by Wendi Zwaduk
“Kudos, old man.” Charlie sipped the amber drink. “You just might have a future as an ambassador.”
“Huh? I’m an artist.” He leaned against the wall. “What are you talking about?”
“You defused the situation with her. Smart man.”
“I might have promised her something that’s impossible.”
“I heard,” Charlie said.
“And?” Luke held his breath. He could be in big trouble.
“Unless Zara has a problem with it, Corinne being her makeup artist is a good choice. It’s still a job and she’ll be with Zara, but she’ll have freedom, too. It’s the best of both worlds and a good answer for the problem.” Charlie nodded. “Plus, it gives you another in to see Zara.”
“I won’t be able to see her, will I?” Fuck. The only reason he’d agreed to be the court artist was to be with the woman he loved.
“She’ll get you in for personal reasons.” Charlie waggled his eyebrows. “I can only get you in to take Zara’s portrait.” He sipped his drink. “But if my sister happens to escape her confinement and goes with you to another portion of the castle, I won’t argue.”
Although his hope rose, Luke understood. He was up against some strong forces wanting to keep him apart from Zara. But he could change the outcome. He could get his way and had allies to do so.
“How about you focus on being the best court artist I could hire?” Charlie grinned, then ducked into the room at the back of the plane.
Luke shrugged. Charlie’s idea sounded like a good idea to him. He’d go to Lysianna, paint her portrait and prove to Zara he loved her.
Easier said than done, but he trusted his heart and Zara.
Chapter Eleven
Zara stared at the ceiling in her bedroom. She’d become a prisoner. She’d been back from Kenton for three days and not allowed to leave her quarters for any reason. Not for a stretch, fresh air…nothing. She could still hear her stepmother’s words on a loop in her mind. ‘You let us down. You acted like a commoner and misbehaved. Princesses don’t act out. Until you can accept your role, you will stay in the castle.’
Until she could accept her role… More like until she admitted she’d been bad and wouldn’t do it again. Then she wouldn’t be a captive.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Three days since she’d left college and three days since she’d seen Luke—they’d been the longest of her life. In only a few weeks on her own, she’d found her heart. She couldn’t expect Luke to come for her. He’d probably be barred from Lysianna.
A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. She opened her eyes. “Go away.” She wasn’t in the mood to be insulted again. “No admittance.”
The knob moved and door opened. Charlie ventured into her quarters. “You’d kick me out?”
She lunged off the bed at her brother and bear-hugged him. “I missed you.”
“Missed you, too, kid.” He hugged her tight. “How was college?”
“You already know.” She released him. “You’ve already graduated.”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “How is Luke?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t contacted him. Call it shame or embarrassment, but I don’t know what to say to him. It was so crazy…he might not want to talk to me.” She sank onto the bed. “Think you can get me out of here? I want to go somewhere.”
“You will,” he said. “How’s the leg?”
“Healed for the most part. It doesn’t bother me.” She’d tried to forget the shooting. “I might be dead if it weren’t for Luke.”
“You might be dead because you were with him,” Charlie said. “That’s why you were targeted—you were with someone else.”
“Who shot me? Elmore? Someone from the crown?”
“I’m still working on that. In the meantime…” He snapped his fingers. “I would like you to meet your new makeup artist. It’s a probationary position, but I think it’ll work into something permanent.”
“Huh? Probationary?”
Corinne stepped into the room. “Hi.”
Charlie nodded. “Probationary and conditional on your wishes. If you’d like a makeup artist, then she’s yours. If not, then the deal I made with her is a no-go.”
“Deal? Charlie?” Zara shook her head. Corinne was there and she couldn’t believe her eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I’ll be right back.” Charlie ducked out of the room, leaving her alone with Corinne.
Her former lady-in-waiting held up a makeup case. “Shall we get to work?”
“I…” She wasn’t sure how to feel. Corinne was still her best and only friend. How could she kick her out? She couldn’t.
“I’m here to do your makeup.” Corinne opened her case. “I’m supposed to make you beautiful for your official portrait.”
“Huh?” She didn’t know a thing about this portrait. “Hold on. Corinne? How did you get in here?”
“If you don’t want my services, then say so.”
“I want a second to understand.” She stilled Corinne’s hands. “You’re here.”
“I am.”
“Are you okay?”
“I miss my best friend and I can’t stop feeling guilty about what I did because I ruined your trust,” Corinne said. “So no, I’m not okay, but I’ll deal.”
Zara grasped Corinne’s hand. “Come here. You didn’t ruin my trust.”
“That’s what Luke said, but I’m scared.”
“Luke? You spoke to him?” Zara asked. “How is he?”
“He’s good,” Corinne said. “He gave me a pep talk.”
“Oh. Are you with him?” God, she hoped not. She couldn’t handle being tossed aside that fast.
“No, but I did meet someone.” Corinne smiled.
“The guy at the party?”
“No. His name is Ari. He’s a pilot.”
“Wow.” A pilot? Good job. “I’m proud of you.” She missed this closeness. Things were different between her and Corinne, but a lot was still the same. “You’re my makeup artist?”
“Luke suggested it and Charlie approved the role, as long as you’re okay with it.”
“I’ve had my lady taken away from me.” She hated being lonely and sounding sad. She’d tired of the distance between her and her friend. “Please stay. It gives us the chance to talk.” Maybe she’d get more information on Luke, too. “I forgive you, but you always had my forgiveness.”
“Thank you.” Corinne hugged Zara. “Now, it’s time to get you ready.”
“For the portrait?”
“Yes.” The light sparkled in Corinne’s eyes. “It’ll be a long sitting. We need to make you beautiful and worthy of an official portrait. Ready?”
“You’ve got your work cut out for you with me. I’m not beautiful.”
“Right.” Corinne abandoned her case. “You shower and I’ll pick out the dresses. Then we’ll get your hair in order. I have the list for what’s required.”
“What?” She stayed put on the bed. “Requirements? This was my stepmother’s idea, wasn’t it?”
“Before you get upset, no, it wasn’t your stepmother. These are Charlie’s suggestions.”
“Oh.” She allowed Corinne to nudge her to the bedroom. “Then you’re allowed to stay?”
“For this anyway.” Corinne shoved her into the bathroom. “We have a deadline, so don’t goof off.”
No use in arguing. She stripped and turned on the water, then stepped into the shower. Getting clean wasn’t as much fun without Luke to share the space. She washed her hair and body, but with each swipe of the cloth, she missed Luke’s touch and the sound of his voice in her ear. She could almost hear him and the memory sent shivers down her spine. Heat engulfed her and she swore she felt his hands on her body. She sighed. There was no point in worrying about Luke and the past right now. One way or another, she’d find her way to Luke. Soon. She just had to formulate her plan.
She left the shower and dried off in the bedroom. Corinne fiddle with two ballgo
wns—one black and one navy blue. Zara hadn’t worn either gown in over a year. She fingered the navy silk.
“Isn’t this one rather sexy for an official portrait?” Zara asked. “It’s provocative.”
“Charlie said the blue would look perfect against your skin. The color isn’t as severe as the black, so I’m leaning toward the blue.” Corinne pointed to the chair. “Sit. I need to get you ready.”
“Sure.” She did as told. Corinne impressed her with the dexterity she used to dry and style Zara’s hair. Zara hated trying to do her own hair and never had mastered makeup. Within an hour, her makeup was done, her hair in place and jewelry chosen. Corinne helped squeeze her into the corset, undergarments then the gown.
“Okay, stand.” Corinne backed up. “Put the shoes on and twirl.” She folded her arms. “It’ll do.”
“I hope so.” She couldn’t breathe without the corset threatening to bust her chest free. The neckline revealed plenty of her cleavage. Maybe she should change into something more demure.
Corinne tugged the shoulders of the dress down, increasing the view of her bust. “There we go.”
“Charlie requested this?” She picked up her phone and took a selfie. “I want to send a picture to Luke.”
Corinne nodded. “You look like a real queen.”
“Thanks.” She stepped into her pumps. “Where to?”
Before she vacated her suite, the door opened and Duke Elmore rushed into her room.
Zara sucked in a ragged breath. She didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “Elmore.”
“My princess.” He kissed her hand. “You look lovely. Almost like you’re expecting me. I might suggest you wear red next time.”
“I see.” There wouldn’t be a next time.
“Your college beau hasn’t followed you,” Elmore said. “He couldn’t come along, I expect? He won’t be trying.”
She gritted her teeth. “Get on with your point.” She slid her gaze over him. He might only be forty, but he seemed ancient. He wasn’t in the age range she preferred—closer to hers. Tall, with blond hair and green eyes, he might be attractive to someone else. He seemed to wear a permanent frown and be leering at her. Not attractive. He also wasn’t getting the hint she wasn’t interested.
“Your brother won’t be providing an heir,” Elmore said. “It falls to you to do that.”
“It does.” Not that she’d be asking him to help her produce said heir.
“You need a suitable husband to help you create the next king.” Elmore smiled and reached for her hand. “My beloved.”
“I’m not your beloved.” She yanked her hand away. “I’m also late.”
“Late?” Elmore asked. “For?”
“An engagement,” Corinne said. “You need to go.”
“I’m told you’re no longer her lady and have no standing here,” he said. “So shut up.”
“Don’t talk to my lady that way.” Zara wiped her hands on her dress. “Excuse me.”
“Before you go, consider my offer. You need to marry someone not only worthy of you, but who can love you properly,” Elmore said. “Marry me.”
“No. I’m not marrying anyone any time soon.” She shook her head. “Excuse me.”
“Just a moment.” He withdrew a bracelet from his pocket and snapped it around her wrist. The jewelry caught the light and the red stones shimmered. “Consider these jewels pretties for my perfect jewel.”
“You should keep this.” She tried to unhook the clasp. “I can’t accept it.”
“Too late.” He kissed her cheek. “Consider my offer. We belong together.” He dipped his head, then left. He moved as quietly as he had when he’d arrived.
She sagged into Corinne. “He won’t quit.”
“Nope.” Corinne removed the bracelet. “I’ll put this on your makeup table. Shame, really. It’s a pretty bracelet, but he’s an ugly-spirited man.” She sighed. “You do realize he thinks you’re going to marry him.”
“I said no.”
“But your parents will say yes.”
Zara lowered her voice. “I’m not a virgin any longer.”
“I suspected as much.” Corinne smiled. “Luke?”
She nodded.
“Good. He loves you.”
“He’s in the States. I’m here.” Her voice caught. “Love doesn’t mean much with the distance between us.” Distance, laws, rules…
“I know.”
She refused to marry Elmore. She’d rather live alone than be tied to a man she detested. “We should go. Where are we heading? I missed the location.”
“I didn’t get to tell you because we were interrupted. We’re going to Charlie’s sitting room. This way.” Corinne opened the door for her and escorted her across the corridor to Charlie’s group of rooms.
Zara blinked. The severe lighting in the suite made seeing where she was going almost impossible. A single lounge chair waited in front of a black cloth drape. Charlie stepped out of the shadows.
“Hi, you.” He hugged her. “Hi, Corinne.”
“My prince.” Corinne retreated. “We’re ready.”
Charlie snapped his fingers. “We have a new court photographer. He’s going to take your official portrait. Sit here.” He gestured to the velvet chaise lounge. “Just a moment.”
She settled on the chaise as Corinne arranged the folds of the dress. When Corinne backed up, Charlie returned and waved to the photographer.
“I’d like you to meet Luke Cobb,” Charlie said. “Our newest photog.”
“Luke?” The moment she saw him, her heart skipped a beat. “It’s you!”
“I’m sorry. That’s right. You need full privacy while taking the photographs,” Charlie said. “Corinne? We should go and leave the artist to his work. We’ll be right back.” He and Corinne exited, leaving her alone with Luke.
Zara blinked, then turned her attention to Luke. He hadn’t said a word. She wished she understood what was happening. Still, Luke had a camera and stood before her.
“You’re here.” She fought the urge to throw herself into his embrace. “Are we truly alone?”
“We are,” Luke said. “Charlie worked it out. I do have to take your photograph. I was hired for the job.”
“You were?”
“Well, yeah. I’m really here as the court photographer. Eventually, I should have to take everyone’s photo.” He knelt in front of her and placed the camera on the floor. “He invited me to do this job so I could see you. My heart broke when you left.”
“Mine, too.” She smoothed the wrinkles in his dress shirt. In casual or fancier wear, he mesmerized her. She ran her fingers through his hair. “What do we do? I don’t want you to photograph me. I’d rather kiss you.”
“In case we’re interrupted, let me arrange you and get these pictures taken. Once that’s done, we’ll talk.” He stood and moved the lights, focusing on her face. “Turn so you’re looking over your shoulder. Lean on the chaise. I’ll tell you where to focus.”
When she did as told, he moved her necklace and freed a curl from the pins in her hair. He stood off to the side of the camera. “I want you to look over here and like you can’t wait to get me alone.”
“I can’t wait to get you alone.” She added a slight smile, trying to be coy. She loved this man and needed time with him, but how to make that happen?
He ducked behind the tripod. “Good.”
She held still. “I’d rather do the photos like the ones you took in Kenton.”
“We will.” Luke stepped out from behind the camera. “Smile a little more. Just a little and keep it light.”
She watched him and did as he’d asked. Hunger spiraled through her veins and not for food. She wanted him. She’d rather be out of the dress and corset in favor of being in his arms.
“Good. One or two more.” He gestured to her. “Come look at the images. See what you think and we can adjust.”
She left the chaise and kicked out of her high-heeled shoes. She’d never
been good at walking in such thin heels. Now barefoot, she joined him behind the camera.
“Well?” Luke moved aside and rested his hand on the small of her back. “I hope you approve.”
She peered at the images in the LCD screen. He’d captured her in deep shadow and bright contrast, creating a sexy but elegant image. The portrait wasn’t like anything created for the other members of the royal family.
“Well?” Luke rubbed her bare back. “Good?”
“They’re beautiful.” She traced the edge of the screen. “It’s hard to believe these are of me.”
“They are,” he murmured. “They’re how I see you. Beautiful, mysterious and almost out of reach.”
She forgot about the camera. “I missed you. I wanted to run away, but I knew they’d find me.” She slid her palm over his cheek. “I hated leaving you behind.”
“I know.” He enfolded her in his embrace.
“Charlie said to trust him.” Emotion thickened her voice. “I’ve tried to come up with ways to get back to the States.”
He petted her hair. “Your brother told me to trust him and he’d get me here. We’re not out of the woods, but we have a few moments. Your folks don’t know I’m on the grounds to be more than a photographer. When they find out, they’ll be pissed.”
He wasn’t wrong, but that didn’t mean she liked his line of reasoning. “We’ll both be in trouble.”
“It’s a mess.” He chuckled. “But look at us. You’re in an evening gown and I’m in jeans. We shouldn’t work.”
“But we do.” She wanted to go to her suite of rooms and be with the man she loved.
He kissed the tip of her nose, then along her jaw to her cheek and earlobe. “I should’ve married you when I had the chance.”
“You want to?” She couldn’t believe it. “Luke?”
“I do.” He grinned. “I’ve never loved anyone in the way I love you.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but the words evaporated. He’d shocked her. She loved him, too and needed to tell him.
Corinne hurried into the room. “We have a big problem.” Her eyes widened. “Big. Huge.”
“What?” Zara refused to leave Luke’s side. “What’s wrong?”
