by Maya Blake
Tears filled her eyes when he caressed her cheek. ‘Be all right, Dad. You’re all I have. Please be all right,’ she whispered fervently.
He gave her a sad smile. ‘I’ll do my best, sweetheart.’
‘Promise me,’ she insisted, even though she knew she shouldn’t.
He closed his eyes for a long second. Then he nodded. ‘I promise.’
The doctor stepped forward, shattering the moment. ‘We’ll prep your father at our Chelsea clinic in preparation for his flight to Geneva tomorrow.’
Maddie swiped at her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘It’s happening that quickly?’
The doctor nodded. ‘We’ve been instructed to get your father on the road to recovery as soon as possible.’
Remi. All afternoon, despite being gone, his presence had lingered in the form of the gleaming SUV on the street and the two bodyguards within it.
They followed her to the clinic now, and one stood outside her father’s room—ready, as he’d informed her, to escort her back to the hotel.
With her father hooked up to IV fluids and falling asleep, Maddie knew she couldn’t linger. The moment she stepped into the hall the bodyguard fell in behind her, steering her out through a discreet entrance and into the SUV.
What felt like only minutes later they were back at the hotel. Her already shortened breath evaporated as Remi, tall and commanding, materialised before her when the lift doors parted. With an elegant hand, he gestured to his suite. She told herself it was no use baulking at the silent command. She was doing this with her eyes wide open.
‘I trust everything is all right with your father?’ he asked.
She nodded, her gaze flicking to him as she sensed his repressed impatience. ‘He was looking better even before I left.’ She mentally crossed her fingers that it would continue.
‘That’s good. Sit down, Maddie.’
She sat. The quicker they got this discussion over with, the quicker she could retreat to her own suite, deal with the shock that hadn’t quite abated.
Percy’s arrival with a tray of drinks only added to the surreal sensation. She watched in silence as he uncorked a bottle of champagne, poured out two glasses and then with a respectful bow made himself scarce.
‘Are we celebrating?’
Remi simply shrugged one shoulder. ‘I’m aware that I may have appeared a little...clinical before.’ He prowled over to her, one glass extended.
Maddie took it, unable to drag her gaze from his powerful leanness. ‘So now you’re trying to soften yourself towards me? Are you afraid I’m going to change my mind?’
‘You’ve given me your word and I’m learning that you’re a woman of your word.’
Before she’d fully absorbed that unexpected compliment, he continued.
‘But I also wish to demonstrate that I will not be a complete ogre in our marriage.’
Marriage. The word still had the ability to churn her guts and rob her of breath. Which was probably why she simply bobbed her head.
‘Shall we drink to that?’
There was a tightness in his voice she would have hazarded a guess was anxiety in any other man than the one standing before her. Whatever it was, it brought even more acute awareness when he lowered his body into the seat next to hers, suffusing her with his intoxicating scent.
She trembled as he clinked his glass against hers and as she took a sip of exquisite champagne, very much aware that his eyes were fixed on her face. ‘What else did you want to discuss?’
He sipped his drink too, then placed his glass on the coffee table. ‘It’s imperative that we make this marriage work for the sake of my people. There has to be a smooth transition when my mother steps down. Which is why we need to expedite this. You father will soon be on his way to Geneva. Even if you weren’t committed elsewhere you wouldn’t be able to visit him. He’ll be in isolation for the next eight weeks. If we are to marry in five weeks then—’
‘Five weeks?’
He tensed. ‘You object to that?’
‘I thought... You’re the Crown Prince, soon to be King. Doesn’t a royal wedding take months...years to plan?’
‘My mother has been waiting two years for me to be married. She’s motivated to make it happen sooner rather than later.’
The reminder that his last wedding had been brutally thwarted by tragedy dropped like an anvil between them. A glance at his face showed that forbidding expression, blocking everything else out.
Maddie knew he was undertaking this marriage out of duty to his people alone. He’d even gone so far as to tell her not to fall in love with him because his heart was committed for ever to someone else.
She quickly averted her gaze, snatched in a breath when she spotted how close she was to spilling champagne all over herself, but when she started to shift away from him he stopped her with a hand on her arm.
‘One last thing.’
She gritted her teeth. ‘Yes?’
‘Although this isn’t a love match, I expect you to act a certain way when we’re in public.’
Maddie couldn’t stop a bitter laugh from spilling out. ‘So I’m expected to fawn over you in public, am I?’
‘Within reason and the appropriate comportment, yes.’
God, he was unbelievable. ‘What about you? Do you get a pass in the fawning department or is this a quid pro quo situation?’
He stiffened. ‘Be assured I’ll do my part,’ he said.
Despite the weird somersaults in her tummy, she grimaced. ‘Is all that really necessary?’
‘It is. Part of your wedding preparation will be tutoring in the art of diplomacy.’
Unable to withstand his touch without giving away the sensations rampaging through her, Maddie rose. He remained seated, but his eyes stayed on her as she paced in front of the coffee table. When she opened her mouth, he stopped her with a commanding hand.
‘If you’re about to express reservations, you’re wasting your time. Things may seem overwhelming at first, but I’m assured you’ll rise to the occasion.’
‘I’m glad one of us is confident.’
‘You’re twenty-four years old. You were little more than a child when the burden of taking care of your father fell on your shoulders. You turned your life inside out for him. I am confident our marriage will be far less challenging.’
Because he would never feel the wild, dizzying breadth of emotion for her that he’d felt for Celeste.
The churning inside her intensified as he rose and advanced towards her. When he cupped her cheeks, tilted her face up to his and angled his head towards hers, she stopped breathing.
Without speaking, he sealed his mouth over hers.
The kiss was thorough, deep and knee-buckling. Steel-like arms gripped her, plastering her body against his as he patiently, ruthlessly, explored her.
When it was over he raised his head. For several seconds they stared at one another as her pulse thundered in her ears.
‘What...what was that for?’ she eventually stuttered.
‘Practice. For all the ways that count, Maddie, I expect this marriage to appear real.’
* * *
From that moment on the series of events that tripped into each other was exponentially overwhelming. Both in London and Montegova, the publicity ball was rolling forward, gathering furious momentum.
When they left the hotel for the airport the next morning, it was through the front doors, to find media interest triple the size of any they’d encountered hitherto.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked.
‘My press office have alerted the right people that my interest in you has become something...more.’
He didn’t answer any of the media’s frenzied questions, but his hold around her was proprietorial, the long look he sent her before they got into the limo possessive
and sensual.
She was just reiterating to herself that this was all an act when they arrived at a private airport and she caught a glimpse of the jaw-dropping Montegovan royal jet.
Enough to accommodate several families comfortably, the two-deck plane was so opulent Maddie was afraid to touch any gleaming surface. Her sense of disquiet was intensified when, upon boarding, Remi swiftly disappeared with a clutch of officious-looking advisers.
When an elderly gentleman approached and introduced himself as a history professor, specialising in Montegovan history, Maddie was grateful for the chance not to dwell on the overwhelming things happening to her.
Over the next few hours she learnt that only Remi’s direct ancestors or their queens had ruled Montegova.
Which brought a question screeching into her mind.
They hadn’t discussed children or future heirs to the throne. But Remi’s words from last night returned with a deeper, more frightening meaning.
‘For all the ways that count, Maddie, I expect this marriage to appear real.’
Did that mean children? With her?
She was grappling with this disturbing new dynamic when Remi entered the cabin. His eyes narrowed on her as he casually dismissed the professor.
‘What’s wrong? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.’
‘I have a question,’ she blurted, before she lost her nerve.
One imperious eyebrow lifted.
‘I’ve just discovered that only your family have ruled Montegova.’ She licked dry lips, attempted not to react when his gaze dropped to her mouth. ‘That means you intend your own children to rule...’
Her words trailed off when a harsh, bleak look hardened his face. Something jagged slashed at her heart but she forced herself to keep breathing.
‘I intended my children to take the throne one day, yes.’
Her next exhalation was decidedly shaky. ‘But that means...’
‘That means I’m required by law to consummate my marriage in order for it to be legitimately recognised. But when I take you to my bed on our wedding night it’ll not be so you can bear my children.’
Why that only caused that wrenching ache in her heart to intensify, Maddie couldn’t comprehend. It was clear that Remi needed time to come to terms with his new future. They were in the same boat.
But were they?
He was looking after his people’s future, but in many ways he was stuck in the past with his dead fiancée.
The cold wave that washed over her was still present when they landed and were met by a sizeable delegation on the tarmac.
After a swathe of introductions and hearing names she would struggle to remember, they boarded a royal motorcade of sleek limos. Minutes later Maddie caught her first glimpse of the stunning capital city.
Just like everything Montegovan she’d encountered so far, Playagova was a stunning mixture of ancient and modern architecture, every corner pulsing with a rich history she was dying to explore.
But with each mile closer to the royal palace, Maddie’s nerves grew tighter, until by the time they arrived at the stunningly magnificent building her pulse was racing and her fingers were a twisted mess in her lap.
Remi’s long fingers reached for hers, triggering a whole new range of nerves. Ever since he’d mentioned their wedding night a deep, carnal ache had settled in her pelvis—one she couldn’t suppress no matter how much she tried. And she was beginning to think it was useless to fight it any more.
She was wildly attracted to him. And he intended to possess her completely, if only for one night. Maddie shivered, then caught his sharp inhalation. Turning her head, she met his gaze full-on, unable to stop the wave of heat that engulfed her.
His eyes dropped to her lips and they parted automatically, responding to the hunger sparking between them. That hunger turned ashen when his jaw abruptly tightened and he removed his touch.
With the ghost of his fiancée placed solidly between them, Maddie was left with the distinct feeling that the non-turbulent future Remi had promised was less than certain—at least for her.
Unless she found a way to cage her emotions in this clinical marriage she’d agreed to, she risked exposing herself to a pain far greater than the pain she had suffered at Greg’s hands.
She was reminding herself of that as she waited with Remi outside Queen Isadora’s private dining room. Once again dressed impeccably in a bespoke suit, he was a jaw-dropping vision, with a presence that absorbed her to the exclusion of all else.
Butterflies took flight again as she cast a furtive glance at his remote expression. ‘Any tips on how to deal with this?’ she attempted with forced levity.
His expression didn’t change. ‘Simply be yourself.’
‘You mean my charming self, don’t you?’
His response was to conduct a slow, thorough perusal of her body, taking in the orange gown a palace stylist had presented her with less than an hour ago. The capped sleeves and respectable neckline projected a classic elegance she desperately hoped for.
‘You captivate whether you mean to or not, Maddie. You’ll have no problems with my mother,’ he rasped.
She wanted to hate him for leaving her tongue-tied once again. But she was still busy attempting to breathe as elegant double doors opened before them and a steward stepped forward.
‘Her Majesty is ready to receive you,’ the man announced.
The dining room held a table large enough for three dozen people. Seated at the head was the Queen of Montegova.
Eyes similar to Remi’s tracked them until they reached her. Queen Isadora neither frowned nor smiled, but Maddie felt as if her every secret was displayed in bold scarlet letters above her head as she held the queen’s gaze.
‘Maman, it’s good to see you.’ Remi bowed and brushed kisses on her cheeks.
Queen Isadora ruthlessly assessed her son. ‘Is it?’
‘Let’s not make this any more difficult than it needs to be,’ Remi replied.
‘I see we’re dropping all semblance of diplomacy,’ the queen responded, and then her gaze swung to Maddie as Remi pulled out a chair for her.
Maddie caught herself before she sat down, manners and what little she’d read of royal protocol kicking her into giving a curtsy. ‘It’s an honour to meet you, Your Majesty,’ she murmured.
‘She has manners. That’s something, I suppose,’ Queen Isadora quipped.
‘Maman...’ Remi’s voice held a rumbling warning.
His mother turned sharply to him. ‘This isn’t how it is supposed to be. When I sent you to England to handle the Myers situation I pictured a lot more circumspection. Instead you’ve returned with this—’
‘Your Majesty, I would be so very grateful if you wouldn’t speak about me as if I’m not here.’
Two pairs of eyes turned to her, the male ones holding mocking amusement and the other a trace of shock.
Queen Isadora spoke first. ‘You have fire. I’ll give you that too.’
‘What else will you give me, Your Majesty? If we’re to be family, I’d like to know the best way to proceed without causing offence.’
Maddie caught the faintest twitch of her lips before the rigidness her son was so masterful at settled her features.
‘Let’s not be hasty. You are not quite family yet.’
‘But she will be. I have made my decision,’ Remi stated.
The implacable announcement made the queen exhale sharply. For several heartbeats silence reigned, her face paling slightly as she searched her son’s face. Then something extraordinary happened.
Queen Isadora gave a deep sigh, her ramrod-straight spine relaxed and she nodded. ‘Very well. If this is how it’s going to be, I will accept it.’
Maddie hadn’t been aware she was holding her breath until it rushed out. But then she discovered her ordeal wa
s far from over.
For the next two hours, in between the presentation of mouthwatering dishes, the queen grilled her on everything from her childhood pets to her mother’s desertion.
The discovery that Remi had kept nothing from his mother should have upset her, but having everything out in the open, a clean slate, was liberating. She was tired of carrying the burden of her family’s shameful secrets.
But even as that old weight dropped away she knew she carried a newer, more devastating one. One she didn’t want to give voice to yet. If ever.
Her gaze flicked to Remi as he escorted her to her suite. She intended to keep up a full emotional guard around him. Those same instincts that had screeched a warning the moment they’d met clamoured even louder now, telling her to heed his warning against falling for him. And for as long as this sham marriage lasted she intended to do just that.
CHAPTER EIGHT
MADDIE LOOKED UP from the report she was reading about her father as Remi walked into the large living room attached to her suite. As had happened increasingly alarmingly over her last five weeks in Montegova, she felt something wild and unfettered lurch in her chest at the raw masculinity that charged from him, his predatory prowl towards her sparking every nerve ending to life.
Comforting thoughts of her father’s progress gave way to a tense shakiness inside her as those eyes fixed on her with the unnerving intensity she’d come to expect. As she searched his face, Maddie also recognised other expressions, those she kept hoping would be absent when he looked at her.
She breathed out, unable to avoid the hard-edged detachment, the rigid wall he’d erected around himself almost from the moment they’d landed in Montegova. And with every day she spent in the palace she was made aware of how much Remi had loved and cherished Celeste.
From the suite of rooms in the east wing that no one entered to the Lipizzaner mare lovingly groomed each day but which no one ever rode, Remi hadn’t just erected a shrine to Celeste—he’d surrounded himself with reminders of his lost love.
