Ten minutes later, two hard knocks on his door preceded Ahsan's entrance. The swarthy skinned man made short work of assessing the situation while he threw the dead bolt.
“Sulking?” Ahsan asked.
“Drinking,” Mattias replied.
“Over a woman?”
“Over many things.”
“You sound strangely pensive.” Ahsan crossed the room and paused to lean his shoulder against a bed post.
“Perhaps I am.” Mattias didn't deny it.
“Anything to do with what's going on here?”
“Only insofar that we still do not know who, exactly, is targeting Miss Astbury. Unless you have new information?” Mattias had another drink and regarded Ahsan.
“I've got nothing yet. I was hoping you'd heard from Leander,” Ahsan admitted. At some point he'd lost the tuxedo coat, leaving him in just a white button down that provided a stark contrast against the otherwise gloomy room.
“He hasn't contacted me since I saw him last, which means he's in the thick of it, scaring up what details he can.”
“Who's covering Miss Astbury tonight, then, if you aren't?”
“Chayton. I'm sure he's keeping watch.” Mattias finished off the drink. He set the glass aside and exhaled, refusing to think about Katrina and how she hadn't quite taken his mind off the heiress. It was too late to go back to Alannah's suite and interrupt her slumber. There wasn't any good excuse for disturbing her at this hour, although he sorely wanted to.
“I'll check on my way back to my rooms. If Chayton's covering her tonight, then I'll pick up in the morning. How's that?”
“Fine with me. I've arranged to meet Miss Astbury at the masquerade tomorrow evening, so one of you can take the night shift after it's over.” Unless he could convince Alannah to let him inside, where he might stand guard while she slept.
“Or, I'll show up in your stead, and kill two birds with one stone,” Ahsan replied.
“I'm not sure what you mean.” Mattias had an idea, however, one that made his stomach tighten with displeasure.
“I mean that I'll meet her at the masquerade and find a way to remain in her company for the entire night. That way, one of you can pick up around breakfast, when I'm done.” Ahsan looked entirely too devilish for his own good.
“I don't think so. She's expecting to see me there, and that's who she'll find.” Mattias rose from his chair to bring the meeting to an end. This way, Ahsan wouldn't finagle his way into attending the masquerade.
“All right, all right.” Ahsan showed his palms, amusement ripe on his features. “I'll see you some time tomorrow. Remember to pass the word on if Leander finds out anything useful.”
“I will. Sleep well.” Mattias saw Ahsan out the door. Before he could contemplate a trip to Alannah's room and possibly make an awkward situation for himself, Mattias retreated into his suite.
Pulling out his cell phone, prepared to call Leander for an update, he discovered his phone was dead.
“That figures,” he muttered to himself. Sliding the phone onto his nightstand, he reached for the drawer and the cord to plug it in when he remembered the black out.
So much for that.
Any news would have to wait till morning.
Chapter Five
Alannah watched the rain from a small table near a tall window where she was finishing her second cup of 'instant' coffee. The staff delivered it early, a peace offering for the inconvenience of the lingering power outage. In emergencies, Alannah wasn't picky; any coffee would do. After tossing and turning half the night, she desperately needed a pick-me-up.
A knock at her door yanked Alannah from her grumpy ruminations. Three distinct raps that indicated it was Barrett calling.
Leaving the cup of coffee behind, she went to the door and opened it, careless that she was still attired in a silk robe of white. Barrett had seen her in bikinis and even a wrap around towel. He could handle her in a robe.
“Yes?”
“Miss Astbury, there is a gentleman--” Barrett didn't get the rest of his sentence out before a swarthy skinned man in a fine suit brushed her bodyguard away like a pesky gnat.
“Hello, Miss Astbury. I wondered if you'd like to take breakfast in the dining hall this morning. The power is still out, as I'm sure you're aware, but they've managed to serve up something decent, so I hear.” Ahsan smoothed a hand down the tailored suit and gave the material a tug to straighten it. Black, with a white shirt beneath and no tie, the suit was clearly expensive and well made.
Alannah knew who he was. Not so much by territory, but by how many women flocked to his side every time he showed his face in public. A layer of whiskers decorated his strong jaw and sexy eyes as dark as ink made silent promises of pleasure and good times. He was also distinct due to his charismatic nature and height.
Why he was at her door, of all people, she couldn't begin to guess.
“I'm sorry, I'm not hungry at the moment. You must have the wrong woman and the wrong room. Good day.” Alannah smiled quick so he wouldn't think she was totally rude, and was in the middle of closing the door when he braced a hand against the wood to keep it open. Blocking her from shutting it in his face. Alannah arched a brow at the arrogant action.
“Actually, I'm in the right place. Mister Morano asked some of us if we would escort the ladies down to the dining hall. With the outage, the kitchen staff is feeding everyone in shifts and it might not be until lunch or later that you'll have a chance to eat again.” He regarded her with a steady, dark gaze.
Alannah had no desire to eat amongst a herd of other guests. It was bad enough to endure the company of ten debutantes who took a half hour to decide what to eat and what to drink, much less twenty or so people for their 'shift'. Except this man had a good point. If she didn't eat now, there might not be another chance for hours. Hopefully, the power would be back on long before then.
“All right, Mister...”
“Ahsan. Just call me Ahsan.” He extended a long fingered hand.
Alannah shook, finding his palm to be covered in thick callouses. “Ahsan then. Give me fifteen minutes to change.” After he inclined his head and stepped away from the door, she closed it and headed for the closet. Because she had no intention of lingering downstairs after eating, she didn't need to dress to the hilt. Choosing a pale yellow pair of linen slacks, she topped it with a cap sleeved, pearl button down shirt of silk. Easy, light, respectable. She slipped her feet into sandals, pulled her hair back into a ponytail, and picked up her room key. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the hallway and locked the door behind her. Barrett trailed, looking unhappy about the brusque treatment he'd received from Ahsan.
“So, I hear you played a game of chess in the rain--”
“Mister Ahsan,” Alannah said in her most chiding voice. “I wish not to discuss the chess game. If you please, let's just go down to breakfast.”
Alannah couldn't have said what made her so prickly toward her companion. It wasn't just the way women flocked to him, but the personal way he spoke, as if he'd known her much longer than three minutes. Or maybe she was still stinging from the evening before and had no patience for small talk.
Yes, she was definitely still stinging.
Ahsan silenced himself and paced her to the stairs, holding the door for her to go first. Which she did. She descended with brisk steps, taking care not to fall. At the bottom, she got the door for herself and stepped into a long hallway leading two directions. Right appeared to lead toward the back of the manor, left toward the great halls and foyer in the front.
“This way,” Ahsan said, gesturing to the right. He said nothing more.
“Look, Mister Ahsan. I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep last--” She got no farther before the swarthy skinned man interrupted. He spoke with crisp precision, as if he wasn't often treated so rudely.
“No apologies. The kitchen is right up here.”
Now she felt bad. Alannah stole a quick glance at his profile. Ahsan was a devast
atingly handsome man, with an aristocratic nose, full mouth, and defined jaw. He could have graced the cover of any magazine, been a celebrity in any country.
As could Mattias. Except Mattias was built sleeker and a little leaner than the rugged, six-foot-three desert dweller.
Irritated that her thoughts swerved back to the Prince despite her best attempts to put him from her mind, she rounded into the expansive dining hall adjacent to the kitchens. Candles in familiar iron holders cast a pleasant, almost romantic glow over the gloomy room. Very little light spilled in through the arching windows thanks to another overcast, rainy day. Already a menagerie of guests were there, spread out around one of two large tables. Centered every two feet along the tables stood gorgeous floral arrangements that added to the overall sense of coziness and privacy.
Alannah took note that Mattias didn't seem to be among the gathered. The blonde, however, sat in a chair alone, stabbing her fork into small pieces of cut up fruit as if she were in a furious mood. Curious thing, that. Alannah might have expected her to be brimming with post-coital smugness.
“Enjoy your breakfast,” Ahsan said before cutting away to a buffet set up against the wall.
“I—Mister...” But he was gone. Oh, he probably heard her well enough, choosing instead to ignore her and concentrate on food.
Not to be put off, Alannah marched after him, snatched up a plate from a stack at the end of the buffet line, and stood next to him while he decided what to eat. Standing there in silence, determined to show him she did have manners, Alannah selected a few pieces of bacon, fruit and a dab of scrambled eggs to put on her plate.
“I'm unfamiliar with where you're from, Mister Ahsan. Why don't you enlighten me?” she said in her most conversational voice.
He barked a laugh and looked at her sidelong as if he couldn't believe his ears. “Are you always this standoffish, or is it just me?”
“I'm trying to make polite conversation,” she countered, frowning up into his face.
“You're like a prickly bush, maybe a porcupine, ready to stab and sting anyone who tries to get close. I have to say, you're nothing like I thought you would be from the pictures I've seen in magazines.” He arched a brow and piled a stack of pancakes on his plate.
Alannah caught herself before she could roll her eyes. The blasted magazines. Her father's doing, and the bane of her existence. It lent a false sense of confident exuberance in public that she simply didn't own.
“My father had those commissioned. It took three weeks to get the shots they wanted.” She'd been ready to throttle someone, namely her father, by the end.
“So he's using false advertising to try and snare you a decent husband.”
Alannah's fork rattled against her plate. “What? How dare you say such a--”
“But I'm right.” He sent a disapproving glance her way, like he hadn't expected her to lie about that part.
The sad fact was—she'd suspected the same thing at the time. Her father wanted grandkids, wanted her married and happy and living life to the fullest. After a disastrous relationship when she was twenty, Alannah retreated into her hobbies and passions and forgot about dealing with men. Four years later, she was used to doing things on her own, in her own time, and only went on dates when her friends set her up with someone they thought would be 'just perfect'.
“I don't need a husband,” she countered, flustered.
“Maybe you don't, but your father apparently thinks you do.” Ahsan picked up a fresh cup of coffee one of the staff poured, waited for Alannah to do the same, and walked to the end of the empty table to sit down.
Alannah wondered if he'd done that on purpose. Choosing the empty table opposed to the crowded one because he'd guessed she wouldn't enjoy being compressed between bodies.
“It doesn't matter what he thinks,” she said, sitting down opposite him. She snapped a linen cloth out, laid it over her thigh, and moved the flowers to the left so she had an unimpeded view of her breakfast guest. It also served to block out a few people in the table next to them.
“Why are you the way you are?” he asked, digging into his food.
“Why are you the way you are?” she countered.
“We're not talking about me.”
“Maybe we should be.”
“Or, we can talk about your chess game with Prince Mattias. I'm very curious to hear what happened.”
“Are you his lover? Is that why you're so interested?”
Ahsan choked on his pancakes, then threw his head back and laughed. It drew the attention of every eye in the room. Suddenly, silence descended, followed by a rush of whispers.
Blushing hotly, Alannah pretended not to notice, hiding behind the floral spray as best she could. Regardless of her discomfort, she smiled. Really smiled. Ahsan's reaction was better than she could have hoped for.
When he recovered, he cast her a shark-like grin as if to say, touche. Then, in an overly loud voice, he said, “No, Prince Mattias and I are not lovers. I'm sorry you're disappointed.”
She wanted to kick him in the shin under the table. A round of fresh laughter raced through the room as others picked up on the obvious joke.
“I'll make you pay for that later,” she promised, whispering. Then, she realized the room had gone quiet again. Lifting her head, she glanced past the flowers to the spot everyone else was looking.
There stood Mattias, a confused expression on his face. Laughter broke out through the room again when Mattias shot Ahsan a bemused glance.
Alannah wished a great black hole would open up under her chair and swallow her whole.
“Speak of the devil,” Ahsan said. “Grab a plate and join us, Mattias.”
“What? I don't think he wants to--”
“Of course I will, thank you for the offer,” Mattias said, speaking over Alannah's protest. He arched a brow at her when he realized what she'd been saying.
Alannah arched a brow right back, then dropped her gaze to her plate. She pierced another piece of fruit and slipped it between her teeth. Mattias was not someone she wanted to be around right now. What an awkward position, with his blonde lover sitting a few seats away at the other table.
Maybe, Alannah thought, she could finish her breakfast quickly and excuse herself before he arrived.
Mattias knew women well enough to know when they were avoiding him. Or at least avoiding eye contact. That was the case with Alannah this morning, which surprised him almost as much as walking in to hear his name in conjunction with Ahsan's. Last evening at her door, she'd been sweet and amiable and appeared to enjoy the kiss he left on her cheek.
What could have changed in a handful of hours? Perhaps she was merely embarrassed. It didn't seem her style, though, which left Mattias with more questions than answers. Gathering a few things for his plate, Mattias procured a mug of coffee and walked it toward Alannah and Ahsan. Although he was aware of Katrina at the other table, along with the dagger glances she was throwing him, he ignored her.
Coming up on Alannah's right side, he set his plate down and pulled out his chair. At that moment, Alannah rose from her own.
“Excuse me, gentlemen. I need to get back. Thank you for inviting me to breakfast, Mister Ahsan,” Alannah said.
Mattias remained standing. Confused, he traded a glance with Ahsan, who seemed as surprised as Mattias over Astbury's sudden departure.
“Thank you for making it enjoyable, Miss Astbury,” Ahsan said.
“Would you like an escort back to your room?” Mattias asked Alannah. Here they'd just got her under their wing, and she wanted to take a solo flight again. Mattias noted the bodyguard standing near the doorway and wasn't reassured.
“No, thank you. Good day,” Alannah said and turned on a heel.
“I'll see you later this evening,” he said, puzzled at what he perceived as Miss Astbury fleeing the table. And his presence, unless he was mistaken.
Alannah said nothing. She disappeared around the corner with her bodyguard in tow.
> “That's bloody fantastic,” Mattias muttered, hesitant to sit down. He had half a mind to follow Alannah and ask what was wrong.
“Yes, I'd been hoping we could keep an eye on her personally from now until this evening,” Ahsan said. “What just happened?”
“I have no idea.”
“She seemed perfectly content to sit here and eat with me until you showed up. Something happened.” Ahsan sipped his coffee, looking at Mattias with an expectant expression.
“I'm telling you, she was fine when I said goodbye to her at her door last night. Pleasant, in fact. I haven't seen her since then.”
“Maybe it was just a coincidence.” Ahsan forked a bite of food into his mouth.
Mattias, along with most members of the Royal Elite, didn't believe in coincidence like this. It was a little too suspicious. He stared at Ahsan then, conveying with a look that he didn't buy that explanation for a second.
“Maybe you'll find out this evening,” Ahsan said after he'd swallowed.
“No. I think I'll find out right now.” Mattias snared a few pieces of bacon from his plate and departed the dining hall without further ado. Between bites, he closed the distance to Alannah with long, determined strides.
“Miss Astbury doesn't wish to be interrupted right now,” Barrett said, glancing back.
“I'll let her tell me that herself.” Mattias drew abreast of Alannah just as she reached the stairs to the second floor.
She paused hearing his voice and cast a frosty glance over her shoulder. “I have nothing to say to you, Prince Mattias. Please do as Barrett says.”
Barrett stepped up and laid a hand lightly on Mattias's arm.
“Remove your hand or I'll rip it off your body.” Mattias didn't hesitate to let the bodyguard know he'd overstepped his boundaries. If Mattias's security had been there, Barrett would have found himself face down on the floor in seconds for the infraction.
Barrett, proving he had a working brain cell or two, snatched his hand away from Mattias. Alannah continued up, apparently unconcerned with the mild standoff.
“Miss Astbury, a moment, please.” Mattias chaffed at being ignored. The least she could do, he thought, was explain why she'd suddenly turned ice cold on him.
The Royal Elite: Mattias Page 5
