Royal Love (22 page)

“What have you found out?” the sergeant asked.

“He says he was dispatched here to pick up a package from the ambassador,” one of the Marines answered.

“Have you checked him over?”

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“Get up, driver,” Sergeant Gibbons ordered.

The man slowly got up, keeping his hands where they could be seen.

“I got a radio call to come here and pick up a valuable package for transport to a jewelry shop. That’s all I know. I’m not a terrorist. There are no bombs or guns in the vehicle. Look for yourself!”

The sergeant did exactly that. He climbed into the armored vehicle and looked around. He took the undercarriage mirror and checked the underside of the vehicle carefully. No matter how hard he searched, he found nothing suspicious.

“Okay, at ease, Marines. Mister, I want you to get on your radio right now and ask your dispatcher what you’re doing here.”

“At once!” the driver said.

As the sergeant and the other Marines listened, the driver called
in.

“What’s going on? I’m here at the American Embassy and under threat of being shot by the Marines. You sent me here to get a package from the ambassador, isn’t that right?”

“Hold on, six two four. Let me check the call log,” the dispatcher answered.

A minute later, the dispatcher came back on the line.

“Six two four, disregard. The call from the jeweler somehow got screwed up. One dispatcher sent a car to the jeweler to pick up a package for the embassy, while a second dispatcher sent you directly to the embassy to pick up a package from the ambassador for the jeweler. You can disregard and return to the garage.”

“You ass, you almost got me killed! I’ve had it! I quit! I’ll park this vehicle in front of the office, and I want to be paid at once!” The driver hung up and turned to the Marines. “I’m terribly sorry, but as you heard, the wankers at the office cocked it up!”

“Okay, sir, I hope you understand why we reacted as we did. Just back out and leave.”

The sergeant watched the armored car leave, and then put the embassy back to normal security level.

When the sergeant and other Marines went back inside the embassy, Gibbons called Mary and explained what happened.

“Thank God, that’s all it was,” David said.

“Well, now I really should get to see the ring, after all this!” Mary said.

David carefully unwrapped the package and found a letter and ring box inside. He read the thank you note and promise of a discount off the ambassador’s next order before he opened the ring box.

Mary let out a yelp somewhere between a fox caught in a trap and a blue jay screaming.

“My God, David, that is gorgeous! You picked this out?”

“Actually, Darren picked it out of a case full of diamonds, and I okayed it. The jeweler took all the stones from a woman’s ring and set them in a man’s ring. I think the prince will appreciate this, don’t you?”

“He’d better, or he’s an idiot and doesn’t deserve our Darren!”

David was pleased with the ring and the exquisite craftsmanship and couldn’t wait to see Darren’s face when he gave it to him.

“Well, it’s getting late, and there’s been enough action around here for today, so I’m going home. If something kicks up before you come home, call me.”

“Fine, I’ll have your car readied,” Mary said as she picked up the phone and called the motor pool.

David walked into Winfield House and found Shane, who had taken a rare day off due to not feeling well. Shane was waking up from a nap when David came in.

“Hello, hon, you’re home early,” Shane said.

“We had some action at the embassy, and since Darren’s ring came in, I decided to come home early. How are you feeling?”

“Better. What action?”

“Nothing to concern yourself with, just a mix up at the armored car service that delivered the ring. Want to see it?”

“Hell, yeah, show it to me,” Shane said as he propped himself on one elbow.

Shane had the same reaction to the ring as Mary.

“Oh my God, David, that is gorgeous and fit for a prince. Wait until Darren sees it!”

“Where is he, anyway?”

“He spent part of the day at military admin, signing papers and stuff, then off to the Foreign Office where he picked up a diplomatic passport for the United Kingdom. He should be back any minute now.”

“Great, then I can give him the ring. Do you need anything to make you feel better? Shall I have our doctor pay a house call?”

“No, I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s just intestinal discomfort, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, I see. Will you be skipping dinner tonight?”

“Oh yes. I only want liquids. I’m not feeding this engine.”

“Gotcha.” David glanced at the glass on the night table. “Looks like you’re out. What have you been drinking?”

“Just water.”

“Well, I know a doctor would tell you to drink Gatorade because it replenishes electrolytes. I’ll get you one.”

“Thank you, honey.”

“I’ll be back in a minute,” David said, kissing Shane on the forehead before he left.

As David walked down the staircase, Darren came flying in. Darren’s security people went to their office, and Darren went straight to the kitchen.

David watched in amusement before he called for the butler. “Blaine, would you ask Darren to join me in the living room when he’s finished in the kitchen?”

“Of course, sir.”

David went into the living room, sat down, and then got back up.

“Blaine!” David shouted.

“Yes, sir?” Blaine said when he arrived.

“I forgot for a moment. Would you take a couple of bottles of Gatorade up to Shane? He’s not feeling well, as you know, and he needs to drink plenty of fluids.”

“Of course, sir, right away. And Darren will be in shortly.”

David sat back down again with a million things rushing through his mind. He looked so preoccupied that Darren asked if he was all right.

“Oh, yes, just a lot on my mind. Your ring was delivered today. Here it is, and I hope you like it,” he said as he handed over the ring box.

Darren opened it, and after the initial shock, began to softly cry. He sat down in a chair and couldn’t take his eyes off the ring.

“It’s beautiful, Uncle David. Without your help, I couldn’t have found anything near as spectacular as this. Thank you so much. I love you!”

“I’m glad you’re pleased. They did a really superb job converting a woman’s engagement ring into a man’s. It’s something you can be proud to give, and something he’ll be proud to wear. Have you thought more about what rings to wear for everyday?”

“Yes, I believe we’ll get a set of plain gold bands, but we’ll wear our engagement rings most of the time. They’re far too beautiful to be kept hidden away, and my ring was just rescued from the dark insides of a safe. Doesn’t seem right to me to send it back. What’s the sense of having the ring, if I don’t wear it? Now if we were to do something like bullfighting, well then of course, we would switch to the simple gold bands.”

David laughed. “Bullfighting? Yes, I should think that would be a good time not to be wearing the fancy jewelry!”

“My God, wait until he sees this.”

“When do you plan on giving it to him?” David asked.

“Well, we’re two and half months from the ceremony, so I think I’ll give it to him this weekend. What’ll I do if he doesn’t like it, though?”

“Darren, I don’t think you have to worry about that one bit. That ring is literally fit for a prince. How is the guest list coming along?”

“Michael’s finished with his, but I’m having trouble with mine. I don’t know if I should invite old friends from the States or just family. I mean, it’s rather expensive to fly over here, and then to stay in hotels and all that. But I know people would put it all on credit cards just to be part of history.”

“How many people do you think fit into that category?” David asked.

“Lemme think. There’s one Secret Service agent who was assigned to me when Mom was the vice president who I was close with. I’m pretty sure he’s gay. I lost contact with all my old friends from the islands, so that would leave my family and the agent, I guess. I want to invite a couple of the Marines stationed here, too, but that’s all.”

“Okay, then it’s simple. Give Shane the name of the agent, and he’ll make sure the man gets an invitation. If he accepts, he can fly over with your mother. As for the local boys, they just need to show up after they’re registered as guests.”

“Everyone at the wedding will be invited to Buckingham Palace afterward for the king’s reception. That’s something none of my friends have ever done. Do you think I could invite Blaine?”

“Darren, this is your wedding, and you’re entitled to invite anyone you wish. So, Blaine can certainly be invited.”

“How about old English tricks from before I met Michael?”

“What?”

Darren laughed until tears streamed down his face. “If you could have seen your face.” He began to laugh again.

“Okay, Bozo, listen. You need to get Michael to give you the number of invitations you need, so that you can formally invite your guests. Word of mouth is uncouth.”

“Okay, I’ll take care of that when I call him tonight.”

“Once your list and Michael’s are complete, turn the combined lists in to the security office so they can do their job.”

Jack wandered in and sat down. “Is it all right if I sit here?” he asked.

“Of course. it is. We’re just discussing my wedding, and I’d like you to be one of the groomsmen. Would you agree to that?” Darren asked.

“Really? Hell, yeah. Thanks for asking me. Dad, do I have the right clothes for this?”

“You have a tuxedo, and that’s appropriate. It’s very nice of Darren to ask you, and I’m happy for you, Jack.”

“Gee, thanks, Darren, you’re pretty neat for asking me.”

“You’re family, Jack, and you’re no little kid anymore.”

“About time someone in this house recognized that!” Jack said with his nose in the air.

“Well, I’m gonna go upstairs and call Michael and try to wrap some of this up. Thanks again, Jack, and Uncle David. I’m stunned at how beautiful the ring is.”

Darren left to go upstairs, and Jack moved over next to David.

“Is it an honor to be part of the groomsmen?”

“It’s an honor any time a man asks you to do that but especially at a wedding like this. Not only will a king be in the pews, but the president of the United States, as well. It was very nice of Darren to think of you for that honor. I expect you to keep a clean mouth and act like a perfect gentleman, okay?”

“You bet, Dad. I want you to be proud of me.”

“I’ve been proud of you since the day I met you, but this will be a very high profile occasion. Don’t worry, I know you’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

T
HE
WEDDING
invitations went out, and everyone accepted, making both parties happy. Darren had put off giving his ring to Michael but planned to do it at dinner.

They had reservations under assumed names at one of London’s finest restaurants, and the three-car convoy arrived right on time. The prince, Darren, and five security men entered the elegant restaurant and were greeted by the maître d’. He could see they were VIPs and sat them at a table in the corner that allowed their bodyguards to sit all around them.

“Good evening, gentleman. I’m Carlos, and your waiter this evening is Max. May I start you with some drinks?

“A bottle of Dom Pérignon, 1998 vintage, if you have it,” Michael said.

“Of course, sir. Is this all on one check, sir? You have some gentlemen with you.”

“One check for my friend and me and one for the others.”

“Very good, sir. I’ll be right back with your champagne.”

“Michael, how much is that bottle?” Darren whispered.

“It shouldn’t be more than five thousand pounds,” Michael answered.

“What? Are you serious?”

“Relax, William gave me money to cover tonight’s dinner, and he specifically told me to order that champagne.”

“Wow, it better be damn good for that kind of money.”

“Relax and enjoy yourself. Pretty soon, we’re going to be in the public spotlight, and a dinner like this will be much more difficult to pull off.”

“True,” Darren said. “But not for a while yet. Tomorrow at eight o’clock in the morning, the White House and Buckingham Palace will release a bulletin about our pending wedding. The press will hound us. Now I’m nervous.” Darren paused. “At least I’m no longer in the military, so I won’t bring attention to the security apparatus I used to be part of.” He sighed. “This makes tonight all the more special.”

Before Michael could reply, the sommelier arrived with the champagne. He opened the bottle, poured a small amount into a flute, and offered it to Michael.

Michael sipped and nodded his approval. Both champagne glasses were then filled.

“Oh damn, that’s good!” Darren said after he had a sip.

“It better be!” Michael said, laughing. “Now, what shall we toast to?”

Darren pulled out the ring box and slid it across the table.

“What’s this?” Michael asked in surprise.