more interested in impressing her father than her. ‘Look—’ she swallowed ‘—we were hoping to take things a little more slowly. It’s all got a bit out of hand….’
‘That’s what happens when the press get hold of things.’
‘I know it’s a shock, Dad,’ Allegra said. ‘I’m sorry—’
‘Sorry!’ Bobby laughed. ‘Why on earth would you be sorry? He’s a bit straight-laced, but…’ His voice trailed off as Alex came back to the room.
‘I’ve spoken with the palace, Mr. Jackson.’ He took her hand as he addressed her father. ‘Given the news is already out, they think we should formally announce it. There will be an engagement party just as soon as it can be arranged.’
‘A party…’ Allegra felt his hand tighten around hers. No! she wanted to shout, and not just to halt things here. Alex had no idea what he was suggesting, no idea what her family could be like.
‘A party!’ Bobby’s face lit up, and Allegra found she was gripping Alex’s hand back. She wanted to pause things, to get not just the cat but a hundred kittens back into the bag, because Alex needed to know what he had let loose.
‘I can’t imagine…’ Her voice was a croak and she turned urgent eyes to Alex. ‘Perhaps something smaller, we don’t need to do anything grand.’
‘Nonsense.’ It was Bobby who answered. ‘Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate, Allegra? I’ve got loads of contacts, we can find somewhere—’
‘In Santina,’ Alex interrupted, and she watched her father’s jaw tighten just a fraction. ‘Of course, we would love to have your blessing… for your family to join us in Santina to celebrate our engagement.’
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