“Well, really,” Helen breathed. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I,” Ford admitted. “But there’s no use trying to hide what’s staring us all in the face, is there? I hadn’t spent five minutes in Lila’s company before I realized my life would never be the same.”

That last bit was directed at Lila. Her shock at hearing the declaration on Ford’s tongue—how easily it tripped off, how natural it sounded—was swallowed in a squeal of delight. And not her own. Despite the fact that Lila was holding both a puppy and a mug of hot coffee, Helen showed every intention of pulling her into a wintry hug.

Acting on instinct, Lila backed away, but all that did was force her against Ford’s chest. She had no idea how she could feel the heat of him through her thick wool peacoat, but she could have sworn that the temperature of all the places where their bodies touched jumped a good twenty degrees. Although he was no longer holding her arm, his stance made it impossible for her to flee.

Helen had to settle for a smile that seemed genuine, despite the fact that she’d just been turned down for a date. “Ford, you devil. Leading us all on like that. Maddie and Danica are going to be devastated.”

“Alas, that’s always been my curse.” Ford clucked his tongue and sighed. “Leaving a trail of broken hearts wherever I go. I warned you how it was from the start.”

“Well, I’m delighted to finally meet you, Lila, and can only apologize for monopolizing so much of your time.” Helen laughed and shook her head, curls bouncing playfully around her shoulders. “I should have known something was up the moment I saw you two together. It was the royal blood that threw me off. We’d always been told you were from Canada.”

“Canada?” Lila echoed, so far out of her depth that she was finding it difficult to come up for air.

“Well, I could hardly tell you her real country of origin, could I?” Ford asked. “What with the succession in so much danger and all.” He still stood at her back, so close that his breath was a warm whisper against her neck. Lila hadn’t worn a scarf that morning, but she firmly resolved to do so tomorrow. There was something caressingly intimate about his lips so close to her skin.

Touching but not touching. Laughing but not laughing.

Helen made the motion of a zipper over her lips. “I won’t tell a soul. And bring those coffee cups back whenever, you two. I’m never in a hurry to do dishes.”