Then the door of the car opened and the young Duke of Richmond stepped out, guarded against the cold with a long, black coat and gloves, and guared against possibly assaults with two shadows immediately at his side. Bodyguards… Yassia was not so sure what to make of that. She herself had had bodyguards over a few years, but she had always hated the fact. Rather than safe, she had felt trapped between two guys as big as tree trunks. But maybe he needed them?
Next to Yassia, a little girl of thirteen years had given a short gasp at the sight of the guest, and now she lightly tugged at Yassia’s sleeve, whispering: “He is quite remarkably handsome, don’t you agree, Miss Dyfrène?” Biting back a chuckle, Yassia impulsively put an arm around the girl’s shoulder and hugged her close for a second. How sweet was the innocent adoration of children! And Annabelle Morton just had a heart of gold hidden under the shell of a naïve and slightly spoilt millionaire’s daughter. She often missed her mother and have become one of those younger girls seeking comfort with Yassia, and she gladly gave it to them.
“I do agree indeed, Annie!” she said earnestly, not wanting to give the girl the impression her words were not taken at face value. And then, of course little Annie was right. Remarkably handsome… there was probably no better way to put it. The dark coat gave the young man’s golden locks a slightly darker and more sombre tinge, so that he now rather looked like a fallen angel rather than Gabriel incarnate. But then Yassia had lived too long in the world of glamour to not suspect that this was a desired and well-known effect the duke might even capitalize on. It was said after all he had quite a way with women…
Focus! She chided herself angrily, you’re not being very professional right now!
Before any awkward silence or hole in the protocol could occur, Yassia stepped forward and inclined her head. “Welcome to the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, Your Grace”, she said warmly. “Or shall I say, welcome back? My uncle, the rector, will be with you shortly, meanwhile he asked me to greet you in his name and once again thank you for the generous donation you made to this school, which will be surely enjoyed for years to come.”
Quickly, Yassia scanned the requirements of protocol in her mind, deciding on what next to point out. “There will be refreshments waiting in the refectory, if you wish, tea and hot chocolate, whatever pleases you.” Risking a a glance back at some of the grinning faces in the crowd, Yassia added, dropping her voice. “Between us, there is a wager held by the majority of the school’s populace, you would not decline a taste of RAA’s traditional selfmade Yule Chocolate, but then, like I said, it is your choice entirely.”
Only then, when her piece was said, the professional mood Yassia had automatically switched on wavered a little, and she found herself faced with her initial problem. Judging from just his looks, it could be him, oh well could it be him! But she would need to hear his voice to be sure… and maybe also catch a closer look at his eyes.
And then she stepped forward and addressed him. Like fire from a warm and cozy fireplace, the duke allowed her soft voice to welcome him to his old alma mater. Trying not to get too distracted by her disarming smile, he tried hard to pay attention to what she was saying, although really, he was simply enjoying the dainty way with which her lips moved and he wondered what it would be like to kiss them...as he did that first time they had met. Of course, she was mostly unconscious by then, no thanks to his rather reckless driving. He made a quick mental note to speak to her about it if the time permits.
"...tea and chocolate, whatever pleases you."
He was jolted from his trance when she mentioned refreshments. He had not expected her to offer so soon. And then she spoke of a wager and the school's famous traditional selfmade Yule Chocolate. How could he resist? No hot chocolate in the world could measure up to its delectable richness and warmth.
"It's good to be back," he enthused. He was tempted to address her by her name. Yassia Dyfrène. Yes, he remembered her name. But then, he was afraid to preempt anything now. He didn't know exactly how she felt about him getting her into an accident and then abandoning her in the hospital. As much as he wanted to stay and make sure she was alright, his duties as duke had kept him away. He had his friends make sure she was well taken cared of, however. "As for the donation, I am only giving back what my beloved school had given me in the first place."
Unable to stop himself, he boldly reached a hand out to take her hand in his and brought it to his lips. When he looked up, he gave her a small smile before leaning closer and dropping his own voice as well. "Which side did you bet on?" The wager was not a surprising news actually. Where did Oliver learn the habit of wagers after all if not at RAA? They'd bet on anything from horse racing to World Cup games to who gets the most detention. And the stakes were not exactly low. They were not usually money either. Most of them were favors, some still effective after they left school, like stocks to their family's company or free weekend stays at a world-class hotel overseas. Oliver was rather interested to know which side Yassia put her money on, or if she even put anything at all.
Then he gestured towards the school entrance. "My apologies if I sound rather rude and impatient, but I think we should not subject everybody to any more of this nasty December weather, don't you think?" he said with a smile. He remembered quite well what it was like meeting dignitaries when he was still a student at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School. Some had come to visit at a time just like today. He hated it. He'd rather be warm and cozy inside with some tea or hot chocolate. Oliver wouldn't want the same fate for these students whether they are truly happy to see him or not.
