of a lifetime because it doesn’t fit your calendar. I went off to college naively assuming that Ellie and the whole life I had planned out with her would still be there when I got back.” He shook his head. “Instead I got back to find that she’d left town and no one knew where she was. My entire future evaporated overnight just like that. Sure, I got the college education I wanted and then started the big career I’d always hoped for, but the soul of my life, the really important part, had got on a train one dark night and skipped town without me.”

His eyes were now soft with tears. “I missed Ellie so much those first few years. Then I suppose I grew numb, or grew used to the dull ache of living without her. When I think of the memories we could have shared it infuriates me that I missed out on all that through my own stupid fault. I should have married her and taken her to college with me instead of stupidly insisting on waiting until the time was right. Yes, times would have been hard and we would have had to scrimp a bit, but we would have had each other, and that’s the important thing. If you love this young man, then don’t miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.” He squeezed her hand softly. “I don’t want you to live to regret it like I did.”

Ariella’s chest was so tight she could hardly breathe. “I’m having his baby. I just found out this week.” She had no idea how he’d react, but she knew she couldn’t keep it to herself any longer.

His mouth made a funny movement, like he wanted to say something but was too choked up.

“I told Ellie a couple of days ago and she urged me not to hide it from Simon. I took her advice today. It almost feels like history is repeating itself, doesn’t it?”

Her father shook his head. “No, Ariella. History isn’t repeating itself because you and Simon are braver and stronger and maybe a little more bullheaded than Ellie and I were.” He laughed. “Simon’s quite a young man. I don’t think you could go far wrong with him in your life.”

She smiled. “I know. He’s pretty amazing.” Then she swallowed. “But then there’s the rest of his family. And we’d have to live in England.”

He shrugged. “England’s just across the pond. A short plane flight. Simon told me he’d already introduced you to the whole family.”

“Did he also tell you they were all trying to pack my bags and get me on the next flight back to D.C.?”

Ted frowned. “He didn’t mention that part.”

“He glosses over it like it’s no big deal. He thinks they’d all come around. I’m not so sure.”

“Well, I’m inclined to agree with Simon since he knows them better than you. And it probably doesn’t hurt that your father is commander in chief of their largest ally.” He winked.

She smiled, but then her stomach lurched as she remembered his uncle’s cruel threats. “His uncle Derek warned me Simon could lose his estate and his charity if he doesn’t follow the party line.”

Ted laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that old coot. He has bigger problems to worry about than an American in the family. The CIA chief just informed me that he was involved in brokering an arms deal with a South American dictatorship.”

“What?”

“Yup. I don’t think he’ll be hassling you too much after that scandal explodes in the press.”

Ariella stared, speechless.

“Greed. That’s what made him do it. Apparently he doesn’t have the income of the rest of the bunch but he’s trying to live like an emperor. The insecure ones are usually the meanest. That’s what I’ve noticed.”

“You’ve made me feel a lot better.” She did feel like a weight had lifted. The queen had been stern, but not actually hostile. Derek was the only one who’d told her to get lost in no uncertain terms. And now he was going to be public enemy number one himself. She couldn’t help smiling. “I think I can handle Uncle Derek.”