“Until tomorrow.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
Then he left.
And any hope that she could live without him and still be happy left with him.
Chapter 10
Tess awoke to a call from her father.
“Hello.”
“I heard from our men that Trent came to your room last night.”
Her heart raced, but she refused to fumble with her words or cower in front of her father. He would not respect such a reaction.
“He did. We were talking about productivity. The night was young and we both felt compelled to get some work done. He’s a very nice man. I’m glad that you are thinking of working with him.”
“Working with him is all that I’m considering. To be clear.”
“I know, Father. He is highly entertaining, though, you have to admit. He would make an excellent addition to any party.”
“That he would. I look forward to his presence today in our watchtower. I value his presence. I just don’t like him in your apartment or as a possible contender for your hand.”
Her throat felt full, and it became difficult to swallow. “A contender for my hand? I hardly know the man.”
“I know, my dear. I just wanted to make clear our understanding.”
“You know we don’t have any understanding. We have a mandate and a refusal.”
“I know. But I have eyes. The other two islands are combining forces, they might even use the same currency. There is talk of a Mediterranean Island Union. But we need more of the islands to commit. We need Tehan. We need you.”
She didn’t see how her influence could be that vital, but she could hear a surprising urgency in her father’s tone, and that gave her pause. “I’ll consider it. Again.”
“Thank you, daughter. I know you must feel like we are asking too much, but it really is for your benefit. We are helping set up a world where you can be prosperous, safe, and happy. One small dip in the economy, and our little nations will fold. We must hold on to whatever methods we can to encourage wealth and success among our citizens and our governments.”
“I know, Father. I do.” Trent’s words came back to her. “Perhaps I could do both? Be happy and marry for the success of our nation?”
“That would be our greatest hope. Give Tehan a chance.”
She had been thinking in a completely different direction, but she agreed and then hung up the phone. Things were difficult. And now she would have to spend most of her time with Tehan even while Trent was there in the watchtower. Could anything be more awkward or uncomfortable?
She would consider her father’s words one final time. She would put her father and her nation first. For now, that meant giving Tehan a chance and exploring what this new union could mean. But would it require a marriage union? She was still resisting that with all that was in her. But true freedom from such a match was not within her grasp. Yet.
Trent exited the elevator to a room full of royals. The watchtower was a paradise for Link Capital. As he looked around at the men and women filling the room, their companies, net worth, and governments played across his mind. He had seen holes in their progress, ways in which he could help each one. It excited him.
As his gaze moved through the crowd, his eyes met Tess’s, and the apologetic look she sent his way told him everything he needed to know. She held Tehan’s arm, laughing and playing with the group that surrounded her. He gritted his teeth. Watching her fulfill her duty to the crown would be way more difficult than he’d anticipated. And convincing her to change her mind seemed impossible. But did he really want her to renege on her duty? For him? He did not. Surely there would be away for them to accomplish both.
Luke Valdez, one of the royal princes of Torren came and stood beside him. “So, you’ve been dipping in the royal pool?”
Trent’s eyes widened. “How you discover the things you do is incredible.”
“It’s not that difficult, really. You aren’t being in the least bit careful.”
He dipped his head. “True.” He indicated Tess. “But as you see…”
“Ah yes. Her responsibility is real. And consuming.” Luke was a good friend. He worked for the military of his country Torren and in national security for the crown. He saw much, spoke little, and aided in more situations than Trent suspected anyone realized. Luke clapped him on the back. “Come, let’s talk sense into Nico.”
“Oh, is he ready for sense? I would have thought Thane.”
“He’s ready. It’s time. We’d be smart to hire you if only to teach him a few things.”
“Lead on.”
Nico was the best of men. He had a reputation as a playboy partier, but he was really trying to be better, more focused.
Trent sat with the princes of Torren, completely at ease. These royals were his people. They wore their wealth and power with ease, with kindness, and with a great deal of fun. And they were going to hire him. He couldn’t complain.
But always his eyes followed Tess. And, every now and then, she looked his way. Every time she did, he would lose his train of thought. One time, while talking to Nico about some ideas he could try in his country, the man noticed Trent’s lapse in focus. “Ah, Tess. She’s a special one.”
“Do you know her well?”
“Better than most. She’s everything you see right there. The whole package. Going to inherit her own throne or I would have considered her.”
“Do you think she’d ever consider an American?”
“I see no problem with Americans. Our family is a little more liberal about those things than most. But her dad.” Nico shook his head. “You gotta win him over, and it’s going take dollars and cents or, in this case, Mediterranean unity.”
Trent nodded. “Thank you. Here I am offering to help you, and you’ve gone and done the same for me.”
“It’s a pleasure. And it’s nice to see a new face around here—one that I like.” Nico stood. “Come later this summer and we’ll get started.”
“Done.”
Nico walked away and Trent appreciated him all the more.
Several more royals came to find him, asking about his consulting, and Trent was beginning to think it was one of the most productive events of his career. Until Tess’s father clinked his glass. “The Regatta is about to begin. But before Tess calls down to get it started, I wanted to propose a toast.”
Everyone gathered and raised their glasses. “To Tessandra, the future ruler of Pantos, who will far exceed me in excellence. And to Tehan, may he and his nation ever stand at her side.”
“To Tess. To Tehan. Cheers.” Everyone toasted the couple.
But Trent couldn’t take a sip. Tess turned in his direction, and he knew the champagne did not pass her lips. What a situation to be in. Here he was, during an incredibly lucrative event, and he could only feel frustration as he watched the most fascinating woman of his life start to slip through his fingers.
Nico’s advice rang true. But how was he supposed to encourage Mediterranean unity, to replace the good the country could gain from joining with Tehan?
They gathered at the windows. Tess picked up a red phone on the table. When someone answered, she shouted to the room and into the phone. “Let the races begin!”
Her voice sounded on the television monitors around the room, and for a moment, Trent was caught up in the race, the moment, the excitement of it all. He moved closer to the window and watched as the sailboats unfurled their sails and picked up speed. He was mesmerized by their beauty.
Tess stepped up beside him. “You’d like to race, wouldn’t you?”
“Very much.” He turned to her. “Have you raced?”
She nodded. “I’d give anything to be back out there.” Her sigh was small as he searched her face.
She shook her head, nodded to him, and then turned back to her father’s questioning glance.
She left behind her soft smell, lemons maybe? And he resisted a strong desire to hold h
er. He shrugged and rotated his shoulders. The group watched from the windows until the boats were out of sight. The television monitors would broadcast their progress, but the next big sighting would happen in three days’ time at their return, when the winner would cross the finish line.
Trent had secured at least five nations as new clients before King Gregario came and stood beside him. He nodded toward Tess and Tehan, deep in conversation. Her laugh carried over to them. “See my Tess. A match with Tehan is a most desired wish for her mother and me.” His eyes bore into Trent’s.
He nodded. “They seem happy at the moment.”
“Her happiness will come. It will be bought with a secure government, a solid future, and a prosperous nation.”
Trent nodded. “I hope to converse more about that. I would like nothing more than to talk profit and productivity with you.”
Gregario gestured around the room. “You have many allies here. Many are talking of using your services.” When he turned his gaze back to Trent, his eyes held a steely glint. “But it could end with a single warning, a suggestion you aren’t to be trusted.” Gregario snapped his fingers. “I would hate to have that happen.” He lifted his cup to Tess, and she and Tehan responded with theirs. Gregario turned a searching expression back to Trent. “I like you. We could be friends. I hope you will never do anything to ruin that.”
Trent ground his teeth, but nodded and said, “I understand.”
King Gregario smiled and clapped him on the shoulder, his grip vicelike and strong. “I’m happy to hear it. As long as we remain friends, I’ve instructed my assistant to contact you and to set up meetings this summer to begin hiring you as our personal consultant.”
Trent exhaled. “I’m pleased to hear it. I’ll be at your service this summer.”
“I hope so.”
When Gregario walked back to Tess and Tehan, Trent did not miss the questioning looks Tess sent in his direction, but he kept his face blank. Her father had just given him new opportunities and new threats to consider. Before he was bewitched again by Tessandra’s magic, he needed to reconsider what was probably a temporary fascination with a beautiful and powerful woman. She could never be his no matter what he did.
Chapter 11
Tess’s smile felt stretched and uncomfortable while she listened to another of Tehan’s personal narratives. Trent was refusing to look at her after a suspicious conversation with her father, and she tapped her feet with an urgent desire to run to Trent and ask what had been said.
Suddenly impatient, she turned to Tehan and asked, “Don’t you care at all about anything personal? You talk as though you want an alliance, but all we ever discuss is your business and your country. How is your mother?”
He tipped back, obviously surprised at being interrupted. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. I didn’t know we had progressed to anything more personal.” He smiled, a bit warmer, less awkward, and she regretted making him believe that she felt any closer to him than before.
“She is well. Mother loves to bake.”
“What?” Tess laughed, charmed by the idea. “And her cook?”
“Perpetually fussing about her exerting herself. The two battle it out over the kitchen like Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington.”
Tess laughed, enjoying Tehan much more now that he was showing his real, familial side. “And your sisters?”
“They want nothing to do with the kitchen. Apparently it isn’t all the women in my family, just my mother. But she says she was raised on a traditional menu and doesn’t think anyone else can master her dishes.” He leaned closer and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. “I believe she just gets bored. It’s her hobby, her fun.”
Tess nodded. “I can see that. Though why she would ever be bored as the queen is beyond me.”
Tehan shifted. “In our family, she has little to do in the ruling of the country. Father and I, along with the secretaries and the cabinet handle most responsibilities.”
Tess nodded.
“I know that wouldn’t suit you. We would have a different arrangement, naturally.”
“Absolutely.” She would never turn over the ruling of Pantos to anyone else, Tehan included.
Her father joined them. “I like that Trent. He will make a good financial advisor. Most in the room seem to agree.”
Tess nodded, fighting against the self-conscious blush that threatened to spread across her face. “I agree. His principles seem sound. Already, a few of his minor suggestions about my plans for this week have helped tremendously.”
He nodded. “I believe he will do well among all the royals. He seems to understand his place.” He eyed her. “As long as he remains unconfused about his purpose here in the Mediterranean, he will succeed financially. Far beyond what he imagines.”
Tess sucked in her breath, fighting the urge to ask him what he’d said to Trent. She felt she already knew.
Tehan patted her shoulder. “I enjoyed talking with you. Mother will be pleased to meet you when she arrives.”
“I can only hope she brings a bit of her baking from home.”
“I have only to say the word and she will supply you amply.”
Tess laughed. Tehan was quite charming when he was being real and personable. If her father scared Trent away, maybe she could enjoy a life with Tehan, seeing Trent only for financial consultation purposes. For now, it seemed he would be a part of her life one way or the other.
The thought made her cringe. She could not continue seeing him at all once married to Tehan. Was she destined to be miserable, pining for someone just out of reach, someone she would always wonder about? Oh, why had she ever ordered a drink from Trent Hudson. If she believed in fate, she would believe him to be a very cruel master.
Now that the sails were out of sight, the party started to disperse. Her casual glance over the room did not discover Trent, and her mood sunk further. Had her father scared him off? He had probably tempted and scared him at the same time, she imagined. And for good reason. She’d been living in a dream, thinking that things could work between her and Trent. What game was she trying to play?
At length, she said goodbye to the last guest and told the staff to clean up.
“A successful event.” Her father’s words of praise washed over her.
She stood at his side, surveying the clean-up of the room. Even Tehan had already returned to the house her father rented. “Thank you. I look forward to the rest of the week.”
“You’ve done well for yourself. I see all the proof of an excellent ruler in you. Wisdom, ingenuity, courage, and…sacrifice.”
Her eyes flitted to his.
“I know what we ask of you may not always seem easy.”
She did not look away, but she did not deny his words either.
“But you have earned our highest esteem. Your mother and I have the greatest confidence in you.”
The tears that welled in Tess’s eyes were welcome and her heart was full of love. “Thank you, Father. It is with great honor that I receive your praise.”
“And, Tess, Tehan is a good man. He is honorable. His is a good family. I did not choose him for you simply for the economy of his nation. He is the most impressive of all the princes and the one I would welcome as the father to my grandchildren.”
She dipped her head. “Well, that is good to hear.”
“Of course, my dear. You mean more to us than an alliance with any nation. It is for you that we are doing any of this at all. And for the people of Pantos.”
She nodded. “I know you mean well.”
“Do not let an American distraction blind you to all the goodness that is available.”
Denial ready at her lips, she pressed them together when she recognized the knowing look in her father’s eyes. “I hear you. Though I don’t agree with such strong persuasion. You’ve made promises on my behalf, created understandings, and made public announcements without my consent, but I do hear what you are trying to say and appreciate the care, the love, that
your efforts demonstrate.” She bit her tongue, held her breath, and tried to stop the next words, but they tumbled out anyway. “Have you considered you might be wrong? Or that you are right but there is another equally beneficial way? Have you considered that I might have a more accurate plan for my own happiness?”
“Of course.”
“And?”
“I am not good at letting others work out their own plans. I rule. I am king. We will do things my way.” He was kind. His eyes full of love. But she knew he would brook no refusal without a serious break in confidence and in their relationship. She sighed. “So far, I am seeing little evidence that your plan will lead to my greater happiness.”
“Have trust. Patience, child. Please consider.”
She nodded, but as they entered separate limos, she was relieved for a space outside of his control and felt the weight of oppression lighten on her shoulders. She shook her head. “This can’t be good.”
The driver called back. “Your Highness?”
“Oh nothing. Please take me back to the hotel.”
“Very good.”
Late that night, with sleep far from her eyes, Tess found herself at Trent’s door. A part of her hoped her soft knocks might go unheard. But a few moments later, Trent held the door open with one arm, his pained expression telling her all she needed to know about his conversation with her father.
“I couldn’t sleep.” Tess shrugged.
“This is not a good idea.”
“Can I come in?”
He considered her then held the door open. “I’m at your command.”
She would have smiled at his quip, but she knew there was little humor in the bitter irony that neither were at leisure to make such a claim.
His suite was lovely, though not as spacious as her own, and the door to his bedroom was open. His bed was still made, so he had not even attempted sleep. Papers were in organized piles on the table and his laptop was open.
“Doing some work?”
He nodded and ran a hand through his hair. “That watchtower meeting was very productive for me. I suddenly find myself with more clients than I’d hoped.”
Her Billionaire Bellboy Page 7
