Author’s Note: Takes place after the awkward restaurant scene in TRR Book 3 Ch 4. It really bugged me that my MC had the option to take a “diplomacy” lesson on a private boat ride with Liam but did not have the option to spend alone time with her fiancé who really needed her support. This not a rant about the storyline but rather my interpretation of how I think things should have played out.
~~~~~~~~~~
Emma stepped out the front door of the restaurant, her eyes searching her surroundings for a sign of him. He’d left so abruptly after lunch had ended that she hadn’t had a chance to inquire where he was headed. He was obviously upset, as was evident with his silence for the majority of the meal. Drake’s usual snarky comments and smirking grins had been replaced by the soft mumbles and downcast eyes of this awkward imposter.
She knew how much Drake wanted to fit into her world of duchies and diplomacy, not so much for himself but to support her new role. After years of mocking nobility and hiding behind his walls, he had hit the ironic double jackpot when he met her . . . the love of his life along with the impending title of Duke of Valtoria. Emma loved his unconventional approach to court life and had hoped his unique perspective would help her make waves with the Cordonian nobility in order to implement the culture change that the people truly needed. Of course, she would need the rebellious man she had fallen in love with in order to create anything more than a ripple . . . not the insecure fraud that had fumbled through lunch.
Emma surveyed the street where the restaurant was situated, filled with posh boutiques and upscale bistros . . . no where that her Drake would venture to seek solitude. She turned back to walk into the restaurant when she spotted the long pier along the marina next door. There was a a short jetty and expanse of beach nestled under the dock, secluded and dark. There, she thought. That’s where he’s hiding.
Emma carefully climbed down the rocks to the sandy beach, making her way towards the pier. As she came closer, she began to make out the faint outline of his tall frame leaning against one of the pylons. He was staring out at the waves crashing against the jetty in a daze and didn’t hear her approach. It wasn’t until she was right in front of him that he turned his head towards her, his face drawn in a pensive expression. He gave her a pained look before he dropped his eyes from hers.
“Hey.” Emma started, reaching out to stroke his arm before grasping his hand in hers. She drew in closer and placed the palm of her other hand across his cheek, nudging his face upwards to meet her eye contact. “Anybody home in there?”
His lips turned up in a small smile and she finally saw a little twinkle in his eye acknowledging her presence. He held her stare for a moment, then took a deep sigh before gently removing her hand from his face and looking down again. “Yes, I’m home . . . just bunkered down in here for a bit.” He paused again, opening and closing his mouth once, then twice . . . searching for the words. “I’m sorry Warner. I didn’t mean to embarrass you in there.” He rubbed his brow in contemplation before running a hand through his hair.
“Woah there, Walker! Who said you embarrassed me?!?!” Emma paused and looked firmly at him, despite the fact that he was avoiding eye contact. “I am never embarrassed by you, Drake Walker. EVER.” When he finally stilled to meet her gaze, she continued. “What I am is confused as to who that was in there. And why my Drake was missing in action.”
He exhaled as he gathered his thoughts. He looked sick as he began speaking. “I know, that was bad. I just . . . I just wanted to make a good impression on Landon and Emmeline. I know how much we need them to support us, to support Cordonia, by attending our wedding. I wanted to convince them that the newest Duchess was marrying someone worthy, not scraping the bottom of the barrel with some nobody commoner. And then, I guess . . . I made myself nervous. I couldn’t even remember how to act like a normal person, let alone a noble.” He stopped, searching her eyes for a sign that she understood him.
“Yes, I could tell you were nervous.” She gave him a warm smile. “It was pretty obvious when you forgot how to eat with a spoon.” She giggled, then quickly wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled herself flush against his chest. “But the thing is, you have nothing to be nervous about Drake. The people who know you and love you, we appreciate you for all the things that make you different. You’re witty, loyal and completely down-to-earth. You are our rock and the voice of reason that we need in our lives. Why do you think you and Liam, the king of Cordonia, have been best friends for so long?” She stops to look deep into his eyes, ensuring that he is grasping what she is saying. “Why do you think I want to spend the rest of my life with you and be your wife? Because you are amazing, just like you are.”
Drake studied her dark blue eyes, as if he was still trying to comprehend what she was saying. “How do you do that?” His voice a breathy whisper as he tucked a stray lock of her chestnut hair behind her ear. “How do you calm my nerves with just a few words?” He stilled for minute, entranced by her stare. Then he cringed again as he remembered the earlier interactions back at the restaurant. He groaned. “Hmph . . . I just don’t think I’m ever going to fit in with these nobles. I mean, why does it fucking matter the order of forks I use to eat my salad and then stab myself from boredom?” He smiled.
Emma laughed, happy to hear her sarcastic fiancé again. “I don’t want you to fit in. I just want you, by my side, keeping my grounded and making me laugh. Someone has to keep me entertained at all these boring events.” She tickled his side playfully as he squirmed from her touch. “But really, I think you and I can make a great team and an impact in Cordonia. We’ve got a finger on the pulse of the people and we love this country. As long as we can stay true to that and true to ourselves, I know we’ll do whatever we can to make this country great again. We’ve got a foot in both worlds . . We’ll be like the Common People – Nobility Power Couple.”
“I like that. If being ourselves and standing up for what we believe can make an impact, I’m all in. Especially if you tell me I don’t need to act like a stuffy noble to get it done.” Drake’s eyes squinted with a soft grin. He sighed and stood upright, preparing himself for the inevitable. “I guess we should get back. I just don’t know how I am smooth things over with Penelope’s parents after that disaster earlier.”
Emma held his hand and tucked her arm around his as they started walking back towards the restaurant to find their entourage. “Maybe you should send them a little something to thank them for hotsting us. That would be a start.”
Drake pondered for a moment, then grinned. “I can do that, Warner. I’m sure Emmeline would really enjoy receiving her first postcard from me.”
Emma busted out with a loud laugh and shook her head. This man never ceases to amaze me.
END