by A. C. Arthur
He was smiling, looking quite proud of himself, and Val had felt like smiling along with him. When did such a simple thing as Roland’s smile make her happy? Maybe since Roland had secured a private suite in the hospital for her father and put out a warrant for the arrest of the man who had broken her father’s arm and left his face bloody and bruised. And that wasn’t all. Roland had even assured Hugo that once he was totally healed and rested, Roland would help him find a job on the island.
She was happier than she’d ever been in her whole life and she owed it all to this man.
At that realization Val had hugged Roland, pulling back after holding tight and then giving him a slow and sweet kiss.
“Wow. Is that what I get when I say I’ve been shopping?” he’d asked as he kept his arms locked around her waist.
Val had discovered that she loved being embraced by Roland. There was something about the way his strong arms holding her that translated to I’ll protect you, I’ll cherish you. She’d never realized how much she’d craved feeling each of those words, until now.
“No. You only have to be who you are,” she’d told him.
He’d stared at her another few seconds before leaning forward and kissing the tip of her nose.
“That’s the best thing anyone has ever said to me,” he’d admitted.
“That should have been said to you a long time ago, Roland. You’re not the man people say you are. There’s so much more to you than just the title or the gambling. So much more.”
“And it took you to make me see that,” he’d told her. “My father said if I stopped running I’d be surprised to see who was standing beside me. I’m glad I stopped.”
“I’m glad, too,” Val had told him. She was more than glad; she was proud.
And a few moments later, when Roland had told her that he’d been shopping for her all afternoon, she’d been ecstatic.
Tonight, she wore one of the dresses Roland had selected for her and she loved how she looked in it. She didn’t, however, like how people looked at her when she was with Roland. They were surprised, sure, and she could go along with that. But some were talking. She should have expected it and been used to it; still, it burned to acknowledge.
“I want you to meet someone,” Roland said the moment they hit the casino floor.
He was wearing a black suit with a collarless stone-gray shirt. His shoes were shined to perfection, his hair and beard groomed precisely. He looked like a movie star and Val was happy she did, too.
“Sure,” she was saying as she walked beside him.
“Let me know if you want to play anything while we’re here,” he said, as they continued to walk over the bright red, gold and green carpet.
“No, thanks,” she said and looked over to the gaming tables. “I’m totally out of my element here.”
He looked over to her. “Never. You’re not out of your element anywhere. But I get what you’re trying to say, and listen, just because you play a game or two doesn’t mean you’re addicted to gambling.”
She nodded because she knew what he was saying was true. But it didn’t mean she was going to take that chance. From the looks of the crowd that moved along with them across the casino floor and the number of people she saw sitting at or standing around gaming tables, she was the only one who felt that way.
There were two winding staircases, one on each side of the massive casino floor. Two men dressed in black suits took the stairs ahead of Roland. He held her hand as he walked up and she followed. There were two more black-suited men behind her. His guards. She saw them a lot now. And she knew why.
Roland had confided in her that someone was taunting the royal family. He thought it had something to do with his father’s impending nuptials. Roland also thought it was somehow related to the man who’d assaulted her father. For that reason, a guard now also drove behind Val wherever she went. When she was out of the car, he was at her side. It was eerie and yet eye-opening. It reminded her daily that she was dating a prince.
The entrance to another large room was roped off until Roland approached. Two women, wearing the thinnest and tightest sparkling nude-colored gowns she’d ever seen, smiled.
“Good evening, Prince Roland,” they said in unison.
Roland gripped her hand even tighter, and Val wondered if he could feel the uneasiness swirling in the pit of her stomach.
He greeted the women and kept Val close as they moved through the entrance into the larger room. It was a party, from what Val could see. A four-piece ensemble in one corner was playing music, a buffet was spread against the left wall. The other side of the room was all windows so guests could enjoy the views of the mountains in the distance and the cruise ships pulling in to dock a little closer. Different-sized chandeliers sparkled from the ceiling, while high tables were covered in black cloths. Women dressed in short black shorts and tuxedo tail jackets moved throughout with trays of drinks.
“There you are,” Samantha said as she walked up to them. “I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”
“Not a chance,” Roland said with a shake of his head. He leaned in to kiss his sister’s cheek.
Samantha DeSaunters Montgomery beamed. She obviously loved her brother. The princess wore a long dress in a lovely shade of pink. Her long hair was pulled up in a neat bun. She looked casually pretty and aristocratic, all at the same time, while her husband stood beside her in navy blue pants and a dark gray jacket. He was an American soldier with a rugged appearance. They were a starkly different couple and yet their love was as obvious as the money floating around in this facility.
“It’s good to see you again, Valora,” Samantha said.
Val remembered the last time she’d seen the princess and she immediately felt embarrassed.
“Good evening, Your Highness,” Val said and fell into a quick curtsy.
“You can call me Sam. There’s just family around,” the princess told her.
Just family, Val thought. The royal family. It was a bit to swallow, but the approach of Prince Kristian and Princess Landry confirmed it. Val curtsied once more as she greeting the crown prince and his wife.
“You look lovely,” Landry said, after telling Val she preferred to be called by her first name only.
She was American, too, and had only been a princess for a few months. Val liked each of these women.
“Thank you,” Val replied.
That was truly a compliment coming from a woman who was known for her fashion sense.
“Did you like the other outfits?” Landry asked Val after they were all served a drink.
Val immediately looked to Roland, who shrugged as he took a sip from his glass. “I said I was shopping. I didn’t say I did it alone,” he replied to her questioning gaze.
“I loved it all,” Val said after shaking her head at him. “Thank you so much for taking the time to select those items for me.”
She didn’t know if she should be embarrassed that another woman had to choose the right clothes for her to wear while she was with Roland, or just thankful that she’d received a new wardrobe for being with a guy she was crazy about. The latter won, and Val relaxed as Landry waved away her comment.
“It was no problem. I enjoy what I do. With the magazine launch and the big fashion show coming up next month, I don’t get a lot of time to simply style like I used to. When Roland called me and told me what he wanted, I hopped on the chance to help.”
So, Roland had called his sister-in-law and told her about Val. She wondered what that conversation had entailed.
“I really appreciate it. I had no idea Roland was going to do something like that,” Val said.
The guys had huddled around Roland as if they were protecting him after his shopping comment, and the women had come closer to Val.
“We didn’t ei
ther,” Sam said. “I mean, I’ll admit that I kind of thought there was something big between you two.”
“How?” Val asked. “I mean, there wasn’t at first, and then there was. But I didn’t tell anyone anything. I wasn’t trying to get any attention. It just happened.”
Sam touched a hand to Val’s shoulder. “Stop. It’s okay. I know you weren’t gunning for him. If you were, you wouldn’t be standing here today.”
Val must have looked confused by Sam’s words because the princess continued to smile as she nodded.
“I know my brother, and if he thought you were disingenuous about being with him or plotting something bigger, he would have dismissed you instantly. That’s just how he is,” Sam said.
“I haven’t known him as long as she has, but Sam’s right. Roland does not play games,” Landry added.
Val sighed with relief. “I just don’t want other people to think this was all some master plan.”
“You can stop that right now,” Sam told her.
“Stop what?” Val asked.
“Giving a damn what other people think,” Landry explained. “No matter what you do or say, they’re always going to form their own opinion. They’re entitled to it. You, on the other hand, don’t have to hear their opinions or take them to heart.”
When Val only looked from one of them to the other, Sam shrugged and said, “She’s right.”
Val grinned and relaxed. “I really like you two,” she said and took a sip of the drink that had been handed to her a few moments ago.
A few minutes passed in a conversation about them having dinner and taking in a show, then the guys were back, this time with someone in tow.
“Quirio Denton, I would like for you to meet—” Kristian’s words were cut short as the tall, slim man who had come over with the men spoke.
“The royal women,” he said, stepping forward and bowing before the three of them.
“Princess Samantha,” Quirio said when he stood straight. “It is a pleasure to meet you in person. I have been a fan of yours for quite some time.”
The man was smooth. Val would give him that. He was over six feet tall with a dark chocolate complexion and bald head. He wore all white, pants, shirt, jacket and shoes. There was a huge gold watch at his wrist and a large sparkling diamond in his left ear.
“It is nice to meet you, Mr. Denton. I’ve heard a lot about you in the past few weeks,” Sam said, while allowing him to take her hand and kiss the back of it.
Gary had returned to stand next to his wife, giving Denton a look that clearly said he would break the much slimmer man in two if he took the cordial kiss too far.
“And the newest princess, the lovely American who stumbled across her Prince Charming and snagged the aloof Prince Kristian.” Denton easily lifted Landry’s hand kissed its back, as well.
Landry smiled in return. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Denton.”
“And this is...” Denton began when he finally stood directly in front of Val.
“I’m Va—” Val began to say, but she was cut off by Roland, who had come to stand right beside her, taking both her hands in his.
“This is Valora Harrington. She’s with me and there will be no kissing of her hand, you rake,” Roland said before chuckling at Denton.
Denton joined him in laughing as he continued to stare at Val. “Okay, I see, Your Highness. No need to explain further.”
Denton had been about to turn away, but he stopped and looked back at Val. She’d been shaking her head at Roland, but they both stopped when Denton yelled, “I know you!”
Val startled and the hand Roland held of hers began to shake. Did her father owe this man money too? How else would he know her?
“Excuse me?” Roland asked as he took a defensive step in front of Val.
Denton grinned, straight white teeth showing with his action. He pointed beyond Roland to Val and said again, “I know her!”
“How exactly do you know her?” Gary asked, suspicion clear in his voice.
They’d circled around her, Kristian and Landry, Gary and Sam. Both couples had come to Val’s side while Roland stood in front of her. With the quick motion of the royal family, the guards who had been hanging back at a safe distance also moved forward.
“My Moonlight,” Denton said. “An Island Morning.”
Val relaxed enough to give a small smile. “You know my work?”
Denton nodded. “I own those two pieces,” he told her. “I wanted to purchase more, but the manager at the museum here said there were no more.”
“She doesn’t sign her work,” Roland stated, his tone still leery.
“No. No she does not,” Denton said. “But once you purchase the painting, you get a certificate of authenticity. It has the artist’s name on it.”
“He’s right,” Val replied.
They were the first two paintings she’d sold. Eddie, the manager of the museum, hadn’t wanted to include them in the Homegrown wing of the museum where they showcased all forms of art from citizens of the island. He’d said it was a conflict since Val worked there, and he didn’t want anyone to think he was showing favoritism. So he’d put the paintings in the gift shop, instead. Val had been sure nobody would ever see them in there, with the quantity of other items on display in that store. But this man had.
“I didn’t know you were a painter,” Sam said immediately. “There’s no exhibit at the museum under your name. If there was, I would know. All new exhibits have to be approved by a member of the royal family, which usually means me.”
Val cleared her throat. Everyone was staring at her, but she was used to that. “My manager thought it would be a conflict if he featured my paintings since I work there.”
Denton nodded. “Ahhh, I was wondering why such good pieces were in the gift shop. They were on the floor behind a stack of watercolors, at that. I knew immediately what they were worth.”
“What were they worth?” Val asked, because to date she had not been informed that any of her paintings had been sold.
“Well, I would think you would have been satisfied with your commission,” Denton said to her.
Val was face went blank.
“You didn’t know your pictures had been sold?” Roland asked.
“No,” she replied shaking her head.
“Well,” Gary said, “I believe that means someone will be getting fired first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Fired and possibly arrested,” Kristian added.
“They’re signaling us over there,” Landry stated. “I think they’re ready for us.”
Val breathed a sigh of relief because she didn’t like the way Roland was looking at Denton. She especially didn’t like learning that she’d sold two paintings but hadn’t received any money. She was placing a call to Eddie the moment she left the party.
* * *
“That’s the good thing about this tropical climate,” Denton was saying, moments later when they were all seated at the table. “We can break ground as soon as next month. Give my team a few weeks to get some plans drawn up and approved. I’ve got a construction crew ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
“The height of cruise season will be starting toward the end of April and it’ll run straight through to end of September,” Kip added.
“We’re leaving for the States right after the fashion show in January,” Sam stated. “Gary needs time to work on his book and I have to begin working with the hospital there on our plans for the children’s foundation. If you can assure me that we’ll have final plans by the first of the year, I can work on scheduling meetings with the cruise lines around that time.”
This little get-together had been Roland’s idea, yet he was sitting at the table thinking of all the things he planned to say to Eddie Bishop, the manager of
the museum. Firing the man wasn’t going to be enough. After seeing Val’s paintings, he’d also wondered why they weren’t featured at the museum. He’d planned to address that issue, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. At this point, it was going to be a priority.
Now, however, he needed to get this deal with the casino and the new resort completed.
“I’ll join you for those meetings,” he said.
Sam arched a brow in response. “Really? Then I’ll be sure to run the proposed dates by you ahead of time. I wouldn’t want to hinder any of your travel plans.”
“I don’t have any travel plans,” Roland said to his sister. “At least, not until after Christmas. Then I was thinking Valora might like to go skiing in the Alps.”
Val clearly hadn’t expected him to say that, as evidenced by the way she immediately looked at him. Roland grinned at her. He’d never imagined he would love surprising a woman as much as he did Valora. In the past few days he’d realized how much he loved being with her.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Denton commented. “I have a château in Switzerland. Consider it yours for however long you wish to stay.”
“I’m sure that’s going to be lovely,” Sam said.
“Thank you very much,” Valora said to Denton. “That’s very generous of you.”
The man took that as an opening and he reached over to take Valora’s hand. When he’d insisted on sitting next to her, Roland had sent him another warning glare. Now, it seemed, his scowls weren’t going to be enough.
“What you can do for me in return is simple,” Denton told Valora.
“Careful, Denton, this deal isn’t done yet,” Roland said, not liking the punch of jealousy that so easily coursed through him.
The guy answered Roland by tossing his head back and laughing. “As we say in America, you’ve got this guy sprung,” he told Valora.
Landry laughed, and Roland was afraid Gary might have, too, if he hadn’t excused himself to take a phone call a few minutes ago.
“Just tread lightly and say what you have to say so you can let her hand go,” Roland told the man with a shake of his head.
