Affairs of State(65)
Simon walked over and waved. “You all know my cousin Colin, right?” He gestured to the tall blond man walking next to him. “He’s the diplomat who negotiated the privacy rights treaty that brought me to the U.S. in the first place.”
“Where I found my wife, Rowena.” Colin squeezed the pretty woman at his side.
Rowena waved hello. “I’m having the time of my life here in Colin’s home country. Everyone’s so sweet.” She held the hand of her toddler son. Ariella had made sure that all children of the guests were invited as well. Who would want to go away for a weekend to a foreign country without their children?
“Ah, we’re not always that sweet.” Simon kissed Ariella on the cheek. “My wife can tell you that sometimes we’re as stubborn as mules.”
“I like to think of that as part of our charm.” Colin smiled. “It certainly can be an advantage in foreign diplomacy.”
They all laughed. Simon raised his glass. “I hope you’ll all be regular guests here at Whist Castle. We intend to travel back to the States as often as possible so it’s only fair that you all return the favor.”
Ted Morrow lifted his glass. “I’ll drink to that. As long as you don’t start trying to tax our tea, we’ll get along just fine.”
“You Americans barely even drink tea,” Simon protested. “One time I ordered tea in a D.C. restaurant and they brought me an ice cold glass of dishwater with a slice of lemon in it. Very uncivilized.”
Ted chuckled. “We’ll be sure to have some of that dark witches’ brew you British enjoy on hand when you and Ariella come to stay at the White House.”
“Don’t forget the biscuits,” Simon teased. “And they’re not the big puffy ones dripping with butter that you Americans eat, either.”
“I know.” Ted smiled. “They’re what we call cookies. Since my beloved Ellie has now lived on both sides of the Atlantic, she’s helping me navigate the language barrier. It’s wonderful being part of a big, international family.”
Ariella beamed with pride as her handsome husband wrapped his strong arm around her waist. In a few short months she’d gone from being a lonely orphan to finding herself at the center of a large and growing family, with two loving parents, a sexy and adorable husband and a network of friends stretching around the world. Could anyone be luckier?
“Three cheers for Their Royal Highness,” chimed in Colin. They all lifted their glasses. “Hip, hip!” called Colin, and the crowd roared a deafening, “Hooray!”
Ariella laughed. It would take her a while to get used the sometimes antiquated customs in her newly adopted homeland.
“Hip, hip!” yelled Colin.
“Hooray!” roared the guests.
But she’d have fun doing it, and sharing her life with the most caring and loving man she’d ever met.
“Hip, hip!”
The cheers had spread through the crowd and the final “Hooray” boomed across the lawns like rolling thunder.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from A Conflict of Interest by Barbara Dunlop
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One
It was inauguration night in Washington, D.C., and Cara Cranshaw had to choose between her president and her lover. One strode triumphantly though the arches of the Worthington Hotel ballroom to the uplifting strains of “Hail to the Chief” and the cheers of eight hundred well-wishers. The other stared boldly at her from across the ballroom, a shock of unruly, dark hair curling across his forehead, his bow tie slightly askew and his eyes telegraphing the message that he wanted her naked.
For the moment, it was investigative reporter Max Gray who held her attention. Despite her resolve to turn the page on their relationship, she couldn’t tear her gaze from his, nor could she stop her hand from reflexively moving to her abdomen. But Max was off-limits now that Ted Morrow had been sworn in as president.