“Astrid, you are amazing.” Eric caught himself, and blushed. “I mean you’re quite resourceful and I’m glad you are on my side.”
“Your Highness, I am always on your side. I always have been, you just didn’t want to see that.”
Eric sighed. “Okay. So, what you have to understand about Ben is that we go way back. Ben is a duke of a country called Gothland, also in the north. He’s been my companion and closest friend since our days at university. After graduation, he came to the court of Rogandal and never went home.”
“I didn’t know you and Ben were friends for that long.”
“Yes. Good old Ben, that man could out-drink and out-fight me. He was crazy but he always had my back.”
“Until now,” said Astrid quietly.
“Until now. Until he started selling pictures of me and exploiting me. I don’t know what happened to him. That’s not the Ben I knew.”
“You said he saved your life.”
“He did, twice, as a matter of fact. The first time, we were on the Freja. It was our first season on the yacht and we didn’t have a full crew at the time. It was just us guys, a cook, and a few crew members. We were sailing in a race just off the coast of Australia. If you’ve ever sailed those waters, you know how quickly the weather can change, and that’s what happened to us one night. Waves were breaking over the bow and the stern, and we were having a rough time trying not to capsize. It happened so quickly that I forgot to put on my life vest or strap in. I was washed overboard and Ben risked his life to save me.”
“That is amazing. I can’t imagine how you survived being washed overboard.”
“If it wasn’t for Ben, I would have drowned.”
“And the other time? How did he save your life a second time?”
“That is tough for me to talk about. Ben saved my life one night when I was in Bangkok. I would have overdosed if he had not been there.”
“Overdosed?” asked Astrid, feeling shocked. It must have shown on her face, because Eric looked ashamed.
“Yes, you heard me. It’s not something I’m proud of and I haven’t touched drugs since, but I owe my life to Ben.”
Astrid sipped the margarita and gazed at Prince Eric. He was humbler and more complex than she had suspected. His candor about his brushes with death, and his loyalty to a friend who had betrayed him made her adjust her opinion of him. She was learning that there was more to him than his bad boy persona. Looking into his blue eyes, she realized she intended to find the real Eric who lay buried behind his image. She just hoped he would give her a chance.
Chapter 9
“Give me one good reason! Why do you suddenly want to see Gunter?” asked Astrid as she stood with one hand on her hip, and the other wrapped around a cup of strong coffee.
“I know, I know. You’re right about them, but Gunter was different,” Eric said, looking up from his phone.
“He betrayed you. He was working with your sister, and he abandoned you here to face all the consequences of Ben’s accident alone. I’d say he was no better than the other two so-called friends of yours.”
“Willoughby, Gunter was my bodyguard. He was a paid member of the staff, not an entitled aristocrat like me. How can I fault him for earning money on the side? He was just being enterprising.”
“And his alliance with your sister? What about how disloyal he was to cut and run when you were arrested here in Grenada? Can you fault him for that?”
Eric walked towards her, his blond hair stirring in the breeze blowing gently on the patio of the hotel suite. “Look, I’m not going to argue with you. You’re right, there is no doubt about that, but Gunter says he has information I might find useful.”
“Useful? Are you kidding me? What kind of set-up is this?” She put the coffee cup down on the table and reached for the latest edition of the London Times, shoving it at Eric. “Do you see this? Front page, the latest details of your current scandal. Why on earth would you meet with the traitor who gives the press this kind of story?”
Eric’s eyes darted across the columns of gossip, and the pictures. He frowned. “Well that is certainly untrue – I was not involved in a bar brawl before the accident. That was Hans, not me.”
“Eric, listen to me. You don’t owe these people anything, not a thing. You think of Gunter as a bodyguard, getting paid to support his family. That may be true, but he was also paid to be loyal to you and your family, and what about the nation he serves? With every damaging story that he profited from, he destroyed the reputation of all the citizens of Rogandal just a little more each time. I say cut him loose, just like he did to you.”
Folding the newspaper, Eric placed it on the wrought iron table beside the fruit salad and crepes. His eyes met Astrid’s. “I am not quite so gullible and naïve, if that is what you mean. No, I intend to find out what he knows and then send him on his way, nothing more.”
The sunlight sparkled on the water of the pool and in Eric’s blue eyes; Astrid tried to remain focused on the conversation but found it difficult. “Your Highness, I know this must be difficult – to cut ties with the people you thought were your friends – but if we are to move forward and change your image, this kind of publicity has got to stop.” She gestured to the newspaper.
“I know, but I just want to hear what the man has to say.”
“You’re going to make a fine king one day – we just have to show your father and the people of Rogandal that you deserve it. Your father is ready to name your sister as his successor, and it could happen any day now. We both know your sister would not be the sovereign that you could be. Rogandal needs you.”
“You keep saying that, but I wonder if it’s true. Rogandal needs a ruler who doesn’t end up being front page news for every mistake.”
“We can fix that, but you have to want to fix it. Go ahead and tell Gunter you’ll meet with him, if that’s what you want to do,” she acquiesced.
“I want you to be there. I don’t trust him but he may have something important to say. Can you sit in on the meeting?”
Astrid didn’t bother trying to hide her surprise. “I can be there – as a matter of fact I would prefer to be – but I didn’t want to intrude. He was your friend, not mine.”
“It wouldn’t be an intrusion. You’re my press secretary, my public relations guru, and any meetings that may result in a report to the press should involve you,” Eric said with a smile.
“That is true. I may even have a few questions to ask him. This could be a good move, to meet with your former bodyguard.”
“Wait. Did you just say I was right? Are you agreeing with me?” Eric grinned.
Astrid rolled her eyes. “I said it’s a good idea, and perhaps if this meeting turns out to yield information we can use, then, and only then, you may be right.”
Eric’s eyes narrowed as he leaned in close to Astrid and whispered, “I look forward to that, to hearing you say I was right.”
Astrid’s heart raced. The prince was so close to her she could smell the scent of his skin and if she closed her eyes, she could imagine what it would be like to be kissed by him. Willing her mind not to stray into dangerous territory, she quickly turned away and reached for her phone.
“What day and time did you want to set up the meeting? Don’t forget your first court appearance is tomorrow.”
“How about we meet him for dinner this evening, at the Sands? Around seven?”
“Seven will be fine.”
“Yes, it will. That gives me the afternoon free; what do you say I have a free pass to get out of jail?” Eric asked with a smile.
“I can’t stop you from leaving but you are under my custody.”
“Oh, come on. I’ll behave – I promise. I have to, since I am meeting with legal counsel.”
Astrid scanned the schedule. “I don’t show that we have a meeting scheduled for this afternoon with the attorney. Did I miss a phone call?”
“I don’t suppose you would have it in your notes – it’s
a private lunch and afternoon meeting with a junior partner I met at the office. Courtney, I believe she said her name was. Courtney, Clare, Candice? I don’t recall, but she is quite an attractive lady.”
Astrid tried not to react. The prince was going on a date. She had worked her heart out, called in favors for him, and he was going on a date with a woman whose name he couldn’t recall. A sudden feeling of hopelessness overwhelmed Astrid, but she only smiled and nodded her head. “Fine, that will be fine. Just be sure to be back in time to dress for dinner.”
Eric quickly kissed her on the cheek. She kept her face impassive, and waved a hand at him dismissively.
“Thanks, you are a dear. I’ll see you tonight!” He went to his bedroom, leaving Astrid alone with a romantic breakfast for two left uneaten on the patio table.
* * *
Alone in the royal suite, Astrid tried to focus on her work. The latest headline in the London Times was not all that was troubling her; there were similar headlines floating around the internet and she had so far not been successful in her attempts to convince the king of Rogandal that his wayward son would change his ways.
Speaking to the king, Astrid tried to remain impartial, to keep her own emotions out of the conversation. “Your Majesty, I understand your concerns, I do. I’m not disagreeing with your assessment, not at all. But I believe there is room for cautious optimism.”
“Lady Willoughby, you have acted in the best interest of the crown and the nation – I can’t thank you enough, but my son’s latest escapade has pushed me to make a decision that I regret, but which has become necessary.”
“I didn’t see where your decision to alter the succession of Rogandal has been announced publicly.”
“It has not, because I have not made it official. I am only informing you because I respect you and what you have accomplished – I only wish I had thought to engage your services earlier. The fault lies entirely with me. I let my son spend far too many years living any way he chose because I thought he would grow up and settle down after all that wildness was out of his system.”
“It’s not too late, Your Majesty. You’ve waited this long, I implore you to give me just a few more weeks.”
“No, it has gone on long enough. You do not have weeks, as I will be signing the order to make my daughter my successor at the end of the month. Then it will be announced publicly. If you can change my mind before that time, then so be it, but I sincerely doubt you can do that.”
Astrid calculated how many days she had until he would change the succession, a week and half. It was not much time, but it was better than an outright no. “Your Majesty, that gives me reason to hope. If I can convince you that Eric is ready to become sovereign, you will uphold the succession as it stands right now, is that correct?”
“It is, but Lady Willoughby, with my son’s dismal track record, I do not hold out very much hope. If you are able to perform this extraordinary feat, a bonus awaits you and a position as a diplomat, should you choose to accept it.”
“Your Majesty, I am honored that you would consider me for a diplomatic position, thank you. And in regard to your son, I accept the challenge – or else I would not have agreed to take it on in the first place. Thank you.” Noting the time difference, Astrid ended the conversation with “Have a good evening.”
“And you as well, Lady Willoughby. I look forward to your success by the month’s end, but remember that is all the time I will spare. You have my permission to act in any way you believe is in the best interest of Rogandal.”
The phone call at an end, Astrid returned to the task at hand, deciphering the latest stories about Eric that were turning up on the internet news feeds. Scrolling through the sites, she noticed that the information was not new; it was based on the events leading to the prince’s arrest in Grenada, with little mention of the events that took place afterwards.
Astrid needed to replace the gossip with details of the positive outcome in Grenada, the dropped charges, and the possibility that the prince may not have been at fault. It would be a betrayal of Eric’s trust to reveal any details of Ben’s involvement, but she only wanted to clean up his image, shine him up to look like a prince, and return to England, forgetting this whole experience had ever happened.
Earlier that morning she had been optimistic about her chances with Eric. They had shared a suite for many days, dining together and walking along the beach. Astrid had let her defenses down, letting Eric into her heart against her better judgment. When he wasn’t drunk and obnoxious, he was sweet, funny, and intelligent, and his conversation and stories held her attention for hours. His date with Cordelia Godwin, a partner at the legal firm handling his case, felt to Astrid like a betrayal. Astrid was not sure whom she was supposed to blame – herself for imagining that she and Eric were falling in love, or Eric for not returning her feelings.
Eric’s decision to go on a date with Cordelia had been a slap in the face to Astrid but she resigned herself to the fact that it was for the best. Deciding that she was being foolish to allow her feelings to cloud her judgement, Astrid was more determined than ever to finish her obligation to Rogandal – and do it as soon as possible. Eric was a job to her, nothing more. He was just one more spoiled royal who needed repair.
On a hunch, she called her contact at the intelligence office and made a request regarding Eric’s sister. Astrid knew there was more to this sister than fashion and perfect cheekbones. Her second task was hard, but it was necessary. Looking at the copy of the police report, she found the name of the captain of Prince Fayed’s yacht, the Ocean Eagle.
Shutting her laptop and calling for the car, Astrid knew there would be no turning back. She was committing to a course of action that may cost her Eric’s respect, but which would but ensure his succession to the crown of Rogandal. Without hesitating, Astrid climbed into the back of the limousine and gave the driver the address, convinced that she had no other choice.
* * *
It was late in the day when Astrid returned to the suite. Looking at her watch, she realized it was half past five. She had barely enough time to take a shower and dress for dinner. Turning the key in the door, she hoped she had managed to make it back to the suite before Eric. She was not in the mood to explain her activities that afternoon.
The door opened to reveal the suite in the same state she had left it earlier in the day – her laptop lay on the table, a small pile of newspapers and police documents stacked neatly beside it. Grabbing her laptop and the papers, she rushed to her room.
She emerged an hour later to a suite that was still empty. Knocking on Eric’s bedroom door, she did not hear a response. The silence in the suite confirmed what she already knew; the prince was not back on time to attend dinner with his former bodyguard. Picking up her phone, she was in the process of sending him a nasty message when she received a message from him, assuring her that he would meet her there.
As she called for the car, she was reminded once more that the prince did not have any feelings for her. His afternoon date must have been so engaging that it demanded his attention until the very last minute. Vowing never to let Eric into her heart again, she climbed into the limousine.
Gunter was already waiting in the hotel bar at the Sands when Astrid arrived ten minutes early. He waved to her casually, as though they were old friends. As she joined him, he complimented her. “You look amazing, I’d even go so far as to say you are the best looking woman here.”
Astrid looked at her reflection in the mirror behind the bar. The black tailored sheath and simple platinum dangle earrings had been a good choice for the evening. Her red hair was arranged in a messy up-do and her make-up was tasteful. She did not think of herself as amazing, but she had to admit she cut a striking figure.
Coldly polite, she replied, “Thank you, Gunter. How have you been?”
“That’s a loaded question if I ever heard one. I’ll be honest – I’ve been a mess.”
Gunter was well-built with broad sh
oulders, thick muscles, and a wide neck. He could pass for a professional body builder and his size may have intimidated many men, but not Astrid. Without blinking, Astrid stepped close to him, so close she could smell the alcohol on his breath. “You mean, since you and the others left Eric to take responsibility for the latest disaster, or since you’ve been colluding with the princess to provide damning information to the Swedish press?”
Taking a gulp of his drink, he set the glass down on the bar. “What would you have me say? I screwed up, a lot. That is why I am here tonight – to make it up to Eric.”
“It’s not just your old buddy Eric you have to make it up to – it’s the king himself. And make no mistake,” she hissed, “Eric is going to become king, despite your efforts to undermine that.”
“I want him to become king, and I mean that sincerely. I came here tonight to help him do just that. I don’t have to be here, you know.”
“Oh, suddenly you’re loyal and you expect me to be grateful. Do you have any idea how much damage you alone have done to your friend’s reputation, not to mention your king’s and your country’s? If it was up to me you would be found guilty of treason, and the king agrees with me – but there is a way you can redeem yourself.”
“There is?”
Eric walked into the bar. Astrid spoke quickly. “Yes, but we can’t discuss it now. Don’t say a word, do you understand? Now smile.”
Gunter followed her directions and smiled at the prince. “Eric, it is good to see you again my friend. I have a table reserved, if you both would care to join me.”
“Gunter, I’m glad you called. It’s always good to see an old friend. Let’s eat – after the afternoon I’ve had, I’m starved!” Eric replied with a smile.
The maître d’ showed the party to a private dining room overlooking the ocean. The sun was setting slowly over the horizon and the water reflected the reds and oranges of the fading daylight. Astrid ordered a martini and looked out the window, trying not to roll her eyes while Gunter and Eric talked of light matters.
Taming the Rebel Prince Page 10
