"Hi," he says as he gets closer to me and puts his hands on my shoulders. "This looks like very dull work. Why don't you take the rest of the day off and spend it with me?"
"I wish I could but I really need to finish these reports first. You can stay; I'll only be about 5 minutes more. You can sit at Albert's desk in the mean time." I say as I go back to work.
"It feels very off to be sitting at this desk." John says as he sinks back into the chair behind the desk. "I can almost feel Albert's presence in this desk. It's a little scary actually."
"I keep it as a memory of Albert, though I've never been able to sit at that desk since he died. That desk seems to have an aura of Albert about it. Everyone who has been in this room since his death has felt it. It's eerie to walk in this room alone because you always feel as if you're being watched and followed, but it is still one of my favourite rooms in the castle." I say as I flourish my signature on the brief I have finally finished. "I'm done!" I cry in delight. "What shall we do for the rest of the day?"
"I can think of a few things, but I know you don't want to crumple your dress. Why don't we go have lunch and then we can go riding. How was the meeting with the Prime Minister? What did he say?" John asks conspiratorially.
I know what he's driving at, but I'm not sure I want to tell him because I now know he is right. "He absolutely gushed about the fact that I am wearing colour. He was trying to gauge my reaction and he has the audacity to ask if I am in a new relationship! It was embarrassing! It is as if he was considering asking me out to dinner at some point in the future." I say as John and I walk out of my office and back towards my morning room.
"I told you!" John crows at me. "He does love you! I always knew a politician would fall for you eventually! Benjamin's been your prime minister for so long I thought he'd be immune to your charms, but all you have to do is smile and wear colour and he turns to jelly!"
"Oh, you're exaggerating. All he did was react the same way any other man would when he sees a beautiful woman. You're just jealous about the fact that I have many admirers." I chuckle as I lay my head on John's shoulder.
"I'm not exaggerating. Most men in a business meeting wouldn't have reacted as strongly as that to a woman because that's what Benjamin was in: a business meeting. I can't believe Benjamin was that forward as to ask whether you're in a relationship. That is not only forward, but rude. Oh well, I'm sure that he will tread lightly and be obvious which will give you a chance to say no." John says as we sit down at the table for the second time that day.
"Benjamin is always obvious in his actions and his words. I will be very much surprised if he jumps in with both feet. He's cautious by nature because he's a politician. Besides, even if he does make a move you have nothing to worry about. I love you." I say as lunch arrives and I place my napkin across my lap.
"At least you know Benjamin well enough to know when he's flirting. Where do you want to go riding today? We can go anywhere you want; we've got lots of time." John says as he swallows a mouthful of cold duck.
"Why don't we go ride down by the lake? The weather is perfect; we can even go wading if we get warm. It's one of my very favourite spots on all the grounds of all the palaces I stay at." I comment as I bat my eyelashes at John.
"I know the spot. That's where we ended up the last time we went riding. It's beautiful down there. Wading, Your Majesty? That's a little risqué, isn't it?" John asks cheekily as he feeds me some rhubarb and custard.
"Wading is hardly risqué, John. Besides, you've seen me a lot less dressed than I will be when we go wading. Let's just enjoy our afternoon." I say as we walk upstairs. I need to change.
"Any time I spend with you I enjoy." John says as he pulls my riding habit out of the closet and passes it to me. "The time I spend with you is precious. Every moment that you're not working I treasure because it means I get to know you a little better.